Or the icing on the cake!

It’s all about the show!

If you’re going to put out an ezine, a newsletter, an eBook, a manual or some other document with your name on it, it’s important to put your best foot forward.

You can’t just throw on your “duds” and go out “looking like that!”

So, to keep you from looking a bit like you don’t know what you’re doing in your written presentations, consider these hints for proofreading.

Don’t rush

If you’re rushed to get your ezine, your newsletter or other project done at the last minute or otherwise, you might be inclined to skip the proofreading altogether.

Spell-check is your friend!

Although, there may be a time or two when you wish you didn’t use Spell-check–because occasionally it just does not get it right.

The Gremlins

Common trouble makers are the words that sound alike, spell differently and sometimes give a whole new meaning to what you’re talking about. Words like “your” and “you’re;” “its” and “it’s;” “to,” “too” and “two.”

And this is not all!

First impressions, and all that!

Here are several more tips to consider when you’re putting the finishing touches on your written work:

Make sure you capitalize only proper nouns

Unless you’re me!

I really like to capitalize words, other than proper nouns, and sometimes do it more than necessary (or I suppose more than correctly)…as exaggeration for effect! To make a specific point stand out!  So I confess to taking some “writer’s license” now and then.
It’s sort of like that “because I said so” thing!

Have someone read what you’ve written before you print, “hit send” or seal the envelope!

It’s a lot easier for a second party to see misspelled words, transposed letters, incorrect word usage and the like when that person is not as close as you to your end result.  If you have no one available to do this, leave your work for a few hours, and then come back to read what you’ve written.

Print it out, then proof!

“Misteaks” are lots easier to see when you can hold them up to the light. Although I suppose you could enlarge the Verdana font size in a Word document to size 28 or so. Nevertheless, it’s usually still easier to proofread from a print document.

Tou dnats sekatsim pleh ot sdrawkcab daer dna, dne eht ta trats

Well, somehow I don’t think that’s quite what the guideline means, although it really is easier to see errors when you “read it backwards”. I mean, hello, the whole line ^^^ above is an error!

And finally,

When in doubt, look it up!

Now I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have a concern about that. Because even if you have the bestest dictionary and style guide in the world if you don’t know how to spell a word or barely know how to start it, neither will do you much good.

So there you have them for now. We’ll have more again one of these weeks!

In the meantime, good luck in “righting” your “writing”

About the Author
Get a complimentary copy of “Tips and Tricks to Grammar and Proofreading” and a subscription to “On the Bright Side,” our weekly ezIne, when you click to http://www.Konceptuality.com. At Konceptuality, we specialize in proofreading, editing, and ebook production support services, as well as general administrative support to Coaches, Speakers and Consultants. Email Karen McGreevey, Virtual Assistant and Expert Author, at kmcgreevey (@) konceptuality.com, for details.

Okay, so you’ve written a “killer” article that can help you stand out in the crowd. But, will it?

Check these three tips to see if they apply to your article:

Your Target Market Niche

Often, article authors will send their article to the wrong target market/niche directory. Make sure your target audience will have access to it. It’s best to try to not blast every ezine publisher on the web. If you are niche specific, you’ll have a better chance for your article to be seen by your target market.

What’s It About?

It you’re sending your article to an online publisher, be sure to include the headline of your article in the subject of your email. This means, actually include the title of the article rather than just writing “New Article for Submission”.

It’s Not About You

Sometimes when article authors write articles promoting their products or affiliate programs, they spend their time, and the space in their article, writing about–themselves. As a result, many article directories will reject the article because it’s “too adversity” or “too salesy”. Information about your business, your services and you go in the Resource box, along with active links to your product or service. Your readers will also quickly click to your Web site if you give something away, or if you offer a free bonus.

About the Author
Get a complimentary copy of “Tips and Tricks to Grammar and Proofreading” and a subscription to “On the Bright Side,” our weekly ezIne, when you click to http://www.Konceptuality.com. At Konceptuality, we specialize in proofreading, editing, and ebook production support services, as well as general administrative support to Coaches, Speakers and Consultants. Email Karen McGreevey, Virtual Assistant and Expert Author, at kmcgreevey (@) konceptuality.com, for details.

OIVAC is celebrating its 5th anniversary (May 20-22, 2010), and we’re pulling out the stops!

We received reports from OIVAC 2009 attendees that the convention covered topics that blew them away. This year, we plan to exceed all expectations and have set the bar higher than it’s ever been.

Since we are entering a new decade, the Steering Committee has chosen to win this challenge by showcasing the latest products, services and technologies, and supporting the basic fundamentals of business development, marketing and customer service.

How can you help?

This is our last call for Speakers (extended deadline to Monday, March 1st). If you would like to speak about innovation, technology, new services or running your VA business efficiently and making a profit, complete the Speaker Registration Form at: http://www.oivac.com/form-speaker.htm. A representative of the Speakers Committee will contact you regarding the next step.

Interested in volunteering? Complete the Volunteer Registration Form at: http://www.oivac.com/form-volunteer.htm. A representative of the Volunteer Committee will be in touch.

“A new decade… a new way to work”! Let’s explore our potential, improve business practices and learn ways to increase profits at OIVAC 2010.

Don’t forget, the deadline is Monday, March 1st.

Most people join organization and associations but never utilize their benefits. As a serious business owner, and we at CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC (“CD&C”) would like to think we fall in that category, growing your business should be at the top of your priorities. Joining a business association/organization could help you get new clients/customers and possibly increase your business sales and recognition. Organization and associations offers several benefits that may enhance your business. Some of the benefits includes but are not limited to the following:

Workshops, seminars, webinars, conferences and teleconferences. These benefits allow you to network with your peers, open discussions about what is going on in your industry, what others are doing and possibly put you in contact with potential clients/customers.

Webinars and teleconferences are often offered online and by telephone where you can listen and participate in the comfort of your home. Often time you are allowed to record the teleconferences so that you can view and listen to them whenever convenient for you.

Attending organization and associations meetings keeps you informed of the changes in your industry such as new products and services, discussion of new ideas and a review on how the industry is doing in general.

Forums/Notice boards provide a place for you and your peers to meet on a regular basis and give feedback about their experiences in your business. Forum/Notice boards sometimes offer insider and time saving tips as well as answers to questions from people who are active in your line of business.

Newsletters and industry articles, subscribing to association and organization newsletters will keep you inform on news updates. Make sure to take the time to read their newsletters and articles to keep up on the trends in your business, what your competition is doing and in most cases you will get feedback from your client/customers about what they think about the business and its services.

Always read archived newsletters and articles to learn about things that worked and didn’t work in the past for your line of business. Past issues will also give a history of your business and answers to frequently asked questions.

Get involved, volunteer with your association and organizations. Join committees. You may consider contributing to their newsletters this will give you exposure for your business and you may be viewed as an expert in your industry. Joining committees will also allow you to make decisions that will affect your business and a voice in the changes to your industry.

Other benefits include the following:

Member discounts – before shopping for business supplies, you should check your organizations and associations and their business affiliates for availability of discounts.

Some organizations will lobby to protect your business industry in state legislature and state courts.

Take advantage of their continuous training and educational programs.

Most of them offer directory listing where you should consider advertising your services. Keep in mind that potential clients go to the organization and associations to find help.

Some organization and associations like the National Notary Association offers personal identity theft protection for their members.

If they have a logo, ask permission to use it on your website and marketing materials. It can create credibility for your clients/customers.

Organizations and associations establish professional standards, give your business credibility, keep you updated on legislative news & activities, and enhance recognition of your profession. They can also increase awareness & value in the market place.

By Cordina A. Charvis a Member of CD&C Business & Legal Form Processing Services, LLC, http://www.cdcformsprocessing.com Virtual Paralegal Firm. © 2007. All rights reserved.

Have you ever heard of a Virtual Assistant? If you are a busy entrepreneur, you need to pay attention! A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an independent contractor who provides administrative support services by utilizing advanced technology to complete work and communicate with clients.

Below is a list of 10 ways a VA can help you get back to the business of building your business.

1. Secretarial Services. Are you spending too much time scheduling appointments? Do you have piles of routine paperwork to process? Do you wish you had someone to research and arrange your travel? A Virtual Assistant can assist with these tasks including scheduling appointments, completing forms, making travel arrangements, researching topics and maintaining a contact database.

2. Research. The Internet is a fabulous tool for research, but it can be quite time consuming. A VA can perform research for you and provide you a report on the findings. Before you know it, your project will be completed.

3. Presentations. Do you need a PowerPoint presentation? When you fax your notes, sketches and charts to your VA, they will be transformed into a professional slide show complete with handouts and transparencies.

4. Database Management. All business cards need to be in a database. Mail or courier your stack of cards to your VA and they will create a custom database for you. When you acquire new cards, send them to your VA and your database will be complete and up-to-date for your next marketing campaign or Christmas card mail! A VA can handle that too!

5. Email Management. We live in a “now” society and with so many people using email, it’s important you stay on top of it. Emails should be responded to within an hour, how are you doing? A VA can regularly check your email, respond where she can and notify you of urgent matters as they arise. This is a great service to consider if you are going on vacation or are often away from your computer.

6. Word Processing. Perhaps you need a handwritten document typed. Fax it to your VA and she will type it and either email it back to you or print it on your letterhead and put it in the mail for you. If you’ve typed up a proposal or a manual that needs to be formatted, simply e-mail it to your VA and she will give it a polished finish and send it back to you. Your VA can even convert a document to a PDF making file transfers quick and easy.

7. Personal. Do you wish you had a personal assistant to schedule your appointments, remind you of important dates and send thank you cards on your behalf? A VA can take care of all of these things and more. Anything you have an in house assistant take care of can be done virtually…except brewing the coffee!

8. Purchasing. A VA can order office supplies, hire someone to paint your office or purchase a laser printer by researching the best price, presenting you with quotes, and ordering the items to be delivered right to your office.

9. Invoicing. A Virtual Assistant can invoice your customers for you. Fax or email the details and she will create your invoices, print them off, address them and put them in the mail for you.

10. Track expenses. Are your receipts in piles around your office, your purse or the glove compartment of your car? You can put all your receipts in one envelope, (one for each month) and mail them to your VA monthly. She can create an Excel spreadsheet, break down the GST and easily track your expenses for you. This year, you will be ready at tax time!

About the Author
Ready to start adding hours to your day? Jaime Lee Mann is the owner of Mann Made Time, a Virtual Assistant business based in Kingston, PEI. You can contact her by phone at 902.675.4008, email jaime@mannmadetime.com or visit her on the Web at www.MannMadeTime.com.