Monday, Monday

Is it really Monday already?

As a Real Estate Virtual Assistant working from home and loving it, at least I don't have to face the road rage out there today...I'm sitting here at my desk sipping my Starbucks coffee and deciding where to start...so much on the to-do list.

Here's a video for the rest of you facing the Monday morning blues...

The Calvinator

At what point do you tell yourself that you've lost your mind? That your actions sabotage the possibility of ever getting work done again?

My son, Calvin, turned 5 yesterday. He wants to be in a band so he asked for some drums and a guitar for his birthday. Well, he got the drums.

I put his drums in the unfinished media room, upstairs, all the way in the back of the house. I'm in my office, downstairs, all the way in the front of the house...and it's like I'm in the room with him. Seriously, what was I thinking? The media room is getting ready to be sound proofed and a door added to it to block out some of this noise!

He did melt my heart when he smash-face hugged me today and said I was the best mom ever. I think it's more like the craziest mom ever.

Here's a video of his first day on the drums...I think he has potential...and yes, I am the best mom ever!

Tying Up the Loose Ends

Right now I'm sitting here sipping on my addiction, a venti caramel macchiato w/ 4 shots and extra caramel from Starbucks. And can I just say, it's damn tasty!

I'm sending a special thank you to my virtual assistant buddy, Katie Baird over at Loose Ends. Katie, an avid stalker of my blogs (and I say that with all the love in the world) read my blog from yesterday on Getting Distracted, Getting Focused and not only did she send some virtual support, but the lady sent me some love through PayPal to go buy a cup of coffee...and that's just what I did this morning!

Being the GeekGyrls that we are, I've asked Katie to help out with one of my projects that I'll be announcing soon - and she agreed! Thanks Katie girl...

And for all you other VA buds of mine that called to get into my business...don't. :) Send me some PayPal love instead to keep me stocked up on the carmel macchiato's so I can spend more time on my projects and less time on the phone.

Oh, and if you think you're a GeekGyrl, drop me an e-mail and let me know...maybe I'll let you help me out on my latest project.

Getting Distracted, Getting Focused

The past few months have been riddled with absolute craziness. The distractions in my life have overruled my sanity, my desire to focus on work and the ability to think rationally.

In the past 3 months, I've lost a best friend over business dealings, had issues with my marriage, my mother was in the hospital for almost a month and I found out that just because someone says you can believe in them, it's not necessarily so.

It's been a wicked ride the past 3 months but I'm back and stronger than ever. I have a plan and that's to absorb myself into my children and my business and to leave everything else behind me, because there are definitely greener pastures in my future.

I'm focused again.

I've got several projects underway and will post about them all as soon as they're formally launched. Stay tuned!

BlackHat Fish

Memorial Day Weekend

It's Memorial Day Weekend. As such, I have to send some love and respect out to my brother, Ranger Ethan Graves. You will ALWAYS be my hero!

If you don't stand behind our military - feel free to stand in front of them!

On Your Toes VA launches new web site!

Meet Lori Cain of On Your Toes VA! Lori is a Virtual Assistant with 15 years experience who has decided to focus her niche on providing real estate virtual assistant services.

Lori specializes in Lead Management, Transaction Coordination and Listing Coordination.

We worked with Lori developing her web site and she is a real pleasure to work with. If you need a Virtual Assistant, contact Lori for additional information.

Virtual Real Estate Logistics

Meet Saleta Powell of Virtual Real Estate Logistics. Saleta has 12 years of real estate experience but is now opening her doors as a real estate virtual assistant. Saleta offers the following services:

• Prospecting Support
• Lead Management
• Pre-Listing Research
• Listing Management
• Online Transaction Management
• Web Site Management

I had a blast working with Saleta on her web site. She is funny, smart and personable. If you're in need of the services listed above, give Saleta a call.

Slovenian Designer, Moni

I have a professional crush on Moni, the Slovenian Designer. When I found his blog I knew that I liked his style right away. But the professional crush started when I saw Moni's post on the his Top 7 Free WordPress themes. I noticed that we both had the same sense of design style.

That's when I decided to take a peek. I had to. Now I'm not usually that kind of girl, looking at other people's personal creativity, but I was dying to see the Slovenian Designer Design Portfolio. And let me tell you, it was magnificent. From his web design to his fine vector logo, in a word, it was impressive!

And then, that's when I saw it. It's when I figured out why I liked this guy so much...he's a good friend of my buddy and pal Michael Kane! Go figure!

Website Guru's $20,000 contest!

Website Guru is my latest addiction. This forum is where web owners, designers, SEOs and programmers unite.

I found this forum a couple of months ago and the contacts I have made there are priceless. You may find that hard to believe, but when Julie Kent of SearchFeature.com features my web site in an article about the new SearchMe visual search engine, I think that's a pretty priceless contact! Talk about good networking!

Michael Kane is the head guru in charge but it's his administrators, moderators and gurus that keep the place going as well. The knowledge you can reap from this group is amazing, astounding and overwhelming. I'm just a little addicted.

Last month there was a contest for $5,500 - this month's is $20,000!

Get your butt over to Website Guru and register for your chance to win...

SearchMe: SEO takes a new twist

Not many people have heard of SearchMe yet, but this Real Estate Virtual Assistant thinks it could quite possibly change the entire way we all view search engines.

SearchMe is a visual search engine. Type in your keyphrase and instead of results with catchy descriptions as you currently find displayed in Google, Yahoo and the others, SearchMe instead shows you a snapshot of the web site. Don't like the first view, click on the next, it's like a book of results that you flip through. Watch the video, it's really coool! It's amazing even!



Originally a web site thrived on cool design. Then it became good SEO which killed killer foo-foo designs...but now with SearchMe, it will be a delicate blend of awesome design and fabulous SEO to get good results.

I've just signed up as a beta user because I can't wait to try this tool out. If it's half as amazing as I'm thinking it is, Google better buy this company out quick!

VAstartup - How to start a virtual assistant business...

www.VAstartup.com has been my virtual assistant coaching web site since 2002. Recently I revamped the site to include an ebook for Virtual Assistants called Boot Camp for Virtual Assistants.

Additionally I've created some low cost Virtual Assistant marketing materials for newbies looking to enter the industry. I offer low cost Virtual Assistant web sites and more. Check it out!

And of course, I still offer Virtual Assistant coaching to help you with your questions about starting a Virtual Assistant business.

If you're new to the VA industry, check out VAstartup!

8 Random Facts about Anna Baron

I have been tagged by Kathie Thomas so here I go with 8 random facts about me.

1. When I was 23 a programmer friend of mine, Terry Ogletree who is as eccentric of an individual as you'll ever meet, tried to convince me to start my own business working from home as a secretary. It was 1992 - I laughed in his face and hugged him for having so much confidence in my skills - at that time, I didn't have that confidence. Geesh, Terry was on to it way back then and I didn't have the vision until 5 years later.... I miss you Terry - wherever you are.

2. My VA business began when a former employer (Big 5 Accounting Firm) begged me to come back to work for them to head a new department as the lead secretary. I refused, I had just given birth to Alison and was for once in my life going to be a stay at home mom. They decided to start sending me work by e-mail and without putting much work into it, my VA business was born.

3. I stumbled in to the real estate niche when an agent called me one day to see if I could do a flyer for her...my passion for supporting the real estate industry came from that one lead. Thank you Kathy Drewien!

4. Kim Hughes is probably one of my best friends ever. She called me about 7 years ago wanting to know how to be a VA. I wasn't a coach back then, but I did take the time to talk to her and the friendship grew from there. We've cried together, we've laughed together and she is truly a great friend. She's now one of the premier Real Estate VAs in the business and I couldn't be prouder of her. We're going to meet for the first time ever in November when we travel to NAR for IREAA.

5. Growing up, I was always protective of my little brother Ethan who was 5 years younger than me. I beat up the kids on the block when they hurt him. Mom said one time that I yelled "That's my punching bag not yours!" LOL My brother joined the Army and during Ranger training he outlasted all the others there...his Drill Sargeants asked him in front of everyone "What makes you so strong Graves?" to which he replied "My sister sir!" :) My brother has been in the military for 10 years now, serving in Kuwait and he just returned from Afghanistan in May. His platoon lost no soldiers during his tour as a Platoon Sargeant.... Hooah Ranger Graves - you're my hero and I love you!

6. I reunited last year with my 22 year old daughter that I gave up for adoption when I was 15 - it was the best day in my entire life. Without arranging it, the day we reunited we both wore orange colored tops - how crazy is that? :) Her name is Mariah, but I named her Jessica Christie when she was born. We look just alike and she too grew up in the Dallas area. We talk daily and have a fablous relationship. Thank you God.

7. I have 3 other children, Amber 20, Alison 9 1/2 and Calvin 4. I feel like I've been raising children all my life! LOL I swear if I had a boy first, I never would have had any other kids - boys are crazy!

8. I met my husband (2nd marriage) shooting pool at a tournament. I hooked him with my bank shot and those skin tight jeans and boots. We've both been to nationals in Vegas and I've been in 4 billiards magazines. We're good, but he's the shark, seriously, don't ever bet money when you're playing "Bad Brad" cause he'll take it! My first business computer that was hand built cost almost $3,000 and he won that in one night from Cowboy Randy. Thanks Brad - and I love you! We just celebrated 10 years in July! *woot*

Virtual Assistant and loving it!

I tag -

Kim Hughes Kim Hughes & Company
Pam Ivey Visual Persuasions Canada
Cheryl Allin VirtuAllin
Laura Monroe Creative Agent Solutions

Professional Crushes

Ohhh, someone's got a crush on me! A professional crush that is...and it's very flattering!

Pam Ivey of Visual Persuasions in Canada has a professional crushes page in which The Virtual Link is highlighted. The first time I saw this I chuckled and said "cool" - which sounded a little bit too much like Beavis and Butthead for my own comfort.

Just wanted to share - it sure made day! :)

Real Estate Blogging

Real Estate professionals are now embracing the technology of blogging for search engine placement. This golden marketing tool is a simple yet powerful piece of fantastic search engine rankings.

Remaining consistent is sometimes a hard thing to do. Real Estate Virtual Assistant services now offer blogging writing services to help clients keep fresh content in their blogs.

If you find you're blessed with the good grammar and an interesting writing style, perhaps blogging is a service you should consider offering.

Creating a blog and and blog writing is just one more service that we offer at The Virtual Link - send us an e-mail if you have questions about blogs.

International Real Estate Assistants Association

Wow, the past few weeks have been hectic - but a good hectic.

We just launched IREAA - International Real Estate Assistants Association. IREAA was formerly CyberStarVA. We've revamped due to the increasing number of in-house assistants who wanted a place to call their own. We were always open to in-house assistants but with the name change it seems more and more are finding us. In just 5 days we've increased membership by over 20%. That's cool.

So if you're an in-house assistant, real estate virtual assistant or real estate professional needing tips, help or advice, come check us out! We're all here waiting to hear from you! :)

Maybe I'm Psychic?

Maybe I'm psychic?

My last post was last Tuesday...it was a pretty random I know. It was a note to my brother, a list of things I'm sorry for...I mentioned last week that I didn't know why I felt like I had to say what I did at the time...I just felt like it needed to said...

...within hours of my post my brother's patrol was ambushed ...I knew something bad was about to happen...

...the good news is that my brother's okay, all of his men made it out alive but it was pretty bad...

...thank you God.

Top 10 I'm Sorries

This is so off-base but I have to get it off my chest.

I am THE worst sister a brother could ever have...seriously.

I know I've shared my worries and anxieties about my brother, Army Ranger Ethan Graves, over the past couple of months. Short recap: My brother is in Afghanistan fighting in the war.

Over the past couple of months I have had these random, off the wall, kind of thoughts filling my head on how much it must of sucked to have me as a sister. Seriously.

Such random guilt - guilt that I've never felt in my 37 years of being me. *sigh* I'm sure you're familiar with David Letterman's Top 10's so I sent my brother an e-mail for just sucking in general - these are the top 10 things I apologized for but I think I could of gone on and on...



The Top 10 I'm sorry's from your sister....I love you!


10. I'm sorry for taking my wigs and chasing you around the house with them when you were so obviously scared to death of them. (He was like 3 at the time)

9. I'm sorry for eating the St. John's aspirins when Jamie was babysitting and blaming it on you and lying about it causing such a panic and knowing they made you throw up all night trying to get it out of your system.

8. I'm sorry for stealing all of your bubble gum and candy when I was a kid. I could eat all 4 packs in a couple of hours and you could keep your 4 packs around for weeks.

7. I'm sorry for chasing you around the front yard when your arm was fractured and making you fall which broke your arm.

6. I'm sorry for laughing so hard at you when you snuck dads car out and rolled it the same day that they left for vacation.

5. I'm sorry for purposely taking your Star Wars actions heroes guns and light sabers and throwing them away on purpose.

4. I'm sorry for asking you to help me move but conveniently leaving out that I was moving to a 3rd story apartment with no elevator.

3. I'm sorry for ramming your head into the piano in the living room.

2. I'm sorry for thinking that all the girls you've cared for were never good enough for you.

1. I'm sorry for taking you to the Phase II when you were 15 and turning you into an alcoholic during your college days!

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Of course in true form my brother sent back a note saying he forgave me a long time ago for all this crap - which I knew already - but why does it bother me so much now? I'm like OCD (obsessive compulsive) about all these awful things I've done since I was a kid...it's incredible that my brother turned out as amazing as he has.

I know he'll never read my blog, I doubt he even knows about it, nor does he have time to fish around on my site to find it...I don't even know why I'm telling you this and airing it here, but it needs to be said.

When you get back, I promise to be so much better as a sister. I swear to God. Just please come home safe. I don't think I could handle it if anything happened to you dude. Please come back and give me the chance to be the sister I always should of been.

Much love,
Anna

Virtual Assistant Wanna Be's - Shout Out to LooseEnds.Net

Say hello to my virtual peer/friend Katie Baird of LooseEnds.Net. Katies been around the IVAA organization (www.IVAA.org) a while. I was reading through her "Loosely Speaking" blog today and read a post that hit home this week.

The reason her post hit home is that just this week I received quite a ranting from a wanna-be Virtual Assistant because I wouldn’t give her advice, for free. She called me full of myself for not answering a few questions and egotistical because I offered to coach her for a fee. Had I been given the opportunity, I could explain that I get about 20 calls or emails per week of people looking to enter the VA industry. On average, each inquiry I receive that I do respond to takes 30-60 minutes to answer just a few of their questions. If I answered all of these inquiries, for free, I’d be losing 10-20 billable hours per week. What’s a VA to do?

VAs always contact seasoned veterans seeking help in their startups. Katie had a fabulous idea of putting up a Freqently Asked Questions post titled: Interested in Becoming a Virtual Assistant? Here’s your F.A.Q. to answer some of the most asked questions.

For those VAs looking to start out try reading Katie's post and see if this helps. If you're looking for more formal (paid) coaching, don't hesitate to contact me!

Virtual Siblings

My brother, Ranger Graves, is off to Afghanistan. We had some delays and missing orders issues but he's set. Hopefully with the technology he took with him we'll be able to stay in contact.

He left with a hand held computer. We loaded Skype on it and now we can make internet calls to each other for FREE whenever he can find a wireless connection. Apparently they have areas there with the wireless access that he'll be able to use frequently.

I also created a web site for him: http://www.RangerGraves.com so that he can log in to see pics of the family and so that friends and family can leave him notes of love in his guestbook.

If you're reading this, please drop my brother a line in his guestbook. No matter what you or I may think of the war, my brother is in the service to make sure that we all have our freedoms when it comes to speech, religion and freedom.

Happy Hunting Bro' - we miss you!

Sis

Virtual Assistant? Real Estate Virtual Assistant?

Lately I've had an abundance of questions from Virtual Assistants who are interested in directing their businesses towards real estate professionals. Many are hesitant due to a lack of experience in the real estate industry.

CyberStarVA.com has seen our members obtaining tremendous success no matter whether they are newbie Virtual Assistants, experienced Virtual Assistants, in-house Real Estate Assistants and we've even converted some former Real Estate Agents!

The answer is YES! You can become a Real Estate Virtual Assistant but you need to be knowledgeable as to what tasks you can or can not do. Additionally, you need to stay abreast of the latest trends in technology as the internet has turned traditional real estate marketing methods upside down!

90% of home buyers and sellers are using the internet to find homes and agents in their area. Thanks to the NAR (National Association of Realtors) conferences, most Real Estate Agents are seeking out their very own Virtual Assistant....people, this market is HOT!!!

Joining CyberStarVA provides members the opportunity to collaborate and learn from each other.

Taking the courses at CyberStarVA will teach you about the do's and don'ts as well as the industry specific areas such as transaction management, lead management, etc. that is vital for a Real Estate Virtual Assistant to know about.

Additionally, our vendor training programs are helpful, informative and keep you on the leading edge of technology with agents.

Look for exciting changes and new vendors being added. I look forward to seeing you there!

To your success!

Hoo-Rah Ranger Graves

The past few weeks my emotions have been up and down like a wild roller coaster ride. Ranger Ethan Graves, my baby brother, is leaving for Iraq soon.

I won't get into politics or what I think of the war, but it breaks my heart knowing that my brother is going over there.

He served 4 years in the Army, one of those years in Kuwait, and has been in the reserves for the past few years.

My brother, is a typical proud-American who is ready to do whatever his country calls on him to do, and he does it with pride.

We've talked about what would or could happen and the one thing he has assured me is that they would never be able to capture him alive, they'd have to kill him first...and I know he means that.

If you're reading this right now, please take just a second to send out a prayer for my brother, no matter who your God is.

Bro, I will miss you so much while you're gone.

Hoo-rah Ranger Graves - with tears in my eyes, I want you to know, you're my hero.

Luv,
Sis

You gotta love Copyscape!

Again, CopyScape picks up more people plagiarizing my content.

Next company? AGS Business Solutions, LLC

(I'd be happy to remove images and links...just send a $50 donation to anna@thevirtuallink.com via PayPal for loaning you my content and then remove my content immediately.)

A Success Story on Virtual Assistant Coaching

This week I heard from a Virtual Assistant who started her business about 5 years ago. When she was considering starting a business, she called and I coached her through her start-up process.

We've shared so many bumps in the road. We've also shared a lot of laughs and tears along the way. In fact, she's become one of my best friends over the years although we've never met face to face.

The reason she contacted me this week is to let me know just how well she's doing.

I was shocked.

This woman, in 5 years, has built her business, become a speaker for conferences, is highly recognized in the Virtual Assistant community and has done very well.

But what she shared with me made my jaw drop. She is now making THREE times what I made last year. People, she is "banking" in a big way.

I feel like a mother in some ways, my heart swelled with pride, joy and all the other things associated with taking a newbie and helping her transform into a richie. :o)

On the other hand, I'm like "what the heck?" - maybe I need to be getting some coaching from HER! She's making THREE times what I am!!!

If she reads this, she'll know who she is, and girl, I am so proud of you and am so happy to call you my friend and confidant. I was also serious, you need to pay for a trip to Mexico for us to celebrate proper on the beaches of Mexico with some margaritas! Ha!

Virtualxpressions.com Plagiarized My Copyrighted Content

(I'd be happy to remove images and links...just send a $50 donation to anna@thevirtuallink.com via PayPal for loaning you my content and then remove my content immediately.)

Everyone has their talents. Writing is NOT included on MY list of talents.

So in 2001, I contracted another VA who's fabulous at writing to write content for my site. Sure I've changed a lot of the content over the years, but there are certain sentences and paragraph that I've left "as is" because they were written so well.

So it really, really irks me when others come to my site and steal content. If I can admit I suck at writing and will actually pay someone else to write for me - why can't others take the same honorable approach when building their own site?

My only recourse is to sue for plagiarism. I ask politely, once, for them to remove my content and for those that do, I leave them alone.

For those who refuse to remove my content and refuse to even respond to my e-mails, which are really nice considering the circumstance, I get upset. So starting today, I've decided to start posting the non-responders on my blog.

I wonder how responsive they'll be now? hmmmm...

Oops, Google does it again...Search Engine Rankings

If you're somewhat afflicted with "Search Engine OCD" (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), then you've probably noticed that Google is undergoing a major update which actually started earlier this month.

My first indication was about 2 weeks ago when my Google PR (Page Rank) went from a 5 to a 4. After recovering from my mini-meltdown over this, I noticed that others too were being effected.

While major updates are going on, my "affliction" as I lovingly refer to, causes a few panic attacks from time to time as results are realigned and my site(s) go up and down in ranking.

These updates can take anywhere up to 4 weeks to settle down and become consistent again in the results...so for the next couple of weeks, I wait, checking hourly on my site rankings and ponder what work will need to be done in the coming weeks.

Have a great weekend!

Win a Spammers Hummer, Gold and Cash!

From AOL

Thanks to the use of the "Report Spam" button, AOL has an unbroken record of success in dozens of lawsuits against some of the nation's most prolific spammers. Working together with our members, we've forced junk e-mailers to turn over their assets, including cash, gold bars and a 2003 Hummer H2 sport utility vehicle.

To show our appreciation for helping AOL fight spam, we're offering an opportunity to take back these these ill-gotten gains. You can also register for a chance to win $1,000 in daily Spammer Cash prizes by answering an online-security trivia question each day during the sweepstakes. Remember to come back every day until August 19 for another chance to win.

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Thank you AOL for the opportunity to win this spammer's hummer! What sweet revenge! Thank you for your commitment to fighting spam...and I hope I win!

Virtual Marketing Assistant

A virtual marketing assistant is one of the most highy sought after Virtual Assistant positions in today's market. Take advantage of this, there are many areas of marketing and one of those just may be your next niche!

Presentations
Web sites
Search Engine Optimization
E-zines
E-mail Stationery
Newsletters, Fliers, Brochures
Banners/HTML ads
Ad campaigns
Ebooks

Small businesses and entrepreneurs often need help in these areas and if you have the experience and talent you can build your client base with clients that are in dire need of your creativity and talent.

If you're interested in one of these areas: research the topic, get advice on programs to use, and if the program doesn't have a tutorial built in find a book or DVD on the program that you can watch and learn from.

For some hands-on experience, find a small business or charity that could use the help and volunteer your time for free so that you can begin using your newly acquired knowledge before going out and seeking paying customers. It's always a good idea to practice these skills before jumping in too quickly.

IVAA - International Virtual Assistants Association

Let me just preface this post by saying I have been a member, off and on, of IVAA for several years. In fact, I think I was originally about the 30th member to join. I've had several ups and a couple of downs with the organization over the years, but I have to say I have made more friends, acquaintances and received more leads by being a part of this organization and I feel it truly launched my career as a Virtual Assistant.

I've held many positions with the organization. Before quitting the first time, I was honored to have been asked to participate in a committee to restructure the CVA examination, I also organized the first VAsummit and was elected VP of Marketing.

Shortly after assuming my post as VP of Marketing, I had a major fallout with the then president TLR, who was kicked out months later for unethically stealing thousands of dollars from the organization. I hated her dictatorship, her constant "mothering" and basically her Hitler/Sadam way of running the organization...

I quit everything, the board, the volunteering, and the organization, thus losing my oh-so-cherished CVA status...and it made me miserable, yet at the same time, I knew she was a bad seed before so many others caught on. I can't tell you how much the organization has thrived and prospered since her departure.

I was only gone for a couple of months and I swear it felt like I was going through a divorce at the time. I was miserable. I came to realize that I simply could not live without my virtual peers, the never-ending knowledge that you can learn from on a daily basis, and basically just the comradere and support of everyone I had gotten to know over the years.

After 4 months, I caved in and came back. I couldn't handle it any longer. I missed it.

I've earned my CVA again and I've begun volunteering. I'm currently assisting the VP of Education as the CVA Exam Administrator as well as co-chairing the 2006 summit. For some reason, I just can't say no to these people.

I've come along way in my years with IVAA, I've been with them since their infancy as a virtual organization. There have been many who have come to my rescue during times of need and there has been so much that I've learned, and made so many friends - how can I not give back to an organization that's given so much to me?

If you haven't joined IVAA - do yourself a favor and join. It is THE organization for Virtual Assistants and it's run strictly by volunteers. Those volunteers are other VAs and they have the organizations interest at heart, not lining their pockets.

If you're an emerging VA or a VA with an existing practice, either way, you WILL benefit from the knowledge and members.

Lost Passwords

A friend named Jeri posted this cartoon to her web site http://www.secretassistant.com/images/cartoon1

I laughed so hard. I have so many clients, friends and family members who know I can trouble shoot things for them... but when it comes to passwords guys - especially to your screensaver...there's not a whole lot that I can do over the phone...

We have a spiral notebook next to the computer to note our passwords in. I've scanned the pages of this note book to PDF from time to time and burn these files to disk. We also copy passwords for clients' accounts in their file folders here in the office.

I never use services that offer to log all of your passwords for you because I'm scared that someone could hack in and get hold of that file which contains much more than my personal info, but that of my clients' passwords too!

Whatever your system may be, be safe and keep backups!