This question, or variations of it, I've seen on many VA forums. It gets hashed over and over again and in the end, there is no foregone conclusion. Personally I don't know why it keeps getting raised. I could understand it being raised back in the mid 90s when we first began to use it. I was really against the term at that time. It had come hot on the heels of 'virtual reality' and I wanted people to know that I was very real and not make believe. However, over time, the industry has grown … [Read more...]
Small Business Vic is here again… soon
Each August Victoria's Small Business Festival is put on throughout the whole month. Some councils are very actively involved and I've recently received notification from the City of Knox about events they have on. Of course, you'll be able to look up events happening in your area if you live elsewhere in Victoria. And for those, interstate or overseas, do you have a month that is focused on small business? If so, why not share it below in the comments for others to see? To view and book … [Read more...]
Saying thank you to clients
A couple of years ago I joined Send Out Cards, which is a company that allows you to design cards, or use existing templates, to send out cards to anyone you wish via their website. Good quality printed cards at a low price. I began using it as I wanted to get cards printed with my own photos on them and to bulk print was both costly and not effective, i.e. I didn't want 1-200 copies of the same card printed. I wanted to be able to do lots of different cards and just one or two of the same one … [Read more...]
How much business are you getting from business groups?
I saw a question relating to this at a (non-VA) forum that I belong to but felt that the question is also relevant to Virtual Assistants. The person in question felt that joining this group and that one and another was costing him a lot of money and he wasn't sure he was getting any benefit from it. I felt perhaps he wasn't clear on why he was joining groups, other than the hope of generating business. This is my answer to him: I think you need to do your homework and visit as a guest to each, … [Read more...]
What’s in a forum?
There are quite a few VA forums on the web these days. Which indicates that the industry is healthy and growing and there's a need for VAs to seek assistance, advice and support, as they build and develop their VA practices. For a long time I've been a fan of the email based forums, mainly because I don't have to remember they exist, the emails arrive in my inbox and I can go read them at a time that suits me. However, it does mean that you receive every single piece of email that is … [Read more...]
7 Questions to consider before hiring a Virtual Assistant
The Virtual Assistant industry has grown so much in the past 10 years that it's easy to understand that clients might get confused about where to find a Virtual Assistant and how to know if they've got a good one. There are some things you can do to put your mind at ease. Firstly, did you find them online or have they been referred to you? This will make a difference as to how you might feel about the working relationship. Receiving a recommendation or referral from someone you trust will … [Read more...]
Why did you start your Virtual Assistant business?
I was asked that question at a forum. Well, not me personally, but all the members of the forum. Got me thinking why I got started. I could sum it all up with just one word... frustration! There were lots of other reasons but frustration probably sums it up well. I was frustrated with growing up in a poor family and my parents not being able to afford things I wanted to do as a child. I wanted to make sure I could give to my children things that were necessary or because I wanted to. I was … [Read more...]
Become a Virtual Assistant
It's getting that time of year when many start looking at what they will do in the New Year. One of those things often means planning a change in jobs, or even branching out to run your own business. If you have good computer skills, with a background in admin or office support based work, then you could well become a Virtual Assistant. How do you get started? Well, you can simply set up at home and start to promote that's what you are doing, but chances are you're going to feel you're not … [Read more...]
Why does it cost to join a VA network?
At a VA discussion group a question similar to this was asked. The new VA said it was a problem that every network costs to join and she wanted to find a free one or if she could have her dues deducted later once she got paying clients. This was my response to her - and I've added more for the benefit of the readers here. Those sites are run by people who spend their time, their energies and their own money running them. Charging a fee helps to recover those costs. Believe me there's a lot … [Read more...]