Business is so different to what it was say, 20 years ago. At that time we didn't have the Internet to promote our businesses and to buy a computer often required getting a loan if we didn't have that much cash available at the time. Not to mention purchasing a printer (colour was often out of reach), a fax machine, answer machine and a number of other items. They were all individual items and not like the multifunction items we have available to us today. However, with everything being so … [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...]
Take Ownership of your Business
There are many joining our ranks on a daily basis, and the same could be said for many industries. The desire for being in control of one's future, the work they do, and who they work for, plus being able to choose their working hours are a driving force for people making that decision. I know that when I made this decision nearly 19 years ago, I desperately wanted to be home for my children and hated all that wasted time on the road or on a train every single day. I hated not being home if a … [Read more...]
Saying No to a Client
I received a newsletter during the week from a coach who was talking about the very topic of this blog post. It raised an important aspect and that is not all clients are a good fit for us as Virtual Assistants. I know if cash flow is slow, our businesses are new or going through a slump, that we want to say yes to every client that makes contact, but that's not always a good thing to do. Particularly if the client has had a bad experience with a previous VA - they can often react to us in … [Read more...]
Moonlighting as a Virtual Assistant
I became aware of discussion about an article regarding Moonlighting as a VA. I haven't seen the original article but did see the comments and hope that the writers will see my post as I'm unable to leave a comment on the site where I saw them. I've been running a Virtual Assistant practice for over 18 years now. It wasn't called that when I started, we were known as home-based secretaries in those days. The challenges in those days may have been more difficult as we didn't have the Internet … [Read more...]
Watch your language!
As Virtual Assistants we are constantly using the written word to communicate with clients, potential clients, our peers and others online. We help our clients reach out to their clients as well and use many different mediums to achieve this. Ways to do this include blog posts and e-newsletters. The thing we have to remember is that our audience is global - not just local. And I find so many lists I am on forget this. Just simple things such as saying 'welcome to Spring' when, in fact, half … [Read more...]
Don’t stop!!!
It's a busy time of year isn't it? Here in Australia many businesses are winding down for the year with Christmas/New Year and Summer holidays just around the corner. And let's face it, if you've had a busy year with barely a break, the need for rest and relaxation is most important. I am taking time off too, with my husband, so we can enjoy our home, our surroundings, sleep in, go for drives and do some things around the house that we haven't yet had time to do. So, what is my title about? … [Read more...]
The Challenges of being a VA
We had our weekly IVAA Oz Coffee Chat last night. A new event now happening Monday evenings, Melbourne time @5.30pm. All VAs are welcome - you don't have to be an IVAA member to participate. The discussion last night was really good. One of the VAs spoke of a major client who had gone bust and not only had she lost their business, but so had the 30 other VAs who were providing support to this client too. A red flag shot up in my mind's eye and I started to ask questions. The VA speaking is … [Read more...]
When you start a business
There seems to be a wave of new Virtual Assistants entering the industry that have an inaccurate understanding of what a VA is and what they're supposed to be doing as a VA. Which is a shame as this just adds more confusion to clients as well. Let's get it straight. A Virtual Assistant IS a business owner/operator. They are NOT employees. As such they are responsible for their own taxes, insurances, software, hardware and other expenditure relating to running a business. Oh, and that means … [Read more...]
