My Faithful Assistant's Weblog

For Sale – 23013 Tree Crest Ct., Bonita Springs FL

Sherri Fowler — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:44:45 +0000

23013 Tree Crest Ct, Bonita Springs FL

23013 Tree Crest Ct, Bonita Springs FL
2 Bedroom, Den, 2 Bath, Single Family Home at Laurel Meadow in Shadow Woods at The Brooks; Heated Pool-Spa, Golf Course Views; Private Golf Membership, Beach Access With Pavilion

Posted in Virtual Assistant

For Sale – 11598 Grandi Avenue, Lakeview Ohio, Indian Lake

Sherri Fowler — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:27:07 +0000

Channel Front Home in Indian Lake – Grandi Avenue

2 Bedroom, Florida Room, 2 Car Detached Garage, Two Boat Docks, Dual Electric Boat Lifts, Separate Seadoo Lift, All On Channel Front At Indian Lake in Lakeview, Ohio.

Robbin Kramer’s Website

Email Robbin Kramer

Call Robbin Kramer – 937.539.1049

For Sale – 5702 Barry Trace, Dublin OH 43017, Hayden Falls

Sherri Fowler — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:44:07 +0000

5702 Barry Trace, Dublin OH 43017

2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo With 2 Car Garage In Hayden Falls Offers A Dublin Address With Columbus Taxes. Pergo, Tile & Carpeted Flooring; Vaulted Ceilings; Skylights; Finished Basement With Cable TV/Internet Hook-up.

Kay Neffenger’s Website

Email Kay Neffenger

Contact Kay Neffenger – 614.205.6858

For Sale – 15185-2 Majorca Bay Dr., Naples FL 34110, Bay Forest

Sherri Fowler — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:03:51 +0000

15185 Majorca Bay Dr, Naples FL – Tennis, Kayak, Canoe, Fish

This 2 Bedroom, Den, 2 Bath Attached Villa With 2 Car Garage Is Located West Of US 41 In Bay Forest. Bay Forest Is Located Between Bonita Beach And Vanderbilt Beach. Enjoy The Beaches And All Bonita Springs & Naples Offers; The Philharmonic, Luxury Shopping Stores And Fine Dining.

View Virtual Tour

Email Me

Call For More Information – 239.707.2906

Stay Focused

Sherri Fowler — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:42:10 +0000

Are you so distracted with everything else going on in your life that you find it hard to stay focused? With the daily demands on our time, it’s no wonder we’re not focused.

Let’s take a look at how we can change and get & stay on track!

If you’re like me, your Outlook calendar is the first thing you look at each morning. Instead of jotting down notes, which lay all over our desks; begin adding ALL of your information into your Outlook calendar. Scheduling in all of the details of your life will help you stay on track. And if you’ve got to be the one to remember your spouse’s appointments to the Doctor or your children’s practice schedule, you definitely need to make room for it in your calendar. Having to try and retain all of your activity in a week is exhausting in itself, but adding activities for others is too much to try and wrap your head around.

Adding the schedules of others into your Outlook calendar can be simple. Add a label to the name of your spouse or child, then add a splash of color for them; such as Aqua. So, when you look at your calendar and notice an Aqua color swatch on your calendar this week, you’ll quickly recognize the appointment as being one for your child or spouse.

When you’re scheduling out travel time for yourself or others, be sure to add in the driving time to your schedule. If your hair appointment is at 6:30 and it takes you 30 minutes to get to your hairdresser’s shop, schedule it into your calendar for 6:00. Of course you’ll want to add a reminder for yourself that will pop up about 15 minutes before you are to leave so it will give you enough time to prepare to head out the door.

Written reminders are great, but they’re not going to work if you can’t find them on a messy desk. So, if you don’t have a cell phone that allows you to sync your Outlook calendar, be sure you’re using a written schedule to keep yourself on track. At-A-Glance has some great day planners that could be of help and you can easily pick them up at your local office supply store.

Setting daily priorities for youself is also a great way to stay focused and not forget anything…even if your priority for today is going to the grocery store for milk. Having even the most trivial of information floating around in your subconscientious is distracting and is enough to keep you off focus.

Add phone calls that you need to make to your calendar. Not only will it remind you of who you need to call, but it also blocks out time for you to make that call.

Are you always forgetting your grocery list on the kitchen counter? Add your grocery list to Tasks or Notes in your Outlook calendar. If you’re using At-A-Glance, there’s a place for you to make notes also.

And above all else, don’t forget to schedule your free time. Blocking out your family time or some down time for yourself will keep you from adding too much into your weekly schedule. Your mind and body need a rest also!

Carrying around your information, or as I like to call it…my brain, will help you stay focused and stay on track for the day. Writing EVERYTHING down will help keep your mind from over-load. And may make room for other things; maybe even some creativity will blossom!

Give yourself the freedom to focus on reaching your goals. And when necessary, adjust your plan.

Enjoy your new found freedom from over-load

Phishing -VS- Legitimate Emails

Sherri Fowler — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:03:23 +0000

Phishing is the term used for email fraud threat, which continues to grow with each passing day.

Phishing is deception, designed to steal your sensitive personal or financial information; such as personal data, such as credit card numbers, passwords, and account data.

Phishing costs consumers millions of dollars a year in identity theft cases. And it works by showing one URL address in an email, when in fact, if you click on the link it will take you to another URL.

Phishing causes havoc for those of us in legitimate businesses around the world who are trying to send emails to our customers and clients.

So, how can the rest of us get our emails delivered and not look like a scam artist? Let’s take a look!

When you are sending an email to a customer, client or group of subscribers, don’t type out the web address that you want your recipients to click on.

Instead, make a phrase, image or word in the content body of your email a link that your consumers can click.

You’ll get more of your emails delivered by including the link within the body of your email because ISPs won’t consider it a phishing email or you a scammer.

Now that you know this email tip – GET DELIVERED!

AutoResponder

Sherri Fowler — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:07:04 +0000

Timely follow-up is key to gaining revenue for you and your business.

Whether you’ve captured a new customer’s information or are keeping in touch with an existing client, follow-up will help keep your name, service or product on the minds of others.

The less time consuming and most practical way to follow-up with your customers or clients is with autoresponders.

Autoresponders allow you to create a series of messages for all of your contacts and send them directly into their inbox. You can make categories for different customers or clients and then send specific messages to each category.

You can set up messages to go out on a daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly or yearly basis. Whether your business offers products and services or you need to promote yourself, there is an autoresponder provider that will fit your needs.

Most autoresponders offer plain text format or html. And if you’re not an html guru, not to worry. The majority of autoresponders have templates to help you make a professional looking layout.

Not only are you saving yourself time with an autoresponder, but you’re keeping in touch with your contact database in an efficient and timely manner.

Staying in front of your customers and clients equals recognition and potential profit.

The Reality of Tax Time

Sherri Fowler — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:55:29 +0000

April brings about the reality of taxes doesn’t it? The thought of having to pay more taxes doesn’t sound as appealing as getting money back, wouldn’t you agree?

The thing that makes me say “blech” over taxes is because I typically owe each year. Each year, my CPA and I go through the same routine. We put our heads together and “guess-timate” my potential income for the upcoming year. And sadly, we’re never on the mark…not even close usually.

I have friends who seem to always be in great spirits during the tax season. Mostly because they either get money back from the IRS or break even. I don’t think breaking even sounds bad. However, getting money back sounds fantastic!

If you’re one of those fortunate people to break even, or better yet, get money back…I’m sincerely happy for you. For the rest of us, it’s a dream we never seem to be able to obtain.

Drive Traffic To Your Site

Sherri Fowler — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:51:11 +0000

Driving traffic to your website isn’t an exact science. However, there are ways you can collectively use marketing ideas in order to attract multiple visitors.

You don’t have to try all of these ideas at once. You should focus on several to work with at first so you don’t get overwhelmed. We can also put these ideas into place for you if you don’t have the time or the desire to do it yourself.

Banner Advertising:

Gain notice by placing your business on a hosting site which offers banner advertising. Banner advertising can be found on most online advertising venues these days, such as newspapers.

Blog:

If you maintain a website, post a blog about your niche on a regular basis. At the very least, regularly blog about your business or products. If you’re a Realtor, blog about current market conditions or your new listings. You’ll want to make yourself personable on your blog as well. As it’s been said before, “People buy from people they know

Direct Advertising:

All of your direct mail should have your website information in full view for your clients and customers to see. Whether you send out brochures, postcards, newsletters, or magazines, the most important part of direct advertising is to be consistent. The old rule of thumb use to be; it would take someone six times to see your print advertising in order for it to be effective and for the customer to remember you. You’re more likely these days for someone to remember you after seeing your print advertising an average of nine times. Either way you look at it, consistency is the key.

Internet Posting:

For Realtors, advertising your listings on your website is expected these days. However, why not take it to the next level and advertise your listings on internet newsboards as well? The most common newsboard everyone’s familiar with is CraigsList. But, there are many other newsboards out there to advertise on which are free as well. It just takes a little time to set-up your profile and write your ad. For businesses, advertise your products or services the same way. And always remember to include your contact information when writing your ad.

Link Exchange:

Some websites come with a page specifically for link exchanges. Other websites may come with a blank page you can customize. Either way, link exchanging with like-kind businesses in other cities can be a potential referral for you. Link exchanging with businesses who already provide you with services are a great way to do business as well. Link exchanging will help put your website on the first page of search engines.

Network:

If you’re in business, you’ve heard of networking. Networking websites can be to your advantage. Not only are you reaching other like-minded businesses, but you’re also able to reach the public. I highly suggest networking on the internet. Just about all networking sites are free and have easy step-by-step instructions in order to set-up your profile. They typically also have a section to blog about you and your business. Don’t confuse this however, with blogging on your website.

Newsletter:

If you’re not taking advantage of your existing client list, as well as your potential customers…this is the way to reach out to them on a consistent basis. You want to send good content to your clients and customers. You’ll also want to have a newsletter sign-up on your website. It will help build your contact database.

Don’t forget…your goal is not just to get them to your website. You need to provide good information for your prospects as well as your existing clients in order for them to return to your site. And you definitely want to capture email addresses from any visitors. Building your contact database can increase your revenue!

Virtual Assistant Services

Sherri Fowler — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:59:14 +0000

As we’ve already determined in the blog, “Who can benefit from using My Faithful Assistant”, all types of businesses and professions can benefit from using a Virtual Assistant.

So, I thought I’d take the opportunity today to outline several services we have provided for other organizations and individuals to date. Keep in mind, this is only a partial list of services. The types of services we can provide are only limited by your service needs.

Brochures – Flyers: Brochures and flyers can be used for personal promotion or business promotions (grand openings, sales events, etc.). They can be printed, mailed or emailed. Some typical uses would be; handing out at events, mailing to potential or existing customers, or emailing to a contact database.

Newsletters: Newsletters are a great marketing tool. They can be used to update your customers on current events, or upcoming monetary needs if you’re a non-profit organization. Their best use is to keep your name in front of existing clients and potential customers. Realtors use them frequently to keep their clients informed of market conditions and to promote their active listings. They can also be printed, mailed or emailed.

Email Marketing: Whether you use email marketing for personal promotion or business promotions, it is the least expensive way to date to get you and your business in front of customers or clients. Email blasts can be sent to an existing contact database. Or, you can add an opt-in list for an email blast to your existing website. If you use it as an opt-in list, be sure that you offer your customers some good information.

News & Magazine Advertising: We will write up and place your ad in the newspapers or magazines of your choice. Keep in mind with news print advertising, it can be costly. Despite the cost, you can reach a multitude of people with print advertising. Whether you are using it for personal or business promotion, you can reach potential customers that you may not have reached otherwise. The key to print advertising is to be consistent with it.

Database Management: Database or contact management is one of the most time-consuming tasks a business owner can take on. Typically, you’re entering the information into a database program that continually needs updating. Unfortunately, most of us don’t get away with just entering the information once and are able to forget about it thereafter. Mainly because people move, their positions change for employment, and phone or fax numbers change. Don’t let the mundane, time-consuming task of keeping a contact management go however. Why? Because your contact database is a great resource for repeat customers and referrals.

Clerical & Secretarial: Don’t you wish sometimes that you had an extra hand for the day? An employee is on vacation or off sick. Or better yet, you’d like to take a vacation or a day off. Well, don’t fret. We offer various types of clerical and secretarial support. Email and voicemail follow-up, scheduling and reminders. Letter writing, mail merges, word processing, announcements, thank you notes, inquiries, and personal promotions. Correspondence, document preparations, graphs, mailouts, and spreadsheets. Just to name a few!

Realtor Assistance: The other services listed can also be used for Realtors. However, the type of service I’m going to describe is geared more toward real estate agents. One of those services is postcards. Postcard mailings of various sorts. Just listed, just sold, open house, and farming. The postcards can be direct mailed to your farm area or contact database. The postcards can include one listing or multiple listings.

Another service specific for Realtors is MLS input. We can input data into your MLS, if it’s allowed by your local Board of Realtors. Data input would consist of property information, descriptions, photo and document uploads.

Client Gifts & Promotional Items: Gifts of various sorts. Thank you gifts, anniversary gifts, birthday gifts, marriage gifts, and baby gifts to name several. A variety of promotional items. Pens, note pads, coffee mugs, items with or without company logo or slogan. Items can be direct mailed.

Internet Marketing: Internet marketing is one of the best ways to get you and your company visible to the public. Internet marketing can consist of posting you or your company profile onto networking sites or newsboards for example. It can also consist of blogging about you, your business or your products as well.

Website Maintenance: Updates and maintenance on your existing website. It can also consist of updating a blog on your website. For Realtors, website maintenance is crucial because you need current information given to your clients at all times. For businesses, promoting your products, announcing a new client or announcing the expansion of your business is all news worthy for potential customers.

Spreadsheets & Presentations: Some examples of spreadsheets are market updates, profit & loss comparisons, and itemization of expenses. Presentations can be for public speaking engagements, personal or business promotions. Presentations can be prepared for printing, emailing, linking or websites.

Research: Research can be done for private investigators, Realtors or virtually any type of business. When you need information about a product, a person, or an area and don’t have the time it takes to take on the task yourself, we can assist you.

Bookkeeping: Bookkeeping is typically the least favorite thing people like to do. Who likes to look at a stack of invoices and realize you’ve got your work cut out for you in order to pay them? Well, for those of you who either don’t enjoy the task of bookkeeping or don’t have the time, we offer our assistance to you. We will email you a profit and loss statement at the end of each week so you know where your business stands financially. We also can reconcile your bank statements if you’d prefer.

Please keep in mind for some of the above mentioned services, remote login would be required for us to gain access to your computer. If you have a specific program you use that’s internet based, then we would just need your login and password information.

All marketing materials are emailed or faxed to you for approval before it is sent to print, emailed or mailed to your database or prospects.

Projects of all size are welcome. Small, large, one-time only, weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly. If you choose services on a continual basis, you may choose to mail us a retainer for future work to be performed. That way there is no delay in your on-going services and you are guaranteed the hours you need work performed within your time frame required. For retainer clients, statements are emailed to you after work is performed so you know how much you have left on retainer. All work can be discontinued whenever you choose.

Our desire is to help you grow your business while keeping your costs low. In order to keep your costs low, we do not believe in wasting time while performing services for you. High costs to our clients would result in us not having a clientele at all. That, of course, is not our goal.

I hope you found the above information to be useful. And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We appreciate your interest in My Faithful Assistant and our Virtual Assistant services. We look forward to being of service to you and for any of your business needs.

People Watching

Sherri Fowler — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:21:50 +0000

If you’re like me, you’re a people watcher. I love to watch people. Not to criticize or judge, but just to imagine what a day in their life is like. In my mind, the possibilities are endless for those people that I watch for a moment in time. I imagine their home life, work life, family time and fun time. I imagine them happy, healthy, full of adventures and triumphs.

But what you see on the exterior may not be real. As we are all fond of saying, “We put on our face to go out in public”. Why do we put on a facade to others, do you think? I think we put up barriers in our relationships no matter what type of relationship it is; a friendship, marriage, working relationship or family relationship.

I think we just don’t like people getting too close to us. We don’t like them knowing the real us so to speak. We’re afraid they may not like the real us. We’re afraid they will know all of our “secrets”, our imperfections. In a time where we find dates through the internet and can’t live without a phone that doesn’t offer instant messaging, email or internet access, I feel we’ve even lost touch with who we really are. There’s no down time for us to get intouch with who we are. Why? Because with today’s technology we have to always be “on” and available. We have to always have our “face on” for the public and our voice has to be happy and upbeat, even if you’re not feeling the way you sound.

Most of us have been hurt by others we’ve let get too close to us also. So, we feel that it’s safer for us not to let others in. The disadvantage to that is, while you’re putting up a wall or putting on a facade for others, you’re not letting them get a chance to know the real you. The person who has good days and not so good days. The person that’s sincere, considerate, funny, and compassionate. The person that’s real. The person that someone else can relate to.

If you’d let people see the real you and get to know the real you, you may be quite pleasantly surprised. Why you ask. Because people may surprise you with their reaction and their ability to relate to you, your circumstances or the type of day you’re having. By opening yourself up to others, you become a real person to them. Someone who is just like they are. Someone who doesn’t have it together everyday. Someone who wishes they had all the answers. Someone who wants another friend, but not one that doesn’t seem at all human.

Can’t we all relate to another person if we’re in or have been in the same circumstance? Can’t we relate to someone that’s sad and needs a little cheering up from a friend? Can’t we relate?

Relationships, not matter what kind, all require effort. Let’s face it, living in today’s technology should give us more of an opportunity to be real to someone. Why not try today to open yourself up and be willing to be “real” to someone? You may just be what they need today, a person that’s been where they are, a person that is where they are, a person who is willing just to listen. Everyone needs a friend, a sincere one at that.

So, the next time you’re people watching, think about saying “Hi” to the people you’re watching. Consider opening yourself up to others. Not only do I think you’ll be surprised, but I think you’ll get just as much out of the effort of reaching out to someone and becoming real to them as the people you are reaching out to will get out of it.

Who Can My Faithful Assistant Help

Sherri Fowler — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:54:12 +0000

In today’s economy, all types of businesses are cutting back and considering the condition of their overhead.

Are you one of those people taking steps to re-organize your business plan so that you’ll be able to keep your doors open for business well into the future? Then, good for you!

Clients that use a Virtual Assistant, such as My Faithful Assistant, come in a wide variety of industries. All however, share a common bond, despite their diversity…a desire to grow their business and keep their costs down.

Outsourcing your administrative needs to a Virtual Assistant will not only keep your payroll and payroll taxes down, it will also keep more money in your pocket overall. Let me give you examples on how that’s a fact. With My Faithful Assistant, you won’t be paying for any benefit packages, such as vacation time, holiday pay, sick time, dental plan, medical insurance, workers compensation, or a retirement plan. You also won’t have to carry the cost of extra office space, supplies or equipment.

After looking at what you’re saving, maybe the better question is, “Who can’t benefit from using My Faithful Assistant”?

Let’s take a look at some business, organizations, and individuals that can benefit from using a VA.

Accountants
Advertising Agencies
Apartment Complexes
Assisted Living Facilities
Attorneys
Authors & Writers
Bail Bonds
Churches & Mission Organizations
Developers
Entrepreneurs
Executive Recruiters
Financial Planners
Fund Raising Organizations
Home Based Business Owners
Homeowner Associations
Hospitals
Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Vacation Resorts
Landscape & Lawn Care Firms
Marketing Firms
Men’s Groups & Organizations
Non-profit Organizations
Nursing Homes
Nursing Organizations
Physicians Offices & Organizations
Police Officers & Government Offices
Private Investigators
Professional Organizations
Professional Speakers
Property Management Companies
Public Relations Firms
Publishers & Publishing Houses
Real Estate Agents & Rental Agents
Restaurants
Schools & Teachers
Social Workers
Startup Businesses
Stock Brokers
Students
Therapists
Trade Associations
Universities & Professors
Women’s Groups & Organizations
Youth Groups & Organizations

The above is not an all-inclusive list of types of businesses, so don’t be discouraged if I’ve left off your profession or industry. The list of professionals that can benefit from using My Faithful Assistant is limitless!

Introducing…My Faithful Assistant

Sherri Fowler — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:56:36 +0000

Welcome to our blog! We appreciate your visiting with us today.

My Faithful Assistant, founded by Sherri Fowler, is a Virtual Assistant company. My Faithful Assistant (MFA) provides administrative and marketing services to clients nationwide. It doesn’t matter where clients are located because MFA can provide services to clients via phone, email, fax and online…virtually.

There are many reasons why hiring MFA can be a sound business decision. One reason is because MFA is an independent contractor, not an employee, and you can hire MFA on an as-needed basis. Therefore, you won’t have the expense that goes along with hiring a full-time employee. With MFA, you are only charged for the materials and services that you need, when you need them, or for as long as you need them.

Besides keeping your overhead low, delegating your non-revenue, mundane, time-consuming tasks to us will open up the opportunity for you to focus on the things that will generate revenue and grow your business. You should be in the leadership role of building your business, not the position of an office assistant.

If you’ve never used a Virtual Assistant (VA) before, we suggest delegating one project on your “to do” list to us. We understand it’s hard to “let go”. We also realize in order for your business to grow, you are not going to be able to perform each task or required duty within your business. That’s why our completing one project for you will give us an opportunity to prove our dependability, service and cost-effectiveness to you, which then opens up the door for a trusting, long lasting relationship…one project at a time.

It doesn’t matter if you are a veteran business owner or brand new in business, you can benefit from using MFA. Whether you need help getting started, help maintaining, or help on a continual basis…we would love the opportunity to earn your business.

All projects are welcome…small, large, one-time only, daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly. We believe each project should be tailored to the individual needs of each client. Because each client has an individual style and different preferences which makes them unique, it in turn sets them apart from their competition. We will take the time to get to know your unique style and preferences in order to help you with each project.

You need an ally to help grow your business. Contact My Faithful Assistant today.

We’d be delighted to assist you in your business needs.