Despite the Virtual Assistant Industry being a good 20+ years of age, there are still people entering our industry with the wrong idea. Probably because there is so much misinformation out there. Which is a real shame, as it puts newbie VAs on the wrong foot to start with, and many potential clients also, when it comes to engaging support. I don't know how many times I've said it, but Virtual Assistants are self-employed owner/operators - running their own businesses. That is always how it … [Read more...]
Wondering how our VAs can help you?
I recently ran a poll on our VA Facebook Group and this is the result of the poll responses. This chart may change, over time, as more VAs join our group and respond to it, but I thought it might help you to see the types of things that can be done for you. It might even make you realise there is more that can be done for you than you thought. You may be wondering about the cost as well and that will vary considerably, depending on the type of work being done. Some will charge hourly, … [Read more...]
Including your children in your workplace at home
With the current world wide isolations in place, because of COVID-19, many of us are now working at home, be it our own business, or for a boss and, for many, this also means having the kids at home. The two can mix quite amicably but it can take time to settle into a routine. Believe me, I've done it! Having brought up five young daughters who were aged 7-13 when I started my business in 1994. They're all grown now, four are married, three with children, and are working at home, doing very … [Read more...]
Are you Zoom’d out?
If you're like me and starting to have regular online meetings, you may find yourself doing far too many, in too little time. I've heard some are spending hours every day in online meetings. Was that the norm for you? Regular daily meetings? Remember you are in control of your diary. Set a routine and try to pace yourself. I've decided no more than one meeting a day but for others that might not be realistic. Perhaps one in the morning and one in the afternoon - if they're not long … [Read more...]
Virtual Assistants and COVID-19
I had the privilege of being asked to participate in a panel discussion with 4 other industry leaders, Ingrid Bayer, Liz Parker, Rosie Shilo and Susan Wilkin, here in Australia, being run by AAVIP. It was a great discussion, with all sorts of ideas on what VAs can do to help their existing clients, and potential clients during this global time of crisis, as well as keeping their own businesses operating and looking after themselves mentally and physically. I thought I would share my own … [Read more...]
Are Virtual Assistants Good or Bad for Business?
I recently answered this question at Quora and thought I'd bring the discussion here on my own site. My answer was in response to the inference that they could be damaging to someone's business. And there seems to me, that some think you just engage a VA when you want something done - they don't realise that this can be a long-term arrangement. I'd like you to consider that a Virtual Assistant can be long-term use, not just short-term. Why engage lots of different VAs when you can keep one … [Read more...]
With all this craziness – we’re still here!
The economy has gone crazy with what's happening around the world in relation to the coronavirus but I wanted to let our client base know that we're still here. No-one knows how this is going to play out but there are still businesses running, there is still work being done, and there are many of our Virtual Assistant team members ready and waiting to help you. Perhaps you need to get the word out to your own client base on what is happening, or what's not, but not sure how to go about it? … [Read more...]
Tips For Working At Home
Talk of the coronavirus is rife at the time of writing this post. We're about 10 weeks or so into when the virus began to break out into the world. No-one knew what it might mean in their countries and at home, and we're, as yet, to learn how long this might go on for. So, as a consequence, there is lots of talk about people working at home - in those industries where it is possible. Working at home, though, can have its own challenges, especially for those who haven't done this before. It … [Read more...]
I want to make…
In some groups online I see new, or relatively new VAs talking about how much they want to earn a month and when by. I can see why they do it - putting it out there and the universe (may) help you get there. But sometimes, just sometimes, the figures mentioned are probably beyond achievable in just a few months, as much as they would like it to happen. We all would! However, there is preparation and thinking to be done to achieve what is spoken. This was my response to the VA hoping to make … [Read more...]
