The majority of VAs are using Microsoft software for servicing their clients. The core product used is the Microsoft Office software and this works really well for a large number of jobs to be carried out for clients. But when Microsoft updated their software to the 2007 package it actually meant that earlier versions could not read the documents without downloading a compatibility package. I personally find this inconvenient, and knowing that many of my clients are not that software or … [Read more...]
How often are you backing up?
Having a discussion with some writers at a forum recently it became obvious that many were not backing up their computers at all, or their websites online. Consequently if they got a virus that affected their computer and put it out of action, they ran the risk of losing all of their material and/or not having access to it for awhile. A couple had had their websites hacked and destroyed and they had no way of replacing their websites quickly. Having a secure web server is a must, but that's … [Read more...]
My Anniversary Week – one more gift
I thought it would be good to finish off this week of anniversary posts with one more gift from me. Some of you will be aware that I also provide web hosting services. This grew out of a client's need for support a few years ago - the host I was using at the time offered me a dedicated VDS so I could administer my client hosting accounts and maintain them on my own without having to wait for him to respond to support calls to set up new accounts. This was a good working partnership for me and … [Read more...]
Be Careful What You Offer On Your Site
A VA posted a question over the weekend about a service (web design) a client asked her to provide. She wasn't sure how to go about doing it and asked at the forum. This is my response to her: It is important we only take on work we are equipped for and in that regard, also equally important we portray that on our websites as well. With the publicity around about our industry I guess it's easy for prospective clients to get confused and think that we (VAs) can do anything and everything. And … [Read more...]
Keeping a Live Database
One of the services I provide to clients is the maintenance of their databases. Entering business cards and new contacts, updating contact details, and removing bounced addresses. Databases can get very messy at the best of times. There are always people changing jobs, shifting house, changing their lives and changing email addresses - it would be rare to do a broadcast email and not have some addresses bounce back. Some broadcast email programs just bounce everything back to you - hard … [Read more...]
Problems with your webhosting?
Several members of my VA team are experiencing problems with the webhost they’ve been using and their websites and email have been down for several days now. This is a real problem for anyone who runs their business online. In fact when I research this particular company online there are a heap of warning messages on forums about them currently. A shame because from what I can gather they've had a real problem with their hardware and are trying to get things back up and running again. I have … [Read more...]
How Are Your Skills Today?
When you first set up your VA business, hopefully you look at your existing skills and choose to only offer services that match your skills and abilities. I do often see new, and some not so new, VAs asking at forums about offering services they know nothing about. It's quite obvious otherwise they wouldn't be asking how to do ....? for something that might seem basic to those already experienced in that skillset. That aside, I want to encourage you to think about where your skills are … [Read more...]
What Version Software?
When new software becomes available many new VAs are keen to upgrade as soon as possible, or buy the latest and greatest. But I want to encourage you to stop and think for a moment. Will this mean that you are no longer compatible with prospective clients? Will this cause some difficulty in clients being able to read files you send to them? Not always, but there are times when it will cause problems, and if the client is not very computer literate the challenge for them may prove too … [Read more...]
Another Great Tool For VAs
Have you used Xe.com's currency conversion site? I love this site - so easy to use and I can quickly work out the different currency rates for various things, especially if I'm promoting a new product or tool on any one of my sites. The other day I learnt of a currency I'd not heard of before and went off to my favourite site to check it - sure enough, it was listed there. If you work with different currencies, or perhaps clients in different countries, then this is a worthwhile site to … [Read more...]