VA Directory - Connecting clients with Virtual Assistants
We’re currently testing new directory software and all members will be invited to set up their new listing soon.
What will this mean for our readers and potential clients? An easier way to search for a VA that suits your needs so you can contact them direct, or you can still work through the form we have to submit a request for work to be done.
Check back here soon to see what we’ve done!
Have you been missing receiving important email and are using a MS based email service?
Here’s a good argument for having your own domain for sending and receiving email. I shared this with my VA group on Facebook this week.
Are you using a Microsoft owned email address? That is hotmail, live.com or outlook.com? Think very carefully about using these email services. They’ve blocked my domain vadirectory.net and I’ve now heard they’ve done it to others too. It is believed that MS could be using new testing protocols that are blocking real domains from being able to reach you via email. Consequently it means you can’t receive MY emails, or that of Anita’s and if you’re a registered member of our network you stand to miss out on client requests and other emails we may send direct to you. And what if a potential client is trying to reach you and can’t because their email to you bounces, as mine do. They probably won’t pick up a phone but move onto the next VA they can find.I’m delighted to advise that long-time colleague and VA associate Anita Kilkenny has been engaged as the new Manager for VA Directory, as from today, 1st October 2020.
Anita and I have actively worked together on a few committees and also co-founded both the Australian VA Conference and Australian VA Association together over 10 years ago. We have, very much, been aligned in our work in the VA industry both here in Australia and overseas. So it’s very fitting that she should join me in managing VA Directory. I was so delighted when she agreed to take on this role.
What will I be doing? I’ll still be on the scene, but doing some back end stuff and updating systems. Anita will be in the front line and be the main contact with respect to memberships, client requests, and other things as we work on her new role. I hope you agree, that this is a great step for VA Directory!
Despite the Virtual Assistant Industry being a good 20+ years of age, there are still people entering our industry with the wrong idea. Probably because there is so much misinformation out there. Which is a real shame, as it puts newbie VAs on the wrong foot to start with, and many potential clients also, when it comes to engaging support.
I don’t know how many times I’ve said it, but Virtual Assistants are self-employed owner/operators – running their own businesses. That is always how it was intended to be, right from the very first VA, Anastacia Brice. I’ve added the Wikipedia link so that readers can verify what I’m saying is true. Not made up, not what I think it should be, but what it really is. For your information, I started a home based secretarial business early 1994, and began a network of VAs April 1996 (not long after I joined the Internet) – although we didn’t adopt the term ‘VA’ until a year or two later.
Now I have that out of the way, I want to encourage all who are VAs, or considering to be one, to think seriously about how they will operate their business. NO business survives on one client only – as many of the newer VAs seem to think, with some making up the rules to suit themselves. While there are no hard and fast rules relating to how you should run your business, or how many clients you should have, the reality is that having several clients does the following:
Having multiple clients is an insurance for your business. If no one client provides the bulk of your income, then your business is at less risk when you lose a client. It’s easier to get back on track if you’ve lost 1/4, 1/5, 1/6 or other similar fractions of your business. It’s much harder if you’ve lost 1/1 or 1/2 of your business income through the loss of a client.
And clients do move on – believe me. Over the years in my business I’ve had clients move away, retire, expire, change business, lose business, project finalised, find someone cheaper, we don’t have a good fit and so on. There is always a reason why a client might move on, be it a short-term or long-term client. So it makes sense to protect your business by ensuring that you have other clients. They don’t all have to be the same type of work, or the same number of hours – it can vary, but it does help if you have choices and a few clients on your books. They don’t have to be regular, daily, weekly or monthly, they can be ad-hoc. Not every client has to be locked into a set number of hours or retainer set up. It’s your business – you decide how you want to work it. You are not an employee so you can choose how you want to operate, what you charge, when you work, how long you work for, and the services you provide.
For clients, it’s important to understand that VAs aren’t lower-class citizens or workers, nor are they employees. They are your business partners. It is in the interest of a VA to ensure their client’s business is working well, and that they do all the things that are required in their role as a VA. After all, being invested in your business, as a service provider, means that the working relationship is ensured to be long-term. I have clients who have been with me for a long, long time. Over 12 years. Their needs have changed over that time, and we may have busy months, and very quiet periods, but I’m always here, available for them, when they have the need. And I know their business and business needs, and the client knows this. I provide a value to them, as they do for me. It’s a 2-way relationship, as it should be.
Additionally, clients don’t set the rates – the VAs do. Their rates (whatever they decide upon) must fit into their cost of living and allow them to make a profit as well. Otherwise, what’s the point of being in business? Cost of living differs country to country, and even amongst states and regions in countries. Don’t forget there are many different currencies too so the $ sign could represent AUD, CAD, NZD, USD or other currencies – they are all very different. However, clients may indicate a budget, and they and the VA can discuss how this might work, or the client can seek another VA. Ultimately, the client should remember that the VA is a business owner/operator, and understand that, like any other service provider (plumber, electrician, bookkeeper, accountant, etc) they are the ones that determine how they operate and what they charge.
I’m always here, happy to answer questions and would love to see your comments.
I recently ran a poll on our VA Facebook Group and this is the result of the poll responses. This chart may change, over time, as more VAs join our group and respond to it, but I thought it might help you to see the types of things that can be done for you. It might even make you realise there is more that can be done for you than you thought.
You may be wondering about the cost as well and that will vary considerably, depending on the type of work being done. Some will charge hourly, some will charge package rates, i.e. set number of hours per week or month, or perhaps project rates. Some live in states or countries with a lower cost of living, some in a higher. Ultimately it would still be cheaper for you to secure a VA to support you rather than you doing the work yourself at whatever your own charge out rate is. That would give you more time to service your own clients, or pursue more clients to build your business further.
There may be times when you need more than one VA as well. For example, the role you have requires a lot of hours per week. If that’s the case, better to split the role amongst 2 or 3 VAs to get the work done. Why? Well, here in Australia (and in other countries) if you were the sole income supplier for the VA, or the main income supplier, you could be deemed their employer by the Tax Dept and be taxed accordingly, and also be told you have to pay their Super, WorkCover and so on. The majority of VAs have multiple clients so wouldn’t have the time capability to dedicate to one full time or almost full time client, anyway. A benefit of having 2 or 3 supporting you is that when one isn’t available, the others can fill in the gap and saves you having to engage and train yet another VA.
Yes, it takes time to bring a VA on board and get them familiar with your business and how you operate things but the same can be said of an employee as well. Either way you have to train someone or a few someones, but the benefits here are you only pay for the work done, you don’t have to purchase equipment, software, furniture or phones for them and if you don’t have work to be done, you’re not having to pay wages, unlike engaging employees.
How long can you keep a VA for? That’s up to you and them. For my own part, I have clients that have been with me for close to 20 years, although most are in the 5-8 year bracket. Some retire, some close their businesses, some move on and no longer need support, but of those that do, I’ve remained steadfast and available to them, and know and understand their businesses too. And this is the same for many VAs the world wide. You do not have to get a new VA every time you’ve got something else to be done. Just keep going back to the same one and, if they’re unable to assist, they will be able to help you find someone else to give some extra support, when needed.
So, do you need a VA? Contact us today to place your request.
VA Directory was established in March 1994 by Kathie M. Thomas.
Under the new management of Anita Kilkenny.
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