There seems to be a wave of new Virtual Assistants entering the industry that have an inaccurate understanding of what a VA is and what they're supposed to be doing as a VA. Which is a shame as this just adds more confusion to clients as well. Let's get it straight. A Virtual Assistant IS a business owner/operator. They are NOT employees. As such they are responsible for their own taxes, insurances, software, hardware and other expenditure relating to running a business. Oh, and that means … [Read more...]
Where do your clients hang out?
When you're a new Virtual Assistant, it can sometimes be difficult to determine where to find your potential clients. All the obvious things come to mind: newspapers, flyers, Yellow Pages, noticeboards. Some of these things cost money and some don't - just a bit of time and effort. But there are other things you can do or use to help you find your potential client base. The important thing first may be simply working out what your client might look like. Not physically but more with respect … [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...]
Remember, you’re on duty 24/7
If you operate a business online and have a web presence, it's important to remember you're on duty 24/7. You might not be at the computer all of those hours, but your written words are. So always having your best on display is important, no matter where you venture on the web. Email, website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ and other social media tools, chat forums, discussion groups. Doesn't matter really where, if it's online and potential clients or business associates can read it, then … [Read more...]
Commitment – it’s a big word
I get really concerned when I hear about Virtual Assistants that let clients and their fellow VAs down. When you're in business the buck stops with you - there is no-one else. And so when you take on a commitment to support a client or fellow VA the onus is on you to get the work done. Recently I had a client contact me who was desperate to get some work finished. She had engaged a VA, paid for the project in advance and the job was only half done before a family emergency on behalf of the VA … [Read more...]
What if…?
On a VA forum a new VA has been asking questions of those who have been a Virtual Assistant for more than 12 months. She wanted to know how they have found it and whether it would work for her. Other VAs have joined in the conversation, particularly other newbies planning to take the same path. One commented she was worried that she might miss the boat, even though she was really scared to take that course of action. My response to her was this: The only way to miss the boat, is to not get … [Read more...]
How to get your first client as a Virtual Assistant
One question that is often asked on VA forums is 'how do I get my first client?' and the answers are always forthcoming from those who have already been there. When the new VA gets the answers they nearly always balk at the prospect of having to go out and meet people and network. I believe most of them think that in working at and from home means they will never have to go out into that big wide world again - wrong! You might be operating as a Virtual Assistant but that doesn't you mean you … [Read more...]
Keep your VA for long-term
It disturbs me when I see people complaining that they'd just 'trained their VA' only to lose them because they'd been 'promoted' to another project or client. I have to question where they got their 'VA' from in the first place. Virtual Assistants are self-employed business owner/operators, so in general are not placed with clients by an employer or agency, nor moved onto another client or job by an agency or employer. Through job requests posted at Virtual Assistant Networks the VAs get to … [Read more...]
Using a Virtual Assistant
Even though the Virtual Assistant industry is in its teens, there are still many business owner/operators out there who don't know how to use a VA or what a VA might be. Because there has been much written about it both online and in printed material, some of the information has been misconstrued or people get the information third party and it's not always accurate. Often it may be written by someone who doesn't work in the industry, but rather has shared their thoughts and ideas on what they … [Read more...]
