At this time of year (Christmas/New Year) scams will be on the rise and so will phishing emails with promises of all sorts of things through bogus promotions. One of the VAs from my team posted a warning about a phishing email supposedly from her bank the other day. A day prior a client forwarded to me an email she got from Paypal (supposedly) but I was soon able to detect that it was not a genuine email. Here are some ideas to get you looking. 1. Usually not personally addressed. Banks … [Read more...]
Win a year’s membership with the ACS Team
Are you a Virtual Assistant looking to get more exposure for your business? Have you thought about joining a VA network but not sure whether it's worth it or not? (I can tell you now, it certainly is worth it) Perhaps you are looking to get started in the new year and membership of a VA network is on your to-do-list? Whatever the reason I invite you to join our team at "A Clayton's Secretary" and you may win a whole year's membership free. All you have to do is read the membership criteria … [Read more...]
Do I have to have a niche?
The question asked by many new VAs is: Do I have to have a niche? I see this discussed on various forums and while the intentions are good on behalf of those VAs who respond, I find that sometimes their enthusiasm for what they feel is right may be holding others back. The following is my answer: I think as your business grows and develops you eventually discover a niche that's right for you but unless you really do know what you want to do at the start, I don't feel people should be limiting … [Read more...]
AVAC bookings coming in
The Australian VA Conference (AVAC) is really only 3 months away. Did you realise that? It's just occurred to me. Early bird bookings are still available but not for too much longer. It's great to see we'll have VAs from different states in Australia attending but also from overseas. What a great event it's shaping up to be. We've even had an enquiry from a freelance journalist in Turkey who plans to attend! We also have a fantastic lineup of speakers and expressions of interest from … [Read more...]
Am I an employer of Virtual Assistants?
Interesting question and I do understand why I get asked that periodically. For the record, the answer is 'no'. I am not an employer. I am, however, the founder of the VA Network, "A Clayton's Secretary", and that network operates as an industry based group to help those who want to be Virtual Assistants develop their businesses and meet clients. There is a big difference. Members pay a subscription fee to belong to the team and have to meet our criteria to be eligible. They fill out the … [Read more...]
Getting Started as a Virtual Assistant
It is clear to me through the various VA forums that the industry is continuing to grow. That's a good thing. And we see continued requests for VA support as well. But it is also obvious to me that there's not enough information out there for budding VAs in how to set up their businesses - or perhaps they just don't know where to look. I see the same questions being asked constantly at the forums and also get individual emails with similar requests. And it's probably been awhile since I've … [Read more...]
New beginnings and all that
This time of year traditionally gets people thinking about what has transpired over the past almost 12 months and what they would like to do for the following year. Some look upon the year with sorrow and others filled with hope and promise. What about you? What has this year brought for you? Have you achieved? Did you struggle? January each year I have a prayer and planning day, thinking about what has transpired before and what my hopes are for the forthcoming year. I type them up as … [Read more...]
Message for those wanting to be a VA
I often get requests via email from people who want to become a Virtual Assistant. Sometimes via my VA forum, sometimes via my website contact form, sometimes by email and sometimes by phone. It's generally the written requests that concern me. Some write in ALL CAPS. This is not polite and considered yelling. It also makes me wonder if they really do know how to type or whether they're hiding the fact that they can't. Many do not proof read what they write before hitting send. Their written … [Read more...]
Kudos to Twitter… and @Telstra!
I had a problem with one of my Telstra accounts. I'd inadvertently made a payment on the wrong account and I didn't pick it up till after I'd made the same mistake the following month. I couldn't figure out why Telstra was saying I was in arrears when my bookkeeping program told me I was all paid up. I logged into my bank account and found the error. Do you think I could get Telstra to do something about it? I'd spoken to 3 different consultants over a period of a week and each time got told … [Read more...]
