Snow!

Well, I finally got a profile picture on my site! Probably not the greatest, but definitely better than nothing!

The snow here is beautiful! Yes, we've been socked with that wonderful midwest disaster of snow. It's always a pain to dig out of, but it's so pretty on the ground! The kids have been loving every minute of it.

It's really starting to look like Christmas to me. I know that lots of people have a warm and sunny holiday, but for this girl, it's not quite right without cold weather and the possibility of snow!

It also makes me appreciate the blessing of staying home with my kids. There have been some things that have come up and made me realize this might not last forever.

Thus, I've determined to throw myself all the more into my work and build clientèle!

If you haven't already checked out my business site, www.VirtualAnswers.net, please do so and notice the new customer special!

As always,
Kathy W.
Virtual Answers

What Happened to Integrity?

It's that time of year again when people tend to focus on attitudes of thanks, charity, peace and love. Even though they might not practice those attitudes, they may encourage, foster, or tolerated them more in others.

We seem to want to live in a state of utopia of peace and love, but will yell at the person in the car who's going to slow and ruthlessly fight our way to the top of the corporate ladder.
These actions don't seem to promote peace and love.

What ever happened to the days when a deal was made on a handshake? When people kept their word and had integrity? Although the glow of "those days" is probably not as bright as I'd like it to be, I still think business should be run on those basic principals.
Not only is the customer right, he is the first priority. None of this false advertising and bait-and-switch garbage. What happened to integrity? Doing what you say you're going to do and keeping your promises?

Those are truly rare characteristics in todays modern market. Now, you're lucky to even get a human on the phone when you call a large corporation.

Hopefully, the attitude of peace and love will last a little longer this year. Maybe long enough for some to realize that good, solid business is built on integrity and pride in a job well done.

If you are doing your job and doing it well, you have no regrets and nothing to hide. There shouldn't be any skeletons to dig up. If we all conducted our own lives in the same manner - giving an honest days work for an honest days pay; treating others like we'd like to be treated; and owning up to our mistakes, then learning from them - imagine what the world would be like.

It only takes one to start. Just like ripples in a pond, the way you treat your customers will not only reflect you, but will make ripples larger that you could ever imagine.


Ripple Starter,
Kathy W.
www.VirtualAnswers.net

Scam, anyone?

Why is it that the days I feel like sleeping in, the 3yr old decided to rise at the break of dawn? He must have some sort of FSP (fatigue sensory perception)!

Well, this edition of my random thoughts deals with check fraud. Or, how not to be a sucker, like me.
Let the saga begin...

About a week ago, I decided to put my wedding dress up for sale on the 'net. I used a website that I still feel is reputable, www.PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, and have no issues with them at all!

I just wish I had read their scam warnings better! I thought I was to savvy to fall for a scam and would recognize one right away.

Never say 'never'.

I received my first email from "sam" a few days after my posting went up. I was shocked someone would respond this fast and was thinking I didn't list the price high enough!

He wrote in broken English and seemed rather rushed to get the dress. I remember telling my husband that something didn't seem right, but I gave "sam" the benefit of the doubt corresponded with him several times.

He insisted on setting up the shipping and was adamant about getting my full name, address, and phone number so he could make out the cashier's check he was going to send.

After careful consideration, I send the information. I guess I figured that I wasn't giving him any more information than I provide on my business website, Virtual Answers.

Several days later, an Express envelope delivered via UPS arrived at my home. The return address was from a carpet company in California, which I didn't recognize.

Inside was a check for $2000 (WAY over what I was asking for the dress) from a computer tech company in Illinois. And no explanation of what it was for.

I was confused, concerned, and suspicious.

I did some digging.

I found that in check fraud, the scammer will often write a "check" over the amount that the seller has asked for and then ask the seller to cash the check and send them the "change", minus their selling price.

"Sam" had not done this.

The bank will usually give you the money right away, trusting the check will clear. When it doesn't, you are responsible for the money withdrawn against the check.
Basically, if you've spent the money, you have to pay it back from your personal account.

I also found that often these "checks" are so real looking that even bank tellers have a difficult time realizing that they are fake until it is too late.

The carpet company in California was legit. The computer tech company in Illinois was legit. The bank on the check was legit. The check paper was legit (microprinting, watermark, the whole shebang). There were perforation marks on the edge of the paper. It all seemed genuine.

With a few exceptions.

#1 - I wasn't expecting a check in this amount
#2 - The sending company on the check and the return address didn't match.
#3 - Neither of the companies or addresses had any meaning to me.
#4 - The routing and account numbers on the check were simply printed on by a dot matrix printer, not by a bank with their special ink.
#5 - SOMETHING DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT!

I decided to wait for the email to come.

I knew it would.

I just had to wait.


And it did.
Later that day, I got contact from "sam". He commented that I should have received his check via UPS in the amount of $2000. He asked me to cash the check at my bank, take out my selling price and send him the dress and "change".

That was all I needed.

I confronted him in an email, told him I knew it was a fraud, that I had already destroyed the check, and not to contact me again.

And that was that.

Until this morning.

Guy had the nerve to mail me back and accuse ME of scamming HIM!
I laughed out loud! Especially when I read the threat about him contacting the local authorities and the FBI! That's a good one!

I couldn't help myself. I told him to go ahead!

I'd block his email, but I'm rather curious to see what he does next!


Anyway, the moral of the story is this:
Always be suspicious of free money!
Don't give "change" off of a check.
Know that Sam Smith, sam_milla11@yahoo.com is a scammer!

~Be wise!
Kathy W.
Virtual Answers

Success!

Well, at least in a small area of my site, Virtual Answers! I finally managed to get up an email format for my contact page! On another of my sites, I've had clients get spammed as a direct result of their email addressed being listed on the site.

That was not good.
I finally had to close the one account due to the amount of junk email coming in.

But I think I may have the solution! In working on Virtual Answers, I have found the solution to my other sites! YAY!

And what's with the Facebook craze?! I'll admit that I've been sucked in also, but it just seems to be a little more friendly MySpace. It's not exactly user-friendly either. The applications are constantly on the fritz and are slow to load, even on a cable modem.

Now that I'm tired of poking and soaking everyone I know, I've settled on playing Scrabble and completing puzzles as my prime time-wasters.

I also find it annoying that I have to install and application on my page just to view and receive a gift from someone else. Why can't I just get the gift and, if I like it, THEN install the app?

Well, for once (back to the original topic here) I feel a sense of satisfaction after wading through 4 binders full of informational emails. Most of them contain links to reference pages that I haven't even begun to print out. My printer needs a break...and ink.

I've got a friend who mentioned publishing a book. Maybe I'll look into that a bit and offer my services.

Still need to get on that informational brochure, but I need to find a layout I like first.

**ugh. I hear screaming coming from the living room. Let's just hope it's 'digital' and not 'analog'! **

~here we go!
Kathy W
Virtual Answers

Monday

Yes, it's Monday again. Why do these things keep recurring? Couldn't we just vote to skip Monday's or something?
Actually, it hasn't been too bad. I've managed to fix the quirks on my website, Virtual Answers and it's running pretty good.
Now I just need to work on getting my PowerPoint links to load faster or actually play on the net.

I've been able to work on one of my pro bono sites, and make a few changes there. Mostly just visual, but a few in the text.
My client for that site was promoting Virtual Answers to others in his business community! Yay! There's nothing better than a personal recommendation.

I wonder how many hits I've gotten just from curious lookers?

**Distraction - had to fish the 3 yr old out of the toilet. He fell in. I'm trying not to laugh! **

He's also asked if I could make up some business flyers or something for him to distribute, with my fees, packages, etc. listed.
I've never really thought about that before because I never had the need for it. I'll have to do some research on packages for non-profit organizations. I don't want to sell myself short on fees, but also want to keep it affordable to small organizations.

I'm starting to actually think I could pull this whole entrepreneur thing off. I've already put tons of work into the business, the site, and info into my head. Now, with some marketing, I may be able to have a go at it!

Looks like I'm up for a bit more research and planning if I'm going to get a flyer together!

Kathy W.
Virtual Answers

Trying to Work

Well, in between cleaning the house, various dr. appointments, and the inevitable laundry and meals, I've got to find time to market my website and my business!

I thought I knew a fair amount about the web and site-building, but I'm starting to doubt myself. After working to put in an email form for several hours, I need a break. It's probably not that difficult, my brain is just on break today.

I'm also beginning to wonder why I get the most clarity late at night? When everyone else is asleep and it's too noisy to work? (the computer is in my bedroom) If I could just get my husband to sleep on the couch for night I might get something done.... (grin)

I really hope this all pays off. I'm realizing that I'm in for the long haul at this point and need to kick it into high gear if I'm going to be productive at all.

Okay, the 3-yr-old is using a sticky lint roller on the cat, so I guess I need to put this on hold, again.

Here we go~!
Kathy W

Getting Started

I'm sitting here in the dark, wondering if I really know what I'm doing. I like web stuff. I make a decent site and I can type. So why did I think that could qualify me to start my own business?
Apparently, in some sleep-deprived state, I did.

VirtualAnswers.net was started in April 2007 on a wing and a prayer. I naively jumped into the entrepreneurial world thinking that I could tread water for a while getting my business started.

What I have learned yet again is that you never truly know how little you know until you try something new. I can build a website. I can make graphics. What I can't do is market myself. I also can't afford to pay anyone else to do it for me. Thus, I'm stuck learning the intricate ins and outs of SEO and Marketing, along with a little external CSS thrown in for good measure.

I guess since I'm pretty much self-taught about everything, it shouldn't surprise me that I've taken on this monster. I just didn't realize how all-consuming it would become and how difficult it is to gain steady clients.

I've also hit the bump of finding my unique niche...along with about a thousand other virtual assistants on the web. I keep telling myself to muddle through and it will eventually get there. It's hard to know what software I should absolutely have and what is a cool application, but not necessary. Especially when that software costs $$$.

Fortunately, I have discovered Cricket and GNC Web Creations. Two words: information overload! There is so much information, I could drown in it. It's awesome stuff, but I need to take a step back and start re-reading it slowly.

I guess what I've learned at this point is that anything worth having is worth working for. (I already knew that, but I'm learning it again!)

Here we go~!
Kathy W.
http://www.VirtualAnswers.net