I use Google Alert a lot to keep me informed of the industry and also about things relating to my clients' businesses. One thing I often see are blogs about where to find a Virtual Assistant or comments on blogs from new VAs who are keen to find work, clients and learn more about the industry they've joined. What amazes me is that a simple Google search will direct people to the Virtual Assistant Networks that are out there and yet so many seem to miss this fact. Virtual Assistant Networks or … [Read more...]
Do you have a Virtual Assistant yet?
I guess I shouldn't be really, but I still get amazed when I meet people, or hear from them via the phone or online, that they've just discovered our industry. They'd not heard of a Virtual Assistant before and didn't know what it was. Having been part of the industry since its birth many years ago, it's easy to forget that not everyone has had exposure to the internet as I have had, and indeed, if you have been in the corporate world or manufacturing industry, or elsewhere that really doesn't … [Read more...]
IVAA Australia
With everything that's been going on in the past few months (AVAC, a holiday, my husband's accident and the list goes on) I've not been as active here as I normally would be and haven't been telling you everything that's been going on. IVAA has set up an Australian division to give Australian VAs a not-for-profit that has their industry at heart. As IVAA has already gone the rounds in the US with managing an NFP identity for our industry, they are well placed to do the same here. I am happy … [Read more...]
Virtual Assistant NFP group opens in Australia
At long last, we have an NFP setting up here in Australia for the Virtual Assistant Industry. And I am delighted that IVAA has taken this direction. This announcement was published shortly before AVAC but I was rather busy to post it at that time. Details below: IVAA-Australia - in our ongoing efforts to expand our International reach, IVAA will have a division in Australia allowing our members down under to have their own EOM's, Peer Discussions, Online and Live Summits, and Preferred … [Read more...]
Begin working as a Virtual Assistant today
With Christmas and the New Year not that far away, I know that many are looking at what they're going to do next year. Continue in their job or start working for themselves? I know which I prefer. I've had experience of both and as much as working for yourself has some uncertainty to it, I still much prefer the freedom and flexibility of making choices on the type of work I do, the clients I work with and the hours I work. While my daughters were growing up I loved that I could schedule in … [Read more...]
Where are you located?
Periodically I get requests from students here in Australia researching the Virtual Assistant industry. They want to know how many VAs are here in Australia, how long they've been in business and what type of work we do. While I can answer the last question easily and give them an indication of how long I've been in business personally, I certainly can't answer the first question and can only give them a general idea of the second one. So, I've created a very simple 2 question survey to … [Read more...]
Who do you listen to? Pt II
I was busy chatting at a different forum this week - not a VA forum but a Work At Home forum which has a mixture of different industries represented there. But it seems that many industries all suffer the same problem - people who join an industry, spend a short time in it and then set themselves up as authorities to those newer than themselves. Some may well have truly picked up what those industries are about and may have a training or teaching background but many don't. All I can say is … [Read more...]
VADirectory – a list for experienced VAs too
It came to my notice yesterday that many think the VA Network I own and manage, "A Clayton's Secretary" is for new VAs only and that experienced VAs cannot join. I was so upset when I heard this as that has never been the message I've been putting across and I want to correct it here and now. Otherwise known as VADirectory.net the VA network has been running since April 1996 and is for any and all VAs, providing they have a minimum 5 years previous office experience. The directory was … [Read more...]
Get work as a Virtual PA
Welcome to viewers of Channel 9's A Current Affair Program. If you're looking for work as a Virtual PA, then you've come to the right place! This blog has many articles relating to how you would establish a work from home business and the types of clients who require our services. Commonly known as Virtual Assistants, many also refer to us as Virtual PAs. My own background has 23 years experience as a corporate PA before I launched my home based business over 16 years ago. My business has … [Read more...]
