It’s one of those mysterious things in the virtual support profession: how to best respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP).

Over the last several years, myself (Cindy Greenway) and Tina Forsyth have seen our share of RFP responses VAs have sent to businesses owners. Some of these responses have been great. Others — not so much.

The problem is two-fold really:

(1) Many Business Owners have trouble communicating the kind of help they really need (because they ‘don’t know what they don’t know’). Some include very few details while others include WAY too much info.

and

(2) Many Virtual Assistants respond as if they were applying for a job, others include a full proposal or official contract while others include their rate, a simple line such as “I’d love to work with you, please contact me asap.” and next to nothing else.

So what’s the secret to responding to RFPs?

Join us on Tuesday, October 21st and we’ll share:

• What you should do BEFORE you even start a response to an RFP
• The biggest mistake Virtual Assistants make in their response
• How to make your RFP response stand out from the others
• The quality you must demonstrate (and it can be tough to do so in writing)
• much, much more

This class will provide you with more than the ‘mistakes’ of RFP responses … join us to learn the tools to confidently respond to RFPs, get noticed from potential clients and give business owners exactly what they want and need to hear from you.

Will you join us? Here are all the details:

Date: Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Time: 12pm Pacific / 3pm Eastern
Investment: $47 (includes live call, audio recording and comprehensive notes)

P.S. Are there other topics you’d like us to cover? Let us know — simply post your comments and suggestions below.

A few years ago when myself and Tina Forsyth hosted a teleclass for business owners "How to Boost  Business with a Virtual Assistant", a business owner asked a question/statement that  stumped me, but then opened up a whole new world of understanding.

The question was simply ... "Cindy, I know I need help.  Everyone around me tells me I  need a VA.  But I don't know what I don't know.  Tell me what I need to know."

Honestly, I was stumped.  I didn't know how to respond and it wasn't until 2 weeks after this live  call that I realized what this business owner was trying to tell me.

She knew she need help.

Her coach and colleagues told her she needed to hire a VA.

But she didn't know how to get started.  She didn't where to find a VA.  She didn't know how to hire one.  She didn't know  anything about how one could really help her.

Fast forward a few years and business owners are still telling me the same thing.

In the last two days alone, I've spoken with three business owners - two of which are completely stumped on how to even go about  getting help and one that is trying really hard to tell her program members how to go about finding and getting help.

And so the challenge continues.  But ... I DO see a light at the end of the tunnel.

It seems that us, the Virtual Support Industry as a whole, have a fantastic opportunity to step it up and tell business owners what they don't know --- how to find us, how to hire us, how we can help them eliminate chaos from their business, but
more importantly, how we can help them build their business, increase their credibility, find more clients and generate more  revenue.

For me, it starts with us getting out there, connecting with members of our target markets, asking four very specific questions,  answering to the answers and then applying a mindset - the magical key behind making a connection with a potential client.

What does this mean to you? How will you help business owners realize the full extent of what you do to help them build their  business?  Please post your comments below.

The new year is quickly approaching and so a great time to review what we did well in 2010 and what we'd like to do differently in 2011.

Would you like to share --- what will you do differently in 2011 to support your goals and build your business?

Often when we publicly proclaim our goals, it strengthens our sense of accountability. The Virtually Successful community would love to support you in achieving your goals for 2011 therefore, may I encourage you to post your comments below.

Thanks!

Online Video.  It's booming ... it's a must-do for business owners ... and yet it's something they don't know how to create, edit, post or leverage.

When you see a challenge ... offer the solution.

That's where we come in ... with the help of our friend Lou Bortone, Online Branding Specialist.

On Monday, November 8th, we're hosting a FR-EE 60-minute call and learn more from Lou on WHY the virtual support industry needs to start paying attention to this key area. Online Video skills are becoming a 'must know' skill set.   He's going to spill the beans on everything we want and should know that will help you greatly increase your value to your clients ... making you indispensable!

Find out:

• the importance of adding Video Support to your 'toolbelt' and services
• details about the demand business owners have in the area of online video
• how you can uniquely position yourself as the GO TO resource
• how much you can charge and earn

I personally can't wait to hear what Lou is going to share with us.  I'll be on the line listening with you ... will you join me?

Join the Video Revolution and hear what Lou has to share with us on November 8th.

When I sit down to write each issue of the V-Scoop, I usually reflect on common questions I'm asked, or discussions that I've had with virtual support professionals or business owners (our clients).

If I'm chatting about it with my colleagues, then chances are, other entrepreneurs are either wondering, thinking or chatting about it too.

If you're paying attention to the market out there, you know that the shift of 'general VA' to 'specialty VA' is continuing ... and in fact, more and more virtual support professionals are making the shift themselves.

It's really a great thing --- not only do you get to spend more time on and build your business in an area that you love and specialize in ... but you can demand higher rates, therefore generating more revenue.

FIRSTNAME, if you could look into a crystal ball - what would you see?  Would your business be the same as it is now or would you have made the transition to a specialty area?

It's exciting to me to think of all the specialty areas that are out there --- the opportunities are endless and we all know that with the internet growing as quickly as it has, even more programs, strategies and specialties will be popping up.

Some of the top current specialty areas that come to mind for me are:

So based on what you currently offer, what you love to do and the specialty areas business owners are paying top dollar for --- what does your future look like?

I'm focusing on this topic today because we want you to build the business you want, with the clients that appreciate you and while generating the kind of revenue you need and want.

Here's a few questions to get you started ... answer these and maybe you'll start to see a glimpse of what your crystal ball may show.  If you would like - share your responses with us below,

1. What tasks/projects do you do now that you absolutely love?

2. What tasks/projects do you do now that you would prefer to not do?

3. Are there other areas that you would like to learn more about and may need training in?  If yes, what are they?

4. If you were to specialize in one or two areas, what would they be?

5. Based on what you know now, do you feel there is a need within your target market for a specialist in this area to manage a piece of their business?

6. If you were to specialize in these one to two areas, what kind of rates could you charge?

7. Are there others who already specialize in this area?  If yes, how saturated is it already?

8. How willing are you to start to move your business into the direction of specializing in these one or two areas?

Look back at the responses to your questions.  Are you ready to move forward?   Do you need additional training?  Would it be helpful to seek the support of a mentor?

Only you can build your future -- however others around you can support your way there -- if you let them.  Need help?  Let us know - Cindy@VirtuallySuccessful.com

Over the last few weeks we've focused a lot on the topic of the bursting point  --- we didn't really plan it this way to be honest, but the response from so many of you has proven that it was something we needed to help you with little more.

We originally started with describing the bursting point and then continued on to how to turn the experience into a positive.  We even hosted a Future of Virtual Assistance call specifically on this topic just last week.  What we haven't  covered so far is how to navigate through the bursting point --- how to get through it without actually suffering a breakdown and closing down the business, but instead coming away actually appreciating the experience.

So how do you do it?  How do you make the time to deal with the things -- your clients, too much work,  etc. -- while figuring out how you're going to get through this situation at the same time?  How do you ensure that you come out in a better situation at the end?

There are seven steps that I recommend when it comes to navigating through the bursting point. They're simple, yet effective.  And they can mean the difference between  breaking down, continuing to work in misery, or a fantastic learning lesson that you look back  and appreciate because you're in a much better place now.

Here's a brief summary of the seven steps you need to work through.

1. Identify why you started this business in the first place. (i.e. more flexibility in   your work, allow yourself to work from home while raising the kids, simply wanted to 'be your own boss')

2. Identify your situation.
   How many clients are you working with?  How many hours are you working each day?  each week?  each  month?  Is there really enough hours in a day to meet the commitments?

3. Identify your revenue.
   How much are you bringing in each month?  When you break this down based on the number of hours you are  working - how much are you REALLY working?

4. Identify your wants and needs. What do you want more of?  What do you want less of?  If you could design  the perfect business -- with the kind of people you want and the kind of work you love to do - what would it look  like?

5. Identify what needs to change. Will you 'remove' some clients to make room for people you really want to work with?  Will you increase your rates?  Is it time to specialize?

6. Identify your action plan. Now that you've gone through the steps above, what action steps will you take to  make the changes you want and need to make?

7. Identify how you will continue to grow. Once you get rid of the 'clutter' and have made it to the other  side of the bursting point - what will you do?  How will you continue to grow?

Each of these steps above is absolutely critical to get through to the 'other side'.  Don't rush through or attempt to skip  a step ... it really won't benefit you in the long term.

To help you with navigating through the bursting point, I created a short assessment to help you  confirm where you are currently. Are you far from hitting the bursting point, are you nearing it or are you already in it?  Take a few minutes to take this assessment and you check out the special offer you can also take advantage of.

Take me to the 'Navigating the Bursting Point' Assessment

We know so many of you are dealing with the bursting point OR you're getting close to reaching it.

To help you we decided to set up a way to help YOU:

1. prepare for this challenging situation

2. get through the stress, frustration and more, and

3. understand the opps and growth you will experience on 'the other side' of the bursting point.

You might ask yourself WHY we're so focused on this topic and offering various kinds of  support.  It's an easy question to answer really --- we're tired of hearing VAs struggle with this situation, we've been there and we want nothing more than to share our  experiences and stories, to help you feel that you are not alone and that, if dealt  with properly, can lead to an extraordinary business for yourself.

So here's what we're going to do:

Over the course of four sessions (within two weeks), we're going to take you through the exact steps that you MUST take to navigate through the bursting point and get to the other side reaping the rewards of the business you want, filled with the people, work and revenue that you want.

We've priced this program so low that it really would be quite ridiculous to not consider joining us.  For less than 2-3 hours of billable time, you can join us and learn specific steps and strategies that you really won't find anywhere else. These exact steps will get you from point A to Z.  If you ever encounter what may feel like the bursting again later on  in your business, you just simply follow the steps all over again and voila --- you're ready to continuing growing some more.

The "Navigating the Bursting Point" program starts Tuesday, June 22nd at 1pm Pacific / 4pm Eastern.

Over these 4 sessions, we will support YOU to:

• clarify exactly what you want to achieve for your business

• take inventory of your current business

• develop a plan to support client changes, restructuring and more

• implement very specific strategies to allow for future business growth

• mentor you to create the business you want, with the clients you deserve

Will you join us?

>>> I want to learn more about the 'Bursting Point' program

A few weeks ago I shared Tina's blog post where she rants about Virtual Assistants getting out of the house and  attending live events to help in connecting with potential clients.

As a follow-up to this post, I wanted to share with you additional information and an amazing opp for you to get to a VERY affordable live event.

Check out her post and the various cities (8 cities to choose within US and Canada!) that you can attend.  If you do register and attend one of these events, we'd love to hear from you!  We want to share in your excitement of getting out of the house and connecting with all kinds of great entrepreneurs (who could become your next new client!)

>>> Check out Tina's post on "Now There Is No Excuse Not To Get Out Of The House"

Remember just a few years ago when Facebook was just for 'those crazy college kids'?

Remember when Twitter was barely a blip on the horizon?

And what are they now?

They are both key business building tools that so many online based business owners use on a daily  basis.

It's the same with Infusionsoft.

Lucky for us, Tina has recognized this and is taking the lead on telling you more ... will you listen and participate?

** Infusionsoft: What Is It and Why Should I Care? **
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
11am pacific / 2pm eastern

Will you join the call? >>> http://tinyurl.com/2wrkza3

Here's just a glimpse of what Tina will be sharing:

• What is Infusionsoft? (hint ... it's more than a shopping cart!)

• Why is it so popular with biz owners (there is a reason so many are making the switch)

• How does it compare to other shopping cart, broadcasting and autoresponder systems out there? (there are some key benefits to Infusionsoft vs. other tools)

• Is this a worthwhile skill set to add to your business (it's not for everyone, but if your role involves supporting clients' business efficiency and growth, you MUST consider learning Infusionsoft)

Invest just one our to learn about Infusionsoft and you'll be moving forward as a virtual support  professional with the current tools our clients need support with.

Choose to not participate and you'll find yourself behind ... running to catch up with the others who are ahead of the  'game'.

As always, I know Tina will be recording the call and sending out the mp3 shortly after the live call.

>>> I Want to Learn More About Infusionsoft!

I simply had to share this blog post of Tina's - you'll understand why when you watch it.

For years, the biggest question we have received from Virtual Assistants is "How Do I Find Clients?"

While there's no magic formula ... there are several key strategies to finding clients -- Tina shares just one of them with  us, as well as a 'challenge' to get your butt out the door.

>>> Check out Tina's video and Add Your Comments