Today, I want you to think about whether your VA business is a hobby or a true business? By that I mean, are you just dabbling on the side, or are you taking what you're doing very seriously? The reason why I ask this is I see so many VAs in different forums doing things that make me think they're not taking this VA thing very seriously. It's the latest fad, it's something to fill in time, something they'll just 'try' for awhile to see if it works, and so on. As a result, their experience of … [Read more...]
One client is never enough
If you're in business, and not in a job, then having only one client is never enough. A recent post on a VA forum showed that a VA lost a client she had and was desperate to replace them as her income was gone. Here is my response to her. Unfortunately this is a lesson in NEVER being dependent on one client only. Ever. It's a lesson we all learn at some point in our businesses, some sooner than others (Yes, I've been there too). So important to work at getting multiple clients and spread the … [Read more...]
Creating websites for new VAs
Frequently I see new VAs seeking advice about creating a website for their business and what should be included. I thought I'd share a post on this which I'm happy to have shared with others. First off, they often ask if they need a website if they have a Facebook Page and I say 'yes, you still need one.' Why? Because not all your audience are going to be on Facebook. How many people do you know who aren't on it? If you're like me, you know quite a few. Either people who are technologically … [Read more...]
Are you a brand new VA?
I sometimes see, in different discussion groups, new VAs announce they have their first client and then panic, because they don't have their rates sorted out, or a contract they can give out if they're working with one. Is this you? In some VA groups, in Facebook, or elsewhere, you may find they have a files list whereby you can get a sample contract or information about working out rates right for you. Or you may find that membership to a VA network will furnish you with that kind of … [Read more...]
Mature aged but not ready to retire?
My husband and I were having a discussion the other day. It was about retirement and the fact that someone we knew hadn't been able to retire because of a financial challenge that had taken place. We felt that was a shame and it probably came because of some bad financial advice. We discussed others we knew had had similar challenges in the past. In recent years the government here in Australia have made it clear they want people to work till they are 70 years of age but in some industries, … [Read more...]
MailChimp account hacked
This happened to a client of mine late last year and it was a challenging thing to get sorted and MailChimp people were wonderful, helping us through this. What happened? Someone accessed her account, uploaded over a million addresses and started to send out phishing email saying that payment was due on an invoice and the recipient's credit card was going to be charged. People began emailing and ringing my client anxious that she was going to charge their accounts for a large sum. Some were … [Read more...]
Changing address challenges
Last year I elected to shift my PO Box to a new Post Office set up near home, just 2 or 3 mins' drive. Not far away at all. The people there were friendly, unlike the previous PO I'd been with and there was easy and convenient parking. As it was a general store I was also happy to purchase items there and often popped in, even when not picking up mail, just for a cuppa and morning tea. I met with my husband there and friends as well. A lovely local community spot. Alas, the week before … [Read more...]
Working out rates right for you
This is a topic that is discussed often, at every single VA forum/group that I belong to. But it's not confined just to the VA industry, but also other industries. A business group I belong to has a member with a fairly new business and they had the same quandary - working out rates that are right for them, fair to the client, and not under-pricing or pricing themselves out of the market. This is such an important topic and one that ALL new business owners should be sorting out before they … [Read more...]
You do NOT have permission…
I'm amazed at how many people do not read the User agreement and rules for LinkedIn. Regularly I get added to people's email lists because we're connected at LinkedIn. Come on people! If I want to be on your list I will subscribe - you don't need to add me. What don't you get about spam and anti-spam legislation rules? Just because I've agreed to connect, does NOT mean I've also agreed to be on your list. I am connected to a few thousand people - what if every single one of them decided to … [Read more...]