I recently held open call times for virtual assistants so they could call in to ask questions about my 2010 VA coaching programs.  During these calls I recognized a common issue among several VAs and that was that they had no established business boundaries.  I can’t say I was entirely surprised as this is a big part of what I coach in my private platinum and group programs – how to set and maintain boundaries.  However, some of the details that I heard were beyond comprehension.  One VA allowed her client to call at all hours of the day and any day of the week, and the client expected her to answer while she was out doing errands, during dinner, or socializing with friends.   SAY WHAT? AND.. she never charged the client for any of this time!  I encourage her to keep track of how much time she spent on the phone that she didn’t charge the client for in one week, and calculate how much lost revenue that works out to be for an entire year.  I think she’ll be stunned.  This is NOT the way to create a 6-figure VA business!

This is just one example, and it’s a pretty extreme one. And, of course, in this case it’s not JUST about boundaries – there are some other issues here as well.

However, some other of the women I spoke with were too close to their own situation to even recognize some more minor boundary issues that prevent them from building  a 6-figure business.  And that’s what happens when you’re in your own business day-to-day without getting outside support.

Setting appropriate boundaries is just one of the things we focus on creating or reworking in the Step It Up VA Private Platinum and Group Coaching programs.  http://1stva.com/step-it-up-va-coaching

~Donna

I just got off the phone with my friend, AnaMaria Herrera of Practice Building Institute.  We talk “biz” every week or two, and today she told me how she’ll be moving her contact list from Aweber to 1 Shopping Cart.  She knows that she’ll potentially lose quite a bit of her list if they don’t opt-in again.  What she said to me was, “I wish someone had told me when I started to choose 1SC, even though I wasn’t ready for all it’s functionality”.

I feel for AnaMaria.  I tell everyone who asks (and probably many who don’t) – to not start with Aweber or Constant Contact (or other) in order to save money in the short term.  Everyone eventually moves to 1SC – do it now so you don’t lose some of your followers later when you make the move.  Some listen – some don’t.  But I can’t count the number of times we’ve imported lists for clients into 1SC from their former, smaller broadcast/autoresponder services.   [We have a great system for doing this - ask me about it if interested - but we don't expect to ever see a 100% confirm rate - it just won't happen.]

Don’t get me wrong – Aweber and Constant Contact have their places, and if you never, ever plan to sell a product, or have affiliates – then these are great systems.  But if you’re starting out building your list and choosing which program to use – go with 1SC now so you’re not sorry later.  Though most entrepreneurs and small business owners do manage wonderfully for years with 1SC – for the larger, more profitable businesses – Infusionsoft may be the place to start.  However, a move from 1SC to Infusionsoft is more seamless than a move from Aweber to 1SC!

Either way – remember the saying – make decisions based on the business you expect to have, not the business you have now.  Good luck!

~Donna

by Donna Toothaker

As business owners, it is so easy to get lost in the day-to-day details of running the business that we do not invest enough time in growing it. Even if we set aside several hours a week, where do we begin? What areas of our business need improvement? Where can we be more efficient? In what ways are we succeeding?

A coach or mentor can be an invaluable asset to help us focus on priorities, and give us encouragement. I place a huge value on my weekly coaching calls. But what if there was a whole group of other experienced entrepreneurs to give you many new perspectives, support your ideas, point out areas that need improving, and hold you accountable for taking action? This is where a mastermind group comes in.

Simply stated, a mastermind group is a group of people who come together to achieve a common goal. In this case, several entrepreneurs exchange ideas and perspectives to help one another grow their businesses. Here are a few reasons to join one:

1. Why go it alone? Your ideal mastermind group is made up of peers with extensive experience in their individual fields. This peer-to-peer network is a great place to share ideas, get help when you’re stuck, brainstorm solutions, get inspiration, receive support – - and the list goes on. It is a way to share your strengths and benefit from the strength and experience of others.

2. Set goals and be accountable for them. Like a good personal trainer, your Mastermind group will prod you toward achieving your goals, and expect you to put in the effort. If procrastination is one reason your business isn’t growing, having a group to hold you accountable is an excellent way to stay on track!

3. Motivation. Once you’ve set your goals, you need to be motivated to stay on track. A good mastermind group will have homework for you to do so you can keep moving toward your goals with focus and determination.

4. Get in, and stay in, the growth mindset. Many, if not most, members of mastermind groups make six- or seven- figures. If you are not yet there, joining a group is the first way to make that goal tangible, and possible. What better way to become a big earner, than to learn from them?

There are many ways in which to join a mastermind group. You may join one through a respected colleague, through a live event, or even form your own with peers.

Whichever way you join a group, be sure that you get the most out of it. A group should be structured and focused, accessible after mastermind calls, and be made up of a diverse and well-rounded group of entrepreneurs. Do your research, and joining the right mastermind group can help you grow your business dramatically, in much less time than it would take to do it alone.

Donna Toothaker is CEO and founder of 1st VA the highly sought-after online marketing and consulting company. 1st VA specializes in providing online marketing support and services to entrepreneurs and solopreneurs who wish to effectively build or improve their online presence. To discover how 1st VA can help your business – visit http://www.1stva.com.