Pretty soon, the Online International Virtual Assistants Convention (OIVAC) will kick-off. This year, 40 presenters are set to speak about technology, marketing, public relations, working with coaches, real estate, speakers, article promotions, and so much more useful information to support a Virtual Assistant’s practice.

We will also conduct another blog hopping and podcast tour and hold a brand new series of activities(Introducing the Virtual Assistant Industry) to reach more industries and individuals, and educate them about the VA industry.

It’s going to be fun, and I can’t wait.

I’ll keep you posted and I hope to see you May 15-17, 2008 at OIVAC.

You know, ever so often I visit a very useful web site, Copyscape, to check if anyone has copied language from my web site. Most times, I’m lucky and find no perpetrators. Recently, however, I’ve identified three sites that have blatantly copied verbiage from my homepage and two other sections of the site.

Now of course, there are but so many ways to describe virtual assisting, but an individual should at least place her personal “brand” on the web site; and thereby, of course, not encountering the rage of the originating author who is determined to protect her work product.

What is plagiarism?

Plagiarism is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another author, or excerpts, ideas, or passages therefrom, and passing the material off as one’s own creation. (University of Colorado Library)

Copyscape recommends the individual act quickly to have the language removed. (See suggestions below):

1. Look for contact details on the offending site and send a polite message asking for the material to be removed. If there are no contact details available, try emailing webmaster@ the domain.

2. Use a Whois service to find out the website owner’s name and telephone number and contact them directly. Enter the domain name in the search box and the contact information should appear towards the bottom of the page.

3. Contact the web hosting company used by the site and inform them of their customer’s abuse. This information is also available through a Whois search.

4. Send a formal ‘Cease and Desist’ letter notifying the offending party that they must remove the stolen content from their site. Some sample letters are available on the web.

5. File a notice of Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) infringement with search engines such as Google and others to have the offending site removed from their search results.

6. If you need proof of infringement, you can use the Internet Archive to show that the content appeared on your site at an earlier date than it appeared on the offending site.

I have completed Step 1 and given the perpetrators five (5) days to act. I will revisit the offending sites to ascertain their response. I’ve also asked each to respond to my email. If action isn’t taken within the allocated time, I shall proceed through the process to have the content removed.

Often, I interact with business owners who cringe at the idea of marketing their businesses. They offer various reasons why they haven’t created a marketing plan or are implementing a strategy suitable to their businesses. Instead, they try every new marketing ploy introduced, many tactics that aren’t designed for their business model.

Why? Because they heard it was the newest, best thing since sliced bread. Since everyone else proclaims they are making money by implementing the “new fangled” idea, the weary business owner jumps in and gives it a whirl. They forget about conducting research to determine if the idea is viable or worth their time, effort, and financial investment.

The results? Aggravation, frustration, budget drain, and wasted time.

Well, let’s face these issues and ultimate marketing fears, so you can develop a successful marketing strategy that puts you on track to achieve your goals.

Please take a few moments to participate in a brief, eye-opening survey to identify and understand marketing fears that restrict virtual business owners from achieving their goals.

Three of the thought-provoking questions included:

* Identify your marketing fears (select from a list of 10 fears).
* How have these fears affected your marketing efforts?
* What have you done or are presently doing to overcome these fears?

The survey will remain “live” through Friday, July 20th, after which time the results will be compile and included in either a marketing book (e-book), add as Q&As here on the blog, or include in downloadable podcast vignettes.

To participate in the marketing fears survey, visit Survey Monkey before Friday, 12 midnight, EDT.

If you have a fear, or marketing question you’d like addressed (now or after the survey closes), post it here or drop me a line at va @ the 24 hour secretary.com (spaces open intentionally).

Today, I visited a few VA Web sites and was surprised to find that they did not show, anywhere, the proprietor’s name. Surprised isn’t the correct term to describe my feelings, I was dismayed!

Since I was unable to find the name of a contact person, I wondered who I would ask to speak to if I wanted to inquire about services or rates.

Furthermore, I thought, if these individuals won’t even display their names (not even on the “Contact” or “About Us” pages), why should I “trust” them to handle any of my personal and business matters? They haven’t given me reason to learn more about them or give them my trust. Boy, the red flags were being raised left and right.

Needless to say, I quickly left the site and moved on to another — and again to my dismay, found similar circumstances. Out of 6 sites I visited, 5 didn’t identify the owner (nor had a photo), and the only way to make contact was via email.

Many will say, it’s okay to omit your name, address and telephone numbers, and only provide email contact information. I say those days are long gone and those practices are dead in the water.

In today’s competitive world, and with doing business in a global marketplace, entrepreneurs need every edge available. And, if you own a service business and are afraid to even share your name with the public, I suggest you find another calling.

As I quickly moved to other sites, I’m sure other visitors will too!

Are you on the road with your computer and looking for a location that offers free Wi-Fi-high-speed wireless Internet access? Then you’ll want to visit Wi-Fi Free Spot.

You’ll find state-by-state listings in the U.S. as well as listings in Europe and other parts of the world. From airports to coffee shops to hotels and resorts, you’ll never feel disconnected again.

Tip provided by Web Sources & Resources, Avery Great Results, Vol 8, #2.