I had an interesting chat with a public speaker recently. She is planning to get some typed transcriptions done of a series of teleseminars and had been told at a public speakers' networking event about cheap transcriptionists to get the work done. So, although I do a lot of work for her, and she knows I have a whole team behind me, she won't be bringing this particular job to us. I was horrified that she didn't even ask for advise first before making her decision and she told me she knew I … [Read more...]
Charging What You’re Worth?
Knowing how much to charge for your services is something every new VA struggles with. And even those who have been operating for awhile. It often comes down to confidence in your own abilities and the confidence instilled in you by your clients as your business develops. I saw a great quote recently that I thought I'd share with you that may help put things into perspective as you work out rates that are right for you. From Harry Beckwith's great book 'Selling The Invisible.' A woman was … [Read more...]
Back Up Before You’re Packed Up!
When you operate a business online one of your most important assets is your computer - it's where all your data is stored. Everything you've set up, your systems, client information, database of contacts, history of things that have taken place, everything, it's a very important part of your business. So, why would people risk this and not back up their systems on a regular basis? The absolute minimum should be weekly but I would recommend daily, especially if your computer is in use daily. … [Read more...]
VA Coaching and Training
Some time ago I announced the coaching and training program I was developing for the industry. The program is now in place and we have our first set of students undergoing the course, currently in week 5. Lessons are delivered weekly via email over a 10 week period, and the students return their homework via email. We have fortnightly online classroom sessions where students can chat with each other, and ask questions of the past couple of weeks' lessons, etc. We also have a student forum … [Read more...]
I love being a VA!
The team and I were discussing the benefits of being a VA recently and one of my team members posted her response with a list and she gave me permission to put it here. I thought it would be great to hear from others too - if they'd like to add their comments! Might even be fun to try and develop a list that is 50 points, perhaps 100 long! My post read: When I began it was typing and data entry. But my interest in databases led me to read a lot about them and learn things, and offer a basic … [Read more...]
Are You a VA in Singapore?
We've started to get enquiries for VAs in the Singapore region. We did have one member there but she's shifted and now we're left with no-one. I've made a few enquiries and did locate one person but she did not have the 'secretarial' skills required by the company asking. The company rang me again this morning to see if we'd had any further luck. As knowledge of the VA industry increases, along with the need for companies to do business in other countries, access to the support provided by VAs … [Read more...]
Email Etiquette II
First published April 2003. I had great feedback from my last article, and was asked to write further on the subject; hence my title. This month I'll share on Email Etiquette in discussion groups. For those who are not yet aware, on the Internet there are hundreds of thousands of discussion groups available in any topic imaginable. The most popular group systems used are YahooGroups.com, Topica.com and SmartGroups.com but there are others. Some web owners set up their own private groups too, … [Read more...]
The bain of all broadcast emailers…
...the bounced address! I send out a monthly newsletter to people who are self-subscribed. So, I never understand why their mailboxes are full everytime I send out a newsletter! I end up deleting them from the list - in disgust. Many of them are VA email addresses - ones I recognise, some I don't, but I can tell from the address that they are a VA. Others are people I know who are actively marketing their businesses - and yet their email fails. I get messages like the one below: This … [Read more...]
Email Etiquette I
First published March 2003. I thought it might be worth visiting some email etiquette for all as the majority of the readers of this newsletter are now on email. It is important to consider that when emailing people you are on show, whether you like it or not, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is one of my ‘pet’ subjects on which I speak when giving a public presentation about the Internet. I am constantly amazed at the number of people who have never thought about it, including … [Read more...]
