Well, despite the Internet issues and the move to Crete, I have managed (along with the amazing, dedicated support of my team) to get the first issue of Paperless Entrepreneur Magazine completed, and published online.
There were loads of hiccups, last minutes “OMG’s” and late nights. There was even a moment where I wanted to throw in the towel, but my stubborn streak kept me going. For those of you looking to create a magazine of worth, my advice is to strongly consider what you’re getting yourself into, it’s harder than I first anticipated it would be, but the learning experience has been incredible. I hope that with the next issue (yes there will be a next time), I’ll be able to start perfecting my way of processing the project more effectively.
I have done a quick video to introduce you to the Magazine top right, and for today’s post, I thought it might be a good idea to document my first ever “editor’s letter” from the first magazine I have ever put together.
But before that.
I really, really hope that you find this magazine useful, and I am positive your clients will too – the thing is, if they saw you in it as a contributor of an article, I think they would be even more impressed – social proof is everything online these days 
. If you want to be a part of the next issue, I would love to welcome you into the Paperless Entrepreneur Magazine fold. As you can see, it’s a really good looking magazine, I produce it all in-house at Virtual Miss Friday, and I’m hoping to get a wide coverage with it, which could mean potentially great exposure for you too. I invested a lot into this publication, it’s not going to go un-promoted. To become a contributor, you simply need to join The VA Passport for full details.
So, enjoy! Please share it, tweet it, embed it into your website, Facebook it, link to it, or link to the primary URL “www.PaperlessEntrepreneur.com” – do whatever you want to do with it to distribute it amongst your audience and clients. It’s filled with highly-targeted unique content aimed an entrepreneurs looking to move their business online – perfect!
Thank you SO much for all the support you show VA-live. Please take a look (and let me know what you think of this magazine) in the comments at the end of the post, okay?
Again, thank you.
Michelle.
Editor’s Letter.
Issue #1 Paperless Entrepreneur.
“Paperless Entrepreneur” is my contribution to the Online Business World, based on my sheer love for it. Specifically, in this magazine, I am speaking to anyone looking to create a completely mobile lifestyle and business. I’m sitting here right now writing this from an apartment in Italy, overlooking the rolling hills of the Italian countryside… Why? Well, when my husband and I were sitting outside a small villa in Spain one night with a glass of Rioja, we said, “It’s time to move on”… “Where shall we go next?”… “Let’s try Italy”… and here I am.
This is a completely obtainable lifestyle when you have a paperless online business.
So – Wow… Where do I begin?
I am Michelle Dale – I was born in England in 1981, and I stayed there for the first 23 years of my life. If you’re interested in learning more about my endeavours and my travels, you can visit www.MichelleDale.me. I am what you call ‘Nomadic’ – I haven’t had a place to call home since 2005, I have been living country to country, working online as a ‘Digital Nomad’ and I have discovered that this life is one which is fairly sought after, and I can of course understand why…
As I mentioned before, I’m sitting here writing this Editor’s Letter from Italy, where I have been since August 2011. The next editor’s letter for this magazine, I’ll be writing from Crete. I go wherever I want to live, and that’s only the beginning of my story…
But let’s get back to business.
In 2005, with only a laptop and an Internet connection, in Egypt, I began creating my online services business, “Virtual Miss Friday.” With the Internet and an 11 inch screen, I learnt how to set up, run, and market a business entirely online. No paper, means no ties, and a degree of freedom which is difficult to convey.
Dedication to progress.
It’s now 2012, and here we are, the first edition of the first magazine I have ever published in my 30 years on this planet. There have been several ups and downs to this project, some concerns, some worries about whether this would be a silly investment of time and money, or a positive way of making a difference to the lives of entrepreneurs who want to live the kind of life I have been embracing since 2005.
I mean, why would I want to embark into a project which would drain my resources, in every sense of the word for, in a word, nothing – if it didn’t happen to “work?” We all ask ourselves this question as business owners — that’s why some of us will always hold ourselves back, and listen to other people who are telling us we must be a bit mad to live our dreams. Do you want to know what the conclusion always was, for me, throughout my own entrepreneurial journey — it’s the same conclusion I have always come to in everything I do in my life — and in my business.
If I don’t try, I’ll never know if this is something I am capable of. And if I never know, I will never discover how far it could have been taken, the possibilities are there, but the outcome has not yet been realised… So there you have it, how could I ever back down on myself, and the idea that Paperless Entrepreneur could be a resounding success? I can’t.
Never back down on yourself, on something you believe in. Money can always be made, but time gone by can never be relived.
And So It Begins…
So here we are with my first edition, and I AM SO EXCITED!!! With the wonderful contributions from the amazing individuals in my online service provider members site, “The VA Passport,” and some awesome online entrepreneurs and digital nomads, we all have the possibility of coming together and doing something really amazing, which will help people on a global scale, from all walks of life.
I also of course have the possibility of failing miserably, nobody liking the Magazine and then I am left falling flat on my face, which is also fine too.
Why? Because at the end of the day, at least I can say I tried.
And this is what you’ll see a lot of from me, encouragement to fulfil your dreams, exceed your goals, reach for the stars, and occasionally, a boost to pick yourself up after you’ve taken a fall. You just have to TRY! Business is not that easy, becoming paperless is not that easy, travelling the world with a family is not that easy – but reading this magazine will be, and the more you read from this magazine, or from any of my sites, or content I produce, the more potential you’ll have to take the leap of faith into a new life!
Somebody always has to make the journey first, they pave the way, learn the danger spots, find the twists and turns, stumble and then learn how to overcome the challenges before they get to the other side. When it comes to online business as a service, I am one of these people.
If you have the desire to become a paperless, mobile entrepreneur, then I have the “energy and the will” to try and help you make that happen. So as we embark on the first issue of this magazine, I ask you to please provide me with as much feedback as you can, as many comments as you can, and help me improve wherever I can – to bring you not just what you want, but what you truly need.
Please share this magazine with anyone and everyone you can.
How to Share:
- You can share this link through social media: http://www.PaperlessEntrepreneur.com
- You can use the share options from within the magazine.
- You can invite friends and colleagues to our LinkedIn Group.
- You can embed this Magazine on your website or blog.
- You can add this Magazine to your blogroll: http://www.PaperlessEntrepreneur.com
How to Provide Feedback:
- You can join the LinkedIn Group and post.
- You can email: info@virtualassistant-live.com
- You can leave a comment on my Facebook Wall: MichelleOnFacebook.me
- You can Tweet me on: MichelleOnTwitter.me or my company on: @VMFLtd
- You can leave a comment on the Blog Post. http://www.VirtualAssistant-Live.com/PEM
Please make the most of this magazine wherever you can. I made it for you…
Thank you so much for your support — goodbye paper, hello freedom!
