Agent Assistant Network

Promote your BLOG on Facebook

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:35:47 -0600

Kerry~ Thank you, thank you, thank you! I found this post on NETWORKEDblogs so helpful and easy to understand that I had to share it again via a Re-Blog.

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Here's the link to my FaceBook Blog:

http://apps.facebook.com/blognetworks/blog/agent_assistant_blog/#

I hope you will become fan. And please leave you link below! As Kerry said, "It's a great way to leverage the power of Active Rain to support one another!"

PS... Be sure to become a fan of Kerry's blog as well!

~THW

Via KERRY LUCASSE - Your Intown Atlanta Real Estate Consultant (Keller Williams Peachtree Rd):

As I read through the maze of information on Facebook, once again, I stumbled upon a newer Facebook feature... BLOGS! The Facebook Blog Network allows you to post your blog URL, provide a brief description and a few keywords, and once you have enough "Fans" for your blog, they will also start a feed with links to your latest and greatest blog postings.

This new funtionality is a great way to get some additional visibility -- and some Google juice -- for your real estate blog.

HOW DO YOU FIND THE "BLOG SECTION" on Facebook?

I thought there might be secret door to the Blog section, but it was as easy as entering "BLOG NETWORKS" into the Search bar at the top right side of the page.

To set up your blog, it's just two simple steps...

1) Select "Browse Blogs" or "Top Blogs" at the top of the page

2) You'll then see a "ADD A NEW BLOG" grey button to the right of the blog menu -- from there you'll just enter your info and you will officially be up and running.

NOTE: To find your blog in the future, go back to your personal Facebook home page, select the plus "+" button to add a new tab, and then select "Blogs".

As you'll see below, I can now view my Info, Photos, Wall and Blogs from my Kerry Lucasse Facebook page.

IMPORTANT -- In order to have your blog posts feed to Facebook, YOU NEED SOME "BLOG FANS"!

As I mentioned earlier, Facebook is only supporting Blog Feeds from blogs with 15+ "fans" at this time -- apparently the blog feed feature is still in beta testing. If we could support one another to get to the 15 fan minimum quickly, that would be wonderful. Post the link to your Facebook Blog in your reply below and I will become your biggest fan -- and hopefully other visitors will do the same!

Here's the link to my Facebook Blog:

http://apps.facebook.com/blognetworks/blogpage.php?blogid=80937

I hope you will add your link below... and also become a fan of my blog. It's a great way to leverage the power of Active Rain to support one another!

Have fun....

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U P D A T E ! ! !

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As of January 1, 2009, Facebook changed the name of the "Blog Network" to "NETWORKEDblogs" (all one word). If you are having trouble finding the "Add a New Blog" button, visit the following page:

http://apps.facebook.com/blognetworks/index.php?ref=ts

For future reference, just type "NetworkedBlogs" in the search bar.

Happy New Year!

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

Congrats Claudia!!! SKCAR 2009 Instructor of the Year

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:58:38 -0600

Earlier today I realized I hadn't visited some of my usual web sites in awhile. So I stopped by RE Base Camp where I found that my dear friend and mentor Claudia Wicks had been selected by the Seattle King County Association of Realtors as Instructor of the Year for 2009.

YAY Claudia! You Go Girl!

For those of you who know Claudia personally or who have attended any of her courses or seminars, you know she gives tons of warm and wonderful energy plus valuable and timely information. As a trainer, she truly takes an active interest in her student's success. She is a fount of knowledge!

I'm not sure why Claudia didn't (or hasn't) blog on this herself, but I felt compelled to brag on the award for her. (And I'll of course give her a bit of ribbing, for not posting a brag blog herself.) Maybe she is being her humble self. I'm both happy for her and proud of her for adding this to her long list of awards.

The Seattle King County Association 2009 Realtor Awards Banquet is tomorrow, December 3, 2009. I wish I could attend the awards banquet and congratulate Claudia in person, but I'll be on a plane to Bama. But Claudia, as always, you are in my fondest thoughts. I'm so proud of you!!

Please join me in congratulating Claudia Wicks - SKCAR 2009 Instructor of the Year!

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

How Do You Give Back?

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:02:53 -0600

Last evening my husband and I spent a little time really reflecting on, despite how tough this past year has been, just how lucky we are. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We are so fortunate that we were actually invited to two Thanksgiving celebrations, and we were able to attend both.

In spite of everything, we really do have a lot to be thankful for personally. After reading several Thanksgiving posts on AR, it's clear that so many of you do as well.

This got me thinking, with so much to be thankful for, how do I give back? I mean really give back...not just give in the hopes of receiving. Of course I attend some groups both because I enjoy them, I'm able to make a contribution and because it's a great way to network. I do give of myself and my time in these settings, but I also have the ulterior motive of new contacts and potential new clients.

I mean, how or where do I give back with no expectation of anything in return?

As I mentioned in a previous post, over the years I've battled depression and anxiety so I've always been active in bringing awareness and education to mental health issues in various ways and organizations. After we lost my sister to suicide on March 14, 2009, I became even more involved in this area. I'm especially active with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Out of the Darkness Walks they hold as fund raisers.

On October 10, 2009 Brett and I walked in the Puget Sound walk around Green Lake with my friend (she lost her twin just over 5 years ago). Team Holton raised $220 (not bad for our first walk). This Thursday I fly home to Decatur to join my mom and my niece, Brelin, in the North Alabama walk at Wilson Morgan Park on Saturday, December 5, 2009. So far Team Mason has raised $130.

More impressively, Brelin now speaks at school and church on suicide prevention. After losing her mom 9 months ago, I'm more amazed by her each and everyday. I'm sure this is an area where Brelin and I will work and give for years to come. Neither of us expects a thing, our only hope is to help someone overcome this very misunderstood disease.

On Sunday, Brett and I cooked dinner for a dear friend. Brett's friend is battling cancer and is currently going through chemo. A group of friends have been taking turns to prepare a meal each Sunday for the family, and this was our Sunday. So tried our hands at a delicate vegetarian dinner...they said it was wonderful. They are a very kind couple!! :-)

My friend from the walk also has an immediate family member who just began chemo. So I'm starting to learn more than I ever imagined about cancer, cancer treatment, proper nutrition, cancer research, etc.

Something tells me I'll be adding another fund raising walk to my calendar in the future. And guess what? I'll be happy to do it! All they have to do is say when and where, and I'll be there. Heck, they may not even have to ask. ;-)

With all the wonderful Thanksgiving posts this past week, it is clear there is much to be thankful for.

So, how do you give back?

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

UMMM.. So what do you do again?

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:28:41 -0600

Well, my bio line reads:

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

But I'm not sure that answers the question completely...

In the past, I was a Senior Coach and then Distance Learning Producer for HouseValues. After leaving HV at the end of 2006, I started my own VA business, Agent Assistant Network. However, as I mentioned in my post a couple days ago "One Year Later", my VA business has honestly been on hold for the past year or so. Family matters required much of my attention.

While I've had a day job for the past year and no VA clients for about 9 months (by choice), I have pursued coaching and writing. These are both areas I enjoy very much, and they are much more flexible than a full load of VA clients. Agents truly depend on their VAs to assist in growing and running their businesses, and my worst fear would be to ever let a client down. So I was better able to adapt coaching and writing to my changing schedule without affecting anyone else.

I've decided to remain a part-time VA knowing this will affect the growth of my business for now. Again, knowing my family situation may not completely settle down for several more months, I don't want to take on more than I can comfortably manage for now. And do I want to continue to write and coach.

Most importantly, I've become "The Happy Wife (THW)". After loosing my sister in March, this solidified the importance of family for me. Family has always been important, but it suffered at times because of my work load and my attitude & ambition. I've since realized that jobs, careers and businesses can come and go but family is forever. Sadly, it took me awhile to learn this. But learn it I have!!!

While not 100%, some of inspiration for THW definitely came from TLW. Even when I wasn't actively business building, I've continued to enjoy and follow her posts (personal and professional). I'm pretty certain she doesn't know me from Eve. But she seems to be a sassy southern gal after my own heart when it comes to family, friends and business. So I'll keep following her posts...

And while I may coach, train, write and VA for living, and while I REALLY enjoy these things....these titles do not define me. I am the "The Happy Wife (THW)", and these are the jobs I do.

Let me know if I can be of help to you!

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

The True Value of Reblogging-Tips For Activerain Members

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:53:37 -0600

Sadly, as I mentioned in my earlier post this afternoon, I've been away from AR taking care of family matters for awhile. But tonight I got back to blogging. I also got hit over the head with the realization of how much "new stuff" there is on AR.

While this will be my first re-blog, after reading this post (thank you Midori), I see so much value. For me, I'll be spending some time relearning AR for myself so I might as well share some of that information with my readers.

Thanks again Midori for the original post. And thank you Naoma Doriguzzi, it was your re-blog that I actually came across first. I appreciate the wealth of information you both continue to share.

Via Florida Real Estate Trainer | Daytona Beach After School Training | Midori (CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty):

For some they may snub the idea of reblogging...the thought of someone else's written words on your blog, NO WAY! If more people really understood the true value of reblogging...some may consider using it a bit more.

No, reblogging is not for the lazy but for the smart and efficient...you see regardless of how professional we are..how much we think we know...someone else may very well present an idea..thought and written words in a better way...because maybe its their level of expertise.

Let me share with you...the non believer the true value of reblogging...tips for Activerain members..

Think about this...

You are a real estate agent...well versed in real estate but not really well versed in mortgages or home staging...so you subscribe to someone who is the home stager extraordinaire...

Why not provide valuable information to your readers...hopefully potential customers.

You are trying to raise money or awareness on a charity, event or happenings in your area..why not encourage people to reblog your valuable message, just another way to get your message out.

You know the old saying, you tell two friends and so on and so on.

You and your service providers are all on the network...why not help one another along by reblogging their message..you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

You have blog fog..it happens...you stare at the screen and your own words don't seem to surface.

Find a great post and add your own flava...and there is your post...for the day!

Last year I posted about breast cancer awareness...

That post was reblogged 18 times...imagine the eyes that got to view that post..helping a great cause...the SEO power...again its important to add your own text...your words and theirs..

The author gets link love and your reward....great content and who knows, someone may very well decide to do business with you based on the information you have provided for them.

Don't be shy...don't worry what others think..its your business and you have to find ways to get many messages out...reblog baby...I'm a believer....feel free to reblog mine anytime! :)

About The Author: Midori Miller is a Real Estate Trainer and writes and trains Real Estate Training and assists sellers in short sale situations. Midori is a Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker , License # BK645709 and a member of the Daytona Area Association of REALTORS. Midori is also an Activerain Ambassador...need assistance contact midorimiller@yahoo.com or (386)453-3236 today!

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

Me & My Life - One Year Later…

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:19:04 -0600

OK, so it's really been one year and 44 days. But who's counting, right?

In my last post "Where's Tracie been lately?", dated 10/13/08, I shared a few of the new and exciting things that had taken me away from Active Rain for about a month. I also shared some thoughts on where my VA business might be going.

WOW...how things have changed....

Sadly, this most recent and lengthy departure from business and AR wasn't for good reasons. A few years ago, my younger sister began a serious struggle with depression which continued to get worse over time. The last year and half were the worst (and it came on so quickly), with my parents having to help her financially as well as emotionally.

My parents and I all began to assist in raising my niece. So in turn, my husband and I started helping my parents more emotionally, as well as financially from time to time. Having experienced my own battles with depression in the past, it was a no brainer for me...family first in this case.

The past couple of years have been a bit of a blur at times. I took a day job for a steady paycheck. I started going home to Alabama every couple months or so. I became even more active in depression/mental health awareness and education. I wound down my VA business, finally even letting my dear friend and mentor Claudia Wicks go as my last client. All so that I could have every available moment and cent to focus on pulling my sister and my family through.

(Yep, believe it or not, a day job was easier during this past year. Plus, I decided I'd rather let my clients work with another VA than run the risk of ever letting them down.)

On March 14, 2009 we lost my sister Lesley Kay Mason to suicide. She is desperately missed by my Mom & Dad, by my husband & me, by countless friends and family members. She is missed most of all by her daughter Brelin and VIP Shea.

Over the past year, I've learned a lot about myself and what kind of life I want. For now, I've kept my day job, and I still fly home to Bama as often as I can. But now I fly home for want and not need. While the steady paycheck has been a nice change, the work leaves me a little unfulfilled. Plus, I really, REALLY miss having my own business.

So here I go...starting over again with my business and a new page in my life. But it sure beats the alternative!

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

Where’s Tracie been lately?

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:34:15 -0500

First, thank you to all of you who thought of me while I was away (a couple of AR associates even sent me emails). It's nice to be missed... :-)

The first week I was away because my new mother-in-law came to visit from Ohio; and my sister-in-law flew up from Del Mar, CA to surprise us. :-) (I'm smiling with love...really!) So that week really got packed quickly.

The second week...

Well, let's be honest. When real estate slows down or the market changes, many real estate professionals start to cut expenses. Many times this includes marketing expenses.

For a VA, an agent cutting marketing expenses also means cutting VA hours from time to time... So not too long ago, this got me thinking.

In my past life I was a Coach and Trainer for HouseValues. I REALLY enjoyed Coaching and Training, and have often thought about ways of implementing this. In all honesty, often times a VA does do some coaching (especially when agents find they need to get back to doing some things themselves).

Technically, I've been a way from Coaching for awhile now, so I took the opportunity to get reacquainted. I took a couple of new marketing courses, and I started a Coach Certification program.

I see this as a great compliment to Virtual Assisting, and I really like sharing tools, techniques and new strategies. I'll let you know how it goes. And hopefully I won't put myself completely out of the VA business!

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

What’s in your signature line?

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:22:44 -0500

Did I hear someone ask "what's a signature line?" If so, that's ok. If you don't know what that is, you will shortly. If you know what it is, but don't have one...then you might be in trouble. :-)

It's been several days since my last post (more on that later), but the topic discussed was ‘what's on the back of your business card'. There were a lot of great comments and suggestions.

So now I have to ask, what's in your email signature? Like the backside of your business card, it could say anything.

In my case for example, it might read: "To find out how a VA can help you grow your business, visit http://www.agentassistantnetwork.com/ today!" or ‘For more tips on growing you're your business, visit http://www.agentassistantblog.com/ today!"

In the case of real estate professionals, it might read: "For the latest new home listing, visit www.MyHomeListings.com today!" or "For your homes value FAST and FREE, visit www.MyPropertyValue.com today!

Once again, the key is to have a call to action. Often times professionals place thier email address and or website in their email signature, but don't tell prospective clients why they should email or visit their website.

Don't leave anything to chance! If you are looking for buyers, offer home listing or ‘10 tips on avoiding the top buyer mistakes', or whatever. If you are looking for sellers, offer a complimentary CMA or a report on getting top dollar in today's market. Just give them a reason to visit your website or send you an email.

So, the million dollar question is...

What's in your email signature?

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

What’s on the BACK of your business card?

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:19:34 -0500

PLEASE don't tell me nothing; or that it's blank!

Business cards are one of the least expensive and cost effective marketing and advertising tools available. Exchanging business cards is an excellent way to pass along your contact information and to gather contacts for your database.

Agents on both ends of the spectrum have shared their thoughts on business cards. I've had agents say they use a box of 500 every month. They hand them out like candy; they leave them on tables at the restaurant; they leave a stack at the coffee shop or dry cleaners.

Then other agents have said a box of 500 will last them an entire year. HUH?? Who are you keeping them for, or from? I know, I know... business cards cost money. I just ordered 500 business cards and it cost me about $50. You can of course spend more or less depending on full color or foil or having a message on the box, etc. But business cards are a cost of doing business. Period! Exclamation point!

But handing out cards in and of themselves may or may not lead to business. So like all marketing, you need a call to action. Maybe the back of your card reads ‘For a complementary Market Analysis, visit www.YourName.com' or ‘For the latest home listings, visit www.YourName.com.'.

The back of my card reads: "Ask how a VA can help you grow your business!" and gives my web site: www.AgentAssistantNetwork.com

Maybe they'll call me or maybe they'll visit my website. Either way, the agent will learn more about me and my business, and how I can help them with their business.

If you have to purchase and distribute business cards anyway (and you do), you might as well make the most of both sides. Otherwise, it's just wasted space.

So, what's on the back of your business card? If nothing, then tell us what will be on the back of your business card the next time you order. You will begin using the backside, RIGHT?

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

Who Fills Your Flyer Boxes??

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:58:44 -0500

My mentor, Claudia Wicks Real Estate Trainer extraordinaire, trains agents to do focus on income producing tasks. She often asks the question, what is the highest and best use of your time as an agent; getting face to face with a client or filling flyer boxes.

If you are a brand new agent with few current clients and a very limited budget, the answer is probably both. Yet as your business grows and your client list gets longer, the answer should change.

One pet peeve I've heard from the field is that sellers hate when the flyer box gets empty. Some agents ask their seller s to call them ASAP if that happens, or simply fill it themselves. For some sellers this is no big deal. For others they think hey ‘I could be doing this myself'; they wonder why they would need you if you can't do something as simply as keep a flyer box full.

So who fills the flyer box? Depending on how hot the neighborhood and heavy the traffic, the flyer box could be empty every other day. So you or your assistant have to stop by very regularly. Depending on how busy you are and how many listings you have, this may not be a good use of time for either of you.

Personally, this isn't a service I offer to my local agents. Filling flyer boxes isn't the highest and best use of my time or their budget. Of course if someone wanted to pay my hourly rate, I'd be happy to do it. :-)

But what if you hired a responsible high school junior or senior and paid them $10 an hour for a few hours per week? Or, you found a college student who needed a part time job and paid them a set fee per property? <shameless plug for my niece at UA in Tuscaloosa, AL> They could swing by a few times per week. Or maybe you have a 17 year old in your own home looking for some extra cash. You could welcome them to world of small business.

So, what is the highest and best use of your time? Who fills your flyer boxes?

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

The ProBlogger in All of Us…

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 00:10:42 -0500

A friend just sent me a link to ProBlogger.net (thank you Rob), and I love it. I'm not sure how I missed this excellent resource, but clearly I did until now. Before I write a blog on any topic, I always do a quick search to see if it's been done (or over done) on AR. And yes, this awesome site has been mentioned numerous times but it is such a great resource that I have to mention it again.

One of my favorite posts on ProBlogger is Imagine Having 48,000 Subscribers by Midori Miller. From her post she apparently also loves this site. And from her many excellent posts, she is clearly following Darren Rowse tips (or maybe she's a fantastic writer on her own).

Plus I learned about online crushes on this thread. I also have online crushes, but never knew it had a name. Who knew??

David Patterson is also a fan, and shares an interesting take on blogging with radical opinions in Are You a Darren Rowse Fan? Plus he shares other good links here.

ActiveRain Video even posted a video of Darren Rowse discussing blogging and emerging trends. You can view the video here.

And then there were a couple of other great posts that really went into depth on some Darren Rowse topics. While I may have missed some (and my apologies if I did), here is a list and link to those I did come across. I hope you find them as helpful as I did!

Extend Your Content with Mind Mapping by John Novak.

What We Can All Learn From a Great American Inventor by Candis Hidalgo

Happy Blogging!

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

Ask A VA! Launches on AR

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:53:56 -0500

There are MANY great groups on ActiveRain. While we don't have that many Virtual Assistant groups, there are a number of great VA groups on AR as well. There are VA groups for us to share ideas and tips such as Assistants Corner and the Real Estate Virtual Assistants Group. There's even a group for agents to post their VA needs and requests.

Now there is one more group... Ask A VA!

The Virtual Assisting industry is relatively new. Depending on who you ask, the VA industry has been around for 10-12 years. Although I've seen a number of experienced VAs who say they ‘were VAs before they knew there was such a thing.'

Personally, I get a number of calls and emails asking questions; some basic ‘what can a VA do" questions, others more specific to the agent or team. So I though I would start a group where real estate professionals could ask any and every question that has crossed their minds concerning VAs and the VA industry.

Then I thought about it a little bit more, and wondered if we couldn't create a sort of VA FAQ area. Agents could make a post to start a topic. Or a VA could make a post to start a topic on a question they often get.

So I started a new group, Ask A VA! First I did a Pre-Launch and posted it in the VA groups in the hopes of having some VAs start the ball rolling with some of the questions they get asked most often.

Now I'm sharing it with all of ActiveRain! I'd like to invite each of you to stop by for a visit, take a look and hopefully Ask a VA a question you've been pondering.

Feel free to leave a comment here or on one of the basic topics I started. Or better yet, you Ask A VA a question and start a new thread of your own!

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

How much do VAs charge? How Are VAs Paid?

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:12:06 -0500

Anne Marie Malfi touched on this, and other FAQ, briefly in an excellent post Answers to the questions that real professionals ask VA's.

Like most things, this is somewhat negotiable. It really depends on your needs, the project or tasks, and the VAs expertise and experience.

If you have a specific project and no further needs at the time, you may pay for the specific project (ex. you need a new marketing brochure, or you need your profile set up on 5 popular social networking sites).

If you only need a few hours per month, then it will likely be a flat hourly rate.

If you need a VA for several hours per week each week, the VA may offer monthly package pricing.

For an in-depth discussion and explanation of VA compensation, take a look at Renae Bolton's post Why Do You Charge So Much? If you are unfamiliar with the VA industry, it is very informative.

Compensation can sometimes be a tough conversation, but like most things you often get what you pay for. VAs - please share your thoughts on this topic.

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

Find Your Micro-Niche Today!

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:15:47 -0500

OK... now for the article I was actually looking for when I wrote my post earlier this evening. I came across this article yesterday but forgot to bookmark it. Now that I've found it, I feel like I need to write about before I lose my thoughts on the topic.

Of course we've all heard of social networking and social networks. But what about niche and micro-niche social networks? When I say niche, I mean niche!

Yesterday I came across an article on MSN.com: The Web's 10 Weirdest Social Networks. Now I'm not saying we would necessary do a lot of prospecting or networking on these; then I guess that depends on what you are looking for. But I did get a little chuckle so I had to pass it along.

Love hamsters? Visit Hamsterster.com. Looking for a farmer to love? Meet your mate on FarmersOnly.com. Really into "Second Life" and avatars? Well, Myrl.com is "Connecting Worlds."

This article listed 10 weird ones, but I'm sure there are many more. If you have a few extra minutes and need a laugh (or a shock), check it out! <as far as I can tell, none of these are "adult themed">

What's the weirdest social site you've come across? Did you join?

Happy social networking! Thank you NING! Or...maybe not...

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

Social Networking and a Class War??

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:55:23 -0500

Tonight, as so often happens, I was researching one topic and came across another. I ran across an article on MSN.com entitled Class War: MySpace vs. Facebook. The article was actually about how high school kids are leaving MySpace in droves and heading over to Facebook.

Personally, I'm on both sites. MySpace is kept private because I mostly visit with family (primarily my nieces age 13-20) back in Alabama, and because we get pretty silly sometimes. And as I mentioned in a couple of previous blog posts, I tend to keep my silly side hidden; maybe a little too much, but you'll have to read What's your attitude for more on that. <shameless plug>

Facebook is used both personally and professionally; the girls have been warned to keep cool on that site. I've reconnected with lots of friends from high school, and meet many new friends on my recent vacation to Berlin (most of who are in the acting business and live in New York) and this is how we keep in touch.

That fact takes me back to the point of the article. The article basically details how the kids are leaving MySpace and heading over to Facebook, with the important realization that this switch is happening along class lines. It goes on to discuss the implication of advertising dollars for both sites, which isn't important to me; with estimated ad revenues of $125M/yr for Facebook and $525M for MySpace, I think they'll both survive.

The take away for me, is the splitting into class demographics. And what, if anything, this means to me, my clients, and you the reader because most people are on both sites. MySpace is now the "cool working-class thing", while Facebook is where the "goody-two-shoes, jocks, athletes, or other ‘good' kids" are going.

So my question is, if the kids are splitting along class lines (I read this as economic lines), are the parents? Are the parents (i.e. the bread winners, potential clients) even on these sites?

Is Facebook more ‘professional' than MySpace? Does our being on both or either of these sites say anything about us professionally?

Do you even use these sites for prospecting? Or are you using them to reconnect to friends and family to grow your sphere?

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

What is a Virtual Assistant (VA)? I mean, really?

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:06:37 -0500

According to "The International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA), a non-profit organization dedicated to the professional education and development of members of the Virtual Assistance profession, and to educating the public on the role and function of the Virtual Assistant" a VA is defined as:

"...an independent entrepreneur providing administrative, creative and/or technical services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of communication and data delivery, a professional VA assists clients in his/her area of expertise from his/her own office on a contractual basis."

Other organizations and individuals may define it slightly different. VAs, please chime in! How do you answer the question?

Basically, a VA is a self-employed business professional. Like real estate professionals, they may or may not have a specialty. Some provide general clerical or administrative services; others are more specialized such as a Real Estate VA, a Mortgage VA, or a Marketing VA.

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

Is that an “Easy Button” you have as a group logo? :-)

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:48:39 -0500

Not exactly....But it could be. When you partner with a VA, and when you find someone who really connects with you and your business, you will find that your business runs more smoothly and you are more productive.

VAs - please share how you make things easier and more productive for your clients!

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

Ask A VA! Pre-Launch

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:33:18 -0500

There are a number of great Virtual Assistant Groups on ActiveRain. (Hey! There are MANY great groups period on ActiveRain.) There are VA groups for us to share ideas and tips. There's a group for agents to post their VA needs.

So I started a new group, Ask a VA! I'm posting it in the VA groups first in the hopes of having some VAs start the ball rolling with some of the questions they get asked most often. Then I'll share the group with the rest of the AR community.

What do you think? Good idea or bad?

Feel free to leave a comment here or on one of the basic topics I started. Or better yet, start a new thread of your own!

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

OK, OK.. Enough about me…

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:46:08 -0500

Back to Business!

I'll admit, my blog has gotten a little off the normal topics of tools and tactics. Lately they have been more motivational than practical. Maybe they were even a little therapeutic for me (OK, they were)...

So it's time to get back to sharing more tools, and less Tracie. At least for a little while...

We all know there are many great tools available to help keep us organized and on track.

One of my favorites is Jott.com. Jott.com has been mentioned on AR a number of times, so I won't go into too much detail. According to the website, you "Simply call Jott and tell us where you want your message to go. We capture your voice, turn it into text, and send it to the destination you chose."

Suffice to say, with a single phone call it allows you to:

Create Voice to Text Notes
Create To Do Lists
Send Group Messages
Send and Receive Email & Text Reminders

It is great for those of us who get some of there best ideas when they aren't sitting at a desk or in front of a computer.

Another tool I recently came across is IWantSandy.com. I'm still in the early stages of testing this out, so I haven't formed my opinion just yet. Now, I will say that I don't see Sandy replacing your Assistant or your Virtual Assistant, but I can see this tool keeping you both up to date and on the same page.

Sandy says:

"I'll remember the details so you can focus on what's important.

Kick off your morning knowing what's on for the day.
Keep your day moving forward with reminders right when you need them.
Books to read, people to call, your cousin's birthday - I'll remember it all.
Stay organized with everyone in your life - effortlessly.

All without leaving your email inbox."

As I said, I'm still getting a feel for IwantSandy.com, but I'll share my thoughts soon.

Who else is using Jott.com? Has anyone tried IWantSandy.com? What do you think? How have they helped you?

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

Stop the FEAR!

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:13:46 -0500

FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real

First let me say thank you to Kathleen Daniels who shared this acronym in her comments on my recent post What's Your Attitude. In that post I discussed, aside from the humorous boys on MDL, and questioned some of the things that hold us back from being successful. At that time I concluded it was our attitude that held us back so often.

Many people commented on that post (thank you all), but this acronym really hit home. It really made me rethink my attitude and my fears. And maybe in the end, FEAR really is what holds us back.

In that post I also pledged to put myself out there more and tackle some of things that were holding me back. Honestly, I feel like I've made a lot of improvement in the past 5 days. On that post I even named four specific things I would work on. As I look back at them, I realize that 3 of the 4 are fear items.

So here I go, tonight I'll tackle FEAR.

Here are the 4 items from the original post and my reply to myself:

Sometime I won't make a comment when I know I can contribute something valuable. Why??
- I worry that someone will misunderstand what I'm attempting to say and think I'm being a jerk; which means they might not like me.
  - Well, I usually think things through before I just go off on a tangent, so that likely won't happen.
  - Besides, if someone doesn't like me because we have a difference of opinion, then I'm likely better of without them.
Sometimes I won't post a blog because I think it might be a little "too much". Why??
- This post is a good example. I rewrote it in my head a dozen times. Someone might think it is whacky. Someone might think I'm whacky.
  - Well, I've been called worse. Thankfully not often. :-)
  - But this post may also inspire someone else, which is a good thing. Besides, it's my blog and if anyone thinks it's whacky they don't have to read it. (I hope this didn't just violate the first item...)
Sometimes I can even be wound a little tight. Why??
- OK, this is true. It is true personally and professionally. I follow rules. I believe in manners. I respect my elders. I always try to do the right thing. I try to be courteous even it inconveniences me. What's worse, I expect others would want to do the same (maybe this is where I go wrong sometimes)
  - I'm not sure if there is anything I can about this one. I'm also not sure I want too.
Often times I find it hard to share my fun & personal side professionally. Why??
- Good question! I don't know....I'm smart, educated, articulate; I'm funny, friendly, and people like me. I just don't know. Guess I better keep working on this one...

ATTITUDE or FEAR? I'm still not sure. Or maybe, if you have the right ATTITUDE you simply kick FEAR in the rear and keep on keeping on...

What do you think? How did I do? How about you? What have you tackled and overcome lately?

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

VAs - What’s in Your Bookcase?

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 23:06:32 -0500

This may be a little out of the ordinary, but I'm making two blog posts this evening because I'm looking for different perspectives. In Agents - What's in Your Bookcase, I asked the REPs the below questions, and I wanted to ask the VAs the same questions here.

Often we use the same resources as our agents, but we might come from a different perspective. And we may even use resources they haven't come across. Please feel free to chime in here, there or both posts!

*************************************************************************

In a blog post earlier this week I asked the question, ‘what topics' would you like to see more of. That post was attempting to find out about the topics people find interesting, helpful and relavant; as opposed to the ‘same old, same old post'.

On that post Cherimie Crane commented that she would ‘like to see more posts from veteran Realtors' that share what the heck is going. I'm sure there area as many answers to that question as there are real estate professionals.

However, her comment did get me thinking. There is SO MUCH knowledge and experience here on AR. But AR hasn't always been around... so where did you get veterans get all your knowledge?

Did it come from books you read? Classes you attended? Mentors? Trainers? Hard knocks?

What books are in your bookcase? What books should be there? What resources, other than AR, do you go back to again and again?

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

Agents - What’s in Your Bookcase?

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:55:22 -0500

However, her comment did get me thinking. There is SO MUCH knowledge and experience here on AR. But AR hasn't always been around... so where did you get veterans get all your knowledge?

Did it come from books you read? Classes you attended? Mentors? Trainers? Hard knocks?

What books are in your bookcase? What books should be there? What resources, other than AR, do you go back to again and again?

Not exactly a veteran agent? Please chime in anyway! We all stand to learn something new here....

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

Who or What is your support system?

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:47:04 -0500

Do you even have a support system? Whether we know it or not, the answer is probably yes. The next question is, do you have a good support system? Or do you have people who should be supporting you, but who are really bringing you down?

While some days we may feel like we are all alone, in reality we're not. If nothing else we have a great support system here on AR. In a previous post I asked, "Why Do you Blog". And I received a lot of answers, including venting, as a release, to share ideas, inspiration, marketing, interaction, to help other people, and many more.

To me all those are very important reasons. In my mind, they also fall under the support category; either giving or receiving.

But what about your outside support system?

Donna Harris made a comment on that post ‘...especially when you have a spouse that doesn't really listen unless you use the word "closing".' I'm pretty sure she wasn't being completely serious; I've read many of her posts where she shares wonderful stories about her family.

I'm also very lucky that my husband is so supportive in my business and in my previous ventures. Claudia Wicks is an amazing mentor. And I'm in a couple of networking groups. My favorite group has never given me a single referral, but I always feel great when I leave it; we share the challenges of being self-employed, managing a home and family, and anything else we decide we want to discuss.

Victor Amadi also gave a great shout out to his wonderful wife in "How much do you appreciate your spouse.." Clearly, she must be a big part of Victor's support system.

I know I've rambled on a little, but I wanted to make a point. Some people have a great support system. Others aren't so lucky.

When I was coaching and training full time, I can't tell you how many times I'd have agents share a bad situation. Their spouse was angry that they weren't making enough money; they were angry because they had to work weekends or evening; they were angry because they had to incur expenses for marketing and brand building. Sometimes they would even cry; a couple of times I even cried with them..

Being in business for yourself is never easy. It's even harder if you feel like you have to fight the fight alone. So, if you have a great support system, be it a spouse - a partner - an assistant - a VA - a parent - a networking group, whoever or whatever, take a moment and really appreciate what a wonderful thing that is. Then take a moment to say thank you. Hearing it means more than we can imagine.

Heck, you can even give them a shout out here...

If some days you feel like you don't have a support system, take another look. I bet you do!

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

What’s your attitude…

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:22:08 -0500

........about you?

We've all seen the TV show Million Dollar Listing. There are numerous posts about it, and many, many more comments. There have also been some really good points made. Here are just a few:

In Million Dollar Blunder, Bravo TV's poster boy arrested, Michael Russell shared an article in his local paper about one of the brash stars being arrested for theft.

In the comments of that post Evelyn mentioned that most 21 year old males she's met are brash; and it is a TV shows after all and not reality.

Several posts refer to "juvenile delinquents".

And one post (which I can't find now) discusses professionalism (or lack there of), dress code and hygiene. It mentions the part where the agent shows up in what look like gym clothes; he is wearing a dirty headband, long baggy shorts, and pit-stained shirt. Then he is shocked that his client doesn't want him to negotiate an offer, and then later cancels the listing completely.

Johanna Roy asks in Bravo TV show - Million Dollar Listings, why couldn't that be me? In her post she even states that she knows it could be..

Now while I agree with many of the posts and comments, my husband and I do get a kick out of watching this program. Brett particularly likes making fun of the hair cuts... But he couldn't get over the cavalier attitudes of theses guys and the dollar amounts that kept flashing across the screen.

So this goes along with Johanna's thoughts. Why can't that be you listing and selling million dollar properties? Hey, why can't that be me buying a million dollar home?

Is it our attitude about ourselves? We are smart enough; we work hard. Right... We are educated in our respective fields. So what sets these guys apart?

It's their attitude! They put themselves out there. They are, at least in their minds, better than anyone else at selling real estate.

I know I hold back from time to time, but I'm working on this.

Sometime I won't make a comment when I know I can contribute something valuable. Why??
Sometimes I won't post a blog because I think it might be a little "too much". Why??
Sometimes I can even be wound a little tight. Why??
Often times I find it hard to share my fun & personal side professionally. Why??

Now, I know this is a TV show, but maybe we should get a little more daring and put ourselves out there a little more...

What, if anything, is holding you back? What one daring thing will you do today?

Please Note: I think I'll be participating very actively in this post today. That is me, putting myself out there... It's a start.

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."

meet WHO dot WHAT???

Tracie Mason Holton, Coach & Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:37:46 -0500

If you are on Active Rain, then you are well on your way to building an enormous and powerful online network. You will meet friends, you will make contacts, and you will likely even get referrals.

But you still need to get out and get lots of face time with people... In Person People. I've looked into a number of networking groups both for myself and for clients. Some of the groups have been for personal networking. Others have been for purely professional networking.

Some of the groups were free to join, but cost a fee to attend meetings. Others were a yearly fee, but only allowed one professional per industry (i.e. 1 Realtor, 1 Mortgage Lender, 1 Attorney, etc). Then of course there is the Chamber of Commerce in your area; that too gets different results for different people.

Today a friend mentioned a site that she had joined for fun. Tonight I took a look and joined for fun and networking. It is free to join and it is nationwide. It is MeetUp.com.

The About MeetUp page reads:

"Meetup is the world's largest network of local groups. Meetup makes it easy for anyone to organize a local group or find one of the thousands already meeting up face-to-face. More than 2,000 groups get together in local communities each day, each one with the goal of improving themselves or their communities.

Meetup's mission is to revitalize local community and help people around the world self-organize. Meetup believes that people can change their personal world, or the whole world, by organizing themselves into groups that are powerful enough to make a difference."

Short and sweet. I like it...

If you're a member, tell us what you think. If you aren't check it out! I'll let you know how my experience goes.

~THW
Tracie Mason Holton
Coach, VA, & Happy Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracie Mason Holton is a coach, trainer, writer and part-time VA. She is "The Happy Wife (THW)."