While there are many reputable individuals and agencies offering internet marketing services, there are unfortunately myriad expensive, elusive, and unethical agencies yielding disappointing and sometimes damaging results. Responding to the demand for results-oriented marketing professionals, the VAClassroom was developed.

A Niche Internet Marketing assistant is a virtual assistant certified in the complex workings of internet marketing. Skills that a trained VA possesses begin with an excellent command of the English language, proficiency in the use of the internet, and a love for social networking.

A certified internet marketing VA can immediately raise a small business client's visibility in the marketplace by taking charge of a client's list and brand management, blog writing and online promotion, community management, social networking development, resource development, and a host of other essential marketing services.

VAClassroom, the premier online course to train VAs in the latest proven, ethical marketing strategies, provides many ways your VA can help your business grow, to take your small business to a higher level.

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Here's a question I came across today, When Did Hiring Independent Contractors Become Illegal? Anita Campbell of Small Business Trends discusses the current Congressional hearings (April 2008) that appear to criminalize small business owners for using Independent Contractors (1099) rather than employees, making the assumption that the only reason for this relationship is to avoid or reduce tax responsibilities, thus operating in a "shadowy" Underground economy.

Anita reports: According to the statement by Senator John Kerry, Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business, the definition of underground economy that the Committee is looking at includes small businesses that may misclassify independent contractors instead of employees. Senator Kerry’s statement notes: “Too many workers are being misclassified as independent contractors — an arrangement in which the employer is not responsible for withholding of income or paying employment taxes. Employers who erroneously misclassify their workers stand to save as much as 30 percent of their payroll costs. This puts law abiding employers at a disadvantage.”

I don’t know about you, but I’m troubled by this expansion of the definition of underground economy to include misclassification of independent contractors/employees.

What do you think?

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4. Dump slow-moving inventory. Offer this merchandise at a deep discount to the customers who have bought it in the past.

5. Make friends with two banks. They'll be feeling the pinch too. Remember, they make money by making loans. So develop good relationships with people who can lend to you in at least two banks. Then you will have quick access to debt should you need it to weather a tough period or to take advantage of an opportunity.
6. Be ready to acquire. There are certainly opportunities for you to expand via acquisition as your competitors stumble. In many cases, you can cherry-pick, either snapping up the best companies or the technology, customer lists, accounts and key employees rather than whole companies. Be sure to network constantly so you're aware early when competitors are having a hard time.
Difficult times call for difficult–and creative–measures, but they're also great opportunities if you plan ahead. Use your virtual assistant's services to give you a jump on the competition.

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In Mr. Brown's article, he cites the work of Stephen Covey, author of the book First Things First, who uses the term "big rocks first" to illustrate the theory that a business owner must "advance the ball" (his goals) systematically each day, without letting the inevitable daily events that arise take him off course. The business owner must learn to Act on his business by carefully planning and goal setting each day, rather than losing control of his time by Reacting to voicemails, e-mails, and changing circumstances which can take his eye off the ball of reaching his business goals.

Mr. Brown provides this checklist for business owners to follow each day, before checking e-mail or voice-mail. In brief:

1) Prepare your environment – ensure that your desk is clean of clutter and trash, and put on soothing music if you like.

2) Brainstorm – get out what's on your mind onto paper and determine what needs to be acted upon today.

3) Review your goals – connect your goals to what can be done today.

4) Review projects and determine the next step for each – the next step should be something that can be accomplished today.

5) Review your calendar – for the day, week and month to avoid surprises.

6) Quickly SCAN your inbox, voicemail and regular mail – do not act on anything until you've had time to formulate a plan for your day.

7) Prepare your work plan – ensure that you have 3-5 substantive items that can be accomplished today. Setting a goal of 15 items will only set you up to fail. All business owners will have to allow time in the day to deal with urgent issues, returning calls, and responding to urgent e-mail messages.

Mr. Brown advises that having the discipline to execute this plan every day can move you toward your goals in a systematic way. For more, read the article Here.

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For the remainder of the tips, read the article on the blog "startupstudents.com" Here.

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