Two recent conversations have led to this particular post. One is a web client who had a need for a single web page to be set up for her business. She kept using terminology that made me think she wanted something else, i.e. a landing page, which is usually a call to action, with the same link or form several times, collecting people's contact information before leading them to the rest of the site. But what she wanted was quite different, although some aspects were the same. She was using … [Read more...]
What is a Virtual Assistant?
This question comes to light often these days because so many people (and countries) have variations on what they believe the term 'Virtual Assistant' means. It came about because a business coach named his assistant that title as she worked miles away from him (in the US) and he coined the phrase 'virtual assistant'. The coach was Thomas Leonard and the assistant, Stacey Brice. This was back in the mid 1990s and the term stuck and gradually the home-based secretarial industry adopted the phrase … [Read more...]
Advice on getting started as a VA
On a VA forum recently a new VA was asking for advice on getting started. She'd outlined her experience and then went on to say she didn't want to start her own business but work for someone else, building up enough experience to pick up jobs here and there. My immediate thought was that this lady didn't really understand the nature of being a Virtual Assistant. And this may well be as a result of articles online that continue to promote that VAs are employees of agencies. The reality is that … [Read more...]
Bring your corporate skills home
There are many women (and some men) who are keen to work at home these days, so that they can either start a family, or be there for the family they already have. For some, it's caring for elderly parents, or perhaps a spouse who is ill. Whatever the reason, there are many seeking ways to work at home. For those with good corporate administrative skills, being a Virtual Assistant is a natural choice. There are still many learning about this industry, despite it having been around since the mid … [Read more...]
Combining passion and work
Those who have known me for awhile know that I have a passion for nature and photography, and over recent years, have been building up a photography website and tons of photos during my free time. Applying the skills I've learnt in my VA business, I've been able to do a number of things such as setting up a website and blog, Facebook page, and spending time networking with other photographers as I work on improving my skills and abilities in that arena. Two years ago I attended a 2 day … [Read more...]
Becoming a VA
I recently received an email from a young lady looking to start her own VA business but concerned that there might be too many out there for her to make a living as a VA. She wanted to know my thoughts. This is my response to her: I can appreciate the concern or fear that might be the case, but it's not. Getting clients works a number of different ways: Register with VA networks so you can respond to client requests, but also, so clients can find you online. Make sure you have a presence … [Read more...]
What do I need to do to get started?
On a VA forum the other day I read a question from a new member there, wanting to know how to get started and if she had to get any licenses or permits or anything? She is located in Los Angeles. This is my answer to her: Members here are from many countries so the answer to your question might not be as straightforward unless someone in your region is able to answer. What I can tell you that is really important, is that you find a local accountant who deals with small business. They'll be able … [Read more...]
Do you have a website?
Getting a website created, or creating one for yourself, can be a daunting prospect. When you're setting up business there are so many things to think about, plan and pay out for, that often the website gets put aside for 'later on'. The reality is that people need to be able to find you online. The medium for doing business is the Internet so it makes sense that you are available there for people to find you. And all your competitors are already there! When you email people do you use a … [Read more...]
Video clip about how a Virtual Assistant can help a business client
I've taken the plunge and had a video created for my website. I'd held off for quite awhile. I'm not a fan of videos for a number of reasons: I don't like those that start as soon as you visit a site. I don't like how-to sites that only produce videos and not text instructions as well (I prefer to read ahead to what I want to know, rather than wait for that bit on the video). And so many I've seen are 'off-the-cuff' and not very professional at all (usually web cam). The cost seemed quite … [Read more...]