Comments for Virtual Assistant - THE Blog About Our Industry

Comment on You can’t build it 100% online by Kylee Hastie

Kylee Hastie — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:59:49 +0000

Hi Kathie,

Thanks Kathie for a great article, it is so true Debra, most of the time is the word of mouth. I always have business cards with me even if I am just visiting mates or my partner mates and I hand them out and they always ask what I do and I say I am a Virtual Administration Officer and then we get in a big conservation about it, which is a good start.

Comment on You can’t build it 100% online by Debra Barber

Debra Barber — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 02:57:55 +0000

You are definitely correct Kathie. Most of my initial business came from face-to-face networking and the fact that I met people face-to-face for a consultation. One client in particular had a little bit of a hard time coming to grips with the concept of ‘virtual’ however, a few onsite visits and educating on how it would work virtually has gained me a long-term client that is now totally virtual (and a number of referrals from her). I don’t think it is a matter of whether or not you ‘need’ clients as to whether you should do face-to-face meetings but rather if you would like to educate more people on the industry and what we can do. These days I still network a lot and stay active in the community however, most of my new enquiries come from word-of-mouth referrals. Something that would not have happened to the same extent (I believe) if I never made the effort to get out and meet people.

Comment on You can’t build it 100% online by Leona Martin

Leona Martin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 01:29:07 +0000

That is exactly how I got my business started! I joined several local networking groups and 90% of my clients are local and I LOVE them all! I travel to them and work virtually!

Thanks you Kathie for writing this. I have told many people who want to be in this business they need to at least consider networking locally and not just concentrate on online networks!

Thanks

Comment on You can’t build it 100% online by Kathie Thomas

Kathie Thomas — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:02:32 +0000

Thank you for your comments Pattie. I’ve had the exact opposite experience to you.

My first long-term client came via the printed Yellow Pages and he lived only 5 mins from me – it was because of my locality he contacted me. He was with me 11 years before he retired. My next long-term client who found me was via a business breakfast where I’d left my business cards. She was with me over 12 years and only stopped using me last year because of changes in her own life direction. Again she lived only 5 mins away from me. Most of my other long-term clients have all come from personal face-to-face networking and they’ve been delighted to meet someone who is very computer savvy and happy to take over the admin side of their business. There’s been no difficulty on my part explaining to them how it works and because they were mainly sole proprietors too, it appealed to them that they didn’t have to have someone working in their home office next to them – that they could send or give the work to me to work in my own office.

I have also picked up long-term clients from online but over 50% of my current main/permanent clients with me today have come from face-to-face networking or because they’ve heard about me from someone else at one of these events.

There is room for both but it is very important not to dismiss one over the other without trying them both.

Comment on You can’t build it 100% online by Pattie Mason

Pattie Mason — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:46:32 +0000

An interesting post. I used to market my business locally and went to network groups, helped out at the chamber of commerce, etc, etc. I came across plenty of the kind of business owner you give as an example, who didn’t know what software programmes are and could hardly use the internet. The issue is that it’s difficult for these kind of people to work with virtual assistants because they don’t really buy into the concept. It means you either spend a huge amount of time and effort trying to win them round to the virtual way, or you end up wasting a lot of time meeting them face to face and going to work on site for them. The issue I found was that they liked the idea of an assistant but not really a virtual one. Sure, you could argue that it’s up to virtual assistants to convince those kind of potential clients otherwise. But really, unless you are struggling for clients, why bother? My best clients who have been with me for years are all people I have never met face to face, they came to me through my website and other online networking. They’re serious business people with a very real belief in the benefits of virtual working. It’s these kind of clients that have enabled me to move from London to New Zealand and continue running my business pretty much as before. Of course, it’s all up to the individual and what sort of business they want to build and what sort of clients they want to work with. However, having tried both the on and offline approach, I certainly know which I would opt for.

Comment on VAs, please get your facts right! by Deb

Deb — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:32:21 +0000

Yes I would go with virtual employee for that one. VA’s are definitely not employees – great article Kathie, it’s so important that it is clear to people exactly how we work. I ensure they know that I don’t work for them, but that we work together.

Comment on Are you doing the work? by Deb

Deb — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:24:23 +0000

Some great advice here. One thing that really helps me keep on track is a good, solid, well thought out business plan. Inside that I have an action plan that I follow – with goals to achieve. It’s an awesome feeling to set goals and actually achieve them, and it certainly helps keep you motivated! Thanks for the advice above… I must admit, I tend to be more of a quiet one on the forums – I like to watch and learn, but when I have something to say, I say it

Comment on Are you doing the work? by Sue Gross

Sue Gross — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:18:03 +0000

That is so true Kathie! I can’t tell you how much work I’ve gained from other VAs just by being visible on networks, interacting, being professional, asking questions, answering questions, just generally getting out there and being noticed. Due to family circumstances, I can’t do a lot of face to face networking so I rely on an online presence. If you put the effort in, it really can work well.

Comment on Sub-contracting to another VA? Treat like a client! by physician assistant

physician assistant — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:55:12 +0000

Terrific work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher!

Comment on New to the VA industry and looking for a job… by Tweets that mention Virtual Assistant – THE Blog About Our Industry » New to the VA industry and looking for a job… -- Topsy.com

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 06:26:59 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kathie M. Thomas, Anita Kilkenny, VADirectorynet, Denise Marron, Alexandra Popovic and others. Alexandra Popovic said: New to the VA industry and looking for a job… http://bit.ly/cLV5lw (via @KathieMT) [...]