Business is so different to what it was say, 20 years ago. At that time we didn't have the Internet to promote our businesses and to buy a computer often required getting a loan if we didn't have that much cash available at the time. Not to mention purchasing a printer (colour was often out of reach), a fax machine, answer machine and a number of other items. They were all individual items and not like the multifunction items we have available to us today. However, with everything being so … [Read more...]
8 Weeks and counting
The Australian VA Conference in Sydney that is. It's being held at Darling Harbour on 22-23 March. I'm flying in from Melbourne on 21st March, as will be others from Melbourne, or other cities and states and we look forward to the fun, the catch ups, the learnings and the time out from our businesses, that we experience every year. Each year I learn something new (usually several things), meet new faces in the industry, catch up with those I've known online for a long time, and get time to … [Read more...]
Is it time to engage a Virtual Assistant?
Do you find yourself with too much work at the end of the day and not enough hours? Do you get frustrated because you always have admin stuff to be done but can't charge that out to any client in particular? Do you find yourself wishing you knew how to use certain software programs or understanding online processes better? Do you simply just find yourself in overwhelm mode and wish you could get it together like everyone else you've met seems to have done? If you answer 'yes' to one or more … [Read more...]
Start the year off as you intend to carry on
Happy New Year everyone! I hope you had a great Christmas and New Year period, whether it be peaceful and relaxing, or exciting and adventurous! Whatever suits your style. My husband and I went on a cruise to New Zealand and had opportunity to just relax and sleep in, if we wanted, but some days were spent on going on tours onshore and exploring parts of New Zealand we'd not seen before. I think, for us, the highlight was visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set, which was a new tour made available … [Read more...]
Christmas specials everywhere
I'm not the only one to offer a special (see this post). In my inbox, at Facebook and almost everywhere else I turn I see "Sale" signs popping up for the Christmas/New Year holiday season, and it's no different in the virtual world. If you have taken a course at VAClassroom before, then you know the value of the top-notch training offered, and if not, now’s the time to start. VAClassroom is now offering some of their in-demand courses at a discount – but just for the month of December so take … [Read more...]
What backup plans do you have?
A recent discussion at LinkedIn showed a number of experiences amongst the VAs about their back up plans, or, in some cases, no plans. One revealed that she hadn't started her business yet but had recently lost all her data on her computer because she'd been blase about the need for backing up. She's so glad it happened before she began her business. I've known of others who have lost valuable data over the years and it's either caused them to lose their business, or certainly to lose business … [Read more...]
Support services for Virtual Assistants
As new VAs establish their businesses they become aware of different services they need to gain access to. Some of the more obvious ones are Accountants, Solicitors, office suppliers, printer suppliers, etc. But what about merchant facilities and insurances? As your business grows and develops, and therefore your need to be able to provide protection to your equipment and business, and also your clients, then it soon becomes obvious that these other services area also needed. But who do you go … [Read more...]
Do your clients direct your path?
I find that mine have. Over the years I've changed the services I provide, depending on what the client needs appear to be. I began with word-processing and data entry, and very quickly moved into managing databases for clients. I love database work and it was something I was doing in the corporate world so it was a natural progression for me. Although, when I first began my business, I couldn't see how I would attract clients needing database work done. Early in my business I began … [Read more...]
Virtual Assistant Training at a special price
Are you planning to start a Virtual Assistant business but not quite sure what to do or how to start? Or, perhaps you've been operating for the past year, but struggling to get clients or wondering what you should be doing on a regular (daily) basis? The VA Trainer course was written with you in mind. Launched in 2006 VA Trainer has had many VAs register for the course and continue it through to completion. Delivered by email over a 10 week period, you have a total of 20 weeks to complete the … [Read more...]
