Digital transcription is a popular choice of service provision for many Virtual Assistants and when new VAs join the industry they often see many of these jobs being promoted via the various VA networks. They're quick to jump on board to offer this as a service too. However, fast and accurate typing isn't the only skill that's required for providing transcription support. You also need to have the ability to spell accurately, know where to put in items such as commas, fullstops, semi-colons, … [Read more...]
How to get started as a Virtual Assistant
If you've been a Virtual Assistant for awhile, you're probably like me, and get many approaches from those who want to be a VA but have no idea where to start. Often they will ask if you have work you can pass on to them. I had someone recently contact me after seeing me on LinkedIn, to find out if I had a friend or someone who would like a Virtual Assistant. This was my response to her: I am a Virtual Assistant and if I’m going to refer any of my clients to a VA, it would have to be a VA I’m … [Read more...]
Reasons for joining a VA Network
There are many reasons why people become Virtual Assistants. I've often shared the importance of joining a VA Network. Why is that? There are a number of reasons: Most VA Networks have their own discussion forums. Community. This industry is very much built on community and when you're working home alone all day, being able to connect with others online is a saving grace. Being able to learn from others without necessarily paying for that learning. Joining in and sharing your knowledge … [Read more...]
New VAs seeking clients
I often see on VA forums new VAs despairing because they don't have an existing client base when they start their business. It's possible that some might, but that's a rarity. The reality is the majority of us don't have an existing client base - we're starting afresh. But we do have contacts. Any single person is a sphere of influence: family, friends, friends of friends, friends of family, members of any groups we belong to such as sport, church, hobbies and other activities. Then there's … [Read more...]
Too old to be a VA?
Don't you believe it! I had a lady email me via LinkedIn during the week. She was feeling despondent and depressed because she wanted to work, had been classed as 'disabled' in her country and had good administrative skills but unable to get work. She was just looking for something worthwhile to do and had been getting negatives from people around her and told me that being in the 50 plus age group had complicated things for her. This is my response to her. I'm so sorry all of this has … [Read more...]
How do I become a Virtual Assistant?
This is a question I get asked from time to time, via email, and I thought I'd answer it here. One of the very first things I notice when I get this request, is how the email is written. Some write the email well and professionally but others write to me like they might be writing to a family member or even similar to text speak on mobile phones. I can say that not writing the email professionally instils little confidence for me that the person writing is going to be able to manage a VA … [Read more...]
Word confusion
I own and run Australia's oldest Virtual Assistant Network. My own business "A Clayton's Secretary" was started in 1994, pre-internet, so I could be home for our 5 daughters, and then the internet began just 18months later. Not long after I placed my first webpage online I had women contacting me to ask how they could be doing what I was doing. Australia's first VA network was started and we were on our way. There are now other VA networks in the country, and it's good to see the industry … [Read more...]
How do you know what a VA is?
As many of you know, I belong to quite a few VA forums. And there is one at Linkedin where a very talented graphic designer/VA participates and he decided to create this awesome info-graphic about what a VA is. I think it's wonderful, wish I had his talent! I always have to pay someone to do my graphics :-) Oh, and that's a caricature of him with the beard. Posted with permission Patrick Slattery, WorkingMatterVA … [Read more...]
Christmas specials everywhere
I'm not the only one to offer a special (see this post). In my inbox, at Facebook and almost everywhere else I turn I see "Sale" signs popping up for the Christmas/New Year holiday season, and it's no different in the virtual world. If you have taken a course at VAClassroom before, then you know the value of the top-notch training offered, and if not, now’s the time to start. VAClassroom is now offering some of their in-demand courses at a discount – but just for the month of December so take … [Read more...]
