My Crochet Blog Now Ranks 5th in Google!

Was about to shut down my laptop and get an early snoozefest (yup, nowadays 3:00 am is early for me) when I thought of checking my crochet blog in Google and here is what surprised me:

I guess having a Google Plus page helps a lot :) even though it's not as popular as Facebook pages. Well, not yet anyways. But what's important especially to bloggers like me is that coveted place in the Google searches where you are highly visible to searchers.

So make sure you share your blog posts to your Google Plus page, if you aren't doing so already. 

By the way, you may want to start earning online either through blogging or becoming a virtual assistant or both (like I do!). Check out my mentor Jomar Hilario's website and find out how by clicking here. Becoming his student was one of the best decisions I've ever made!

Work From Home, More Quality Time

Working while taking care of my huggable, kissable nephew :)

Quitting from my 7-year job as Executive Secretary, I found more time to pursue my passions and thankfully, get more virtual work from oDesk.

In a month, I was able to finish two e-books, launched them into a self-made site and get new clients from oDesk. The pay may not yet be as great as my office-based job but the rewards of freedom, peace and sense of fulfillment are far more gratifying than any amount of money. Plus there's that cutie pie you can watch while you work :)

Start your own career as a virtual assistant or---as some prefer to be called nowadays---virtual contractor! Check out the easy-to-follow tutorials of my internet mentor Jomar Hilario by clicking here.

Free Brainbench Tests!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/indieflickr 

One of the effective ways to attract employers and increase your hireability (if there's such a word) as a virtual assistant is to have certifications on your online resume.

Brainbench.com is one of the most-recognized online assessment company in the industry and being certified by them will make your resume quite attractive to potential employers, especially if you have minimal experience in the virtual assistant field or if you're only starting a career and have no ratings yet (some employers prefer higher-rated contractors).

Known for its innovative, yet easy-to-use online assessment solutionsBrainbench is the only assessment company with a rich offering across personality, knowledge, skills, abilities, and past work behavior. Other companies offer strengths in one or two of these areas, but only Brainbench offers world class tools in each category. 

Create your free account now and avail of their free tests while they still are. Most of the important assessment tests here are paid so better grab this opportunity so you can be certified free-of-charge. 

It's the Year of Virtual Workers!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joconnell

Just read Chadwick Hagan's article on The Huffington Post telling that 2012 is the year of independent workers: 

The internet has opened up markets that were originally unavailable and now independent contractors can simply join an online marketplace and upload their details. They can be ready to go in a matter of hours. Online marketplaces like oDesk, Guru and eLance offer employers the ability to hire employees for a wide range of projects -- from specialized engineering to hourly employment. Managers have the ability to review work before ending the contract and can see screen shots of the employees computer. Employers can easily post job notices on these sites and have qualified contractors submit their information.

Read the article: Why 2012 is the Year of the Independent Worker

I'm inclined to believe that because at the start of 2012, my oDesk employers went from 1 to 3 and that's only in January. And just this week, my new employer gave me a bonus barely 2 weeks after she confirmed my contract under her. 


Here's some of the tweets, I got from fellow VAs and oDesk too!

oDesk @odesk

Congrats Millicent! RT Bonus already from my new @odesk boss?! The Lord just keeps on proving that we can never outgive Him :)

Benjamin Hall @bendhall

@millimarti @odesk Congrats Millicent!

Lunniey Nescense @lunniey

Hi @millimarti I work in @odesk too! nice to hear that ^^ God bless u!

Becoming a virtual assistant only last 2011, under the mentorship of Philippine Internet guru Jomar Hilario, made me realize that I could work from home by offering the same skills I use at my day job to online employers. No additional skills needed, just the same honest and consistent service one can give when you're working at an office setting. Don't let the technology discourage you either because it's as easy as surfing the internet which I'm pretty sure you know how (otherwise, how did you get to read my blog?). 

Read the article: How to Open an oDesk account

Having an online career has given me a new perspective in life, especially in improving my earning capacity as a solo parent. I can earn extra dollars while being with my son and without having to be an overseas contract worker like so many Filipinos believe they have to become in order to provide better for their families. I hope and pray that more Filipinos, especially parents, would explore this new industry so that they wouldn't have to sacrifice the very important things in their lives just for a couple of dollars. 

How to Open an Account in Odesk

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35034360592@N01

After honing your skills and deciding which virtual career you would take, the next step is to open an account in a reputable and dependable freelancing website.

• top freelancing websites you must know about! (areeza.wordpress.com)

As a neophyte virtual assistant, I have only so far used oDesk in starting my career online and I find it to be user-friendly. Well, not at the beginning when I had to set up my resume and portfolio but it only shows that this site means business and would only tolerate serious contractors. But it was oDesk's helpful tests and guides that landed me my first job on my 3rd application, considering that it was mentioned in oDesk's blog that the first gig is usually sealed after an average of 45 applications!

oDesk is described as:

"... a company with a global job marketplace and a series of tools targeted at businesses that intend to hire and manage remote workers. Based in Menlo Park, CA, oDesk was founded by Odysseas Tsatalos and Stratis Karamanlakis. The name is a short version of "no desk" in reference to the company's intent to enable anyone to work anywhere, anytime."

I'd advise you to open an account in oDesk even if you have no idea yet how to use it so that you can already access the site as you study their instructions. Here's a simple presentation on how to open an account in oDesk:

How to open an account in oDesk

View more presentations from Millicent Reyes


CARPE DIEM!