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Featured Client for March, 2009

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Team Double-Click and VirtualAssistingUSA

Susan Daffron
Logical Expressions, Inc.

1. What industry do you work in? How many years have you been in that industry?

I own a publishing company called Logical Expressions, Inc (http://www.LogicalExpressions.com), which is based in a small town in Northern Idaho. I have been involved in publishing in one way or another since the late 80s, but we started our company in 1994. Currently, we have 9 books and one software product that we sell mostly online. We also offer consulting and book production services like cover design and layout. I also am the founder of the National Association of Pet Rescue Professionals (http://www.naprp.com). The mission of this organization is to help people working in pet rescue or humane organizations save more companion animal lives.

2. How long have you been using Team Double-Click®?

Since August 2008.

3. Why did you choose Team Double-Click®? How did you learn about us?

I found out about TDC online. I was researching virtual assistants because I had a horrible experience with a VA who disappeared without doing any work. (I ended up having to file a claim with the Better Business Bureau.) I was very tired of dealing with flakey independent VAs, so the idea of a VA agency was extremely appealing. It almost sounded too good to be true.

4. Was it difficult getting started with a Team Double-Click® Virtual Assistant?

Not at all. I talked to my client representative and told her about some of the problems I'd had with VAs in the past. She answered all my questions and concerns. Then she matched me with a VA who could perform the type of tasks I needed.

5. How do you get work to your VA?
Generally, I email work to her.

6. What work is your VA managing for you?

She posts weekly to my two blogs, uploads press releases to Web sites, schedules guests for my radio show, confirms their information, and follows up after the audio is posted online. She also adds contacts into our marketing database and performs various tasks related to social media.

7. Is there any special software you use to manage your VA's tasks?

I use a software program called Chaos Intellect for my email and appointments and a program called Time and Chaos for my contacts. Both synch to an online database at ChaosHost.com. My VA can see my schedule, post new appointments, and add contacts and information into the online database. Every day, I synch my desktop software with the online database, so everything she enters online is on my desktop computer (and vice versa). Our company also has an online project management tool we developed in-house that we use to keep track of who is doing what. So my VA has a log-in to that tool as well.

8. What systems did you have in place prior to bringing on a VA, or did you change any in order to work with a VA?

I already had systems in place because I had worked with VAs before.

9. Did you have to overcome any obstacles to working with your VA?

No. Actually, the first VA I had with TDC was great, but she got very sick. Team Double Click was extremely proactive about the difficulty and found me my current VA quickly and efficiently. There was no down-time at all. I was extremely impressed with how professionally the transition was handled.

10. What impact has the VA had on your business?

I can simply forget about tasks and know that my VA will handle them. For example, I was really bad about updating our blogs with new information. Now it just happens every week like clockwork. I LOVE that!

11. Has your VA been receptive to additional training opportunities? If so, have they helped in the success of your business?

Very much so. I've also encouraged her to tell me if she sees opportunities to apply her training to any of the things I'm doing. Every other week, we talk on the phone, which helps keep her in touch with what's going on in our business.

12. How are you combating a poor economy while using a VA?

Most of the tasks I have outsourced so far relate to marketing consistently. In a bad economy, it's vital that you NOT pull back on your marketing efforts. My VA also is helping us keep up with customer contact and outreach, which has helped our business. As our business grows, it's great to know that I can just add more time. I like the fact that I only pay for work that gets done and I'm not locked into a restrictive "retainer" arrangement where hours can "expire." As a business owner, I love the flexibility offered by working with a VA and I recommend TDC to other people all the time.


You are welcome to reprint this article as long as the following byline is included: Team Double-Click® provides virtual assistance for small and home-based businesses. Visit Team Double-Click's Web site at http://www.teamdoubleclick.com or phone 888.827.9129.

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