Staying in our comfort zone. We need to be flexible and stretch and bend if we want our businesses to grow. Technology - where would this industry be without it? And yet we all get comfortable and set in out ways and get to a point where we feel we don't want to learn anything new. It's all happening too fast and we're comfortable where we are... for a time. I remember I felt like that before learning about blogging. I only investigated it because a client asked me too but I really did … [Read more...]
Are you Twittering yet?
If not, then you could be missing out on a potential client base. I've had a Twitter account for sometime now and it really took me sometime to understand what it is about. But now I'm hooked! I couldn't understand what people were doing or going on about and there are some mundane things there. But amongst all that is some really useful information and people willing to lend a hand. You can literally tweet events such as blogradio, podcasts, teleseminars, webinars, or you can tweet for … [Read more...]
The Number 5 Mistake That VAs Make
Offering services that they have no experience in or offering too many services. Many VAs, particularly newer ones, get carried away by the possibilities of what they can offer clients, not realising that if they cannot provide quality service, they not only do themselves a disservice but the whole industry as well. It's important you start with what you know best and can do with your eyes closed, so to speak, and then gradually build from there. Only you know what you're capable of, but you … [Read more...]
Number 4 Mistake New VAs Make
So far we've looked at treating your business as a business and having the right mindset; setting rates that are too low; and recognising that clients can be local, they don't have to be totally virtual. This 4th mistake relates to the third one in a way. Many new VAs, particularly those from countries that have a much lower cost of living, make the mistake that other VAs are their target client base. They're not - they're your peers and you learn from them and help shape the industry with … [Read more...]
Number 3 Mistake New VAs Make
Thinking that all clients have to be virtual. Just because you are a Virtual Assistant and can work virtually does not mean all your clients have to come via the web. Many do not realise that they have potential clients next door, down the street, around the corner and at local businesses. This is why networking is such an important aspect of running a business - any business. Many do not realise they can have a mix of clients that are both local and virtual and this will not happen … [Read more...]
Number 2 Mistake Some New VAs Make
Ok, I know many of you have been waiting for this. I believe it to be setting rates that are too low. This also includes allowing clients to tell you what you should be charging. Many VAs, particularly in the first year or two of their businesses, mistakenly think they should charge low to get the clients. What happens is a number of things: They find quickly that they're not making much money and have difficulty covering all their overheads and have some left over for themselves. They … [Read more...]
Getting past the no.1 mistake VAs make
Further to my previous 2 posts, I have more to add and Tracey's comment included some of what I wanted to say. When a client contacts you for a quote you need to project confidence and telling someone nervously that you are new and you're not sure what to charge, or umm and ahh over charges, will help give them a lack of confidence in your abilities and knowing what you are doing. What is there to be nervous about? If you know well the services you plan to offer then you know you are going to … [Read more...]
How to get past the no. 1 mistake VAs make
I wrote recently about the no. 1 mistake VAs make and it was good to see the comments coming in. I thought I'd follow up with things that new (and existing) VAs can do to help shift that employee mindset. Now, I'm not by any means trying to belittle employees and thank you Deb M for your comment. There are a lot of employees out there who are motivated, have self-initiative and don't wait to be told what to do. And this is the stuff that VAs should be made of as well. But it goes further … [Read more...]
Mistakes new Virtual Assistants make
The number one mistake (I believe) Virtual Assistants make is not changing one's mindset when entering our industry to become a VA. I'm going to post a series on this topic and I wanted to share the one I believe is at the top of the list. What do I mean by that? Many who join the chat forums plunge in and start asking questions before they've done the research and read the message archives or articles online about this industry. Or even some of the books available out there. What happens is … [Read more...]
