Frequently Asked Questions
Virtual
What does Virtual mean?
What is a Virtual Professional?
How can I use A VP to assist me in my business?
How can I use a VP to help me start a business?
Fees
Do I have to pay for overheads?
Do I have to pay a fee for finding a VP through this site?
Job Postings
Can I post jobs on this site?
Recomendations
If I dont want to search for a VP can you recommend one?
Joining this Group
Must I have a website to join this group?
Can I join before I start a virtual office business?
How do I join the group?
How much does it cost to join the Virtual Business Group?
Once I've joined, how do I get my website listed in the Member Directory?
After I become a member, do I have to sign up for the discussion list?
Quarterly Newsletter
What is in the newsletter and how do I sign up for it?
Small Business Workshops
Can anyone participate in the Small Business Workshops?
How do I sign up for a Small Business Workshop?
Advertising
Can I advertise on this site?
Are there any other advertising opportunities?
Other
What if my question STILL isn't answered?
Are VPs all that people are saying they are?
Virtual
What does virtual mean?
This term indicates any working condition, usually from a remote location, other than in your office space, i.e.: via phone, fax, e-mail, regular mail. top
What is a virtual professional?
A virtual professional (or VP) is similar to a VA in that they will work in their own office, utilizing their own equipment. The difference is that, while a VA is primarily focusing on administrative and secretarial duties, a VP will have a broader scope of work. A VP can be anything from a virtual bookkeeper, to someone who performs research, an event planner, or someone who provides marketing campaigns. top
How can I use a VP to assist me in my business?
A VP can be your office staff, or an extention of the staff you already have in place. You can use a VP for everything from occasional overflow projects to assigning specific monthly tasks to allowing your VP to become an extension of your office. top
How can I use a VP to help me start a business?
In our Member Directory, we have a category of VPs who can assist you with the start-up phase of your business. We have members who can consult with you on organizing your business idea, help you grow your idea into a reality or provide services you need until you can afford to hire full-time personnel, or stay with you as your business grows. top
Fees
If I use a VP, do I have to pay for things like vacation time, sick time, holidays or worker's compensation?
The wonderful thing about utilizing a VP is that you never have to pay for any time that your virtual professional is not working on YOUR projects. They are never sick, never on vacation, never need insurance and require no benefits - at least not on your dime. Most VPs usually have a back-up system in place to handle their workload in the event that they go on vacation or fall ill. All you pay for is the amount of time that your VP works for you. top
Do I have to pay a fee to find a VP through this site?
There is never a fee to browse the Member Directory in search of a VP. top
Job Posting
Can I post jobs that I have available on this site?
Feel free to visit our RFP section and post your job opportunity or special project. Remember, no job is too big or too small for the members of our organization. top
Recommendations
What if I don't want to search the site for a VP - can you give me a recommendation? Just send an e-mail to admin@virtualbizgroup.com. A VBG representative will be able to quickly and easily give you several businesses and contact information as an alternative to searching the membership database. top
Join
Must I have a website to join this group?
Yes, one of the requirements of membership is that you place a member button on your site linked back to this one. For businesses new to the Internet, we are willing to work with you by providing website design packages and hosting at a nominal charge. If you are interested, just send a message to VBGWebDeals@virtualbizgroup.com with a subject line of "Website Packages" for more information. top
Can I join before I start a virtual office business?
It is a requirement that you have a virtual office and website in order to join. If you are set up for even minimal hours working your own virtual business you qualify. If you haven't already started your business, please feel free to utilize our website as a resource tool to assist you in starting your VP business. Just visit the section "Growing Your Business - New Business Owners" entitled "Business Beginnings." This area will give you resources and all the help you need, including live guidance, in starting your business. top
How do I join the group?
Just click on the icon that says "Join Us," fill out the simple form and join the discussion group. top
How much does it cost to join the Virtual Business Group?
The cost for membership is only $65.00 per year - just a bit more than $5 per month! top
Once I've joined the group, how do I get my website listed in the Member Directory?
After completing the membership application and fulfilling the membership qualifications, you will receive information via e-mail on listing your company in the Member Directory. This is done so that we may verify the submissions coming from members and so that you can print off the directions you receive, in case you need to make changes to your listing. top
After I become a member, do I have to sign up for the discussion list?
Yes, the discussion list is mandatory as part of membership, but you may set your account to "special notices only." The discussion list is the only way that we have of contacting all members without spamming. Plus, you won't want to miss out on any great information that is shared within the group or the many RFPs that are sent to the list! top
Quarterly Newsletter
What is in it and how do I sign up for the quarterly e-zine?
VBG produces a quarterly e-zine. Contributing information and articles are provided by many of the members. It is an e-zine for those running a small or home-based virtual business or contemplating doing so. It gives insightful articles and tips as well as providing a wealth of other information each month. You can also find out about our latest events, workshops and book clubs in this newsletter. To sign up for the newsletter, on the menu bar, click the "Business Resources" tab and then select the "Newsletter" tab and fill in your e-mail address.
In addition, if you have anything to contribute to the newsletter (articles, Members in the News items, etc.), please email editor@virtualbizgroup.com. top
Small Business Workshops
Can anyone participate in the Small Business Workshops?
The Small Business Workshops are geared toward anyone who is currently running a small or home-based business. There are various themes monthly and the workshops usually stick to the month's theme. The workshops are open to anyone who would like to participate and are free to members (fees may be collected from nonmembers who would like to attend). top
How do I sign up for a Small Business Workshop?
On the menu bar, click on the "Business Resources" button and select "Small Business Workshops." There you will click on the link to "Join Us In Our Conference Room." top
Advertising
Can I advertise on this site?
Yes, you can. We are currently looking for site sponsors as well as other advertisers. Periodically, we have advertising specials. If you are interested in advertising on this website, or know of another company who is interested, please send a message to editor@virtualbizgroup.com. top
Are there any other advertising opportunities?
Yes, there are. As a member of the Virtual Business Group, there are always advertising opportunities made available to you. Consider the Member Spotlight, where you can be the featured member of the month, with all of your contact information, your picture and a brief bio of your business. There is also discounted advertising in the newsletter and banner advertising on the website. If you are interested in advertising on this website, please send a message to the editor@virtualbizgroup.com. top
Other
What if my question STILL isn't answered after checking the site and reading the FAQs?
You may send an e-mail to the appropriate party which can answer your question. For contact information, click the "About Us" tab on the menu bar and then select "Contact The Team" to view a list of e-mail addresses. top
Is working with a Virtual Professional all that people are saying it is?
Most definitely. As one of our member's slogan states, "Let us handle your business while you get back to growing it!" top