This relates to something that happened to one of my team members, but it is an important note for all in any regard. A client came through us last year seeking someone to set up a database in Excel for him. Originally it started off being a simple database but grew more complex as the client thought of more things they needed. This then proved a difficult task for the team member who did the job because she didn't have the knowledge / experience required for the complexity that developed and … [Read more...]
Getting Out Amongst the Clients!
I am constantly amazed at the number of people I come across who want to operate a business online from home - but not put in what's required to meet their target audience! You can't just put up a website and say 'here I am world, come to me!' because that just doesn't work. You have to go where the people are and that means a number of things, depending on what your business is. But here are some suggestions: Find out about local business networks and attend networking events - it's worth … [Read more...]
Are You Really Operating Globally?
A recent post at SOHO-Life was about telling your (global) audience about your business in global terms. Today, my daughter and I have been trying to fax a horse stud in South Africa. She's booked to go there for a working holiday but is having no success with responses to recent emails. The owners may have been away on leave but there are no autoresponders to let people know that. We tried faxing this morning our time and the first time the phone just rang and rang. The second time the answer … [Read more...]
Business Operator or Employee?
There still seems to be confusion, at least amongst the newer entries into the VA industry, that they are looking for 'jobs' online as opposed to seeking 'clients'. The confusion of not knowing what your target market is in getting established as a Virtual Assistant will cause considerable delay in getting things happening. You can get jobs where you are an employee and are operating from your own home, but that is not what a Virtual Assistant is about. VAs are usually business owners, not … [Read more...]
A By-Product…
Yesterday I attended an all day planning session with my coach and his other clients. He gets all his clients together regularly through the year to listen to motivational speakers and learn more about developing their businesses. Yesterday was an all day session designed to help us plan our year and then break it up into 90 day chunks so we have smaller bite-sized goals to achieve. I always enjoy days like this because it gives me 'permission' to take my mind off my own clients and … [Read more...]
Remember, You’re On Show
I read a lot of blogs, especially those relating to my industry as a Virtual Assistant. I am constantly amazed by the bad grammar, spelling and incorrect typing on blogs that are attached to business websites, some of which belong to VAs, or those who are talking about becoming a VA. I saw such a blog just recently, through a Technorati link on Virtual Assistants. This particular person was talking about work at home opportunities and she thought that becoming a VA would be the ideal choice … [Read more...]
Boy, am I slow!
So good to see all the links to my post about how starting a Virtual Assistant business is not for the 'cash poor', but what I didn't tell you about are some things I have available to help you become a Virtual Assistant if you are planning to do so. Of course, they are linked to the left side of this blog, but to make them more blatantly obvious, here they are. I have a coaching program which runs for 10 weeks and covers the following topics: Weeks 1 & 2 - Setting up your business Week 3 - … [Read more...]
Keeping Good Company
Whenever you have a plan to do something, it is always good practice to hang around with those who have already succeeded in what you're planning to do. Something is bound to rub off - you will pick up good habits, successful practices, and positive thinking. There are several Proverbs that touch on this and one of my favourites says: "If you are in the company of those who are wise, you will gain wisdom." You will find this principle being taught in many of the direct marketing businesses, … [Read more...]
C’mon, it’s really easy, isn’t it?
Working from home as a VA that is. Periodically I get people coming up to me at an event saying they've been meaning to speak to me. They're looking for options to increase their income, or to replace income that is no longer there. They have a computer at home, used to be a secretary 20 or so years ago, and how hard can it be? They've heard I manage a team of virtual assistants and they want to join my team - can do they so? Quick questioning often reveals that they don't as yet have the … [Read more...]
