Virtual Assistant – THE Blog About Our Industry

About the Virtual Assistant industry for VAs and for clients

Monthly Archives: January 2009

Number 4 Mistake New VAs Make

So far we’ve looked at treating your business as a business and having the right mindset; setting rates that are too low; and recognising that clients can be local, they don’t have to be totally virtual.

This 4th mistake relates to the third one in a way.  Many new VAs, particularly those from countries that have a much lower cost of living, make the mistake that other VAs are their target client base.  They’re not – they’re your peers and you learn from them and help shape the industry with them.  But they are not your client base.

Now, let me add here that I am aware that some VAs have actually run businesses that support other VAs and that’s fine.  But mostly your client base are not your peers.  I see so many new VAs on forums asking (or begging) for overflow work to get them started and so they can learn.  However, they need to realise we were all in the same boat at some stage and if they spend time reading archived messages, VA blogs and learning from other members of the forums, they’ll soon find ways of finding clients.  I still believe that networking, i.e. mixing and mingling with your target audience, is one of the best ways of gaining clients.  I started my business and built a client base by going to business networking events close to home 15 years ago and I still attend events to this day.

I know that some VAs live in remote areas or small towns and perhaps local business network groups aren’t so readily available but today there are also many, many business networks online.   Working out the type of client you would like to work with will help you determine what type of networks you need to find.  And then simply do a search online via Google Groups, Yahoogroups, Linkedin.com, Ning.com and many of the other ‘group and forum’ type sites online.

Joining VA networks will help you a great deal and some will provide introductions to clients through job leads and requests for proposals.

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Your Home Business Magazine out today!

I was recently interviewed for a brand new magazine launching this month in Australia.  This magazine is about profiling businesses that have been around for sometime and are successful, rather than focusing on start-ups.  The first issue is out today and if you live in Australia you should be able to get a copy at a local newsagent.

Peter Switzer, of Switzer Media & Publishing, sums the magazine content up like this: “The biggest mistake any home business owner can make is to think they are working at home.  From day one realise the home base is a cost-saver, it shouldn’t mean you are an amateur at business”.

What great advice and it backs up what I’ve always thought and encouraged to others.  Professionalism is important – where you work from isn’t.

Below is the front cover and my article starts on page 56.

Number 3 Mistake New VAs Make

Thinking that all clients have to be virtual.  Just because you are a Virtual Assistant and can work virtually does not mean all your clients have to come via the web.  Many do not realise that they have potential clients next door, down the street, around the corner and at local businesses.

This is why networking is such an important aspect of running a business – any business.

Many do not realise they can have a mix of clients that are both local and virtual and this will not happen overnight – it will take time. Eventually clients will refer others to you and since you operate virtually their location is usually irrelevant.

So search out business networks that are local to you and get to know other local business owners. All have the same or similar administrative needs and when they get to know you (as often relationships DO count) they will not only ask for your assistance but tell others about you too.  I have many local clients, in fact over 80% of my clients are local to me, however I rarely see them face-to-face as most contact is done via email with occasional phone, fax, mail or courier contact.  The rest of my clients are interstate or overseas and we use email primarily with Skype or phone as secondary forms of contact.

So, remember that your clients don’t have to be in another region and 100% virtual – they can be someone you’ve met at the local corner shop!

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Two years in a row! “Australian of the Year” nomination

I picked up my past week’s mail this morning as I’ve been away on leave and was pleasantly surprised (and thrilled) to find I’ve been nominated again for the “Australian of the Year” Awards for 2009.  I love what I do and when it is acknowledged by others because it’s helped them in some way, it makes the work all the sweeter.  Thought I’d share with you all the certificate I opened today.  I received a letter too, from the current Chair, National Australia Day Council, Adam Gilchrist, congratulating me.

For those outside of Australia, the National and State winners are announced on Australia Day, 26th January, at events all around the country.  I know I haven’t made it as a finalist but just being nominated is an honour in itself and I’ll have the certificate proudly on display in my office.

Note: For those outside of Australia, 26th January is a public holiday in our country and as such, this year, that means we have a long weekend!