There is a major switch happening right now in the Digital Publishing industry. The reality is the people LOVE their books, but more and more are snuggling up to a favorite book or magazine on their Amazon Kindle Fire or iPad (via the handy dandy iBook). While physical books may not be “exiting stage right” anytime soon, the growth of digital book sales here in 2012 is simply staggering! People are consuming their favorite publications digitally at alarming rates. In fact in 2011, Amazon digital book sales surpassed both hardcover and paperback book sales by more than double!

The reality is that digital books are cheaper, faster to receive and more accessible then the good old hard copy. Not to mention … Authors are recognizing the HUGE profit potential of digital book sales over physical books.

So, to summarize the facts …

1. Digital books are selling like crazy
2. Authors are chomping at the bit to create a digital format of their book

AND, Virtual Professionals have the unbelievable opportunity right now to position themselves as a Digital Publishing Specialist. Remember, Authors love to write, but they don’t want to think about the technical set-up required to publish their book on Kindle or iBook. This is a prime opportunity to build a very hot, income-building niche into your business.

Our friends at the popular training center, VAClassroom.com have just released the brand new and hotly requested “Digital Publishing Specialist Program“. This course will give you the exact steps to set-up a physical book in a digital format through Amazon Kindle and other popular online publishing platforms. This course will fill a HUGE skill gap currently preventing authors from profiting in the digital realm.

The course begins April 30th and there are still a few seats left.

Check out all the details here:

Short and Sweet Reminder!

There are 3 more, yes 3 more days to register for AVAC …

The line-up of speakers is phenominal.

Sponsorships, sample product for the satchels and door prizes will still be accepted anytime …

Email me with any enquiries!

Great to see the bookings steadily coming in, and in particular, from those who are new to the industry. We have so much to share with you and teach you about the industry you’ve chosen to join.  For those who have been around for awhile, we’re excited to be getting together again – face-to-face. While our industry is largely virtual, there is nothing like actually meeting people in the flesh, so to speak, and connect with each other, share a chat, a meal and general fellowship.  You can’t get a physical hug from someone online and the opportunity for personal discussion, sharing of experiences and group discussions make for a very personal experience that will stay with you for a long time after the event.  Friendships can be forged for years to come – so it’s not too late to book!

Venue details are on the site, as well as accommodation.  Some of the committee will be staying at the venue as will our MC and a couple of speakers, so if you’re thinking about staying too, you’ll know that there will be company around 24/7 during the event.

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Now, our sponsor, BeMyVA has something to say!

We are delighted to have the opportunity to sponsor and work with such distinguished multi-award winning members of the VA industry – such as Kathie Thomas, Anita Kilkenny, Kylie Short and all of the AVAC committee of Virtual Assistants.

It is a pleasure working with such a professional, organised team, and we look forward to the Australian VA Conference in Melbourne, being a major success once again in 2012. Here’s to another great networking and learning experience for VAs.

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We’d also like to introduce one of the male speakers for our event – Alister Cameron.  In recent years, Alister Cameron has been listed in the Age as one of Australia five most read bloggers, and identified by the Herald Sun as Australia’s third-most followed Twitterer (behind Kevin Rudd and Shane Warne). He is a frequent speaker and consultant on matters related to the future of business communications and social networking technologies.

Alister lists his profession as “Blogologist” and, over more than 10 years, has developed expertise in both the strategic and technical aspects of blogging and online marketing/communications.  For those of you who have thought about blogging, or have dabbled with it, here is a real opportunity to hear from someone who has taken blogging very seriously indeed and we are honoured that he has accepted our invitation to speak at our event.

If you have a service or product you feel is of benefit to the Virtual Assistant industry then we would love to have you involved as a sponsor for our event.

There is potential for exposure to over 2,000 VAs via online promotions and local VA listings during the lead up to the event and after the event. So it’s not just the delegates you will get in front of but also all VAs who see these promotions.

Bearing in mind that Virtual Assistants operate virtually, if your product or service is suitable for VAs outside of Australia, then the potential for exposure could be even higher.

Please note: International sponsors more than welcome – our industry is global.

Please click here for full details about sponsorship.

And if you’d like to have a trade table, donate a prize giveaway or have your brochures in our conference bag, then please click here for that information.

It’s only 14 days till the early bird bookings close … don’t miss out and book today!  If you are having problems with booking, please let us know. We’ve had two people say they had problems, although all other bookings have been coming through fine. A Paypal payment link has been set up as well to give you options. Or, if you wish to pay by EFT, then fill out the registration form and let us know. We’ll give you the details.

In the meantime, we wish to introduce you to our Gold Sponsor for this year.

BeMyVA – In the beginning …

Since 1999, our parent company has operated as a business consultancy, engaging Virtual Assistants on a regular basis. In searching for specific skill-sets and availability, we became frustrated by many of the Virtual Assistant directories that have existed to date and more specifically, the search result information available.

BeMyVA.com has been developed as an independent, international and innovative directory for locating professional Virtual Assistants worldwide. Our primary business mission is to actively promote the value, skills, resources and professionalism of Virtual Assistants to the business community at large.

Please make sure you visit BeMyVA.com’s site to learn more about them.

By the way, we still have room for more sponsors so if you know someone who has an affinity with our industry and would be a potential sponsor, please point them in our direction.

We’d like to introduce Annemarie Cross who is a Branding Strategist, Money Mindset & Business Coach and Host of the Ambitious Entrepreneur Show, who will be speaking at the Conference this year.

Annemarie helps entrepreneurs get more clients by standing out, getting hired and paid what their worth so they can breakthrough to a 6-figure (or more) business.

The Australian VA Conference is on again for 2012. It will be held on Friday 4 May and Saturday 5 May at the Parkview Hotel, St Kilda Road – a wonderful venue with full facilities and located just a short tram drive from the centre of town.

There is a great line up of speakers this year covering a wide range of topics from ‘Million Dollar Relationships’ to ‘Time Management Using Outlook, from ‘Online Branding and Social Media Strategy’ to ‘WordPress’, just to name a few … Follow the links for a full list of topics and speakers.

Keeping things on track this year as MC is the wonderful Sandi Givens. Those in the office professional industry will know who Sandi is, especially since she is the Patron for AIOP.  Sandi has tons of experience when it comes to being involved in conferences and seminars and it will be great to have her join us this time round.

Warwick Merry will be back as well to give a sessional presentation ‘Let’s Get Serious”. No doubt this is will be very entertaining topic as was his MC prowess over the last two years with AVAC.

Early bird bookings close on 15 February (in 21 days!) and the cost is $225.00.  You can elect to pay in 3 part payments as well.  Full payment will be $299.00 thereafter.  Can’t come for both days? We have a one day option as well.

Have you seen the new look site yet? It had an overhaul over the weekend and has a brand new look. Why not come check it out?

The first comprehensive survey of the Australian virtual business industry has now been finalised and we had nearly 50% response rate! Anyone who’s conducted surveys before will know this is an extraordinary return rate.

Thank you to all those virtual business owners who supported the survey.

The results are currently being collated into a comprehensive results report and should be available by September. Watch the Australian Chapter website for updates. If you completed the survey and the form at the end of it you will receive a copy of the summary of the results when they become available. The full report will be available for purchase after the September launch date from the site.

Don’t forget, head over to our Contact page and sign up to be kept advised of what the Chapter will be doing. You can also find us on Facebook and on Twitter!

Sourced from eSOS Newsletter

The deadline for completion of the comprehensive virtual business survey is looming – you have just 3 days before cut off!

We’ve had 120 VAs complete the survey so far – thank you! But we know there are more virtual business owners in Australia than that and would love to get as many of you as possible to participate so we have a true indication of where the industry stands in Australia. Don’t miss this opportunity to be involved!

Remember, after completing the survey and registering to receive a complimentary copy of the summary report, respondents will also receive a copy of the VA Industry Motivation Series audio interview segment showcasing one of Australia’s own VAs responding to questions about why she started her business, as well as sharing her personal story and insights.

Once the results are tallied you will receive your complimentary copy and the bonus recording.

Remember this is for newbies too! Whether you’ve been in business for years or are just starting out, the survey is for you and we’d love to have you participate.

If you’ve not completed the survey yet please take 20-30 mins to do so by following the link on the home page at www.a4vb.com.au

The A4VBV Committee

Alliance for Virtual Businesses Australian Chapter (A4VBAU) conducts first national comprehensive study of the Australian Virtual Assistant industry to document its development, growth and impact on small businesses, entrepreneurs and solopreneurs.

One of the fastest growing work-from-home phenomena in Australia is the Virtual Assisting industry. Currently, it is reported that over 400 professional, self-employed Virtual Assistants provide remote business support services, mostly from their home offices, for entrepreneurs, small businesses and solopreneurs. Beginning Tuesday, June 15 through Friday, June 30, 2011, the Alliance for Virtual Businesses Australian Chapter (A4VBAU) will conduct the first nationwide comprehensive Virtual Assistant (VA) industry survey. The study will collect statistical data on these independent contractors’ best practices, operations and procedures used in running a successful VA business.

Ms. Lyn Prowse-Bishop, chair of the A4VBAU steering committee reports, “Survey results will provide a national benchmark for practicing and future professional VAs. It will document industry demographics, marketing, technology, compensation, and prospective niche categories, as well as provide a thorough snapshot of services offered by industry professionals.”

Sharon Williams, chairperson of the A4VB, the Australian chapter’s parent organization states, “Our ongoing mission is to facilitate the growth of the industry, educate members and promote the benefits of working with VAs both locally and worldwide.” Williams also reported, “The results will offer an important reference document for VAs, the media and businesses seeking documented data on one of the fastest growing ‘work from home’ industries, worldwide.”

For more information about the A4VB, its new Australian Chapter or to participate in the survey, log on to www.a4vb.com.au.  After the data has been compiled, the results will be released during an online Chapter launch party. To obtain a copy of the report summary and subsequent publication, contact media@a4vb.com.au.

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About Alliance For Virtual Businesses

The Alliance for Virtual Businesses is a volunteer-directed organisation, whose primary mission is to advocate globally on behalf of the virtual assistance industry and to promote the growth of free enterprise between virtual assistants, entrepreneurs, small businesses, corporations, associations and other business entities. The Alliance IS the leader in promoting the VA Industry. They communicate a unified VA message around the globe, via web 2.0, print media, TV, internet, presentations and other modalities. Their ongoing mission is to facilitate the growth of the industry, educate members and promote the benefits of working with VAs both locally and worldwide.

Press Contact:   Lyn Prowse-Bishop, Committee Head
Tel:                            +61 (0) 417 648 172
Email:                         media@a4vb.com.au
Website:                     http://a4vb.com.au