Virtual Assistant – THE Blog About Our Industry

About the Virtual Assistant industry for VAs and for clients

Commitment – is it a dirty word?

I don’t believe it is but there seems to be a wave of people who work for themselves that lack a dedication to commitment.  I have no idea why.

The way I see it is that if you are providing a service to consumers (clients) then your word should hold and you should commit to work that is booked in, whether on your own premises or onsite with a client.

While I know that this applies to other industries, at this stage I’m talking about the Virtual Assistant industry.  Often I’ve heard from other VAs or clients when a VA who committed to take on a role, just didn’t deliver the work on time, or didn’t respond to emails or phone calls, or simply seemed to disappear off the face of the earth.  What is wrong with people and why do they feel that because it’s ‘their business’ they don’t have to commit?  Before too long word will get around (and it does) and that person (VA or other trade/service supplier) won’t be able to get new clients.

While I appreciate that the main reason for VAs becoming a VA is to be able to work at/from home and be present for family, and therefore there can be situations arising that prevents us to turn up at appointments, or complete a job, it is important, where possible, to contact the client and advise what is happening and if possible, seek another VA to complete the job/role.  Don’t leave the client (even if that client is another VA you’re subbing to) in the dark. Keep them informed and do what you can to assist in the situation that has now arisen.

While it is true that we, as VAs, are no longer employees, and are self-employed, we still have a commitment to those we provide a service for – just as we did when we were in a job.  If you had to ring in to let people know you weren’t going to be in for the day, the same should apply to a client if there is an expectation that you were going to attend an event on their behalf, or get something completed on a particular day.

Making a commitment means you have made a promise – don’t become known for breaking promises.


Written by Kathie Thomas - Visit Website

Anniversary Celebrations IV

This is the last week of celebrations for my business anniversary of 18 years, which was two days ago.  So, what can I give to any VA that they would really appreciate and value. I don’t want to disadvantage existing VAs and want to open it to all VAs, new and experienced.

I thought about it long and hard and decided that a place at the Australian VA Conference being held on 4-5 May would be ideal. This event is suitable for all VAs and will help you move your business onto the next step, no matter where you are in business.  Valued at $299.00 per ticket, I will offer one ticket to a lucky VA who leaves a message in the comments below, in no more than 25 words, why he or she would like to attend AVAC 2012.  And if you’ve already bought a ticket, you can still go in the draw – why not sell it to another VA or gift it to another VA, splitting the costs you’ve already paid?

I look forward to your comments.


Written by Kathie Thomas - Visit Website

18 years today!

Hi everyone, today is my 18th anniversary of when I registered my business (on National Secretaries Day in Australia) and opened the doors to “A Clayton’s Secretary”.  I had no idea what was about to be birthed only a short time later – the world wide web and a brand new industry – The Virtual Assistant Industry.

Haven’t we come a long way since those days?

For those who are just thinking about starting a Virtual Assistant practice, or perhaps you’ve been going for a short time and wondering if it is worth it – I have to tell you ‘yes it is!’  As long as you stick to your goals and dreams and bring them to fruition.  Just sitting waiting in your office for the phone to ring or to receive an email enquiry isn’t what will make your business work. Being proactive, connecting with people, both online and face-to-face, networking, building relationships, learning about others and their needs and actively doing something every day to build your business will make it work.

The clients won’t come running to you but they will appear, first on the horizon and then eventually closer – and you need to be prepared and ready for them when they arrive.  So, go out and meet people, take time to learn about them and what they do and people will take an interest in what you do too.  And most of all – enjoy it!  If you don’t then there’s no point in doing it as it will become a chore and a burden when the going gets tough – and it does get tough.  As with anything, anything worth having, is worth working (fighting) for.

Have a great weekend everyone. I’m in the middle of cooking apple crumble muffins and enjoying the weekend but had to take time out to let you all know that you can do it too!

P.S., don’t forget the Australian VA Conference is on in May. It’s not too late to book and you will definitely gain so much from it for your business.


Written by Kathie Thomas - Visit Website

Anniversary Celebrations III

By now you will have gotten the idea that a few lucky VAs have gone into the draw for various prizes (gifts) to help me celebrate my 18 years in business.

What have I got in store this week?  Jan King has been kind enough to offer a complimentary copy of her course “Virtual Assistant Speakers Course“, teaching you how to become an assistant for one or more professional speakers.  This is something I have been doing personally for many years and have been fortunate to work with some of the country’s top professional speakers.  It’s work I have really enjoyed, and you can too.  Normally $498USD Jan is happy to give a complimentary copy for my anniversary celebrations. All you have to do is leave a comment below, outlining in no more than 25 words, why you would like to do this course.


Written by Kathie Thomas - Visit Website

National Secretaries Day dates

I noticed that many people have been researching the dates for National Secretaries Day – which is in fact, “Administrative Professionals Day” these days.

The official dates in the US for the next few years are:

April 25, 2012; April 24, 2013; April 23, 2014; April 22, 2015

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is the professional organisation in the US.

Here in Australia the date is the first Friday in May, however breakfast dates celebrating this event vary from state to state.   So for this year (2012) the official date is Friday 4th May.  The Australian Institute of Office Professionals (AIOP) is the professional organisation for this event.

For the Virtual Assistant Industry we celebrate International Virtual Assistants Day on the third Friday in May, this year being 18th May.  This is organised by the Online International Virtual Assistants Convention (OIVAC).

Some countries celebrate events on the same days as listed above for Admin Professionals and other countries have different dates.


Written by Kathie Thomas - Visit Website