... were the words that greeted me in one of my web stats. I frequently check my stats to see where people are coming from and how they find me. That includes searches made on search engines. Are we truly in an age where people think they can get everything free or as much as possible? I know there is a lot of 'stuff' on the web that you can get free but often it comes with other items that cost, or limited use till a full copy is paid for, or advertising that someone has paid for (like those … [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...]
Assumption Proves Professionalism Required
I received an email last week from a gentleman who was enquiring what a VA could do? I made the assumption that he was looking for someone to provide him support and told him the following: Basically we're like a Personal Assistant, except we operate Virtually - so instead of in your office, we work in our own. Work is handled mainly via email, phone, fax, courier, web upload and download. Rates vary considerably depending on who is doing it, what their rates are, where they live (cost of … [Read more...]
Interviewed by Stan the Man!
I recently had the privilege of being interviewed by Stan Relihan of The Connections Show on the Podcast Network. Those of you in LinkedIn will know him as Australia's most connected man. Stan has a great sense of humour and I've enjoyed getting to know him over several months now. So I was delighted when he decided to add me to his lineup of impressive interviews - I hope you like it! TPN :: The Connections Show - Episode #022 [17:55m] Running a Network of Virtual Assistants : Kathie … [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...]
Do I Have To Do Any Cold Calling?
I recently had a new VA contact me, asking for advice about cold calling. She was quite nervous about it and whilst she could psych herself up at night and write out scripts, she just couldn't get herself to follow through the following day. So she contacted me for advice. This is my response: Hi, I'm so happy you contacted me. You should never have to do cold calling - I never have. I spend time networking and getting to know people - much, much easier. Always carry business cards with … [Read more...]
Getting Started as a VA
I recently had a lady write to me to ask about how I got started. She'd read that I started out doing word processing and data entry and did I go do a course or did I already know how to do those things? She was wondering what training she might need to do and where to do it. My answer to her was this: I never did a course to get started. When I began I was a homebased secretary and it was before the Virtual Assistant industry had begun. I already had 23 years corporate secretary experience … [Read more...]
Responding to Requests from Clients
When you respond to Job Requests or Requests for Proposals via the different VA networks do you send your CV? Because VAs are business owners and not employees, the general consensus is 'no' - we're not applying for a job with an employer, we're responding to a request for help with a client's business. So, just how much information should you provide when responding to one of these requests? On one of the VA forums I belong to there has been discussion about whether or not to send CVs to … [Read more...]
Still So Much To Learn!
It doesn't matter how long you've been doing something, technology is always bringing about change and new ways to do things. This means we must always be open to learning, experimenting and trying things out. Remaining locked into ways of doing things will soon mean we are outdated and that newer VAs and service providers will take up from where we left off. Fortunately I've always enjoyed learning new software and exploring how existing software works. And if a client asks me to investigate … [Read more...]