With Christmas and the New Year not that far away, I know that many are looking at what they're going to do next year. Continue in their job or start working for themselves? I know which I prefer. I've had experience of both and as much as working for yourself has some uncertainty to it, I still much prefer the freedom and flexibility of making choices on the type of work I do, the clients I work with and the hours I work. While my daughters were growing up I loved that I could schedule in … [Read more...]
Where are you located?
Periodically I get requests from students here in Australia researching the Virtual Assistant industry. They want to know how many VAs are here in Australia, how long they've been in business and what type of work we do. While I can answer the last question easily and give them an indication of how long I've been in business personally, I certainly can't answer the first question and can only give them a general idea of the second one. So, I've created a very simple 2 question survey to … [Read more...]
Did you miss it?
I have a Virtual Assistant Training Course that runs over a 10 week period, delivered by email. I've had a special offer on for the past 5 days. Did you see it? If you've been thinking about doing a course to become a Virtual Assistant or to add value to your existing VA business, then this may be exactly what you're looking for. But be quick. The special offer finishes midnight AEST today! … [Read more...]
The truth about using a Virtual Assistant
I see so many articles, comments, blogs, etc on how to use a Virtual Assistant and of the benefits or the challenges. One thing that comes through over and over is that many business owners think that having a Virtual Assistant might be something they cannot afford - nice to have, but on their wishlist. Why do they think this? Because many are still in the mindset of engaging administrative or secretarial support in the corporate world - full time role, full time pay involved. Nothing could … [Read more...]
It’s not cool to ask
In fact, it's rather rude. What? you say. I'm talking about those who beg for work at Virtual Assistant forums. They join and then start sending PMs (Personal Messages) to members at the forum, or email them, or ask on the forums itself for work. This is not what the forums are for. They are about learning and sharing information and over time people get to know each other. It's what networking is really about - developing relationships. When you're at a face-to-face networking event you … [Read more...]
Yet another company hopping on the VA bandwagon…
I received an email this morning from 1shoppingcart.com advising all its users that they can now make use of their new partnership virtual assistant services. What? I thought they were a shoppingcart service that provides broadcast emails, autoresponders and shoppingcarts. Now they want to enter the Virtual Assistant Industry too? I don't know about you but I am a Virtual Assistant who has brought them much business over the years, inviting many of my clients to use their service. Doesn't … [Read more...]
The longest I’ve been in a ‘job’…
Just realised this week that the role I have today is the longest I've held down in a 'job' anywhere. Which must mean the boss and I get along ok, hey? ;-) I celebrate 17 years in my own business early next year. The longest I held down a job (before getting bored and moving on) was probably about 5 or maybe 6 years. If I couldn't keep moving onwards and upwards, I moved sidewards to another job elsewhere. I was always getting restless and wanting to do more, learn more, be better. In this … [Read more...]
GST or no GST?
An interesting query was raised at one of the VA forums I participate in. A curly one really. A VA had sub-contracted work out to another VA, they had agreed on a rate but when the invoice arrived it had GST added onto the agreed rate. Therefore the invoice was higher than originally anticipated and thought to be agreed upon. A number of us discussed this issue. Others had had similar happen to them and in fact, when I was managing the AVAC conference earlier this year, the same thing … [Read more...]
You don’t need to meet me…
I often get people contacting me by phone wanting to meet me before deciding to become a Virtual Assistant. When I question why they feel this is necessary, many are just looking for confirmation and an assurety that I'm real and that the industry is too. Some see it as an 'interview' before submitting their application and resume to join our team, others are just looking for me to make them feel comfortable about their decision. Generally I can allay their fears over the phone or by … [Read more...]
