and anyone else interested. The new course? How to use Wordpress to create blogs and websites. This is something I've had requested a few times and so here it is, available at last! Many readers will know that I've been blogging now for several years and that Wordpress is my preferred blogging platform. They will also know that Wordpress is now an excellent software program for CMS (Content Management System) sites. Clients can login and edit their pages and add new ones, upload images and … [Read more...]
What kind of skills do I need?
Periodically I get asked this question - to work as a Virtual Assistant, what kind of skills do I need? There are tons of different types of services that VAs are providing today, however, traditionally they did begin as work at home secretaries - those who had good secretarial skills in the corporate world, and they brought those skills home to develop their own businesses. The industry has evolved considerably over the past 15 or so years and today the skills are quite varied. I recently … [Read more...]
VADirectory – a list for experienced VAs too
It came to my notice yesterday that many think the VA Network I own and manage, "A Clayton's Secretary" is for new VAs only and that experienced VAs cannot join. I was so upset when I heard this as that has never been the message I've been putting across and I want to correct it here and now. Otherwise known as VADirectory.net the VA network has been running since April 1996 and is for any and all VAs, providing they have a minimum 5 years previous office experience. The directory was … [Read more...]
Forum membership etiquette
My regular readers will know I participate in several forums - not just Virtual Assistant forums, but also other forums relating to business and/or other topics I have an interest in. My business has grown with the internet, i.e. I began in business 18 months before it entered the business arena here in Australia, so I have grown in business as the internet has grown also. I've seen a lot of trends come and go and things develop and change over the years. Prior to networking online, I did all … [Read more...]
Forum Etiquette
One of the VA groups I belong to was discussing limiting sales pitches to seminars or webinars and how did members feel about it? My response was: I think that people who come along to promote/sell something at a list that doesn't belong to them are being presumptous. I have a problem with it personally. You spend time building a list and then they come along and think it's their right to pitch to that list - without having anything to do with building it in the first place. My own opinion and … [Read more...]
VA Project – Who have you helped this week?
This week the recipient of my help was not a VA but rather a professor from a university in India. He'd approached me to write some articles for their publication on the topic of Virtual Assistance for their students. I felt honoured to be asked. However, I did find his initial email to me rather confusing and I had to read it several times to really understand his request, or rather it seemed like a demand. Instead of ignoring it or getting annoyed by the email, as I sometimes might do, I … [Read more...]
The Importance of Self-Education
Recent posts at a VA forum has made me wonder just how much do Virtual Assistants (and other self-employed) value the importance of their own self education. It is oh-so-easy just to quit and give up and move on to something else if it doesn't work out. When in reality, if people were just prepared to take the time to learn and listen from others who are more experienced, they may well succeed. To quote one long-term VA from the forum: A lot of VAs have started and quit early because they … [Read more...]
The importance of follow up
We read often the importance of follow up when networking and meeting people for the first time but what about when they've already begun using your service or product? How many of you follow up afterward to see how things are going? A couple of years ago I decided to set up an autoresponder series for follow up after clients fill out the job request form on my website. I hadn't realised how valuable this simple action would be. Over that time I've received really valuable feedback as well … [Read more...]
Virtual Assistants are NOT employees
It's hard enough educating the public about this. But when those who call themselves virtual assistants or VAs start calling themselves employees too, no wonder the clients get confused! This directly relates to a recent comment I saw on a blog about Virtual Assistants by someone who calls themself a Virtual Assistant. No-one interprets an accountant, lawyer, plumber, financial planner, electrician or other service provider as an employee so why the confusion about Virtual Assistants? Perhaps … [Read more...]