Want to set up your business as a Virtual Assistant, get some training and get started? Or perhaps you are already operating a VA business but feel there is information missing and you want to fill in the gaps? Why choose this program? Learn from an experienced Master Virtual Assistant (MVA) who has over 14 years' knowledge of the industry Work out what skills you can use and the types of services you can provide Look at different niche markets you can target for your business Give your … [Read more...]
Being a Virtual Assistant – Do You Have What It Takes?
There is so much on the web these days about being a Virtual Assistant and for newcomers who have just discovered this industry it can indeed be a challenge working out where they should go for information, what they need to get started and how they find their clients? Information: May I say that it's important to check the credentials of those giving 'advice'? Many may be well intentioned but not all have the experience or knowledge to point you in the right direction. One good way to avoid … [Read more...]
Protecting your accounts
At this time of year (Christmas/New Year) scams will be on the rise and so will phishing emails with promises of all sorts of things through bogus promotions. One of the VAs from my team posted a warning about a phishing email supposedly from her bank the other day. A day prior a client forwarded to me an email she got from Paypal (supposedly) but I was soon able to detect that it was not a genuine email. Here are some ideas to get you looking. 1. Usually not personally addressed. Banks … [Read more...]
Do I have to have a niche?
The question asked by many new VAs is: Do I have to have a niche? I see this discussed on various forums and while the intentions are good on behalf of those VAs who respond, I find that sometimes their enthusiasm for what they feel is right may be holding others back. The following is my answer: I think as your business grows and develops you eventually discover a niche that's right for you but unless you really do know what you want to do at the start, I don't feel people should be limiting … [Read more...]
Am I an employer of Virtual Assistants?
Interesting question and I do understand why I get asked that periodically. For the record, the answer is 'no'. I am not an employer. I am, however, the founder of the VA Network, "A Clayton's Secretary", and that network operates as an industry based group to help those who want to be Virtual Assistants develop their businesses and meet clients. There is a big difference. Members pay a subscription fee to belong to the team and have to meet our criteria to be eligible. They fill out the … [Read more...]
Getting Started as a Virtual Assistant
It is clear to me through the various VA forums that the industry is continuing to grow. That's a good thing. And we see continued requests for VA support as well. But it is also obvious to me that there's not enough information out there for budding VAs in how to set up their businesses - or perhaps they just don't know where to look. I see the same questions being asked constantly at the forums and also get individual emails with similar requests. And it's probably been awhile since I've … [Read more...]
Introducing the new Coaching Club
I've been working on a project in the background for some months, as if I need something else to be doing! Many of you will know that I've been running the VATrainer.com Virtual Assistant course for a few years now and I'm thrilled that we have many graduates now having gone through that program. However I do get requests from those looking to become VAs, who can't afford the training course fee, for assistance and I hate turning people away. So I've been developing the Virtual Assistant … [Read more...]
Christmas is coming…
and that means so is the New Year. If you're a Virtual Assistant who needs some guidance or perhaps someone who wants to be a VA but doesn't know where to start, then my VA Christmas special may be just what you need! What do you get? The 10 week training course, 1 year membership with the "A Clayton's Secretary" team (providing you meet the criteria), 1 year webhosting for your website and a domain. Over $1,000AUD worth of items for just under 60% of the total price. Now, is that worth … [Read more...]
Keep abreast of their industries
In my last post I mentioned I get a regular enewsletter for the professional speaking industry. I provide virtual assistant support to a number of professional speakers, both here in Australia and in the US. I believe it's really important, as a service provider, to keep abreast of my clients' industries and what is happening for them. So when I can, I register for ezines and newsletters, join their discussion forums or even register for events. Sometimes the clients ask me to subscribe so I … [Read more...]
