I really love the work I do, especially when it helps a client succeed in a goal. Some clients are long-term, some are short-term. Below is a story about a short-term client. One of my latest is a student at Swinburne Uni who has cerebral palsy. For the past 10 years, he's been writing his life story, with the help of his various carers. Two months ago I was contacted to see if I could assist in putting his manuscript into a format for publishing and help them get the book published. I have … [Read more...]
Stationery Junkie
Is anyone else like me? A stationery junkie? I know there are a few VAs that feel the same way. I go into raptures every time I walk into Officeworks, or a similar store. Just the clean reams of paper, or an untouched notebook, all the play things in the tech section, new pens and pencils. So many things. I just love seeing everything and even touching some of it. And I particularly like a brand new clean diary. A promise of the new year to come and the promises that new year holds. I just … [Read more...]
How did you get your first client?
A question I'm often asked in different places. Usually by new VAs who are dead set keen to get their first client and not sure how to go about it. I thought I'd share how my first clients came about and encourage readers to add theirs as well. For me it was 1994. I was telling everyone I knew what I was planning to do... leave my job and start up my own secretarial business at home. A man at my church came and asked if I could do some typing for him and that was my first job. Only a few … [Read more...]
Where does all your business come from?
This is a question asked at VA Forum recently and the person posting the question specifically wanted to know if everyone was getting all of their business via LinkedIn (where the forum is). There were a variety of answers that responded with some saying yes and others saying no. I believe the answer is that it would be unusual for ALL your business to come from the one avenue, even if people are using it as a networking tool. Why? Because they should be doing a variety of networking, rather … [Read more...]
Christmas events
As a VA and Business Owner, the opportunity for the Christmas business 'do' may not arise. In the early years of my business I got around this by holding an afternoon tea, close to Christmas each year, inviting my clients to come along and meet each other. None had to bring anything with them, although some always did. I financed it completely and it was a way of thanking them all for their patronage throughout the year. This worked well for several years and it was pleasing to see the amount … [Read more...]
What are you planning in the New Year?
It's that time of year again. Thinking about Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year. Plans for the New Year. What are you planning to do? Have you been thinking about running your own Virtual Assistant business but just haven't taken the plunge? Or, perhaps you have been for awhile but feel there are some things missing in what you need to do and how to do it? Maybe it's time to get some guidance and training so you can kick off the New Year filled to the brim with ideas and confidence! … [Read more...]
AVAC 2013 – are you coming?
Now's a good time to get your booking in, before the silly season starts. Our lineup of speakers will be released very soon but I can tell you that we do have a VA Coach coming all the way from the USA! And I'm sure you will want to meet her and hear what she has to say. This will be our 4th annual event and this time round it is being held in Sydney. So why not get your booking in today and plan to join us next March at AVAC 2013! … [Read more...]
Do you know your entitlements as a Trademark owner?
I'm no expert on the topic of Trademarks but do appreciate the importance of having one, or more. I often see this topic being dicussed amongst VAs worldwide and it's important that they avail themselves of this information and important topic. Especially if they've trademarked in their country and think that no-one else can use the same business name as them in another country. That is not the case and Jacqui explains why in her article published today at Flying Solo. TM ® Here's an excerpt … [Read more...]
Are you lonely in your role as a VA?
Are you a VA who is finding it lonely working alone at home every day? This is a common occurrence for new VAs as they make the transition from the corporate world to a work-at-home scenario. Loneliness is one of the key factors for VAs not continuing their businesses and returning to the workforce. I encourage each of you to seek out local networks close to where you live so you can go to meetings. Business networks, council networking groups, if you have children, perhaps mother's clubs (or … [Read more...]
