David: Hi, Vanessa. Thanks for stopping by my blog today.Vanessa: Hi, David. I must say, I enjoy reading your blog posts. Some of the typos you find are really funny!
D: Unfortunately, they’re all too easy to find! But let’s talk about you - why did you create The Adventures of Vanessa Andruz, Virtual Assistant series?V: Figuring out how to become a Virtual Assistant after I left my Executive Assistant position took a lot of time and effort. So I decided that I would help other prospective VAs by writing down what I had done.
My e-book series discusses all of the decisions I had to make – what kind of business structure to use, how to set up my home office, how to determine my rates, the best ways to market my business, how to blog, and much more.
I think the series will give other women the information they need to start their own home businesses. If they follow me through the entire series, they’ll have a completed business plan.
D: I see someone else did the actual writing…V: Yes, my writing partner, Melodee Patterson of
Short-term Solutions has been instrumental in getting these e-books written. So far, we’ve released the first three e-books and we’re working hard on the rest.
D: Why don’t you tell us about your e-books?V: Sure! The first e-book is called Vanessa Has a Dream is free to download. It describes how I left my job and decided to become a Virtual Assistant. It’s an unbelievable story, but I swear my adventures are as real as I am!
In the second e-book, Vanessa Becomes a Virtual Assistant, I discovered my company name – with a little help from the Universe, created a business plan template, and decided on a business structure. And the business plan template is downloadable!
The third e-book, Vanessa Sets Up Her Home Office, is full of practical advice on choosing the right office equipment and supplies for your own VA business. There are research notes about computers, fax machines, scanners, ways to access the internet, and lots of other good stuff. I even describe my visit to my hometown’s office supply store. What a fun place to shop!
D: Your e-books are different from the typical “How to Become a Virtual Assistant” e-books out there.V: Oh, Lordy – they sure are! I wanted this series to be fun to read as well as instructional so I included what was going on in my life during my business start-up. And there was a lot going on, let me tell you!
D: Why don’t you give my readers a few examples?V: Well, my mother reads auras for a living so she would send me weird new-age stuff from Sedona to “help” me with my business. My dad had a few strange adventures on the golf course during that time, too, the poor man. And then there’s my ex-husband – the guy who leaves me for some beach bunny named Juanita and then has the gall to tell me I didn’t know what I was doing!
D: I guess you showed him! So, Vanessa, where can my readers download your e-books?V: My e-books are available on my website. Your readers can just
click here.
D: Is there an easy way for our readers to reach you? V: Of course! They can
email me, and I’m also on
Facebook.
D: I’m an experienced editor and proofreader, so I tend to notice details that others may not…and I’ve noticed that you’re not exactly a “real” person.V: You are sharp, David! Yes, it’s true, I’m a fictional character, but don’t let that fool you. I’ve got some great information and wild adventures to share with your readers!
D: I’m sure you do, Vanessa. It’s been a pleasure talking with you today. V: Thank you, David. I’ve enjoyed chatting with you, too.
