This post comes as the result of reading a sad story from a new VA who had purchased items on the behalf of a new client, who then paid her back with a bad check. Had I heard before this was to happen I would have told her "don't do it!". This is a common scam and unfortunately the poor VA has lost a couple thousand dollars for this learning exercise. Whether she'll get her money back is an unknown. Depends on the legal system in her country and if the police get involved. Never accept a … [Read more...]
The Value of a Virtual Assistant
Recently there was a discussion on a business group by a person who wanted to outsource work but was complaining that they had not been able to find anyone who could do what they wanted. Basically they wanted someone to be able to replace them - think like them, do what they wanted without their hands being held, basically understanding from the start what was needing to be done and... they didn't want to pay much for that service. They complained that engaging a VA here in Australia was akin to … [Read more...]
Is it real or not?
I'm talking about those job offers that come via email or perhaps an offer to improve your website. Here's a tip for you: I've been getting a few 'prospecting' emails of late from people wanting to offer me work or a job, or help me with my website. There are things I look for before even bothering to respond, otherwise I just block and delete. Do they have a signature block, with their name, phone number and website? If no, ignore immediately. If they can't represent their business on … [Read more...]
Client Beware
Over the past few weeks I've heard directly from two VAs who are owed a few thousand $$ from clients, and I have heard about other VAs owed by the same clients. This is a very disturbing thing to hear. While we are often on the watch for potential scams, sometimes real clients can be a concern too - a major one. Clients who want a lot of your hours very quickly in the working relationship is something to be wary of. What do you do when a client wants to use lots of hours of your services … [Read more...]
I’m a Virtual Assistant and I don’t work for free
Ever been asked to work for free? I'm sure you have but if not, it will happen... sometime. Many people do not value the skills and abilities that VAs have. Yes, we've been to school, many have gone on to college or Uni, or have even done courses in their adult years. Many have Certificates, Diplomas and other forms of documents that show they've put in the work required to earn them. And then years of working in the corporate world, or a particular industry, to later set up a business as a … [Read more...]
Points of Contact
Pull out your business card and have a look and see how many points of contact do you have on your card? One? Two? Three or more? It seems that many feel that because they have an email address or a website, they no longer need to add any further contact information on their business cards. I believe this is the wrong way to think and you need to make it easy on your prospective clients. As an avid networker I go out regularly to meet with other business people and what they put on their … [Read more...]
Beware of being ‘faceless’
I got an approach recently, from a company wanting me to outsource my VA work to them. They told me they wanted to partner with me. Naturally I went and visited their site and in particular, checked out their 'about page'. Pretty much a stock standard paragraph or two on the services they provide but nothing about who 'they' are, no names, nothing about their knowledge, experience, background, no photos (other than stock photos). In other words they were faceless and there was no way I could … [Read more...]
Can your prospective clients contact you?
Have you viewed your business card and website with your prospective clients' eyes lately? Over the past year I've noticed a trend in business cards having minimal details. Websites are often the same. A name, perhaps a business name, an email address (or, on their website a contact form) and a mobile phone number. That's it. Often the email address is not a domain address, i.e. they're using their ISP email, gmail, hotmail or similar. When considering whether I want to do business with … [Read more...]
Is this job a scam?
This is something I see posted on the VA forums from time to time and it amazes me that some cannot see common sense with the jobs that are offered. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, unsure, uneasy, then there is a good reason for it. If the job requires you to handle the client's money to pay their bills and buy things - DON'T do it! Never, ever take on jobs that require you to pay bills on behalf of clients or do shopping for them. Nor accept their mail for them or buy gifts on their … [Read more...]