On some of the business forums I belong to (not just VA forums) I see discussions amongst members who sub-contract work out to other service providers. One of the big turn-offs for some in using a sub-contractor is that some of the sub-contractors overstep their boundary and show no respect for the original relationship between the client and the person sub-contracting the work out. They make direct contact with the client seeking continued work. In the corporate world contractors or staff, … [Read more...]
Introducing the new Coaching Club
I've been working on a project in the background for some months, as if I need something else to be doing! Many of you will know that I've been running the VATrainer.com Virtual Assistant course for a few years now and I'm thrilled that we have many graduates now having gone through that program. However I do get requests from those looking to become VAs, who can't afford the training course fee, for assistance and I hate turning people away. So I've been developing the Virtual Assistant … [Read more...]
Back online
Our new internet connection didn't happen when it was supposed to and, as a result, it's nearly a week longer than I anticipated being fully back online. Somewhat frustrating when you're running an online business. Our move from the old home to the new one went relatively smoothly but I have no idea how we accumulated all that stuff. The new place has heaps of storage but I don't want to be filling it all up. Need to try and live more simply somehow. I have an 'opp box' at the moment where … [Read more...]
Off air for a few days
As you read this I will be making last minute preparations to shift to a new home. The last lot of packing will be taking place today and I probably won't be near my computer desk much. Later in the day my computer will be disconnected from the online world and it will be a few days before it's reconnected. My husband and I have bought a home on a 2 acre property in the hills and we've been looking forward to this move for quite some time. I look forward to seeing daily Australian birdlife … [Read more...]
“You have given me so much confidence”
They were the words spoken to me by a client recently. He's writing his family memoirs and getting into a mess with trying to handle Table of Contents, indexing and even line spacing between paragraphs. We spoke on the phone a few days ago and he emailed me his document. I could see right away there was much work to be done so I sent back an outline of what I thought needed to be done and how, and what my rate would be. I also suggested he speak to a local printer I know who could give him … [Read more...]
Why I prefer email
It was only 7.45am and I was catching up with emails and playing with some photos I wanted to edit. The business line rang and I wondered whether I should pick it up yet or not. After all I don't usually start work till a bit later. I answered the phone and it was one of my clients. A cheque he'd sent over a week ago still hadn't arrived and he was ringing to say he'd only just now seen my email from the previous night. I laughed inwardly as I listened to him and then when he stopped I told … [Read more...]
Christmas is coming…
and that means so is the New Year. If you're a Virtual Assistant who needs some guidance or perhaps someone who wants to be a VA but doesn't know where to start, then my VA Christmas special may be just what you need! What do you get? The 10 week training course, 1 year membership with the "A Clayton's Secretary" team (providing you meet the criteria), 1 year webhosting for your website and a domain. Over $1,000AUD worth of items for just under 60% of the total price. Now, is that worth … [Read more...]
How to Use a Virtual Assistant in Your Business
There have been a number of articles written about this topic on the web over the years, and often by people who have been using a VA. However I feel it's time to add more information from someone inside the industry, rather than from outside the industry. What is a VA? First, please let me explain that a Virtual Assistant or VA is someone who works in their own office (usually at home), providing computer based or office based support to a number of clients. In other words their support or … [Read more...]
Email and Forum Etiquette
There seems to be an increasing trend of replying to a personal email or forum based email and not include the message being responded to. I find this rather annoying to say the least, not to mention time wasting. Email is still not 100% proof as we all know and if I'm interested in seeing what someone is responding to, but they haven't included a portion of the originating email, it means time is wasted trying to find the original email or be forever in the dark if the original email wasn't … [Read more...]
