I've been the victim of a very sick scam. I really don't understand why or what. But I wanted to share it with you so you can be wary, in case it happens to you. Middle of July a new affiliate signed up. Nothing unusual about that. I get affiliates signing up with my site regularly. However, this affiliate began generating a lot of sales quite quickly. The first I knew of it was when I suddenly started getting orders for my book "Worth More Than Rubies". I sell copies here and there, but … [Read more...]
I’m new in business and want to get started
This is a common question for those new to the Virtual Assistant business. How do they find clients? Should they be networking? Do they really have to go out and meet people? What about those sites where you have to pay to get work and so on. Networking is paramount, both online and offline. If people don't know you exist, then they're not going to think of you when looking for your type of service. Building relationships is still very important in business, probably moreso because people … [Read more...]
Virtual Assistant – are you going it alone?
Being in business is tough any time. You have to wear multiple hats, or be able to employ sufficient people to wear all those hats: CEO/Owner, marketer & promotions/PR, bookkeeper, database manager, worker, and so it goes on. I still hear from those who have been operating a Virtual Assistant business entirely on their own, unaware there is a whole industry out there, of peers whom they could be connecting with to learn from and share. It would seem that some are so busy inside their … [Read more...]
What if…?
On a VA forum a new VA has been asking questions of those who have been a Virtual Assistant for more than 12 months. She wanted to know how they have found it and whether it would work for her. Other VAs have joined in the conversation, particularly other newbies planning to take the same path. One commented she was worried that she might miss the boat, even though she was really scared to take that course of action. My response to her was this: The only way to miss the boat, is to not get … [Read more...]
Affiliate programs do work!
Virtual Assistants work from home based offices, so it's natural that the industry would attract those who are keen to work from home, and be present for their family members. Family are the very reason why I work from home. I wanted to be here for my 5 daughters while they were in school. They're now grown up and have left home but I'm still here and at home. Probably just as well too as my husband had a serious accident just over 3 months ago and he's needed me to be here for him. Readers … [Read more...]
Making your clients work
What? Your clients need to work? But aren't you, their VA, doing it all for them? Up to a point. I often smile to myself when having phone meetings with clients. We have an action list of items for me to attend to, but at the end of the discussion, the client often has their own action list too. Because, after all, if they want me to complete my duties, there are some things they need to do. What kind of things do you ask? Well, business cards. How often have you come across clients with … [Read more...]
Do you remember your first client?
Some great topics are discussed at the VA forums. This was one of them and it was interesting to see how each VA got started on their journey in business. For me, it was through my church - even before my business had been started. A man knew I was a secretary at work and asked me if I could do some work for him at home. He also knew I had a computer at home (which was rare back in 1994). It made me realise that others may have need of my services and I had been contemplating starting up a … [Read more...]
How to get your first client as a Virtual Assistant
One question that is often asked on VA forums is 'how do I get my first client?' and the answers are always forthcoming from those who have already been there. When the new VA gets the answers they nearly always balk at the prospect of having to go out and meet people and network. I believe most of them think that in working at and from home means they will never have to go out into that big wide world again - wrong! You might be operating as a Virtual Assistant but that doesn't you mean you … [Read more...]
When is the right time?
A new virtual assistant recently posted at the VA forum that she was giving up her regular temp work so she could concentrate on developing her new VA business and get it running. Many of the VAs on the list congratulated her and encouraged her. It's a big step and a scary one. I remember it well. I took that same step over 15 years ago. I'd been doing temp work and also going out to client offices as I built my new business - at that time as a homebased secretary. But I was getting more … [Read more...]
