This is a discussion I see at my own and other VA forums - VAs wanting to know how much others charge so they can work out a rate for themselves. However, it's not as easy as that. Each individual VA has experiences, skill sets and different locations of living, which also come into the equation. Cost of living is a big factor, and therefore, will affect how much you might charge for services you provide and which currency. So, it is very, very important that each individual VA goes through … [Read more...]
The Value of a Virtual Assistant
Recently there was a discussion on a business group by a person who wanted to outsource work but was complaining that they had not been able to find anyone who could do what they wanted. Basically they wanted someone to be able to replace them - think like them, do what they wanted without their hands being held, basically understanding from the start what was needing to be done and... they didn't want to pay much for that service. They complained that engaging a VA here in Australia was akin to … [Read more...]
New things happening!
I've been going through a lot of new things of late. And have discarded old things. After 15 years with BNI, I left late last year. I was in need of something new. I felt like I'd learnt all I could and was looking for more, although I wasn't sure what. A few months earlier I'd joined a local Rotary Club and am their Secretary. I joined at the right time. Their former secretary had taken ill and couldn't continue with the role so I came along just when they had a real need. Since then I've been … [Read more...]
5 Good Reasons Why Your Business Needs a VA
At some stage business owners start to weigh up what kind of support they need in their businesses. Should they be hiring an assistant or should they look at getting virtual support? I'd like to share with you 5 reasons why Virtual Assistants should be the answer to that question. During the course of operating a business there comes a time when the business owner must consider whether it's more efficient for them to engage support in order for their business to move forward. Whether … [Read more...]
14 ways to help your NFP run smoothly
Having a good Secretariat help run your daily administrative requirements is a must-have if your NFP is going to move forward. Over the past 20 years I've worked with several NFPs. Some have moved on because they got to a point where they needed a full-time staff member to handle the role, others I handed over to other team members of my VA Network when the hours increased and I was no longer able to manage the position. There is a lot to managing the office of a NFP and many get to the … [Read more...]
23 years on………
Friday 24th March marks 23 years in business for me. Yes, 23 years! My kids were young and in school when I began and today they're all married and 3 of them have children. They all run businesses at home but none of them do what I do, although most of them did do work experience with me during their teens. It gave them an opportunity to earn money and learn something of what I do and develop their computer skills. I like that working at home can provide your children with an example of what … [Read more...]
How difficult is it to find a job or gig as a virtual assistant?
A question I've recently been asked and here is my answer. Hello Lori and welcome to the world of Virtual Assistance. First thing you need to learn is it’s not a ‘job’. It’s a career and your role as a Virtual Assistant is as a business owner. So you’re looking for clients, not jobs. Important you understand this difference as it is crucial. Next thing you can do is research Virtual Assistant Networks and Directories. Depending on the country you’re in, probably best to first join one or … [Read more...]
What is the most effective way to hire and manage virtual assistants?
This is another question asked at Quora and here is the answer I shared there. The most important thing for you to be aware of is that each and every Virtual Assistant (in the western world) are self-employed business owners. Therefore, they have your business at heart because without helping you to become successful it’s hard for them to be successful. Consider it more a partnership than an employer/employee type role. As already mentioned there are many (thousands) of stand-alone VAs and … [Read more...]
How do you set a realistic budget for engaging a VA?
I was asked this very question at Quora recently and thought I'd share my answer here. A ‘realistic’ budget can be different for every business owner. But let me put it this way. Have you assessed what it is you’re doing that isn’t earning you money, that you could outsource to a VA? The reality is that a VA will, most likely, do it in a much more timely and efficient manner than you. Example: If you have 100 business cards that need to be entered into your database and then imported to your … [Read more...]