Periodically on the VA forums to which I belong, a VA will post a question, asking what is the 'normal' rate for a particular service. There are a number of reasons why that question will cause challenges for them and I'll explain it here. Firstly, the VA forums have members from all over the world so the cost of living in the areas in which each VA lives and works will be quite different to that of many of the other VA members. Secondly, the skills and experience of each of the VAs will also … [Read more...]
Happy Anniversary To Me, Happy Anniversary To….
Today is the 13th anniversary of the registration of "A Clayton's Secretary". A milestone in small business as we all know and have heard the statistics so many times of the number of businesses that make it to the end of the first year, the second, the fifth and the tenth. So, I just couldn't let this day go past without letting people know about it. The simple typing and data entry secretarial service I started all those years ago, just so I could be home for our 5 young daughters, has grown … [Read more...]
VA Forums – Boards or Emails?
For many years now the VA network I manage has been using YahooGroups for its messaging to members. I had explored message boards quite a long time ago and felt that members wouldn't log in on a daily basis to check for messages relevant to them. At that time my choice was the right one and I currently moderate two VA forums with a sum total of well over 1,000 VA members. I had tried about 3 or 4 different messaging systems till we finally made a shift back to YahooGroups, which had improved … [Read more...]
Discovering Your Niche!
As the virtual assistant industry grows and develops VAs are beginning to discover that they either have a passion for a particular area, or they need to find an area to get passionate about. Whilst many do run 'generalised' businesses and offer services to a wide range of clients, many are finding more satisfaction in specialising in a particular service or industry type to provide a service to. My own interests have related to Association Management and servicing Public Speakers and Business … [Read more...]
Do You Need a Virtual Assistant?
I saw a post on a 'Start a Home Business Blog' today that indicated engaging a virtual assistant was an expensive option. He ended up hiring someone else but didn't explain what it was he wanted done or any indication of what he was looking to pay. It is true that there are VAs at the high end of the market and others in the low end so you can shop around. You could engage a high school student or a uni student at the low end rate and providing they have good computer skills, and know their … [Read more...]
Not Cash Poor Nor Skills Poor
This time of year invariably brings up a couple of regular items for comment in news articles and blogs: New Year's Resolutions, and ideas for changing jobs or starting a business and so on. These days it seems that starting up a Virtual Assistant business is ideal for the 'cash poor' as I saw it promoted on more than one website, and these are usually written by those who do not work in the industry at all. So, I want to touch on this for all those who are interested in working at home and … [Read more...]
Back to Work or Work at Home?
At this time of year many are thinking about having to return to a job after a brief holiday break but would rather remain home. So they do searches online and in the Yellow Pages for ideas on what they can do. Some get an idea and then look to see if others are already doing it, others just search and search, trying to match their existing skills for what might be out there. But the biggest problem is determining what is real and what might be a scam? I know that often people are advised to … [Read more...]
‘Suitable’ or ‘Eligible’ to be a VA?
I was listening to someone speak recently about recruitment and how people who apply for jobs think they're suitable for a role, but would the employer actually think they're eligible? I had to think about that. 'Suitable', according to the Collins English Dictionary means 'appropriate, proper'. 'Eligible', according to the same dictionary means 'fit, worthy, or qualified'. How often do we hear about someone who has decided to become a VA because they have a computer, internet connection and … [Read more...]
They’re here, they’re there, they’re everywhere!
Articles on becoming a VA that is. I've noticed an explosion of articles on different publications promoting how 'easy' it is to become a VA. Have a computer, have internet connection and voila! You're a VA! If it were that easy, we'd all be doing it! :-) There also seems to be a growing number of courses to do, to learn how to become a VA and I encourage you, if you're planning to take this path, that you do your research and assure yourself that those providing the courses have got the … [Read more...]