You have seen several interviews of clients who use Virtual Assistants. This interview is about a man who saw a way to work with Virtual Assistants and assist them in their workplace training. Please tell my readers a bit about who you are and what you do. My name is Craig Cannings and I have had the privilege of working virtually as a Internet Marketing Consultant, Blogger and Entrepreneur since 2003. I actually have three young daughters who have never known their Dad to work "outside" the … [Read more...]
A great line up for FoVA
Message from Barb who is organising this event: What do these people all have in common? Kathie Thomas Michelle Jamison Jeannine Clontz Mary Lou Ashton Pam Ivey Tawnya Sutherland Yvonne Weld Stacy Brice Dawn Goldberg Danielle Guerin Frances Palaschuk Kristi Pavlik Lauren Pibworth Rob Neilly David Hansen Mitch Solway and me... Barb Lang They are coming from all around the world to be in Niagara Falls Canada June 4-7, 2009. Each of these incredible people has put together a one of a kind … [Read more...]
Advertising Advice for Virtual Assistants
Recently a VA posted a question to a forum I moderate asking for advice about the advertising she had been doing. She listed a number of sites she'd registered with and wanted to know what else she could do. My response to her is below. I see you've joined social networking groups but you haven't mentioned if you're active in them. A large percentage of my clients have come through personal networking and getting to know people over time. I began my business before the internet so attended lots … [Read more...]
Increased non-billable time
As we hear more about the economic turmoil worldwide there are going to be increased non-billable time for some Virtual Assistant businesses. So what do we do about it? Make it work for us! I'm sure, if you're like me, you'll always have things that have been put aside till you have time for them. Make sure those things are in easy reach in a folder or a box or something so you can pull it out and start prioritising what's important to you and what may be income-producing once you have your … [Read more...]
Use the ‘squeaky wheel’ principle
I often get asked by VAs what they should do if they've submitted a proposal to a client's request and a few days have passed and they've heard nothing further. I always advise them to use the 'squeaky wheel' principle. What do you do when you have a squeaky wheel? You pay attention to it. So the client needs the same prompting - you should be in regular contact (without making a nuisance of yourself) and follow up. If they've heard from several Virtual Assistants and life is busy for them … [Read more...]
Honing new skills
Many VAs, particularly those new to the industry, are so keen to get clients that there are times when they will accept a job only to find they really don't have the skillset or experience to carry out the role. They then end up in a quandary - do they tell the client or try to find out quickly how to do that particular job? The questions asked at VA forums often show a tendency for the latter, rather than the former, or perhaps they have already told their client, but are going ahead with the … [Read more...]
A time for getting together
The Virtual Assistant industry has a number of events coming up over the next couple of months. IVAA has its Summit coming up this month, followed closely by OIVAC in May and then FoVA in June. Both IVAA Summit and FoVA are onsite events whereas OIVAC is purely virtual - you can attend from your home office. While it might not be possible for you to attend all three events it would be good for you to make an effort to attend at least one. It's a great time for getting to know your peers, … [Read more...]
English and the VA world
We periodically have wonderful discussions on the forums relating to the spelling and use of English wording. In fact it often provides a constant source of mirth when we discover that a word can mean something completely different in another English speaking country. How does that happen? Whilst most of the conversations are full of laughter and fun there are times when misunderstandings can occur and some get hurt simply because of the use of a single word. If that can happen on a forum … [Read more...]
The Virtual Assistant Industry is booming!
Those who participate in the VA forums will know that there's been a steady (and fast) increase of new VAs joining our ranks. I believe this is partly because our industry has well and truly come of age and is easily noticeable but also because of our current global economic situation. People need to find other sources of income and build up businesses to protect their homes and families should their existing jobs go belly up. For some they've already lost their jobs and are seeking to provide … [Read more...]
