Hurricane Preparedness - Ike is Coming - Category 4 Storm

Well, here we go again. I love South Florida tremendously. However, this time of year I always think would it be great to not go through this every year. But then I'm reminded that those along the coast also face it.

Each year I get better prepared. Wilma threw me for a loop, with lots of damage. No power for 3 weeks. Little food (even though I prepared) and major stress. My husband works at a job that requires him to actually go into work during the storms. They take turns. So I do it alone. My family recalls now with humor how during Wilma, we ran from room to room with a mattress over our heads. The room we had planned to stay in got destroyed, so I under pressure had to find a safe room in the house. We tried to squeeze the mattress in the bathroom, but it didn't work. Windows were crashing throughout the house. Hard to picture, but at the time it was terriflying. But afterwards, it was the light of the day - something to joke about it.

This year, I'm preparing more. It's my mission to make it easier for families. That's one of the reasons I wrote the Home Office Recovery Plan. www.virtualwordpublishing.com. When a storm hits it's stressful, you need to be prepared. Also, my families safety is in my hands, before, during and after the storm. Yes, it's just as critical afterwards. So with that, if anyone would like a sample copy of the Home Office Recovery Plan, email me. diana@virtualwordpublishing.com. If anyone wants the book itself, I'll knock $5.00 off. Email through me.

Also, this year I found a company that can help do the repairs and also help you set up before the storm. After Wilma, I was so frustrated always on the phone looking for help for repairs. And not being able to get them. No more!! I saw families in my area absolutely fall apart over this. I've looked for years to find the right company. And I believe I have. http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com/gladys.htm. It's my neighbors company, which makes it all the better. They are family-owned and operated and best yet they care. They do everything from preparing for the storm (shutters, etc.) to after the storm remodeling, removal, and rectifing (getting you back to normal.). I hope you look them up if you need help.

As always here are my tips too. I hope you find them beneficial.

Here are some steps to take to prepare:

Step One --Identify a safe place for everyone to meet. This pre-determined place should be discussed with family members prior to an emergency. A second location should be discussed. Also, out-of-town relatives should be advised of this location. Additionally, each person should have a list of phone numbers for immediate neighbors and family members. 3X5 index cards work well.

Step Two – Take an inventory now. Write down insurance policies including insurance company and contact information, policy numbers, group numbers, date of births, coverage, etc. Write down an inventory of valuables. Take photos.

Step Three -- Write down a complete family medical history. Include any medical conditions, medicines and dosages, doctors names and contact information, where medical records can be found, etc. Be specific. A life can truly depend on this one step alone.

Step Four – Get a copy of all important information, wills, trusts, mortgages, deeds, birth certificates, contracts, medical records, even household bills to help get things restored quickly, etc. Back-up your computer. Get extra cash. Often ATMs are down so cash is needed.

Step Five – Back up your computer system regularly. Whether you use your home computer for business or pleasure you want to be able to have a back-up available if it were to get damaged.

Food to have to prepare for a hurricane.

You normally will be able to grill. Get several bags of charcoal and lighter fluid for the grill. Also, if you have a gas grill, make sure you have plenty of gas. For cooking on the grill, get the Reynolds Hot Bags. This will allow you to grill about anything.

Foods/Beverages
Dry Cereal or Granola
Protein or Fruit Bars
Peanut Butter/Jelly
Nuts
Canned Juices
Crackers
Non-Perishable Pasteurized Milk
Bread/Bagels/Dry Toast
Canned Fruits
Ready to Eat Soups
Quick Energy Snacks
Tuna
Canned Foods--Kid’s Favorites
White Chicken In Can
Chips/Pretzels/Snacks
Packages of Ketchup/Mayo, etc.
Noodles for Cooking
Velvetta/Cheese
Fruits/Vegetables
Coffee (Instant) -- Gotta have!
Trail Mix
Water / Juice Boxes for kids
Your Favorite Foods
Pet Food -- Not to eat naturally.


Velveeta Cheese (Stores well) -- (Crackers/Tuna Sandwiches/Top of Rice & Vegetables/Mac & Cheese)
Noodles -- Spaghetti/Mac & Cheese -- this is for after.
Uncle Ben's Ready Rice (simmer the boil-in-bag 4 minutes) -- Different flavors
Can Fruits/Pop Open Tops -- Can mix with Jell-O if you have plenty of water. Different dessert for kids.

Food safety: Food kept under minimal refrigeration (in an ice chest) is prone to food safety issues, so be very careful how you handle it. At a time like this, food safety rules are very important. Use the disposable food cutting sheets for preparing meats, vegetables and fruits.

And wear disposable gloves.Rinse once: When using a variety of canned beans for one meal, place them all in a colander and rinse them all at one time instead of one kind at a time. This saves water.Buy cookies, chips, pretzels, crackers with processed cheese in single-serving snack packs so that they don't succumb to humidity and get soggy once opened. For a sweet treat, stock mini candy bars.To go with those chips, purchase pop-top cans of dip. They come in a variety of flavors including onion, bean, mild cheddar and jalapeno cheddar (Wise and Fritos).

Sitting with the family enjoying these as you heat the grill for dinner is a good way to help everyone relax at a trying time.

Our family always buys fruits, lots of fruits. Going though the trauma of the storm, nerves are on the edge. If I can provide them with fruits, nuts, and other items to eat while weathering the storm, it seems to help.

FIRST AID SUPPLIES
Sewing Needle
Sun Screen
Thermometer
Tweezers
2” Sterile Gauze Pads
Latex Gloves
Moistened Towelettes
Safety Pins
4” Sterile Gauze
2” Sterile Roller Bandages
First Aid Cream
Personal Items
Hand Sanitizer Gel
Pain Relief such as Tylenol


If you have ideas on how to stay safe, please share them with us. Thanks!

Diana Ennen, Virtual Word Publishing, www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Tips for Saving Money

Diana Ennen & Kelly Poelker
Authors: Virtual Assistant the Series, Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA
www.vatheseries.com

Tips/advice for saving a services (e.g. Internet):

Having unlimited capabilities is very beneficial for entrepreneurs. For example, with unlimited phone services, you can talk freely and don't have to worry about being on the phone too long with potential clients and even your regular clients. Plus when you have unlimited services you find you have more ways to use your services, such as offering coaching. Unlimited Internet is almost always a necessity. Not only do you need the Internet for connecting with clients, but you also do research, marketing, networking, etc. You want to be able to have access to this freely.

You can often save money by getting services bundled. For example check to see if you can get a lower rate on combining services such as long distance phone service, Internet service, etc. It's important though to check your bill monthly and make sure that you are getting what you signed up for and nothing additional. Also, if you are unsure if you have a package added, call and find out before you utilize the service to make sure you are covered. For example, if you aren't sure if your calls to Canada are covered, call and find out. Don't just assume they are and make a call. You don’t want one large unexpected phone bill to negate the savings you receive.

One point that Kelly Poelker, my co-author of VA the Series points out is when bundling have a back-up plan in place as one down side to bundled services is if one service goes down, typically they all do. Use caution in selecting a provider and get the most reliable one.

Tips/advice for saving on regularly purchased office supplies, such as toner and paper. Home-Based Business Savings Ideas

Always buy in bulk whenever you can and shop until you find the best prices. Also shopping at wholesale or non-office supply stores can save you money. Today, I purchase most of my office supplies, including toners, at Walmart. I also find places such as Costco or Sams Club can save a bundle. However, I will still look to the sale ads at places such as Office Depot to see their sales. Once in a while their sale price will be cheaper. Also, Office Depot and many places offer Rewards cards. By using your rewards card, at the end of the quarter you can get a gift card back that you can use for purchases. The amount is dependent on how much you spend. Shop online as well. Often you will then get email notices of sales.

Generic versions do work for some products, but I’ve found for toners, etc for quality I want to go with name brand. What you can do is try out one to see if it works for you. It’s worth the experiment if it works and you save monthly from then on. And it’s not a large investment if it doesn’t. But always keep in mind, professional image for entrepreneurs is the most important factor in determining price.

What services are necessary?

Focus on your particular business and what needs relate directly to that keeping in mind that your business is unique. Even though some businesses might need some services, you might not.
Now consider what services you used in the past year and how often you used that service.

Tips for comparison shopping and/or negotiating:

There are times of the year that certain items routinely go on sale. Take note of these times and plan accordingly. Also, be aggressive and ask sales personnel when they routinely have discounts. For example, when new computer models come out, you can get cheaper prices on the older models.

Buy bulk and go for volume discounts with vendors you purchase from routinely. Also check into a commercial accounts for contract pricing. Share the costs with your colleagues and save even more.

Other tips/advice

Write out a budget for your business and prioritize what your needs are. This is invaluable. Many add this to their business plan when starting a business, but a separate budget can be a real asset. It helps to see things in black and white.

Also, stick with products that you trust and look for the best prices on them. For example, I normally purchase Hewlett Packard computers. I keep an eye on their products and always look for the best prices before I need to make a purchase.

CBS 4 News Explores Thriving Virtual Assistant Industry –The Solution to a Gloomy Economy

CBS 4 News Explores Thriving Virtual Assistant Industry –The Solution to a Gloomy Economy.

Margate, FL (September, 2008) With the downturn in the economy and pink slips a way of life today, more and more are turning to working at home. In fact, CBS4 News recently did a segment entitled “Working From Home Can Rake in Big Bucks” http://cbs4.com/consumer/economy.job.home.2.792216.html in which it features the thriving virtual assistant industry and how becoming a virtual assistant can be the solution so many are looking for today.

As the segment states, “It's one of the fastest growing home based businesses and getting even bigger. Virtual assistants or VAs, as they're known, are independent contractors who work from home and offer clerical support, administrative help, sales assistance or personal services to companies large and small. These can be anything from typing, medical or legal transcription, website creation or marketing.“

Diana Ennen of Margate, Florida was featured in the segment and states that after it aired she received a tremendous response from those who have been out of work and looking to supplement their income. Ennen states, “It has been fabulous to be able to help those in my community get back on their feet. One benefit of being a virtual assistant is that you can work globally so your local economy doesn’t affect you as much as you can secure clients from around the world. Also, in addition to the services CBS mentioned, you can also do publicity and marketing, bookkeeping, database management, etc. “

Ennen started her own company Virtual Word Publishing in 1985 offering her skills in publicity, online marketing and book promotions to clients. She has also co-authored a book Virtual Assistant - The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA with the Founder of the Academy for Virtual Professionals, Kelly Poelker.

Both agree that starting a Virtual Assistant Business is truly one of the best ways you can survive in this gloomy economy. Virtual Assistants are independent contractors and their rates start at approximately $35 dollars an hour but can increase to $95 dollars an hour depending on the services you offer. Ennen says for those who want it, there's more work than you can handle.

Stop by Virtual Word Publishing at http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com for additional information on starting your own virtual assistant business or to find out more about the virtual assistant services we offer. Also, look to the Academy of Virtual Professionals at http://www.academyvp.com/ for their September classes.


CBS4 News explores starting a virtual assistant business as the perfect solution for those facing tough times in the economy. Virtual Assistants work globally so you can target clients worldwide and be quite successful.
.
Margate, FL (September, 2008) With the downturn in the economy and pink slips a way of life today, more and more are turning to working at home. In fact, CBS4 News recently did a segment entitled “Working From Home Can Rake in Big Bucks” http://cbs4.com/consumer/economy.job.home.2.792216.html in which it features the thriving virtual assistant industry and how becoming a virtual assistant can be the solution so many are looking for today.

As the segment states, “It's one of the fastest growing home based businesses and getting even bigger. Virtual assistants or VAs, as they're known, are independent contractors who work from home and offer clerical support, administrative help, sales assistance or personal services to companies large and small. These can be anything from typing, medical or legal transcription, website creation or marketing.“

Diana Ennen of Margate, Florida was featured in the segment and states that after it aired she received a tremendous response from those who have been out of work and looking to supplement their income. Ennen states, “It has been fabulous to be able to help those in my community get back on their feet. One benefit of being a virtual assistant is that you can work globally so your local economy doesn’t affect you as much as you can secure clients from around the world. Also, in addition to the services CBS mentioned, you can also do publicity and marketing, bookkeeping, database management, etc. “

Ennen started her own company Virtual Word Publishing in 1985 offering her skills in publicity, online marketing and book promotions to clients. She has also co-authored a book Virtual Assistant - The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA with the Founder of the Academy for Virtual Professionals, Kelly Poelker.

Both agree that starting a Virtual Assistant Business is truly one of the best ways you can survive in this gloomy economy. Virtual Assistants are independent contractors and their rates start at approximately $35 dollars an hour but can increase to $95 dollars an hour depending on the services you offer. Ennen says for those who want it, there's more work than you can handle.

Stop by Virtual Word Publishing at http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com for additional information on starting your own virtual assistant business or to find out more about the virtual assistant services we offer. Also, look to the Academy of Virtual Professionals at http://www.academyvp.com/ for their September classes.


CBS4 News explores starting a virtual assistant business as the perfect solution for those facing tough times in the economy. Virtual Assistants work globally so you can target clients worldwide and be quite successful.

Virtual Assistants Excel in the Publicity and Marketing Niche

Virtual Assistants Excel in the Publicity and Marketing Niche

We all realize how Virtual Assistants have revolutionized the way we work today. Most businesses now count on their Virtual Assistant the same as they used to count on their secretaries, only so much more. VAs are a prized and respected part of their client’s team, and unlike secretaries, who often were taken for granted, Virtual Assistants are praised for their professionalism and skills. Most businesses today can’t imagine where they would be without their VA. And as the potential for success in a virtual assistant business continues to explode, so does the need for good Virtual Assistants.

Today’s Virtual Assistants need to take pride in their business and also to learn as much as they can about their niche, which is the specialty they have chosen to specialize in. One niche that I highly recommend is to offer publicity and marketing services to clients. This is an area that is growing in leaps and bounds as more and more authors, businesses, and other professionals realize the need to market their business to get good publicity. A business can expand tremendously when hiring a Virtual Assistant to help them spread the word about their products or services. Also, authors today aren’t aware that once they write a book, that’s when the real work begins. They need to get the word out about their book in order for it to be successful. That’s where a good Publicity Virtual Assistant comes in.

Publicity and marketing is thrilling to say the least. There’s such a great rush when your client gets recognized in national magazines, or a TV station wants to do a segment on them and you helped them achieve this success. Or better yet, when your efforts start resulting in substantial increased sales for them. Clients will not only keep using your services, but also tell others about this new positive addition they have to their business. And best yet, you too get to feel that satisfaction as you are helping them achieve their goals.

One of my most successful tips is learning how to effectively use any publicity that a client receives. When clients get national attention in a magazine, newspaper, or TV Segment, or even on a popular website, it’s important to make sure that everyone is aware of this. A press release should immediately go out to announce their accomplishment. This release should be added to their website and also should go to all their local papers, radio stations, and TV networks. Media loves to highlight a success story of their locals, so make sure you get this out there as soon as you can. And you don’t have to wait for the publicity to happen. If your client lands a major TV segment, you can start sending this press out beforehand in order to get more media for when the event happens. You just want to make sure that the client is fairly confident the segment will air. Also, don’t worry if the segment gets bumped back, that often happens as breaking news takes priority. This can almost be a blessing, as then you get to do more publicity before the airdate.

It’s also important to follow-up with the reporters and let them know how much you appreciate the acceptance of your quotes for an article. When you go the extra step to show them your appreciation, they remember you when the next article comes up and they need help with more expert advice. Many reporters work for multiple magazines so one good ally can lead to lots of media exposure. Always keep your PR hat on. Learn to take any situation and turn it into good press for your clients and your business as well. Stay on top of current events and see if you have anything to offer. Whenever a story hits the press that any of my clients would have a connection to, I’ll send it right away. Having press releases already prepared for clients on their business is always a great help. How do you know about these events? Sign up for Google Alerts under the topics of interest and then whenever a story is written, you can follow-up with your press release or article to the reporter. It works! I also use ProfNet from PRNewswire, which allows me to get daily leads from major news outlets. You can also consider PRLeads.

It’s also important to learn how to write a good press release and article and also where to send those. Make sure that your press releases and articles are newsworthy and also something that interests the readers. When I write a release, I always think would I read this release? Would it interest me? If not, I doubt your target audience would be reading it either. Plus, be careful to sound too promotional. You can easily get your message across without sounding like an ad.

Publicity is a great niche for Virtual Assistants. To learn more stop by my site at www.virtualwordpublishing.com or contact me for a free 10 minute call on PR tips or my free PR Informational Package.
**

Diana Ennen is the author of numerous books including Virtual Assistant - The Series, Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA and accompanying Workbook; Words From Home, Start, Run and Profit from a Home-Based Word Processing Business. She specializes in publicity and book marketing and is president of Virtual Word Publishing http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com and http://www.virtualassistantstartups.com. Stop by our site for free booklets and reports on business startups.

Florida Primary -- Coming Soon

Hi

It's a glorious time of year. I live in South Florida and soon our Great State will host the Primaries. Presidential candidates will be everywhere as well as all the media that surrounds them. For a media person like me, it's heaven.

Our city is also in the midst of electing many officials, so the door is constantly ringing with candidates taking the time to personally meet us doing door to door. I often wonder if they realize the value of this. How often their stop by the door results in "dinner time" table talk. And just how often that makes the deciding vote for them. I'm 50 now and can say that many times the person I shook hands with is the person who I voted for. It might not have convinced me, but it got me researching them more and that often lead to their vote.

Want some tips on doing it right? Here's a few from years of being on the other side of the door.

1) Talk to and shake not only the hands of the parents, but those of the teenagers and younger children as well. That shows the parent that you value families. It also leaves an impression on the children too. Last night at the dinner table, our 9 year old started the conversation with "so do you really think he'll lower taxes?" I'm sure she doesn't have a clue what all is involved with that, but it started a lovely conversation and his name was remembered by all. Plus, when she sees a sign, she remembers that "he'll lower taxes." Kids can be great salesmen.

2) Have an impressive marketing piece with bullet points. One commissioner came over the other day and was telling me about what was on his flyer, but it was just paragraphs and paragraphs of text. A bulleted point by point message would have gone a lot farther. Hire a virtual assistant to help. (okay, shameless plug there and not the intent of this blog). But the point was, I couldn't follow along with what he was saying at all. He missed his opportunity. After he left, because it was so unimpressive, I probably won't read it.

3) Don't act so darn hurried. I also only wanted to spend a few minutes with you, but I felt like you couldn'' wait to be done and go to the next house. That made me think you'll going to be too busy for me when the big issues come up too.

Anyway, I look forward to the coming weeks. For me I take this very seriously. Not only for election purposes, but I want to show my kids the importance of this so that they too will do the same in years to come. I do hope to be able to be in the crowds of all the presidential hopefuls. I'll tell you how it goes!

Diana Ennen
Virtual Word Publishing
www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Brain Gym Coming To Margate Elementary

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Paul Dennison, the Founder of Brain Gym, www.braingym.com will be coming to Margate Elementary School in Margate Florida on January 31st for a special event. Margate has recently begun using the Brain Gym Program and the students are eager to show Dr. Dennison their moves. Dr. Dennison will be presenting a small talk immediately following. The following release provides additional information.

Also the Brain Gym Seminar is right around the corner, February 1 through the 4th. We have scheduled a special book signing on February 2nd at 5:30. If you'd like to meet Dr. Dennison, contact me for details -- diana@virtualwordpublishing.com


Florida Schools Get Moving With New PE Requirement –
Discover How Brain Gym Can Supplement These Programs at Upcoming Seminar

Ventura, CA (January, 2008) With Florida’s renewed interest in exercise and fitness, thanks to the new requirement for P.E. in elementary schools passed by Florida Legislature after the prompting of Governor Charlie Crist, more and more classrooms are implementing fitness programs. The results are extremely encouraging as students add additional exercise during morning announcements, recess, during P.E. classes, and even sitting at their desks or waiting in lunch lines. What teachers and parents are discovering is that these students are not only enjoying these exercises, but often taking these fitness ideas home and asking to do them there as well. It’s working.

The good news is that there are program options available that can even further increase student’s learning and increase mental health and wellness. One such program is Dr. Paul Dennison’s Brain Gym® program, http://www.braingym.com. The Brain Gym program is a movement-based system that optimizes brain activity, while integrating the mind and body. The Brain Gym movements have been proven so effective that many schools across the country now offer Brain Gym in their classrooms, as more and more parents and teachers request it for their children. The lessons taught are profoundly safe, simple, can be done anywhere, and work well for all ages.

One example is Margate Elementary in Margate, Florida. The Brain Gym Instructor there, Nichole Galinkin practices the Brain Gym Program four mornings a week with approximately a dozen children with ADHD. The program was so successful, that Margate’s Principal, Sharon Schmidt, suggested a daily school-wide Brain Gym Break. This has lead to the school sharing the Brain Gym program over morning announcements with the rest of the Margate students doing two to three new movements once a week as part of the new mandated P.E. Requirement. Galinkin reports receiving an extremely positive response from the students and states, “Students excitedly break out in Lazy 8s and Brain Buttons whenever they see me on campus.”

When students feel better physically, they perform better academically and enjoy learning more. The program uses easy-to-do developmental movements to "wake up" or "relax" the brain. Students experience increased levels of focus, organization, communication, self-confidence and positive attitude towards learning resulting in 20 to 50% higher test scores. Parents and clinicians benefit as well, as it directly impacts readers’ motor, cognitive, behavioral, emotional, visual, and reading skills. Students will discover they can learn faster and more easily, be more focused and organized. start and finish projects with ease, and reduced stress, and overcome learning and behavior challenges. Brain Gym is also an effective tool to share with individuals with learning challenges such as ADD, ADHD, Asperser’s, or Autism.

Educators will have the special opportunity to explore the Brain Gym program at the upcoming Brain Gym Seminar, Discovering Balance for Daily Life, February 1-4 in West Palm Beach, Florida taught by the author. This seminar is a 32 hour workshop that includes the 26 easy and enjoyable targeted activities to integrate the brain/body systems to bring rapid and often dramatic improvements in concentration, memory, reading, writing, reading, listening, organization and comprehension. A separate book signing will follow on February 2nd at 5:30 p.m. open to the public.

Come and engage with others who believe movement is the key to whole brain learning and overall better health and well being. For more information please contact Dr. Patty Shackleford at 352.475.3311 or drpatty@pkconceptsinc.com. Stop by the Brain Gym site today to learn more about the Brain Gym Program, http://www.braingym.com. Dr. Dennison’s latest book, Brain Gym and Me: Reclaiming the Pleasure of Learning is available on Amazon and other leading bookstores. Dr. Dennison is also available for media interviews by contacting publicist Diana Ennen at diana@virtualwordpublishing.com.

Seminar
February 1-4

Brain Gym’s Discovering Balance for Daily Life Seminar
West Palm Beach, Florida
Comfort Inn, 1901 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, WPB, FL 33409
February 1-4; 9:00 to 5:00
Dr. Patty Shackleford
352.475.3311
drpatty@pkconceptsinc.com

Brain Gym 101 Seminar

Model Brain Gym® 101
A course with Paul E. Dennison, Ph.D.,
Co-creator of Brain Gym© and Educational Kinesiology
February 1 - 4, 2008, West Palm Beach, Florida

Come share this exciting class utilizing the new Brain Gym 101 handbook. Learn the latest noticing techniques to draw out the learner’s innate intelligence. Brain Gym 101® is a movement-based educational program that develops new neural pathways for ease of learning. Model Brain Gym® 101 is a 32 hour workshop that includes 26 easy and enjoyable targeted activities to integrate the brain/body/heart systems to bring rapid and often dramatic improvements in:

· Concentration
· Memory
· Reading
· Writing
· Listening
· Organization
· Comprehension

Paul E. Dennison, Ph.D. is a professional educator, pioneer in brain research, and world authority on cognitive skills and reading achievement. He received his doctorate in education for his research on reading and cognitive development. His clinical research in the USA on the causes and treatment of learning difficulties resulted in the development of the Educational Kinesiology and Brain Gym© programs with his wife Gail Dennison. These programs are now used in more than 80 countries worldwide and translated into more than 40 languages. He is the author of Brain Gym and Me; Reclaiming the Pleasure of Learning.

You will learn how to:
· Learn anything faster and more easily.
· Be more focused and organized with increased ability to pay attention
· Start and finish projects with ease and reduced stress
· Overcome learning and behavioral challenges. Brain Gym® is an effective tool to share with individuals diagnosed with ADD/ADHD/Asperser’s/Autism
· Reach new levels of excellence through the realization of personal goals.
· Perform better at sports and all areas of personal expression.

And much more!

February 1 - 4, 2008
Course Location: West Palm Beach, Florida. Please register early.
Fee: $450 all students, when $100 non-refundable deposit is received by January 1st,
$500 fee for all students after January 1st.
There is no discount for reviewers at this special event.

To enroll in this course, please send registration form and your $100 deposit or full payment to:
Dr. Patty Shackleford, PK Concepts Inc. 2380 SE CR 21 B, Melrose, Florida 32666
For more information please contact Dr. Patty Shackleford at 352.475.3311 or drpatty@pkconceptsinc.com

Open to new students, Brain Gym 101 graduates and licensed Brain Gym instructors


Brain Gym© is a registered trademark of the Educational Kinesiology Foundation. For more information visit www.braingym.org


Mail deposits/tuition to:
PK Concepts, Inc.
2380 SE CR 21 B
Melrose, FL 32666

For additional information or media contact:

Diana Ennen
Publicist
(954) 971-4025
diana@virtualwordpublishing.com

Brain Gym - Dr. Paul Dennison

Our Client, Dr. Paul Dennison's, Brain Gym Program is getting recognized more and more throughout the United States for its role in elementary schools and their fitness programs.

With the enactment of the requirement of 30 minutes of mandatory P.E. in schools today in many states, Brain Gym is becoming a part of school's daily schedule. Here is how one school in Michigan utilizes the Brain Gym Program.

http://blog.mlive.com/muskegon_chronicle_extra/2007/12/slideshow_brain_gym_exercising.html

If you would like information on Brain Gym, or their upcoming seminar in February, please contact me at diana@virtualwordpublishing.com.

Local Author, Diana Ennen, in Family Circle Magazine

Look for me in the January Issue of Family Circle- Mothers of (Re)intervention

I was quoted in the January issue of Family Circle. -- Page 61 -- "Dee Ennen of Margate, Florida owns a home-based administrative support business and often displays marketing materials in office stores." (Go check it out!)

Here are more tips and information on how I run my administrative support business/virtual assistant business (see press release below).

I'm available for media interviews, or if you'd like our free informational package on starting a virtual assistant business, please email me at diana@virtualwordpublishing.com. Stop by our sites too for additional information and to participate in our forum ... www.virtualassistantstartups.com, www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Thanks! - Diana Ennen

Virtual Assistants – The Key to Successful Book Marketing and Promotions
Virtual Online Books Gain in Popularity and Sales

Margate, FL – January, 2008. Finally, the answer self-publishers and published authors have been looking for to compete in the overwhelming and often oversaturated book publishing industry. They have found the solution for getting the same exposure and media coverage as those authors who are fortunate enough to work with top marketing consultants. They have found the one true answer in getting their book the recognition it deserves. Meet the Virtual Assistant!

Virtual Assistants (VAs) are highly skilled professionals who take the time to excel in their given field. They provide extensive marketing solutions, creative and innovative advertising campaigns, administrative support, proofing and editing capabilities, and other specialized services for entrepreneurs, small businesses, authors, and others who want to bring their business to a new level, or market their books for greater results. VAs work globally, taking full advantage of all the connections of the online book networks, online publishing listserves, and other media outlets that are available to all who know where to find them. They utilize all their expert talents and superb writing abilities for book marketing and promotions, thereby helping entrepreneurs and authors achieve the success they deserve.

Diana Ennen, co-author of Virtual Assistant ~ the Series, Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA with Kelly Poelker states, “Today’s Internet has opened the doors to successful marketing. Being able to send your books to other online bookstores, promote your books on other sites, contact publishers and editors of papers via e-mail, and just day-to -day tasks of getting publicity is now convenient and available for all to do. As an author myself, I know how important it is to provide that personalized attention to authors, so I make every effort to provide them that specialized attention and total commitment in marketing their books.”

Virtual assisting has also opened up the gateway for e-books and online bookstores. Virtual Word Publishing’s site has a virtual online bookstore and has experienced tremendous growth over the past few months. Self-published authors are getting exposure for their books and establishing themselves as successful authors and experts in their field. The bookstore currently has a wide variety of excellent books on many topics ranging from starting a virtual assistant business to successful tips on marketing your online business.

If you want to stop by the bookstore at Virtual Word Publishing, http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com and see the many fine books, or list your book on the site, stop by today. You can download sample chapters or get research and information on publishing and virtual assisting as well. Simply the Best, that’s what you’ll find here.
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South Florida Events - Seminar Brain Gym

Our Client, Dr. Paul Dennison will be coming to South Florida in February to present a Brain Gym Seminar. - West Palm Beach, Florida. February 1 - 4, 2008.

Contact diana@virtualwordpublishing.com (954) 971-4025.

Brain Gym 101 Seminar --

If you’d like to discover an easy way to enhance your memory, organization, concentration and creativity, this workshop is for you. The Brain Gym 101 Seminar is an extensive 32-hour event presented by Dr. Paul Dennison, founder of the Brain Gym Program. The workshop is open to new students, Brain Gym 101 graduates, and those licensed Brain Gym instructors looking to further develop their Brain Gym skills. The course is centered on the simple, fast and fun 26-targeted movements that make up the Brain Gym Program. These movements consciously activate the mind/body system to release learning blocks and prepare your brain and entire nervous system for optimal learning. Participants are taken step by step through each movement with the detailed Brain Gym 101 Handbook as a guide.

The course promotes efficient communication between the brain and the rest of the body, increasing play and creativity and alleviating stress as it enhances performance, all ingredients for better balance in your life. The success of Brain Gym can be attributed to its effective movements, and balances, as well as to its addressing the physical skills of learning.

Since the 1980s the field of Educational Kinesiology, the study of movement and its relationship to learning, has touched people of all ages and cultures. Brain Gym has been introduced in homes, classrooms, businesses, and places of learning in more than 80 countries on all seven continents with rapid and often dramatic improvement in reading, writing, language and numerical skills. Many others use the work to profoundly enhance the quality of their attention and concentration, memory and organizational skills, athletic performance, and more. The popularity of brain exercises today supports the positive and dynamic effects of stimulating brain movements.

The workshop also explores the five learning principles central to Brain Gym Work. They include:

1) Draw Out: Intelligence is Inborn
2) Focus: Attention Follows Intention
3) Notice: We Learn What We Actively Experience
4) Move to Learn: Growth Is a Search for Balance, Imbalance a Search for Growth
5) Interconnect: Each of Us Is Affected by Each Other

Come and engage with others who believe movement is the key to whole brain learning and overall better health and well being. For more information please contact Dr. Patty Shackleford at 352.475.3311 or drpatty@pkconceptsinc.com. (Register Now). Stop by the Brain Gym site today to learn more about the Brain Gym Program, http://www.braingym.com. Dr. Dennison’s latest book, Brain Gym and Me: Reclaiming the Pleasure of Learning is available on Amazon and other leading bookstores.

South Florida Publicity

South Florida is always in the spotlight. Super Bowl this year. The Anna Nichole saga with it's media explosion, and of course, now Britany Spears famous hair cut. For those who live in South Florida, it brings us to the world.

And we should be .... we face hurricanes and months of fear. So while we have the spotlight, let us enjoy it.

I specialize in publicity. I know the advantages of talking every media lead and running with it. I do it for my books on starting a business and also for my clients. I thought it would be fun to also do the South Florida media and bring you the latest that we get here. Up Close and Personal!

Enjoy -- Diana