Comments for Virtual Assistant - THE Blog About Our Industry

Comment on What would I do if I were a new VA today? by Kathie Thomas

Kathie Thomas — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:38:32 +0000

Glad to be of help Sarah and thanks for dropping in.

Comment on What would I do if I were a new VA today? by Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:37 +0000

HI Kathie

Thanks so much for this post. I’m studying business management at the moment but want to embark on a VA business when i’m finished. This is really good advice, particularly regarding the business name and logo aspect. It’s so easy to get get caught up trying to develop an amazing business name, when in fact, when you’re first starting out there are far more important things to be doing and considering.

I’ve wasted many an hour when I should have been studying trying to come up with a business name. On your advice I have decided that my name will be just fine for now

Comment on Phone access for clients by Anne Camien

Anne Camien — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:53:07 +0000

I haven’t officially opened my doors (a few months away–I hope), and I have been thinking about how to deal with this. Part of me wants to accessible to clients, but I also want to have my time. How accessible should one be.

I think back to before cells phones were the latest and greatest toy. Businesses and also people got along fine with playing telephone tag even though it was frustrating trying to make contact and first class mail was the only way written communications got to whomever. Are things that much different today just because cell phones are the latest and greatest.

I still haven’t made up my mind, but have almost decided that I’ll let things unfold with an emphasis on keeping some things private.

Comment on Sick scam by Kathie Thomas

Kathie Thomas — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:35:03 +0000

Update on this – the person processing the stolen credit cards had been engaged to process orders online. She thought she had a real job and thought I was a ‘dog’ for claiming back her affiliate fees through Paypal. I was accused of scamming her and all affiliates. End result for me – I withdrew a lot of my products on my shoppingcart, particularly those items I knew were being promoted on the affiliate’s site and I’m yet to put them all back up there.

Comment on Phone access for clients by Daniel Milstein

Daniel Milstein — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:22:13 +0000

Good Share.I hope more people discover your blog because you really know what you’re talking about. Can’t wait to read more from you!

Comment on Phone access for clients by Sharyn

Sharyn — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:11:13 +0000

Funnily enough, I give out my mobile number for exactly the reasons you don’t, in fact I actually don’t have a landline at all any more.

I haven’t had a problem with clients calling at strange hours, although I’d be quick to bump a call from anyone who did. I think that’s the biggest reason I prefer giving out a mobile number – I can put the phone on silent if I want to disconnect 1000% and I can bump calls from people when it’s not convenient to talk.

When I know who’s on the other end of the phone I don’t have the same urgency to answer that I do with a landline. If I couldn’t tell whether it’s a client who is a bit of a drama queen fine to send to messagebank or a client who’d only ring if it was really important I’d be far more inclined to answer ‘just in case’.

Comment on Phone access for clients by Lisa Olinda

Lisa Olinda — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:53:26 +0000

I was amused when I received your post in my inbox this morning. Yesterday I had a client asking for my cell phone number and I responded that I keep my cell for my family’s use only. If I am going to be away from my desk for an extended time I have the ability to divert my work line to my cell (if I choose to do that). When I am out with family and friends I really don’t like dealing with a cell phone. It is there if I need it. Clients can email me if necessary and I often check my email on the go to see if anything urgent needs a quick response. I think we need down time!
Lisa Olinda´s last [type] ..Does Customer Service Have New Rules?

Comment on New course for Virtual Assistants… by Ashish Rastogi

Ashish Rastogi — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:06:29 +0000

This course sounds good to me I am very much interested to get this course…how can i get that..?Thanks Ashish

Comment on Starting off the new year by Gail Lockyer

Gail Lockyer — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:56:44 +0000

Thanks for this blog Kathie, it gave me inspiration for this week’s email to my clients.

Comment on Phone access for clients by Chris Jenkins

Chris Jenkins — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:34:17 +0000

Until recently I have also kept my mobile private, however over the last 12 months I have increasingly relied on my mobile to send texts to clients + so now it does get used for business. I’ve resolved this by taking the opportunity when upgrading my mobile to a smart phone, to keep the old phone for business use, + the new phone for personal.

I do now have the problem of carrying two phones during the changeover period, but it’s worth it to be able to manage my time/workload effectively. I still receive txts/phone calls at 10pm or throughout the weekend, but I respond during work hours unless I’ve arranged with clients to do so.

If I don’t look after myself properly by managing my work/personal time effectively, then I’m unable to provide the best service I can for my clients.