When we are new in business, or business is slow, the client search takes place. Sometimes it's hard to know where to look, what to do, who to contact, in order to secure clients quickly. After all we're in business to make money and to do that we need clients. Where do they come from? They should come via our own efforts of networking, connecting with people, both offline and online, and helping people to learn about our services. They should come from our own personal databases and personal … [Read more...]
Let them know your number!
Does anyone else find it annoying that business people just sign off their emails with their name and no contact details whatsoever? Just sometimes, I'd like to pick up the phone and I have to do a search through previous emails or a Google search to find it. My next pet hate are websites that have no phone numbers on them. Perhaps they don't know how to set up an email signature block, but if that's the case, why not ask someone to help them? An admin assistant or a VA can definitely … [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...]
Commitment – is it a dirty word?
I don't believe it is but there seems to be a wave of people who work for themselves that lack a dedication to commitment. I have no idea why. The way I see it is that if you are providing a service to consumers (clients) then your word should hold and you should commit to work that is booked in, whether on your own premises or onsite with a client. While I know that this applies to other industries, at this stage I'm talking about the Virtual Assistant industry. Often I've heard from other … [Read more...]
Call me a snob, but…
If someone sends me an email (unsolicited) promoting their products and expecting some interest and hopefully a sale, wouldn't it be in their business interests to sign off their name properly, add their business name (if they have one), include contact details (other than a generic email) and perhaps even a website? I mean, if they're in business, promoting to people online, wouldn't it make sense to make the best possible use of their time with their email to encourage people to do business … [Read more...]
Special offers for Virtual Assistants and their clients
You may remember my mention recently of a 'sick scam' where an affiliate was processing orders using stolen credit cards on my shopping cart on this site. Not a nice thing to happen and I'm still getting things sorted and processing refunds as people contact me. I can say the bank hasn't been as helpful as I would have hoped, given that I'm not the perpetrator but a victim too, but that's another story. At any rate, I'm working hard to recoup lost funds, cover refunds and pay additional fees … [Read more...]
Sign off your emails!
This is a message for anyone in business - Virtual Assistants, their clients and others. Please sign off your emails properly. Even if you have an existing relationship with someone you're emailing, it still makes sense to use your signature. Why? Because not everyone remembers your phone number off by heart, or has it in their database, or knows what your website is (especially if your email address does not reflect your business website address), your fax number or whatever. Sometimes I … [Read more...]
Sick scam
I've been the victim of a very sick scam. I really don't understand why or what. But I wanted to share it with you so you can be wary, in case it happens to you. Middle of July a new affiliate signed up. Nothing unusual about that. I get affiliates signing up with my site regularly. However, this affiliate began generating a lot of sales quite quickly. The first I knew of it was when I suddenly started getting orders for my book "Worth More Than Rubies". I sell copies here and there, but … [Read more...]
Be careful when giving advice
I've seen it on blogs, in newsletters and on forums. Well meaning people giving advice that is ok for some people but not for all. Be careful that when giving advice to others that you're not steering them in the wrong direction. Particularly if that advice relates to your region and not others. The web IS world wide - it's not just in your state or your country, it goes beyond your shores. So, if you're giving out advice relating to how something should or shouldn't be done, clarify that … [Read more...]
