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| www.itsvirtuallydone.com |
An ezine of invaluable business tips for independent business professionals.
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In This Issue: Welcome |
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Fall started early in Oregon and after a blistering hot summer, the cooler temperatures are welcome. Besides, the deer seem to visit our yard more often in September and October and they're a wonderful sight. For those of you holding your breath waiting to see if my rebate for $100 would arrive (July issue of The Virtual Edge), breathe easy: the check arrived! Patience and perseverance pay off again. |
"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us" Joseph
Campbell |
What you need to know about DMOZ: The Open Directory Project
You know about Google and Yahoo!, but have you heard of DMOZ (www.dmoz.org)? Knowing about DMOZ, The Open Directory Project, may help your Web site's rankings so take note.
DMOZ, The Open
Directory Project (ODP):
- "...Is the largest, most comprehensive human-edited directory of the Web." (Source: http://www.dmoz.org/about.html, 8/15/2004)
- Is a Web directory of Internet resources, like a reference library.
- Doesn't accept all Web sites that are submitted to it.
- Is run entirely by volunteers (like me!)
- Is used by popular search engines like Google, Netscape Search, AOL Search, and others to report directory results
I heard about the ODP in my virtual assistance training. After doing a search for "virtual assistant Oregon" and seeing a directory listing of VAs, I decided that I wanted to be on this high-ranking list. I not only submitted my Web site to the project, I applied to be an editor for the category which is:
Submit your site
To submit your site:
- Explore the ODP thoroughly to find the best place in the directory for your site.
- Completely read and follow the directions for submitting your site to enhance your site's chances of being selected.
- Wait. It can take a month or more for your Web site to appear in the directory.
If you're really ambitious, apply to be an editor too!
What can a VA do for me? Part I
Often I meet people who are intrigued with the concept of virtual assistance. Often they are just curious or they know they need help, but can't imagine what someone else can do for them. So they ask me, "What services do you offer?"
Sometimes what they really mean is "I need help, but I don't know what you can do for me." I ask them to take the VA Challenge. To do this, they track their activities for a few days or a week and then ask themselves "What did I not personally need to do? What didn't get done at all?"
Contact me at: kristy@itsvirtuallydone.com
Quick tip: SPAM and your ISP server
I was able to fend off the S-word for years, but it has finally happened: I have SPAM. Not only do I get S-word, I report it. How? Whenever I get an email that I don't welcome, I log onto my Internet Service Provider (ISP), in my case Comcast and access my email. I highlight the offending email and select the "Report Spam" icon. (The procedure is probably different on your ISP.)
I realize that many of these email addresses are stolen or spoofed, but I'll let the ISP sort that out. My ISP screens some S-word before it ever gets to my email client on my computer. Occasionally, email that I want is in this screened mail folder. If you don't get an email that you were expecting, check on the server. I check my screened mail almost daily. If you don't know how to check your email at the server level, contact your ISP.
Next month look for
the following topics:
--How to set
up a virtual networking group
--Quick tip: Book recommendation for small businesses
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Kristy
Schnabel, |
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