Have you been missing receiving important email and are using a MS based email service? Here's a good argument for having your own domain for sending and receiving email. I shared this with my VA group on Facebook this week. Are you using a Microsoft owned email address? That is hotmail, live.com or outlook.com? Think very carefully about using these email services. They've blocked my domain vadirectory.net and I've now heard they've done it to others too. It is believed that MS … [Read more...]
Introducing our new Manager
I'm delighted to advise that long-time colleague and VA associate Anita Kilkenny has been engaged as the new Manager for VA Directory, as from today, 1st October 2020. Anita and I have actively worked together on a few committees and also co-founded both the Australian VA Conference and Australian VA Association together over 10 years ago. We have, very much, been aligned in our work in the VA industry both here in Australia and overseas. So it's very fitting that she should join me in … [Read more...]
Benefits of multiple clients
Despite the Virtual Assistant Industry being a good 20+ years of age, there are still people entering our industry with the wrong idea. Probably because there is so much misinformation out there. Which is a real shame, as it puts newbie VAs on the wrong foot to start with, and many potential clients also, when it comes to engaging support. I don't know how many times I've said it, but Virtual Assistants are self-employed owner/operators - running their own businesses. That is always how it … [Read more...]
Wondering how our VAs can help you?
I recently ran a poll on our VA Facebook Group and this is the result of the poll responses. This chart may change, over time, as more VAs join our group and respond to it, but I thought it might help you to see the types of things that can be done for you. It might even make you realise there is more that can be done for you than you thought. You may be wondering about the cost as well and that will vary considerably, depending on the type of work being done. Some will charge hourly, … [Read more...]
Warning for new VAs – accepting payments from clients.
This post comes as the result of reading a sad story from a new VA who had purchased items on the behalf of a new client, who then paid her back with a bad check. Had I heard before this was to happen I would have told her "don't do it!". This is a common scam and unfortunately the poor VA has lost a couple thousand dollars for this learning exercise. Whether she'll get her money back is an unknown. Depends on the legal system in her country and if the police get involved. Never accept a … [Read more...]
Including your children in your workplace at home
With the current world wide isolations in place, because of COVID-19, many of us are now working at home, be it our own business, or for a boss and, for many, this also means having the kids at home. The two can mix quite amicably but it can take time to settle into a routine. Believe me, I've done it! Having brought up five young daughters who were aged 7-13 when I started my business in 1994. They're all grown now, four are married, three with children, and are working at home, doing very … [Read more...]
Are you Zoom’d out?
If you're like me and starting to have regular online meetings, you may find yourself doing far too many, in too little time. I've heard some are spending hours every day in online meetings. Was that the norm for you? Regular daily meetings? Remember you are in control of your diary. Set a routine and try to pace yourself. I've decided no more than one meeting a day but for others that might not be realistic. Perhaps one in the morning and one in the afternoon - if they're not long … [Read more...]
Virtual Assistants and COVID-19
I had the privilege of being asked to participate in a panel discussion with 4 other industry leaders, Ingrid Bayer, Liz Parker, Rosie Shilo and Susan Wilkin, here in Australia, being run by AAVIP. It was a great discussion, with all sorts of ideas on what VAs can do to help their existing clients, and potential clients during this global time of crisis, as well as keeping their own businesses operating and looking after themselves mentally and physically. I thought I would share my own … [Read more...]
Are Virtual Assistants Good or Bad for Business?
I recently answered this question at Quora and thought I'd bring the discussion here on my own site. My answer was in response to the inference that they could be damaging to someone's business. And there seems to me, that some think you just engage a VA when you want something done - they don't realise that this can be a long-term arrangement. I'd like you to consider that a Virtual Assistant can be long-term use, not just short-term. Why engage lots of different VAs when you can keep one … [Read more...]
