The Become A Virtual Assistant 2nd edition covers everything many other books on becoming a virtual assistant doesn’t (you can see the extensive Table of Contents on their site). This eBook shows you the reality of what it takes.  I really like the opening “Do You Have What It Takes” – remember if you want to be taken seriously as a virtual assistant run your business the way you want to be seen. It’s a large volume of 132 pages and while that seems like it’s a bit overwhelming the content is laid out in such a way that it makes it easy to read and absorb in chunks as you need it when you need it. Each section stands on it’s own and you read what you need and then implement and so on.

The book is filled with just the kind of information a new and inspiring virtual assistant needs.  I go by the old saying, “you don’t know, what you don’t know” and this book helps you learn what you need to know.  The ‘Beyond Trust: Ethics = Business Success’ section is something ALL virtual assistants should read, I don’t know how many times I meeting a potential client that has had a bad experience with someone in the virtual assistant industry and this makes my job all the more difficult because I have to work even harder to win their trust and show them that you can find the right person for your task or project.

I’d even offer to say that even if you aren’t a virtual assistant, but your thinking of starting any type of online business – especially a service business – this book will give you a good introduction to everything you need to know to get started, it’s good, strong and solid advice being offered.

The Become a Virtual Assistant 2nd Edition is priced at $39.00 for the ebook and the additional download which includes a variety of forms, seems steep to some but when you count in the 35 forms it’s an incredible value. I would even venture to say that the forms worth the price on their own. I know when I was starting out one of my biggest challenges was getting all of my contracts and forms together. I can’t tell you how many times I changed and tweaked things as I went along. The forms that are included with the ebook provide a great starting point for anyone and even for someone more established looking to refresh their own documents. Just a side note though be sure to consult with a lawyer or have a lawyer review the documents to ensure that they fit your special business needs.

As a Canadian virtual assistant some of the taxation and small business resources did fit my particular situation. While the United States and Canada do have different laws when it comes to running a business – and I encourage you to seek out advice when needed – there is still useful tips and information for you.

So whether you are a new and emerging Virtual Assistant or even an established Virtual Assistant there is information that both would find useful. This is one resource that will be added to my recommended resources at Become A Techie Virtual Assistant.

You can buy Become a Virtual Assistant direct from the site online or at Amazon

Blog Post Idea #6: Share Something Deeply Personal

Blog readers visit blogs because they seek information but more importantly, they are visiting blogs because they enjoy the person behind it. A blog without personality is only pumping out information but there’s nothing really for readers to hang on to. One great way to engage your audience is to share something deeply personal within your life; the reader can associate with your struggles and triumphs and a greater bond is created between both parties.

Blog Post Idea #7: Write a Stellar How-To

Pick a topic that is rarely covered in your niche and write the most stellar how-to post on completing a task or project. People itch to learn a new skill or trade which makes blogging such a perfect platform to share information and connect with an audience. A detailed how-to post is greatly rewarding for those that follow the steps; it’s equally rewarding to the blogger because people will show thanks which may result in them commenting, sharing the post on social media or even purchasing a product you have for sale on your blog.

Blog Post Idea #8: Compile a Massive Collection of Tips

One of the easiest, fool-proof styles of blog posts are collections; these are like list style posts but have no sort of order to them. A collection of tips style post can be created by emailing experts in your field and asking them for a short answer to a single question. Other forms of collection posts may be a laundry list of tools and programs used by relevant bloggers, businesses in your area and so much more. People love to see large numbers so the larger you can compile a collection, the greater chances people will be instantly attracted to your blog post.

Blog Post Idea #9: Cover a Current Event

News is always a hot item because people are always seeking to be aware of the world around them. Pay attention to major shifts in your niche by following relevant blogs that cover news and then write your own explanation or summary of the event. Current event blog posts can cover anything from a new business launch, gossip from other bloggers or a product release on your end – the limitations to the blog post are truly endless and the nature of current events mean that you will always have a constant stream of new blog posts in the works.

Blog Post Idea #10: Hold a Contest

Finally, contests are a stellar, fool-proof way to get people interested in your blog and can also be used to generate new content by placing a few rules in which people must write blog posts to enter the contest. You can set whatever rules you want or need for your contest but the most important element is that you’re offering a great prize that many people would enjoy such as gift cards or the latest, hot gadget on the market. Once the word gets out, people will be flocking to your website and you can use the content as a series by updating it daily with the front-runners; there’s a lot of potential for many blog posts with a contest.

#1: Write a Product Review

Product reviews are a great way to generate money with your blog and to educate your audience about the products or services they can purchase that will aid them within your niche. A product review should be ethical; it’s important to fully understand the product which is why it’s recommended that you own the product rather than doing a summary about it using online information. Share your experiences and get people to imagine what their life would be like owning the product and you will increase your chances of earning a sale with the review.

#2: Create a Top List

People love to read list style posts because they’re easy to digest and there is a small underlying ‘competitive’ factor to the list (people are itching to see the #1 spot). A list can be created around any top from the top 10 people within your niche to the top 10 products. Top lists are easy to create and can be great to summarize a lot of information without digging too specific into each of the items within the list. Additionally, list posts are great for reference at later times.

#3: Share an Interview

There are dozens of experts within each niche that people love to hear from; there are even more people who are worthy of an interview that can lend great insights about information related to your niche. An interview style blog post are easy to create because you only need to hand over questions through email and you’ll get a full, detail post in return; of course, you could do audio or video interviews as well. In all, people love to hear and learn from others with makes this type of blog post highly engaging and fool-proof to create.

#4: Shoot a Video

Ever wonder why YouTube has over a billion video views each day? Video is highly engaging because people can sit back, learn or be entertained without needing to read through an expansive blog post. You can begin to create video blog posts by purchasing an inexpensive video camera online or use screen capture tools to create Screencasts. Once published, you can embed and share your video on your blog, social media networks and link to it within other blog posts.

#5: Develop a Series

People love to read novels because there is a story arch in which they may follow and become engaged; they fall in love with the characters and the journey. A blog post series follows the same mindset as a story because it leads the reader through a process where they are the main character and their ‘quest’ is to complete the task and gain the reward. A blog post series should be three or more posts but can be any length depending on how many posts you need to cover your topic.

Next post I’m going to cover the remaining five ideas I have for blog posts so be sure to come back and check for those.

Method 1: Sell your own Products

The best option to earn the most money with a WordPress blog is to develop and sell your own products whether they are physical, information or freelance services.

A blog is the perfect platform for business because it allows you to build a steady stream of visitors which are also potential customers. Affiliate products, Adsense and direct advertising are pointing your valuable visitors to other businesses but offering your own product keeps people on your blog and creates interest around what you have to offer; there is no ‘leakage’.

Consider creating an eBook, video series or audio course around the type of information you talk about on your WordPress blog. Setup a sales page on your blog where people can learn about your products and complete a purchase. Offer support for your products through email, social media connections, Skype and other forms of communications; treat your online products just like any other business.

My thought:  This is the first and best option for anyone using their WordPress site as their business and if you haven’t developed a product to sell, go now do it….or be sure to sign up for my newsletter, grab my free Top 100 Plugin report and keep and eye out for my upcoming Product Launch Program in the fall.

Method 2: Amazon Associates

Amazon is the largest eCommerce website on the Internet at this time; there are millions of products offered but more importantly, they offer an affiliate program which means you can earn a commission for each product sold through their website.

Upon signing up for Amazon Associates, you will have access to a toolbar where you can grab an affiliate link to individual pages and products. On your blog, write blog posts around products you use in real life and link to them with your Amazon affiliate link. You will earn a commission if a person clicks through your link and buys any product on Amazon.

My Thought:  I often recommend that my clients sign up for an account, it’s a great way to build some small additional income by recommending books and other products that you have read or used. 

Method 3: Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is another option that is very lucrative for people wanting to earn money with their WordPress blog. Affiliate marketing, like Amazon Associates, is nothing more than selling other people’s products in exchange for a commission.

Two of the largest affiliate marketing marketplaces are Clickbank and Commission Junction; these websites have thousands of products in nearly every type of niche. Once you’ve found a product worth promoting on your blog, snag the affiliate link to the product and integrate it onto your blog by writing fresh blog posts around the product or going back through existing content to find keywords where you may link over to the product.

My Thought:  First if you are thinking of promoting a product on your site I always recommend you purchase the product you are promoting so you can give an honest review and recommendation.  Many people use affiliate marketing as a way to make additional income.  I personally use it, my recommend section of my site are all affiliate links.  I always tell folks to ONLY recommend products you love and have used otherwise you’ll likely come off as not authentic.

Method 4: Direct Advertising

The ads which you see on blogs, around the web, are generally bought by interested parties and advertisers; your blog can have these, as well.

Direct advertising is loosely based around the amount of traffic and engagement you have with your audience. However, the key to earning high income with direct advertising is to build a wildly successful WordPress blog. Once you have traffic, you have the power position to demand higher prices for advertising on your website.

The best locations to offer are “above the fold” which is the point that appears on-screen before a website visitor needs to scroll down for additional content; areas like the top sidebar are perfect spots to sell direct advertising.

To get started, seek out potential advertisers by contacting companies you see advertising on relevant blogs on your niche. Likewise, create an ‘advertising’ page on your WordPress blog, with a contact form, to allow people to directly contact you and learn more about advertising options. Close the deal on your advertising and you’ll be earning money with your blog!

My Thought:  I haven’t yet used this option, but I could see it be an option at some point on my other project (Become a Techie VA), but this site not so much.  Again, think about your brand, what you are offering and if it’s a fit.

Method 5: Google Adsense

Google Adsense displays relevant ads, through their platform, on your blog after installation. Adsense is passive which means that you do not need to do any other work than to install the Adsense code and wait. You will earn a percentage of the revenue from every person that clicks on an Adsense ad on your WordPress blog.

To increase your Adsense earnings, ramp up your blog traffic by creating new, interesting blog posts. Change the font size, color and type to blend with your existing design. Experiment with the placement of your Google Adsense ads throughout your website.

Adsense earnings are based around how much competitors pay for keywords; writing content around these keywords will give you a higher chance for these ads to be displayed and earn you higher payments.

My Thought:  I don’t always recommend this for my clients, but depending of your niche or site it might make sense to use this as an income generator.  Always think about your branding and how your site will be seen by those who stop by.  I don’t recommend this as an option for anyone that is using their WordPress site as business blog and you are using it to advertise your services.  In my opinion this cheapens your site and there is the danger of the loss of credibility.

The potential to earn money with a WordPress blog is truly endless. The methods detailed in this article are just the tip of the “monetization iceberg”; there are dozens of ways to earn an online income with a WordPress blog especially when you realize you can combine each of these methods.

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I compare it to leaving your door wide open when you are not home and letting everyone (friend and stranger) know that your house and your possessions (Business Property) is open and ready for the taking.  Many, no the majority of people don’t pay attention to this critical aspect. The security of your WordPress blog is crucial once it has been created. There should not be any loopholes for hackers to steal or destroy your data and information. When your blog gets hacked into, the user input is not filtered out by the software properly. Some attacks may use bots which can create hundreds of spam pages on your blog automatically. Not only this, even your password is vulnerable if your blog is hacked.[break]

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Hackers take advantage of the open-source nature of WordPress to analyze the specific source code of the software they want to attack and then test it for potential vulnerabilities. Every website or blog on the internet is usually vulnerable to hacking and other exploits such as malwares, unwanted links etc.[break]

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But why are these websites so vulnerable?[break]

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Like our everyday life, there are always unscrupulous elements prowling around on web space waiting for an opportunity to slip through any lapses of security.[break]

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The websites which run blog scripts or those employed for content management system software are more prone to vulnerability. The software used is also online along with your content, so if there is any security ambiguity in the software then that could be employed by the hacker for malpractices.[break]

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Here are a few guidelines that will help to make your WordPress blog more secure.[break]

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First signs to watch out for:

1. The hacked blogs are generally defaced.
2. The hackers corrupt the blog with hidden links pointing to their sites.
3. The hackers also corrupt the unsuspecting blogger’s personal computers, who visit your site, by attaching many kinds of malware which automatically get installed.

 Here are some methods to secure your WordPress blogs:

1.  Use security-related plugins like Hide WordPress Version, Login Lockdown, WordPress Firewall, Ultimate Security Checker
2.  Rename the administrative account if you currently have your administrative account with the often default of Admin. Watch the video to find out how to change it.
3. Backup your database – For my clients I provide a service to back up their site and they receive zipped file for their records.
4. Tighten up the file permissions (blog post coming)
5. Constantly update your WordPress Blog and its plugin to latest versions.  If this is something you’re not comfortable doing, look to have someone manage this on a monthly basis.  I and many others offer a variety of maintenance packages that can help protect your site.
6. Change your login name and use a strong password.
7. Protect your wp-admin folder (blog post coming)
8. Remove WordPress version info (Use Hide WordPress Version or a similar plugin)
9. Hide your plugins folder (blog post coming)
10. Define user privileges – each user that joins your blog you are able to define what kind of access they will have when access your site.  You are able to make these changes under the Users Tab from your WordPress Dashboard.

In spite of all the risks of hacking we enjoy blogging, and if we put some basic security measures in place we can reduce the risks to an extent. Remember, to keep abreast of the latest security updates and use them while blogging.

New Offering:  Security Audit & Monthly Protection

I am now offering a 1 time security review as well as a monthly security review & back up service.

Affordable regular security audits and maintenance can ensure you blog runs lean, fast and is protected (as best it can be) each and every month.

Save 50% until April 30, 2012, the price has already been discounted for you! No coupon needed!