As a Virtual Assistant looking after a number of clients, it is really important to diarise items that need following up. With the increased number of emails, phone calls, and information to read and take in, it is very easy to get in overload mode and not realise that someone didn't respond to your email or phone call till several days later, or even weeks later. I usually do make a note to follow up on behalf of clients but often forget to do this for my own personal things. I mean, you … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2007
I love surprises!
This year has been a very different year for me as I've made some shifts in what I've been doing in my business. Moving some clients onto other VAs as I made room for increased writing activity and public speaking. I have a passion for helping women who want to work at home and be there for their families, just as I have been blessed to do for the past 13+ years. All the same, I felt bad for 'abandoning' those clients - although I know that's not the reality. They have very capable people … [Read more...]
Virtual Assistant or Virtual Worker?
As the VA industry evolves and more people become aware of this excellent way of working, it is only natural that there are going to be companies developing who have a staff of virtual workers. We've been seeing this in India for sometime but now it's expanding to other parts of the world, with at least one that I know of in the US and I became aware of another in the Philippines recently. I'm sure there are others too. And that's not to mention the agencies that tap into the VA market - there … [Read more...]
Seeking a VA – price and where to search?
I was having a chat to someone recently about places to seek Virtual Assistant support and elance.com and guru.com were mentioned. I immediately thought 'oh, oh' and waited for him to finish speaking before I tackled this aspect of our conversation. Earlier in the week I'd had another business operator contact me looking for support for their business and because they know I have a network of Virtual Assistants in 15 countries he wanted to know which was the lowest cost country he could get … [Read more...]
When There’s An Event On
Are you aware there is a site that announces Virtual Assistant courses, seminars, training events and other things? No? Then you need to go over to www.va-announcements.com and subscribe to the list. Many of the VA networks list their events regularly at this site, plus place announcements and it's a good one-stop-shop for the industry. So make sure you head over to www.va-announcements.com and catch up on all that's happening for the industry right now! KMT … [Read more...]
Another Great Tool For VAs
Have you used Xe.com's currency conversion site? I love this site - so easy to use and I can quickly work out the different currency rates for various things, especially if I'm promoting a new product or tool on any one of my sites. The other day I learnt of a currency I'd not heard of before and went off to my favourite site to check it - sure enough, it was listed there. If you work with different currencies, or perhaps clients in different countries, then this is a worthwhile site to … [Read more...]
8 Random Facts About Kathie Thomas
I've been tagged (again), this time by Angela Wills of StarVA so here I go with some new random facts about me. I'm the eldest of 4 children. I grew up in South Australia. I'm constantly told I don't look old enough to have 5 daughters in their 20s ;-) Yay! I once spent 6 months dressed as a nun - at least in a theatrical play I was. As I grow older I want to spend more time writing - got so much to share! I have written lots of poetry and songs in the past. I used to play guitar and … [Read more...]
Can A Virtual Assistant Be An Employee?
I saw this question posted at a forum I participate in and thought I'd share my answer here for readers too. Virtual Assistants are self-employed operators, they are not employees. The VA industry has evolved with the growth of Networks (which are not employer companies) - networks of virtual assistant members who benefit through web site (directory) listings, referrals or job leads from clients, members benefit from existing advertising already in place (many of the networks are well placed in … [Read more...]