During August, I had the pleasure of being interviewed on the Connect Her Podcast with Lee Cummins, where I spoke about the VA industry, how I got into it and all about VA Directory. Grab a cuppa and get comfy on your favourite chair and have a giggle with us (I'm so not an expert podcaster and forget the questions LOL). Watch it here Listen to it here. Let me know what you think and please feel free to share this around to your socials too. The more people who know about VA Directory, … [Read more...]
Managing multiple clients
Saw a poll in a VA forum recently asking about juggling clients and how challenging it can be and then asking how many clients members had. The highest choice was in the 1-3 bracket. I was the only one (to date) who had more than 7. I guess the real thing is about juggling time. Perhaps the VAs who responded are still new in their businesses but it concerns me, very much, if VAs have 3 clients or less. And I'll share the reasons for this: If you have only 1-2 clients, the tax office … [Read more...]
Speed track your VA business!
Are you thinking about setting up a Virtual Assistant business and don't know where to start? So much to look at, learn, read and do. I know the feeling of being overwhelmed at the beginning, not sure what to do first or who to ask, or where to find clients. It seems almost endless but you know that lots of others are doing it, you have the skills to be a Virtual Assistant and you want to make it work... the first time! Well, I'm here to help you and the way I plan to do it is this: For the … [Read more...]
Becoming a VA
I recently received an email from a young lady looking to start her own VA business but concerned that there might be too many out there for her to make a living as a VA. She wanted to know my thoughts. This is my response to her: I can appreciate the concern or fear that might be the case, but it's not. Getting clients works a number of different ways: Register with VA networks so you can respond to client requests, but also, so clients can find you online. Make sure you have a presence … [Read more...]
Do you have a website?
Getting a website created, or creating one for yourself, can be a daunting prospect. When you're setting up business there are so many things to think about, plan and pay out for, that often the website gets put aside for 'later on'. The reality is that people need to be able to find you online. The medium for doing business is the Internet so it makes sense that you are available there for people to find you. And all your competitors are already there! When you email people do you use a … [Read more...]
Building a VA business – takes more than a day…
I watch the VA forums online and love to participate and encourage all within the industry, particularly the newbies. But I do have a concern that there appears to be this misconception that they'll have a fully functional business within a month or two, and when they don't, they become very despondent and ready to give up. Where does this perception come from? Is it all the marketing online about overnight businesses, working just 4 hours a week or something else? Any business, no matter … [Read more...]
10 Tips for Getting Started as a Virtual Assistant
You've decided you want to become a Virtual Assistant but now what to do next? There's lots of information out there, some of it conflicting, and it's hard to know what to decide upon. Well, providing you have a good computer, reliable internet connection and a decent printer you're part of the way there, but there's lots to do still. Being a virtual assistant means you are going to be a business operator. That means there are legal things and tax things required. You should find a local … [Read more...]
What would I do if I were a new VA today?
Exactly the question asked on a VA forum sometime ago and here is my answer: Find an accountant to get the advice that is needed regarding legal requirements for your business. Apply for whatever licenses or register whatever you need to do legally regarding the tax dept for your region. A business name can wait till you've gotten started - it's not necessary and you can legally operate under your own name if you wish. Get business cards made up - doesn't have to be a real lot, even … [Read more...]
I’m new in business and want to get started
This is a common question for those new to the Virtual Assistant business. How do they find clients? Should they be networking? Do they really have to go out and meet people? What about those sites where you have to pay to get work and so on. Networking is paramount, both online and offline. If people don't know you exist, then they're not going to think of you when looking for your type of service. Building relationships is still very important in business, probably moreso because people … [Read more...]