I was busy chatting at a different forum this week - not a VA forum but a Work At Home forum which has a mixture of different industries represented there. But it seems that many industries all suffer the same problem - people who join an industry, spend a short time in it and then set themselves up as authorities to those newer than themselves. Some may well have truly picked up what those industries are about and may have a training or teaching background but many don't. All I can say is … [Read more...]
Is there enough work?
I run a training course for VAs as many of you know and occasionally I'll get responses from follow ups of those who haven't gone through with the course for whatever reason (usually time or money, or both). Below is a question from one recent prospective student and my answer to her. I am still very interested in doing your course as I think it will be a great help. I guess I wanted to feel more comfortable before deciding to establish a virtual PA business. My concern has been whether there … [Read more...]
Spell it out
I love the excitement of new VAs as they get their very first website up and running (or any business person for that matter) but sometimes I feel they get carried away with using the latest buzzwords and acronyms. While it's important to demonstrate you are current with technology and the times, it is very important not to assume that readers of your website are. Many will still be doing keyword searches on old terminology (e.g. 'secretary' instead of 'VA' or 'virtual assistant', typing' … [Read more...]
How to become a Virtual Assistant
Many may not be aware of this book I wrote a few years ago about "How to become a Virtual Assistant". When I first began my business there were very few people you could ask for information. What I was doing was new to the business world so I couldn't get advice from someone who had already 'been there, done that'. I had to break new ground. I put this experience and my knowledge into a book to help new VAs who ask the same questions. Things like: How to get started Skills and … [Read more...]
10 Surefire Steps to Market your VA Business
Have you wondered how to market your business and get your name out there? Have you wondered how others do it? There are some very simple steps to getting things happening and it very much relates to persistency and consistency - keep at it, even when it seems not much is happening. The reality is you're planting seeds and those seeds need time to grow. Some time ago I wrote a book called "10 Surefire Steps to Market Your VA Business" and it is available as an ebook at my VAShop. Some of the … [Read more...]
What kind of skills do I need?
Periodically I get asked this question - to work as a Virtual Assistant, what kind of skills do I need? There are tons of different types of services that VAs are providing today, however, traditionally they did begin as work at home secretaries - those who had good secretarial skills in the corporate world, and they brought those skills home to develop their own businesses. The industry has evolved considerably over the past 15 or so years and today the skills are quite varied. I recently … [Read more...]
A day in the life of a VA Network owner
Many VAs do not know what goes on in the background of a network owner - or in fact anyone who owns or moderate a network of some type. So I thought I'd share my day with you. I had expected to get some client work done today but very little has been done. Instead, here is what I have filled my day with. Received a membership application but the person who filled out the form did not follow through with their resume or subscription. I logged into my autoresponder system to make sure they … [Read more...]
Daycare too expensive? Work at home!
There are many reasons why VAs become VAs and one of those many reasons could simply be because daycare for your children has become far too expensive. I know and appreciate that daycare givers also need to be compensated for their time and expertise but all the same, it is often far beyond what most households can afford. So the thought of working at home becomes one that is entertained often. I know, because I was there over 16 years ago. Racing home to get kids to clubs on time, or trying … [Read more...]
What kind of VA are you?
When you first enter the VA industry it seems to be just one particular type of role but as you become familiar with the types of services many offer or the types of services clients request, you begin to realise you can actually niche yourself based on your skillset or personal preferences. There are many different services you can offer as a VA and these are just some of them. Those that are hyperlinked will lead you to suitable courses or more information about providing that type of … [Read more...]
