In speaking to various people or reading articles online, it's easy to understand why some have the perception that they need a lot of hours of regular work to be done to have a Virtual Assistant looking after them. In fact, that's not true at all. While many VAs do have packages where you can buy 5, 10 or more hours a month of work to be done, not all have that system in place. Many do ad-hoc work, others simply bill at the end of the month. One of my longest-term clients started off with … [Read more...]
Going on a trip?
Then don't leave it till you're at your destination to find out if you can access your email. This is something that should be organised before you leave - not afterward. When my husband and I went to Canada and Alaska in 2009 I knew I'd need to check email daily. While I had left my business in the hands of some of my VA team, I expected there would be occasional questions about how to deal with a situation or anything else that cropped up. So having daily access, even if only for 15 mins … [Read more...]
Google Alert – great tool
I was chatting to a client the other day about ways to find blogs to comment on and I asked them if they knew about Google Alert? They didn't. So I explained about how this very simple tool can assist you daily in your business. I don't know how long I've been using it. Their system doesn't tell me. However, I've used it for many clients and also for myself. Simple really. Click on the link above and then enter in a keyword or phrase (which should be in quotes " ") and then tell it when you … [Read more...]
Virtual Assistants for Photographers – niche
As you know, photography is a passion of mine.... and it occurs to me this would make another great niche for a Virtual Assistant. What kind of things would photographers need assistance with? Diary management of bookings Database management of existing and prospective clients Cataloguing of images Setting up and ordering photobooks Promotion and marketing through ezines, newsletters, blogs, Facebook, etc Assisting photographers with setting up Twitter and Linkedin profiles Maintaining … [Read more...]
AVAC Special offer
The Australian VA Conference (AVAC) is only weeks away and I have a special offer for those who would like to join my VA network and come to the conference. Get both at a reduced rate together! You can see the details at this page http://australianvaconference.com/avac-payment/ 1 year's membership to "A Clayton's Secretary" (with the joining fee waived), registration to the Australian VA Conference at a reduced rate and a copy of my ebook "10 Surefire Steps to Marketing Your VA … [Read more...]
Have you thought about what you want to do this year?
I sent the following information to my clients recently and thought that my readers might also benefit from the information. Things to think about for your business at the beginning of a new year. Website(s) - does it need updating, changing, or anything else done to it? Are your contact details current on the site? Blog(s) - how often are you writing articles and posting, or do you need my assistance with this? If you have a blog it should be written to regularly, at least 2-4 times a … [Read more...]
Seeking good customer service
My husband and I were watching ACA (A Current Affair, Ch 9, Melbourne) program the other night and they were discussing why less people are entering the shops and more are shopping online. Talk had even been made of the home shopping option that was available for years and then scrapped because it was considered too expensive. Retailers are getting concerned about the declining number of shoppers. There were a number of possible reasons and excuses given but we both felt that the key reasons … [Read more...]
Start the New Year clear of clutter!
New Year, New Start... or isn't it like that for you? Does your desk and your computer still hold the clutter of the previous year? Here are some simple things to clear the way for you. Outlook's .pst file continues to grow as you receive email and send email. You can use the autoarchiving options and also work to clear out or delete unwanted items, but so many of us like to check back on something we said, or sent some months ago. However, the file will continue to grow in size, so what to … [Read more...]
Happy New Year to our readers
4th January early morning where I am and the new working year has begun! I've been looking forward to this week. I was enjoying my break with my husband but a part of me has been raring to go, being filled with new ideas and plans during the break time - I just want to get started on them! Even during the break I've been tweaking things, playing with programs, working out how things work and finally completing some items that I'd put on hold due to lack of time. My desk is looking a little … [Read more...]
