I received an email recently from one of my VA team members which highlighted a problem they had been having with sub-contracting VAs but it is something that all VAs should be aware of when doing work for someone - whether another VA or the client direct. And this relates to your responsibility regarding the task charged to you and also the way you carry out the work and the time that is taken to do the job. The VA says: I just thought I would let you know that a couple of times this year I … [Read more...]
What are you doing next year?
Did you know it's only 12 weeks to Christmas? yeah, I know, but someone had to say it. We don't like being reminded of how close the end of the year is, do we? Seriously though, have you thought about what you're doing next year? If you fit into any of the following, then I have a special offer for you: - You're looking to become a Virtual Assistant and not sure where to start - You have been running your VA business part-time but want to take it to the next level - You've been a VA for … [Read more...]
Identify yourself!
I've just published my latest newsletter which has an article about identifying who you are when emailing people, particularly if they've been added to a list. It doesn't matter if they've even self-subscribed. Your newsletter, auto responders and any other emails should identify who the sender is and should also have some kind of signature at the end, again identifying the sender. Don't assume that people will know. Co-incidentally, I was participating in a bloggers forum this morning and … [Read more...]
Show them you care
I wonder if you take the time to check the location of a person you are emailing? Too often I get emails that are directed to me personally, and are not part of a bulk email, where the person says 'have a great day', or 'hope you're having a great summer' when the reality is I live on the other side of the world to that person so it's night not day and winter not summer. Do you think I'm being pedantic? I don't believe so. When I email someone and if I'm going to make reference to the time … [Read more...]
Super Saturday in Adelaide
Some readers will know that I use Send Out Cards for building client relationships and keeping contact with people on my database. Great system which is cost efficient and allows me to personalise them in a unique way. Also a great way of using my photos. If you’re curious about Send Out Cards and live in South Australia and you would like to learn more I can arrange for you to receive tickets to attend the Super Saturday event coming up in Adelaide on October 16. There will be a chance to … [Read more...]
How passionate are you?
We've been having some interesting discussions on the forums about the term 'Virtual Assistant' and how we describe to those we meet what it is we do. I have a simple way of explaining it - I simply ask people if they understand how a PA (Personal Assistant) or a secretary works with their boss - they're rarely in the same office, could be on a different floor of the same building or futher apart and that the boss may travel but the PA or secretary still work with/for them. They communicate via … [Read more...]
Address or no address?
I've posted this at a couple of VA forum and it's opened quite a discussion. So I'm posting it here too for your comments and feedback. It seems to me that more and more people are not listing their addresses on their websites, in their signature blocks and on their business cards. I find this rather annoying if I want to send them something in the mail - I have to ask for their address and that then spoils the surprise had I wanted to surprise them. I go to business networking events and … [Read more...]
Quick way to fail if you’re looking for VA work
This is just a small 'beef' but an important one. I get many potential VAs filling out the application form on my site to join our team. That's great and I love to help them as much as I can. But I get some who fill out the wrong form on the website and it makes me wonder if they can actually read (English) and follow instructions. I'm sorry, but the majority of our clients speak, read and write English, so the VA must be able to as well, even if it isn't their native language. I have two … [Read more...]
Creating a Virtual Assistant business
If you're a regular reader of my blog you would have seen last week the post about a VA who had infringed upon two of my trademarks (my business name and my catch phrase) on her website. Her response had been she didn't know and had engaged someone else to do her site for her. Unfortunately ignorance is not bliss in this situation, as in many situations. The reality is she owns her website and is responsible for what is put on the site and even the business name she elects to use. In her … [Read more...]
