I belong to a number of chat forums, some relate to the VA industry, some are other business related, some software, and a few more that are connected to personal interests. What disturbs me the most is that on any of the chat forums that are business related in some way, people continue to post to the forums just like they sending an SMS to a friend or carrying on a phone conversation with a family member. They forget they are in a business forum. Things I recommend you do when … [Read more...]
Maintaining Professionalism 24/7
I belong to the TrumpU forum and post periodically when a topic pushes a hot button. The latest one was about whether spelling and grammar matters on posts. Below is a response from another member of the forum and my answer follows. I was pleased to get encouraging responses thereafter. RE: Thankyou Mr. Trump for getting these Forums going ...Yesterday @ 11:31 PM EST I must disagree with you about not wanting an edit / spellcheck feature on this forum. We all make mistakes typing. This is a … [Read more...]
Steps for operating a blog
As I often share information about using blogs these days I’ve been asked several times, how do you go about it? So, for the benefit of those who wish to learn, and don’t yet fully understand, here are the steps: 1. Go to www.blogger.com and create a username and password if you don’t already have an account (if you are reading this at blogger then print it off, follow the steps and click on the blogger logo at the top left-hand of the screen). 2. Next choose a name for your blog – try … [Read more...]
Client Case Study #2
I met William a year after I started my business. He found me in the Yellow Pages after the secretarial service he'd been using moved out of the area. William was in his late 60s at the time and still a practising Export Trade Consultant with a government department. He ran his business from his home and would fax me his handwriting and I would fax back the typed document so he could fax it on to someone else. His handwriting was difficult to read but I got used to it and gradually, over time, … [Read more...]
Client Case Study #1
It was suggested to me via a recent comment posted that I should post some Case Studies and I think that an excellent idea - it will help demonstrate to both wanna-be VAs, and prospective clients, just how a client-VA relationship works. So, enter Lorraine, one of my longest-term clients. Lorraine is a Business Coach who specialises in showing people how to better organise their working and personal lives. Her business name is The Office Organiser and her catch phrase is "How to Have Less Mess, … [Read more...]
An Anniversary Almost Passed By….
Today is 24th March. Probably doesn't mean much to most people who read this - unless they have a birthday, anniversary or something else that prompts them to think of this day. For me it's the anniversary of the day I registered my business in Melbourne, Australia - on National Secretaries Day 1994. 12 years ago! Each year I think I really should do something to celebrate the day, make it special in some way, and each year it sneaks up on me - probably because I'm always busy doing … [Read more...]
Requests for Help
I often get requests for help from those just starting out in our industry. Often they have set up great looking websites, have some brochures ready to give out - they just don't have the clients and don't know where to start. So they ask if I can get them started, or send work their way, or give advice... there are so many things they ask for, and I could spend all day, every day, assisting others and not getting my own work done. There's a saying: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, … [Read more...]
Marketing Your VA Business
I was asked over the weekend by a new VA, the following two questions: 1. How do you know how many potential clients you should market yourself to? In terms of income I would perhaps prefer to have one particular client that I work for on a regular basis and then pick up other work as and when I can. and, 2. Should I simply saturate the market with advertising material - on the flipside if it does get busy I might end up turning clients away. Kristen First Legal Support Solutions Email: … [Read more...]
Making Things Add Up In Business
One of the topics of discussion via our forum this week has been about required registrations for the Tax Office. Here in Australia we need to register for Australian Business Numbers (ABNs), and also Goods & Services Tax (GST) if earning over a certain amount. I'm sure in other countries there are obligatory requirements for people in business - small or large. It amazes me how many do not investigate this side of getting their business started. They ask via chat forums for advice on … [Read more...]
