Are you a VA who is finding it lonely working alone at home every day? This is a common occurrence for new VAs as they make the transition from the corporate world to a work-at-home scenario. Loneliness is one of the key factors for VAs not continuing their businesses and returning to the workforce. I encourage each of you to seek out local networks close to where you live so you can go to meetings. Business networks, council networking groups, if you have children, perhaps mother's clubs (or … [Read more...]
The phone or email?
There's been a discussion on one VA forum about whether they have both phone and email listed on their site or just one of those choices? Some are for both, some for only one. Neither is a wrong or right answer, it is purely what works for them. However, it does lead me to think about the frustration I know that many people must experience if their emails go left unanswered for many days, or sometimes weeks. I don't believe that VAs fall into this category. Our businesses are very much about … [Read more...]
Research and Surveys
There seems to be a rush of surveys and research being done by individuals in our industry (Virtual Assistants) via various forums and groups recently. Perhaps it's happening in other industries too but because I'm not in them, I don't see it happening. Most of the time it appears to be from those who haven't been in the industry for many years and in their excitement about whatever their project is, they forget to tell those they are asking to participate, what the survey or research is … [Read more...]
How do you grow your email list?
I periodically hear of people who want to buy a list for email purposes. Personally I believe people will do better if they grow their own list. They know where it comes from and that it is genuine. And for Virtual Assistants I feel it's important to grow their own lists. But I appreciate for some industries it doesn't work that way and they need to purchase existing lists. If you are planning to grow your own list then it's important to make it easy for people to subscribe via a blog or … [Read more...]
A Clayton’s Secretary – what does it mean?
The name has been with me for such a long time I forget that others might not know what it means. There is an explanation on the About page of this site but I thought I'd share the information here as recently at a VA forum one of the VAs mentioned she'd often wondered what it meant. It does not mean that I live in Clayton, or that my business was established in a place called Clayton as others have thought in the past. For those who were in Australia in the mid 80s, they may well remember … [Read more...]
Protect yourself and your business
Once you've got an established presence online and even listings in business publications, you will start getting phone calls asking you to participate in this directory, or sign up for this program or something else. I decided a long time ago that I won't commit to anything over the phone. I need to see it in writing. Email is fine, as is fax or a written letter, but if someone wants me to commit to something, which invariably may require a payment, then I won't commit to it over the phone and … [Read more...]
Mix and Mingle with your Peers
There are many now pursuing a career as a Virtual Assistant. However, not all manage to find work directly with clients and often locate sources that later appear to be not what they purport to be. I encourage all who are interested in learning from other Virtual Assistants and gain work from genuine clients, to join Virtual Assistant Networks that have been set up to assist the VA industry. I really can't say how many there are these days. Quite a few. However, I can tell you that all those … [Read more...]
Are you doing the work you love?
I fell into the Virtual Assistant Industry simply by being in the right place at the right time. I'd left a corporate job where I was feeling frustrated by the lack of opportunities for moving up the corporate ladder. I had good skills that I felt were going to waste and I was often looking for ways to add to my job while I was there. I know I made it difficult for my successor in that role, simply because the position had been molded around my own abilities. And I know the 8 Project Officers I … [Read more...]
Do you have an accountant?
If you're in business you should. Doesn't matter if your business is part-time or full-time. If you're operating a business of some sort then you should have a professional guiding you and helping you with your business. Yes, it costs to have an Accountant but those costs are a taxable expense. And if you don't have the structure set up properly you could be costing yourself a lot of money over the long run. For example, are you aware (particularly here in Australia but could well apply … [Read more...]
