Not long ago we had a discussion in the VA Directory Facebook Group about how we go about finding clients. It was a lively discussion and I see this question being asked in many groups, mainly by VAs but also by all other business owners. Overwhelmingly the consensus was word of mouth or referrals. This is awesome and becomes easier down the track when you’ve been a VA or a business owner for a while and you have established your business with a number of clients ... ... but what about when … [Read more...]
5 Ways to De-Stress Your Christmas …
Christmas can be a very festive and fun time of the year but it can also be quite stressful to its lead up, especially if you are running a business. #1 … Organise a Kris Kringle Our family changed over to KK quite a few years ago now. Names are written on a Christmas Card and each of us picks one out. We spend a minimum of $50 and that’s it. It takes the stress out of buying lots of gifts just for the sake of buying something and we spend a bit more and get something ‘better’ rather than … [Read more...]
Connect Her Podcast with VA Directory
During August, I had the pleasure of being interviewed on the Connect Her Podcast with Lee Cummins, where I spoke about the VA industry, how I got into it and all about VA Directory. Grab a cuppa and get comfy on your favourite chair and have a giggle with us (I'm so not an expert podcaster and forget the questions LOL). Watch it here Listen to it here. Let me know what you think and please feel free to share this around to your socials too. The more people who know about VA Directory, … [Read more...]
How do you find your clients?
I was asked this simple question recently in a VA forum and here's my simple answer. It was in relation to my work as a Secretariat for Not -for-Profit organisations but the same can apply for any line of work in our industry. They find me :-) Word-of-mouth referrals through networking and meeting other people, plus my website and my LinkedIn Profile. One of the NFPs I'm looking after happened because I met a new committee member at a networking event about 9 years ago. Another was because … [Read more...]
How many clients should I have?
Variations of this question often arise at VA forums. Stories about how many each can manage, how many hours a client wants or demands, offering packages with retainer hours, clients wanting a VA totally to themselves, etc. Many stories, many discussions. Virtual Assistants are independent business owner/operators and, therefore, need to be able to service more than one client. They are not employees so no client has the right to demand or ask that a VA doesn't take on any other clients. … [Read more...]
Motivation to get the work done
I saw a VA post on a forum that she's struggling to get motivated because it was such a lovely day outside and she wanted to know how others coped. She'd mentioned the word 'job' too, so I thought I'd give her my thoughts and what I do. The answer follows. Please note - this would equally apply to anyone running a business, not just VAs. First things first, this is not a 'job'. It's a business. And you need to treat it that way :-) You also need to give yourself some flexibility. Unless the … [Read more...]
Learn about your client’s industry
There is good value in learning as much as you can about the industry/ies your clients work in. If your niche is a particular industry this is even more important. Each industry will have a number of things to help educate people in that industry: newsletters, magazines, trade shows, industry association events and the list goes on. It makes sense, that if you want to provide the best value you can to your client/s in a particular industry, then why not subscribe to their online newsletter? Or … [Read more...]
Is this job a scam?
This is something I see posted on the VA forums from time to time and it amazes me that some cannot see common sense with the jobs that are offered. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, unsure, uneasy, then there is a good reason for it. If the job requires you to handle the client's money to pay their bills and buy things - DON'T do it! Never, ever take on jobs that require you to pay bills on behalf of clients or do shopping for them. Nor accept their mail for them or buy gifts on their … [Read more...]
Reasons for joining a VA Network
There are many reasons why people become Virtual Assistants. I've often shared the importance of joining a VA Network. Why is that? There are a number of reasons: Most VA Networks have their own discussion forums. Community. This industry is very much built on community and when you're working home alone all day, being able to connect with others online is a saving grace. Being able to learn from others without necessarily paying for that learning. Joining in and sharing your knowledge … [Read more...]
