Yesterday, Sue Canfield stopped by my blog while on her virtual book tour promoting her newly released book, The Commonsense Virtual Assistant – Becoming an Entrepreneur, Not an Employee.  Sue agreed to offer her book at a reduced price to a randomly selected blog reader/visitor.

The winner is Sandy Plarske.  Congratulations Sandy!  Thanks to everyone who stopped by, and thank you to those who joined in on the discussions.

Sue L Canfield recently released her book, The Commonsense Virtual Assistant – Becoming an Entrepreneur, Not an Employee.  Today, she’s stopped by my blog during her virtual book tour, and I interviewed her on her newly released book.  Following is our interview.

RC: Why did you write this book?

SC: My husband, Joel D Canfield, and I co-authored the book to help newer and aspiring virtual assistants understand what it takes to run a successful business. Over the last two years, I found that many newer and aspiring virtual assistants were asking for and following my advice on how to run their business. Though they had the skills to be a virtual assistant, many had no idea how to run a business, write a business or marketing plan, how to market, and other basic business skills. Since my husband had already written a book for small business owners on how to be the best foundation for their business, we decided to add to the material and focus on the virtual assistant industry in our new book.

RC: Tell me about yourself

SC: I’ve worked as an administrative assistant for over 25 years and began my virtual assistant business in 2005 before I even knew there was such a thing. This past year I added virtual assistant coaching to my services to help newer virtual assistants succeed in their businesses. My husband and I work together from home along with our five-year old daughter in Roseville, California.

RC: What qualifies you to write this book?

SC: Joel and I have more than 50 years of combined experience supporting and operating small businesses. My success as a virtual assistant is in large part due to the advice I received from Joel. Our success in our businesses provides testimony to our qualifications.

RC: What is the book about?

SC: The book helps virtual assistants to understand that they are now business owners, entrepreneurs, no longer employees. Successful business owners need good business sense and a good understanding of what it takes to run a successful business. The book provides basic, commonsense information every entrepreneur needs to know along with advice specific to virtual assistants.

RC: What do you want the readers to get out of the book?

SC: The most important concept I would like my readers to understand is that they are now business owners and what that means. After reading the book, readers will have a clear understanding of how to set rates, manage their time, and market their business.

RC: How can the readers contact you if they want further information?

SC: Joel and I can be reached toll-free at 877.771.7746 or by email at Contact@BizBa6.com. They can also visit our website at http://www.bizba6.com.

RC: How much does your book cost?

SC: $19.95.

RC: Where can the readers purchase your e-book?

SC: They can visit our website at www.bizba6.com.

RC: Sue, thank you for stopping by my blog.

SC: You are very welcome. Thank you, Rita, for having me.

About the Authors:

Joel and Sue have more than 50 years of combined experience supporting and operating small businesses. They operate BizBa6 Small Business Support Services and love not only their work but the life it allows them to live. This book (Joel’s third business book, Sue’s first) shares how they think about business–it’s a ‘why to’, not a ‘how-to’ because it focuses on how people think and what they want–not just your clients, but you, too.

Book Summary:

So, you want to be a virtual assistant. The virtual assistant industry is growing rapidly. Just about anyone can say they are a virtual assistant. You have a computer, internet access, and the desire to work from home. Voila! You’re a virtual assistant. But is that enough to succeed as a virtual assistant? Do you have what it takes to run a business? Yes, a virtual assistant is a business owner. Successful business owners need to have good business sense. As a business owner, you, the virtual assistant, need to understand what it takes to run a business. Pick up your copy for $19.95 at http://www.bizba6.com.

Announcing this Thursday, October 1, 2009, I will be hosting one of Sue Canfield’s virtual book tour stops.  I will be interviewing Sue on her newly released book, The Commonsense Virtual Assistant – Becoming an Entrepreneur, Not an Employee. This book is a guidebook for newer and aspiring virtual assistants on what it takes to run a successful virtual assistant business.

Sue has agreed to offer her book for the low cost of $10.00, shipping included, to a random winner.  That is a 50% discount!  To qualify for the drawing, all you need to do is post a comment or question.  The drawing will be held Friday, October 2, 2009, and you will be notified by e-mail.  Also, I will announce the winner here on my blog.

Stop by on Thursday, October 1, 2009 to see what Sue is saying about her new, informative book, The Commonsense Virtual Assistant – Becoming an Entrepreneur, Not an Employee. See you Thursday!