That is the question. A discussion at one of the VA forums I belong to raised a query about being 'tested' by doing small jobs for free at a site before being accepted as a VA for potential clients. I find that sometimes clients come via my jobleads request form and attempt to do the same thing. Give 4 or 5 (or more) VAs a small portion of the task to be done just to 'try them out' and before you know it, they've gotten the whole job done free and not paid anyone. That's not on! As was … [Read more...]
Do you have problems with delegation?
Marcia Hoeck writes a blog called "Breakthrough Business" and she has a lot of really good common sense articles and information. Her latest post "Are You a Victim of the “Entrepreneurial Curse”?" rang bells for me. It gives several good reasons why Entrepreneurs need to let go and delegate. In other words, outsource the things that can be outsourced so you can use your 'boundless energy' to be more creative in your business. If you'd like to know what the Entrepreneurial Curse is, then make … [Read more...]
Dates – write them in full
When dealing with people from other countries via email, make sure you spell dates out in full. Instead of putting 1/21 or 12/5 why not put 21st January or 5th December? Or in the case of the second one it could be 12th May, depending on who wrote it and where they live. In some countries the day is written first and the month second, and in others the month first and then the day. If dates are important in the communication don't assume that the recipient is on the same page as you with … [Read more...]
Printing still important
In the past few days I've received emails from a couple of VAs who have had computer problems and lost some emails which were important to them. They asked if I could help by resending any emails I'd sent or help locate the person who had contacted them. They did have their data backed up but not email from what I can gather. At least not a current version. Computer problems are going to happen. Email programs are not 100% robust and they do fail, fall over, and quit when we least expect … [Read more...]
Has anyone worked with a Virtual Assistant? Part 8
Another in our series of VA client interviews. This time we're delighted to have Camille Valvo of Professional Speaking with us. Camille's VA is a member of the "A Clayton's Secretary" team. Please tell my readers a bit about who you are and what you do. I am unique event insurance as a professional MC, corporate facilitator and speaking coach. I eliminate stress for event organizers as their ‘professional up front’ and for speakers who need a little or a lot of help delivering their … [Read more...]
Introducing Australian VA Conference
I'm thrilled to announce that the Australian Virtual Assistant Conference is going to take place on Friday 12th and Saturday 14th March, 2010 in Melbourne. While it's called The 'Australian' VA Conference it doesn't mean you can't come if you're not Australian. It simply means it is being run in Australia and everyone is invited. It's been in the planning for several months and the venue is now confirmed, accommodation organised for those who need it, and airport transfers. Some speakers have … [Read more...]
Do I need a business name?
That's a question I see asked at VA forums often, or a variation on it, asking for suggestions on business names. However, do you really need one? If you don't have a focus, i.e. have no idea what your specific service offerings may be at the start and you're just feeling your way, then a business name may not be necessary. It's probably best to work under your own name till you have some idea. Why? Because when you register a name that's just the beginning and there are a number of … [Read more...]
Spelling – doesn’t it matter any more?
I can't get over the number of VA forums I belong to where members don't appear to check what they've typed before publishing it to the (board) forum. Or make use of the Edit function for corrections. Or, do they think that in a closed community it really doesn't matter? If that's the case, I beg to differ. Many VAs outsource to other VAs and the way you present yourself in the typed word is the very first impression others get of your abilities. How often do we see typed VA's instead of … [Read more...]
Do it yourself or…?
On the VA forums I often see new VAs asking about whether they should design their own logo or pay someone else to do it, design their own website or pay someone else to do it, and so on. I know they are new and probably not earning much yet but what price is your business worth to you? If something looks home made or unprofessional that is going to reflect on your business - people will view your abilities by what they can see and assume that the rest of your abilities are as mediocre. But … [Read more...]
