Lorac Virtual Solutions

Archive for the ‘Online Business’ Category

The greatest tool for creating websites or blogs is WordPress for a variety of very good reasons.

1. Google absolutely loves WordPress!
2. Easy to make your content search engine friendly.
3. Google searches every page, PDF files, images, videos – all easy to accomplish.
4. Easy to learn and update yourself, making changes whenever you wish.
5. Many options available to personalize your site.
6. Hundreds of plugins to make your website do what you want it to do.
7. Easy to connect your site to social media and mobile friendly.
8. Professional look and feel – easy to create.
9. Brand your business with a one-time purchased theme.
10. Multiple websites possible from a single installation.

The popular content management system of WordPress can be used in a self-hosted or hosted version but we recommend the easy to use hosted service provided by Hostgator which is easy to get it up and running very quickly.

All the best,

PS: WordPress is the absolute best tool for creating your website!  Hostgator is one of the best hosting services available that makes WordPress set up even easier.  Sign up today for both and use the coupon loracvs2012 to receive $9.94 discount on Hostgator.

In December I interviewed five authors who have written books and were published.  During the course of the interview I asked each one for their website address so I could post it in my article.

Not one author has a website or blog!

When asked why not, I received a few different answers but the main thing I heard was they didn’t have time, didn’t know how or didn’t want to spend a lot of money. They are valid and understandable reasons.

I was going through my notes the other day and reminded myself that I knew I should put a proposal together and approach these five writers and offer to create a website for them promoting themselves and their books.  If these five didn’t have websites, then there are probably many more authors who also could use the assistance of someone who can build websites and understands their industry.

Authors and their books is an easy niche to target.

First I needed to show them why they need a website and how important it would be for their career.

1. Promotion of the author and their book(s)
2. Increase sales of their books and services
3. Sell books online
4. Attract and build a loyal fanbase
5. Promote new releases, book signings and speaking engagements
6. Attract agents and publishers

And those are just a few of the reasons why they need a website – there are many more. Authors may need help marketing their websites, creating either a book or author`s blog, developing their marketing platform, assistance with social networking and maybe even creating a virtual book tour!

As a writer and an entrepreneur this niche market appeals to me and I thought maybe it might appeal to others also.  That`s why I quickly put this email out to my readers because there is a way you can get the training necessary to offer this much needed service.

VAClassroom, as most of you know is one of my favourite training providers and they have partnered with bestselling author and expert D`vorah Lansky. They are now offering the NEW Online Book Marketing Specialist Program and I signed up for it.

Seriously, there is limited seating available – only 75 seats yesterday when I registered and 41 today when I checked again.

That`s why I decided to quickly get this information out to you today before all of the seats are gone.  If you are still looking for a niche that will help you launch your business or add another service to your existing Virtual Assistant business then this is for you.

There are thousands of authors who need yours services and by taking this two week course you will have access to them.

Click on this link NEW Online Book Marketing Specialist Program

All the best,

While you are there sign up for the FREE membership and attend live events, connect on the forum and receive their newsletter and be eligible for discounts on their courses.

Working remotely is a dream for many people.

If we could make a living by working remotely doesn’t it open up a whole world of possibilities?

Does anyone make millions of dollars online?

We hear all kinds of stories every day about people making millions of dollars working online and yes, there probably are people who are doing that well. The truth is that the actual number of success stories is really not that great. But, there are thousands of people all over the world who are making a decent living by working remotely over the internet. How do they do it?

The challenge of working remotely.

There are definitely challenges but they aren’t insurmountable. It will depend if you have decided to work from home at one location or whether you are moving around. I like to have the flexibility of working from wherever I am no matter if I am sitting in an airport, on a ferry, or in my home office. I like having everything necessary at my finger tips.
If working just from home then it is just a matter of setting up an office and ensuring you have all the tools necessary to work and communicate either with your employer or your clients. If you are more transient then it will come down to what tools you need to get the job done. A lap top computer, internet provider, and good communication tools should get you started. The tools you require to work remotely will depend on the type of work you will be doing.

Current employment

Could you do your current job from home? It may seem impossible but sometimes with a little bit of thought and planning it can be done. Before you run into your employer’s office and make the suggestion, it might be a good idea to sit down and come up with a plan, make sure it will work and then start with baby steps. Once your overall plan has been developed, suggest to your employer that you do it one day a week and when that proves successful you will be in a better position to ask to have it expanded to 2 or 3 days and eventually to full time.

Now, consider something. If you were sitting on the Gulf of Mexico or in your home office in Idaho, would it really make any difference to the work you are doing? Would you be just as productive? If you answered yes, then continue with your plan and make adjustments as needed and continue working for your current employer. There are benefits to being able to do this and that doesn’t only include a steady pay check.

Consulting

If you have been working or involved in any type of activity for awhile you are probably good at what you do. Offer your services as a consultant and by doing so are offering your knowledge, skills and experience to businesses or people who can use them. A consultant may make recommendations, or solve problems or provide specialized work. It will depend upon what your experience and employment background is. Don’t just concentrate on your work history though, because your hobbies or other skills could be in high demand. As a consultant you are an independent contractor and not an employee so can determine what work you will or will not do.

Coaching

Do you enjoy teaching others how to do something? Use your skills and experience and show others how to do the type of work you did or something else you are good at. I love helping small businesses get started and since my background includes operations management, entrepreneurial ventures, self employment and a variety of other things I have the skills and knowledge to coach others with their business plans.
Make a list of things you are good at, what skills you have, your experience, knowledge and give yourself the credit you deserve. Everyone is good at something and there is always someone who needs help doing the same thing. If you enjoy teaching, then this may be the way to go.

Project Networks or Outsource Providers

There are networks online whereby you exchange your skills for money. Projects of all types of work are posted and you as a contractor bid of them and if successful are awarded the contract and must provide the work. There are literally thousands of work opportunities posted at any one time but there is also a lot of competition and a person must be careful as to how they do this.

There are always learning tools available to show you how to create your profile, bid on jobs and what is recommended. Take the time to watch the videos and read their instructions. I is possible to make a living at this type of work but you must do it right. There are too many foreign contractors who will take the work from you for almost nothing. But as you develop a reputation as being efficient and reliable the work or contracts will increase. It takes time but is not impossible. An example of this type of network is Elance as well as cDesk. There are many more and by doing a good search you will find more.
Yes, there is competition by countries like India but if you are good at what you do, are reliable and reasonably priced (without giving it away for free) you should be able to build up a clientele list.

Online Business

Once again, use your skills and expertise and provide either a service or a product online. If you are selling something it may be your own product or someone else’s merchandise. Affiliate marketing is a business whereby you promote other’s products and earn a commission for doing so. It is possible to earn a living by being an affiliate marketer but it does require a lot of hard work.
Whatever services you can provide or product you have for sale, there is always someone who wishes to have them. It is just a matter of connecting and that means marketing yourself or your product. Writing, photography, business assistance, web site design, copywriting, researching, virtual assistance, travel agent and teaching are just some of the services you can provide online. I personally love affiliate marketingand know there is money to be made but it isn’t going to happen overnight.
The above samples are just a small number of ways of earning a living remotely from wherever you may be. The advantages are huge and the possibilities are endless. It does require hard work and dedication but isn’t anything that’s worthwhile?

All the best,

PS:  Affiliate Marketing is something you can do from anywhere and even add it as an extension of what you are already doing.  You will need the Affiliate Marketers Handbook by Rosalind Gardner and it’s on sale!  Buy it today!

For anyone who is curious or interested in an online business or
affiliate marketing this is a “must have”.

Rosalind Gardner’s  ”Super Affiliate Handbook” is the best resource available as almost everyone in the industry will tell you.

I purchased Rosalind Gardner’s fabulous Super Affiliate Handbook Click Here! a couple for $47.00 and thought that was a steal and now she is offering it for only $27!

I am one of those people who need to hold a book in my hand and I thought the material was so good I printed the whole book out and have referred to it continuously. Every time I do, I learn something new. Rosalind is one of the few who actually did what she teaches and by learning affiliate marketing herself by trial and error she has put together this absolutely wonderful training book.

It really doesn’t matter whether you are new to the business or have been doing it for years there is something in this book for everyone. Honestly, I wouldn’t be promoting it if I didn’t believe in it. I have learned so much from Rosalind’s Super Affiliate Handbook Click Here! as well as her membership group.

For anyone who is looking for an online business to do while travelling then they should definitely look at Affiliate Marketing and start by purchasing the Super Affiliate Handbook today Click Here! while you can still get it for $27.
All the best,

PS:  Rosalind Gardner is the real deal.  She is one of the few marketers who actually teaches what she has already accomplished.  She knows her stuff!

What is web hosting? It can be confusing but to keep it simple it means that before you can put a website page on the internet you must have a web host account.  There are many web hosting companies that provide different types of service or packages so it’s best to shop around, ask lots of questions and figure out exactly what you need.

Yes, there are free servers but they are probably not as reliable, not to say there aren’t some very good free host servers, I am just not familiar with them. The ones I am familiar with and do recommend are:

Hostgator:

I use this service and love it.  I have a package whereby I can have unlimited number of websites which suits me because I am always experimenting and have a number of personal websites that are all hosted with hostgator.  They offer many different packages and there is something that will fit everyone’s needs.   click the banner below

Hostgator has been in business for over 9 years and have established themselves as a leader in the industry. I have transferred most of my sites to Hostgator and any time I have contacted them for help, they were extremely helpful. Especially when I was first learning and I needed a lot of help.

Yahoo

Another service provider is Yahoo  ~ Reliable web hosting from Yahoo! Web Hosting – 25% off! Their business segment offers business owners good reliable service.  It is a it more basic than Hostgator but still is an excellent web host provider.  They have decent features and a fair price.

Register.com

I used Register to register my very first domain name and was satisfied with their service.  I haven’t used their web hosting service but have no reason to believe they would not be excellent.  Worth checking out. Get your Register.com hosting plan starting at $4.95mo!

Don’t let web hosting overwhelm you – it really isn’t rocket science.  You will need their service if you want a website – which you do if you are in business.

All the best,

For more information on websites, hosting, domain names, etc. readhttp://loracvs.com/tips-for-business-owners/websites-for-small-business-operators-why-bother/? and Your Business Needs a Website.