Staying in our comfort zone. We need to be flexible and stretch and bend if we want our businesses to grow. Technology - where would this industry be without it? And yet we all get comfortable and set in out ways and get to a point where we feel we don't want to learn anything new. It's all happening too fast and we're comfortable where we are... for a time. I remember I felt like that before learning about blogging. I only investigated it because a client asked me too but I really did … [Read more...]
Are you Twittering yet?
If not, then you could be missing out on a potential client base. I've had a Twitter account for sometime now and it really took me sometime to understand what it is about. But now I'm hooked! I couldn't understand what people were doing or going on about and there are some mundane things there. But amongst all that is some really useful information and people willing to lend a hand. You can literally tweet events such as blogradio, podcasts, teleseminars, webinars, or you can tweet for … [Read more...]
The Number 5 Mistake That VAs Make
Offering services that they have no experience in or offering too many services. Many VAs, particularly newer ones, get carried away by the possibilities of what they can offer clients, not realising that if they cannot provide quality service, they not only do themselves a disservice but the whole industry as well. It's important you start with what you know best and can do with your eyes closed, so to speak, and then gradually build from there. Only you know what you're capable of, but you … [Read more...]
Number 4 Mistake Some VAs Make cont.
I had written about who your target client base should really be and Kylee had commented about volunteering to get experience. This is something I've often written about in the past and I'm glad Kylee raised it. As business owners to learn new skills and software packages there are costs incurred over and above the learning time and purchase of software. We often need to find time to practice new skills or try them out but still need to be working and earning an income. Often the answer is to … [Read more...]
Number 4 Mistake New VAs Make
So far we've looked at treating your business as a business and having the right mindset; setting rates that are too low; and recognising that clients can be local, they don't have to be totally virtual. This 4th mistake relates to the third one in a way. Many new VAs, particularly those from countries that have a much lower cost of living, make the mistake that other VAs are their target client base. They're not - they're your peers and you learn from them and help shape the industry with … [Read more...]
Your Home Business Magazine out today!
I was recently interviewed for a brand new magazine launching this month in Australia. This magazine is about profiling businesses that have been around for sometime and are successful, rather than focusing on start-ups. The first issue is out today and if you live in Australia you should be able to get a copy at a local newsagent. Peter Switzer, of Switzer Media & Publishing, sums the magazine content up like this: "The biggest mistake any home business owner can make is to think they … [Read more...]
Number 3 Mistake New VAs Make
Thinking that all clients have to be virtual. Just because you are a Virtual Assistant and can work virtually does not mean all your clients have to come via the web. Many do not realise that they have potential clients next door, down the street, around the corner and at local businesses. This is why networking is such an important aspect of running a business - any business. Many do not realise they can have a mix of clients that are both local and virtual and this will not happen … [Read more...]
Two years in a row! “Australian of the Year” nomination
I picked up my past week's mail this morning as I've been away on leave and was pleasantly surprised (and thrilled) to find I've been nominated again for the "Australian of the Year" Awards for 2009. I love what I do and when it is acknowledged by others because it's helped them in some way, it makes the work all the sweeter. Thought I'd share with you all the certificate I opened today. I received a letter too, from the current Chair, National Australia Day Council, Adam Gilchrist, … [Read more...]
Number 2 Mistake Some New VAs Make
Ok, I know many of you have been waiting for this. I believe it to be setting rates that are too low. This also includes allowing clients to tell you what you should be charging. Many VAs, particularly in the first year or two of their businesses, mistakenly think they should charge low to get the clients. What happens is a number of things: They find quickly that they're not making much money and have difficulty covering all their overheads and have some left over for themselves. They … [Read more...]
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