I thought I would pass on this awesome invitation to you.  This is a fantastic opportunity to hear two wonderful speakers/presenters and discover how to overcome your fear of public speaking.

John Shackleton has won a heap of awards and Cath Vincent (whom I know personally and can highly recommend!) is truly amazing and extremely inspirational.  What you learn from them will honestly stick with you for the rest of your life.

Don’t miss this presentation, to be held at the Waipuna Hotel theatre (which seats an audience of 400), on Monday 5th September from 9.30am – 3.30pm.  Tickets are $199 per person.  If you bring a partner or work colleague you will pay just $299 for two.  CLICK HERE to register and don’t forget to mention my name when you sign up!

This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone, after all, who knows when you’ll next have to stand up in front of an audience to deliver a speech or a presentation - whether it’s at a wedding, in your office or at a conference?  Fantastic for anyone in sales or to generally build your own confidence and self esteem.

Join Cath Vincent and leading motivational speaker John Shackleton for a 1-day workshop to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking.  One date only!  Monday 5th September 2011.  Register here.

Click on the file below for more information:

When I first launched my business I thought it would be pretty cool working from home and being my own boss, and of course, those things are wonderful, but I didn’t realise how much fun it was going to be as well!

Apart from having some truly lovely clients who are an absolute delight to work with, the tasks I get to work on are always interesting and varied.  One minute I might be designing a flyer, the next I’m updating a client’s website or creating a brand new template website from scratch.  Then, I’m designing a brochure using InDesign, setting up a newsletter, formatting a document or making a YouTube movie out of a PowerPoint presentation!  I’ve even taken photos of local scenery for one of my clients.

When it comes to the kind of work I will do for my clients, I’m always open to suggestion and there’s not much I won’t put my hand to.  I love figuring out new things and really enjoy the chance to be creative and the buzz I get from the end result – especially when I have a happy client as well!

I always enjoyed my jobs when I worked in the ‘real world’ and it’s like everything I learnt during those years has culminated into everything I now do as a Virtual Assistant and best of all, it’s all so fascinating and diverse!

I often tell people that ‘I love what I do’ and do you know what?  I really do!

Being happy at work is related to how much you like your job, but there are some small steps you can take which will help boost your mood.

Making sure you feel comfortable, combined with sprinkling a few small pleasures throughout your day and using your time wisely, can all contribute to more happiness when you are at work.

1  Check for eyestrain.  Put your hand to your forehead in a salute.  If your eyes feel relieved then your space is too bright.

2  Get a good desk chair and take the time to adjust it properly.

3  Sit up straight - you will instantly feel more energetic and cheerier.

4  Invest in some nice desk accessories to help you stay organised or get a good desk lamp.

5  Don't snack on sweets.  Eating a handful of M&M's each day will not only make  you put on weight, they will make you feel lethargic once the sugar rush has gone.

6  Take time to sort through those loose papers that have piled up.  You'll be amazed at the wonderful calm it brings.

7  Go outside at least once a day, and if possible, go for a walk.  Sunlight and activity is good for your focus, mood and information retention.

8  Don't let yourself get too hungry.

9  Try to make a lunch date with someone outside the office at least once a week.

10  Its okay to let yourself be ignorant of things you don't need to know.

Above tips are by Gretchen Rubin, best selling author whose book, The Happiness Project, is the account of the year she spent test-driving studies and theories about how to be happier.

An effective way to keep in touch with your clients and prospective clients is by writing a business newsletter.  Newsletters are a great way to let people know that you are still around.  It also shows professionalism and it's far less threatening than cold calling.

Use your newsletter to inform your readers about current issues and developments happening in your industry and at the same time, you can market your services/products.  Offer tips and tricks in your field of speciality and keep articles brief.

Apart from being a great way to maintain regular contact, your newsletter will enhance your credibility and prominence in the marketplace.

Ask yourself who you're writing the newsletter for and ensure you target your audience and cater your newsletter specifically to them.

Your newsletter doesn't need to be restricted to providing information on your company alone.  Feel free to include details of upcoming events and talk about other news related to your industry to keep things interesting.  You may also wish to include an article from a guest writer.   Remember to allow room for pictures and captions.

You can make the most of your newsletter content by using it on your website or blog page.

Whatever you do, make sure your business newsletter is relevant and fun to read.  Give your readers the information they need on what's happening in your company, upcoming events, news of achievements and offer advice, tips and tricks.

Click here to receive your monthly newsletter from My Virtual Assistant.

Somehow I seem to have 'fallen' into creating template websites for my clients.

I have always been pretty creative (I'm crazy about art and interior design) and when I was working in the 'real' world I used to refer to myself as the 'Layout Queen'.  I guess it's just that I like things to look good on a page!

I can't stand it when words are wrapped incorrectly, for example, in the case of 'New Zealand', when 'New' is at the end of one line and 'Zealand' is at the beginning of the next line, or when a centered heading or headline is broken up in the wrong place - it just irks me!

When I was first setting up My Virtual Assistant I decided to build my own website. This was something I hadn't ever done before so there was a lot of trial and error (mostly error!) and a whole lot of frustration.  The end result was okay, but nowhere near what I had hoped for.  People said they liked my website, but I couldn't get the layout right, things weren't centered properly and I just couldn't get pictures and text to line up how I wanted them to.

Around about a year later, I stumbled across template websites and quickly set about creating an entirely new website for my business.  Finally, I was able to place things on a page where I wanted them to be and the whole creative process was so easy to use, especially compared with my old website.

Not long afterwards I was talking to a client who said she really wanted a website for her start-up business and a quote of $3,000 from a website company was something she really couldn't afford.  I told her about template websites and she asked me to create one for her.  In just eight hours she had a new website and I had saved her over $2,600!  Needless to say, she was thrilled.

Since then I have created template websites for various other clients and I love every minute of it.  Once my creative energy kicks in I even surprise myself as to where it leads - and the best part is, my clients are very happy with the end result (and price)!

View websites created by My Virtual Assistant.

A new publishing venture aims to become a million dollar miracle for Christchurch, New Zealand. 

'Curly from Shirley, the Christchurch Dog' is a children's book, which will raise funds for the 'Garden City' and help locals to recover from a massive earthquake.

The book is a miracle in itself as it has taken just three weeks from first thoughts to publication.

The project is the brainchild of two children's authors - Jill Marshall  from Auckland and Emma Pullar from Christchurch - who have never met and have no banded together to write, illustrate and publish in record speed, this lovely new book for children.

The book went on sale on Tuesday 22 March 2011 - exactly one month after the earthquake.  All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the New Zealand Red Cross Earthquake Appeal - straight back into the heart of the city.

My Virtual Assistant was proud to create the website for the book.

Click here to visit Curly's website and while you're there, purchase a book for your favourite little one and help the people of Christchurch.

Thank you!  :o)

SPECIAL MESSAGE RECEIVED:

You dont know me, but my name is Mel Hooper. I heard about your book Curly from Shirley through Victoria (the Illistrator) as I am a teacher at her son's pre -school.

I would just like to say a big thank you to all who helped with this book, and think what you are doing is one of the most beautiful displays of human nature I have ever seen!

I was raised, and lived in Christchurch for 25 years, and my parents and younger sister still live down there. They have been devestated by this tragic event, twice.

To see our home ruined and our beautiful city falling to pieces is heart breaking.

This book has made me cry, not in sadness, but in pure happiness, that all of you would take the time out of your busy lives to do this for my family, friends, and  the city I will always call home.

Words can't explain my gratitude, but please share this email with all involved. Passing on my sincere gratitude for the amazing thing you are doing for the people of Christchurch.

On behalf of me, my family, and my friends.....thank you!!!!!

The book is fantastic, and I have purchased one, in hope of sharing with everyone I know to help get the word out!

Once again thank you to all

Kind regards
Hooper Family, of Kaiapoi
xoxoxox

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1103/S00424/new-childrens-book-hopes-to-raise-millions-for-christchurch.htm

My Virtual Assistant was absolutely thrilled to be part of A Summer Wrap @ Valley de Sol, which was an intimate outdoor music concert, held on 19 March 2011. 

Five hours of wonderful music from special guest artists (who all gave up their time for free) was enjoyed by 250 people in the lovely surroundings of Valley de Sol.  Valley de Sol is a private residence located in Howick, Auckland.

It was a beautifully sunny day and everybody enjoyed themselves so much they have all been asking if this is to become an annual event!  The generosity from so many sponsors was out of this world and the final tally of funds raised was $22,159.

All proceeds from the concert went to Hospice South Auckland and the New Zealand Red Cross for the Christchurch Earthquake Commission.

(My Virtual Assistant created a temporary website for the concert.)

Happy Birthday My Virtual Assistant!  In business for two years on 13 March 2011.

I would just like to say thank you to my wonderful clients, networking groups, friends and family - I wouldn't have made it this far if it wasn't for your support and belief in me!

I wish someone would invent a waterproof notepad!

I am constantly coming up with wonderful ideas when I'm in the shower.  I've conjoured up everything from awesome speeches, and emails to songs, business articles and even blogs, whilst enjoying a hot, steamy shower and lost them all when the taps are turned off!

I've even tried writing a word or two in the condensation on the wall of the shower, to remind me of my magical thoughts, but obviously this doesn't work very well and by the time I get out of the shower my thoughts and ideas have gone down the plug hole, along with the soap and shampoo!

Frustrating, to say the least! 

I guess the solitude of a nice hot shower must provide me with the ‘headspace’ to focus on things without distraction, or maybe it's just that my mind starts to wander.  But whatever the reason, I'm sure I could save the problems of the world (or at least put my own ideas into action!), if I just had a waterproof notepad and pen hanging on the wall of my shower!