Atwood LLC's Mission
To offer flexible, straightforward, and efficient virtual assistant (VA) and manuscript editing services. I believe that by streamlining the process of running a business or drafting a book, I can help clients focus on what they do best.
My Guiding Principles
Client Success. Small business owners (SBOs) and authors have countless projects to complete throughout the day, requiring a shift of focus from one activity to another (and most importantly, lost time). Delegating daily business tasks to reliable virtual assistants results in more time for SBOs to focus on core functions and higher success rates for the company.
Flexibility & Adaptability. Attempting to keep pace with continually changing markets, innovative technology, and shifting client expectations takes time and effort. I work hard to keep up with current trends to offer contemporary services, can pivot when necessary, and present unique ways to help clients achieve their goals.
Lifelong Learning. Every phase of each project supplies ample opportunity to learn something new. Personal and professional learning is of the highest priority.
Service Excellence. Clients deserve the best from Atwood LLC as their VA or editor. I aspire to meet and exceed your expectations each day, not just at the end of the project.
Straightforward Communication. Communication between collaborators is the most critical part of every project. I ensure every interaction is respectful and direct, allowing both parties to engage without reserve from beginning to end.
Teamwork & Collaboration. Reaching business goals takes time, effort, and persistence. Collaborating with internal and external partners increases the chances of success for all parties.
Business Consultants
Are you having difficulty completing projects on time? Are you overwhelmed with recurring tasks that take time away from your core responsibilities? Are you looking for someone who can learn and grow with your business over time? Are you hoping to scale your company but are frustrated with your ability to do so due to too many other obligations? Do you have a large project coming up but find your current staff lacks a particular skill you need?
If you answered “yes” to any question, consider hiring a virtual assistant (and save yourself up to 78% of operating costs).
To learn more, see the Virtual Assistant Services page for details on how Atwood LLC can help you.
Authors
Are you starting a new manuscript but have questions about certain aspects? Are you looking for someone to help you research information? Are you ready to complete the editing process but lack the skills to do it yourself? Are you looking to brainstorm ideas with another individual to fill in parts of your manuscript? Do you have a list of administrative tasks that need doing but other responsibilities that take your attention away?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, hiring a VA or editor may be the answer you are looking for.
For more information, see the Virtual Assistant Services and Manuscript Editing Services pages for details on how Atwood LLC can help you.
Why Choose Atwood LLC?
Why choose Atwood LLC over the competition for your virtual assistance and editing needs?
Small business owners and authors always need knowledgeable and qualified help with office tasks, business process improvements, and ensuring their writing is error-free, clear, concise, and tells a relevant story.
With over fifteen years of administrative assistant experience within the higher education, maritime, manufacturing, fire suppression, and emergency management support fields, I believe the skills developed over the years will be a positive asset to any company that takes a chance to hire a new virtual assistant.
Additionally, with over twenty-six years of experience drafting novels and editing business documents and manuscripts, combining both interests into a business that helps companies and authors alike seemed natural.
(Check out the About Atwood LLC page for more information on my industry and writing experiences.)
The Benefits of Collaborating with Atwood LLC
The benefits listed here apply equally to small business owners and authors.
Create an easy-to-read document
Formatting business documents and manuscripts is an essential part of the editing process. It helps the audience engage with the material by using design elements such as headings, titles, shorter paragraphs, and even line spacing to keep the reader’s attention.
Delete unnecessary details
Too much information can confuse business readers or slow your story down. I can help eliminate these elements to create a cleaner copy and help engage your audience for longer.
Higher work efficiency
Finishing a project on time, within budget, and accurately means I can help my clients rather than create more issues than they started with.
Only pay for the hours worked
Using a variety of project management and other technologies, I maintain intricate records and notes about my time and activities so you can stay within budget and know exactly where the project stands.
Refine what you say
I help update the tone, word, and style choice for small business owners and authors so they can express their message clearly and succinctly.
Rehire on demand
Hiring a virtual assistant or editor for specific projects (and only when you need to) means you never have to worry about paying someone to sit around or focus on other tasks.
Remove embarrassing writing mistakes
Readers jolted back to reality due to incorrect grammar and poor punctuation marks have difficulty enjoying (or understanding) the business document or story. I diligently work to help remove these errors for writers.
Saves time and effort
Business consulting firms and authors should hire an editor when they have little time to complete self-editing or do not have the knowledge to do so themselves.
Virtual Assistant Services & Manuscript Editing
What can Atwood LLC help you with today?
Virtual Administrative Support
Recurring activities may take an hour (or more) to work through. Small business owners do not have the luxury of diverting their attention from other responsibilities. A Virtual Admin Support specialist manages these tasks for you, so that you can build your business.
Business Process Management Support
Improving your business processes and systems is critical. Regardless of your industry, there is always room for improvement. A Business Process Support specialist can analyze your current procedures, interpret where the problem(s) occur, offer modification guidance, and help implement and monitor said upgrades.
Content Writing Services
Business documents, website content, and marketing materials take time to draft. A Content Writing & Editing specialist can help SBOs communicate their message to each audience (internal and external) and ensure every word makes an impact and positive impression.
Virtual Marketing Assistant
Marketing is complex, sometimes confusing, and takes hours of your time. A Marketing Assistant specialist helps your company connect with clients across platforms, learn what you stand for, and understand how your products or services can help them.
Author Assistant Services
Authors need support with administrative tasks, just as businesses do. An Author Assistant Services specialist executes these duties so you can focus on your manuscript.
Novel Planning
Drafting a novel, regardless of genre, is a complicated process. When authors find themselves at a loss or unsure of how to get where they want, a Novel Planning Assistance specialist can help with brainstorming sessions.
Manuscript Critique Services
Impartial feedback on an unfinished/finished manuscript to decide viability. This is useful anytime, especially when an author needs clarification on whether the manuscript is worth continuing.
Developmental Editing Services
Focus on your story's big-picture elements once your manuscript's first draft is complete. Areas of interest include plots/subplots, character development, themes, dialogue issues, and story restructuring.
Copyediting Services
Correct grammar and punctuation issues and ensure correct formatting. Areas of interest include spelling, treatment of specific elements (i.e., headings), cross-referencing material, and language editing.
Business Editing Services
Every piece of written material that leaves your company should be at its grammatical best. Professional business editing services can help ensure your message stays consistent.
How It Works
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a virtual assistant (VA)?
A virtual assistant is a skilled independent contractor who works from home, offers specific (or niched) remote services, and has years of work experience as an administrative assistant or office manager. VAs use a combination of online apps to complete their work and collaborate with their clients.
What is an editor?
An editor is a person who helps prepare an author’s manuscript (or business document) for publication. Editors usually have prior writing and editing experience, come equipped with multiple reference materials and style guides, and can work from anywhere.
Which industries do you offer services to?
Atwood LLC offers virtual assistant services to the business consulting industry (who work within the manufacturing, transportation, and construction sectors) and authors.
Are you willing to work outside of your preferred industry?
Yes. I have always been interested in emergency services (law enforcement, fire and rescue, and emergency management), transportation (aviation, maritime transportation system, and freight rail), and the manufacturing industries (primary metals, machinery, and transportation equipment).
I also seeking the latest information on other industries, such as psychology, philosophy, astronomy, archeology, geography, law, and technical education.
Are there any services you do not provide?
Although open to most tasks, I do not supply the following services:
- Web & Mobile Design/Redesign (coming soon)
- Accounting
- Technical troubleshooting (outside of general updating)
- Event Planning
- Travel arrangements
How do I collaborate with you?
Collaboration is the cornerstone of my working relationship with clients. So, I have accounts with the following online software tools:
- Project Management: Asana, Trello, Wrike, Todoist, Chanty, Monday, and Google Tasks
- File-Sharing: Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, and Zoho Docs
- Video Conferencing: Google Meet, Zoho Meeting, Flock, Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, Chanty, and Slack
I also have a client portal on the website for loading and downloading business documents and manuscript materials.
If there are other tools a client prefers to use, I am happy to accommodate them.
Who is your ideal client?
My ideal virtual assistant and editing clients are:
- Folks who are eager to collaborate with someone dedicated to helping them achieve their business and editing goals.
- Individuals who want to hear and consider alternative points of view, even if they disagree.
- Professional, yet knows how to have a good laugh occasionally.
- Someone who has a driving desire to expand their company using innovative techniques.
- Someone who is open to all editing feedback and takes the time to consider the information, even if rejected.
- Understands that running a small business is hard but worth the effort.
What kind of partnership do you expect to have with your clients?
Helping clients achieve their dreams contributes to my aspirations as a small business owner. The more I help clients, the more I learn, which happens to be something I excel at doing. Applying these lessons to my everyday work and collaborating with new clients adds to my satisfaction at the end of the day.
I am looking for a longer-term relationship that allows me to learn the client’s business and grow with it. Quick projects are always important, but the longer ones (the ones that change how a company does its job and therefore provide higher benefits to everyone involved) are the clients I prefer to do business with.
Have Questions?
