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...]
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...]
Take Ownership of your Business
There are many joining our ranks on a daily basis, and the same could be said for many industries. The desire for being in control of one's future, the work they do, and who they work for, plus being able to choose their working hours are a driving force for people making that decision. I know that when I made this decision nearly 19 years ago, I desperately wanted to be home for my children and hated all that wasted time on the road or on a train every single day. I hated not being home if a … [Read more...]
Confused with marketing your VA business?
If you're not clear on what it is you do, or perhaps not clear on how to explain it, it will show, both in your vocalisation and your written word. Recently a new VA went to a networking event and she was unsure how to explain what she does. The people she was meeting with made some assumptions based on what they think an Assistant is and it confused her. They'd not heard of a Virtual Assistant before so she came to ask questions about what she should do and got a number of responses which … [Read more...]
Looking for Virtual Assistant work?
If you have good office based skills, chances are you could become a Virtual Assistant and work at home fulltime. Thousands are doing it, so why not you? I celebrate 18 years of fulltime business this month (on the 24th to be exact). While it's not all been a bed of roses I can tell you I wouldn't swap the experience for a corporate job any day. The benefits of being at home fulltime far outweigh the benefits of working in a corporate job. I love the environment I work in, I love being here … [Read more...]
What is a Virtual Assistant?
I can tell you what a Virtual Assistant (VA) isn't: Not an iphone4 Siri Not any other machine, mobile or android app, or anything like that, although we do use technology Not an automated online service Not an employee - we invoice our clients directly and not through an agency or some other type of service. People seem to use the term 'Virtual Assistant' to describe all sorts of things these days. But I'm here to tell you what a VA really is. We are like a PA or other office based … [Read more...]
What would I do if I were a new VA today?
Exactly the question asked on a VA forum sometime ago and here is my answer: Find an accountant to get the advice that is needed regarding legal requirements for your business. Apply for whatever licenses or register whatever you need to do legally regarding the tax dept for your region. A business name can wait till you've gotten started - it's not necessary and you can legally operate under your own name if you wish. Get business cards made up - doesn't have to be a real lot, even … [Read more...]
Virtual Assistant blog now 6.5 years old
This blog was started in April 2005. I had no idea when I started writing it how long the blog would go for and yet here it is with almost 800 entries. My most popular posts over those years have been: 5 Top Ways to Use a Virtual Assistant My heartfelt thanks to the Virtual Assistant Community My first business card Virtual Assistant or Virtual Worker 15 years in business (of course it's now well over 17 years for me) If you're a regular reader you might have a favourite post that isn't … [Read more...]