Continuing on in our recent series... Using free accounts such as hotmail, yahoo, etc for their email address. Domains are very cheap to purchase and even if you don't yet have your own website, there is no reason why you can't have your own domain (to reflect your name or your business name) for your email. This assists with branding and people are more likely to remember your business or business name if you use a domain address to reflect that when corresponding with them. Show people you … [Read more...]
Victorian Bush Fires and the Need for Tourism
Last year I wrote about two different situations where the VA community grouped together to help one of its own. One was when a VA shared on her challenges and others rallied round to help her. The other was when I, myself, was going through a family tragedy and so many once again, rallied round to support me and let me know they were there in my time of need. Well, another need has been highlighted by one of my team today and it relates to the Victorian bushfires that most of the world now … [Read more...]
Has the spammer done me a favour?
I noticed this afternoon that someone has chosen to use my old email address to spam people. I got the first hint when a bounce back came to me saying it was stuck in a loop - it was addressed to my old address. Checking my spam filter shows there are heaps of returned messages there. Such a pain because it wasn't me sending them and I hate people thinking I'm responsible for them. I was checking my stats for the day and noticed a big spike in hits today - I wondered what brought that on? I … [Read more...]
1,000th Member Joins the ACS Team!
Well, it finally happened, our 1000th member has joined the ACS team! I can't reveal who they are yet, until they've received and acknowledged the notification. But just to remind you what they will receive. The gifts will be their choice of the following items (and they may choose more than one item - if they don’t yet have that item then they are welcome to it): 1 year’s membership to the “A Clayton’s Secretary” team valued at $187AUD (the amount will be refunded to the lucky new member or … [Read more...]
Would you like to attend my book launch?
If you are in Melbourne on Wednesday evening this week you could come along! Wednesday 11th February, @ 6pm. The Foyer, Bayside Church, Argus Street, Cheltenham (Mel78:C12). Opening by Rob Buckingham who wrote the Foreword with an appearance by fellow author Charles Widdowson (of 'Our Favourite Hymns') from Radio LightFM. Bookings essential. Please fill out the contact form to register your interest in attending, or reply to this email. Refreshments will be provided and autographed copies … [Read more...]
How much should I charge?
Regularly on the VA forums, and sometimes via direct email, I see this question from new VAs. They have worked out what services they are going to provide, have begun seeking ways to network and find new clients but then when they get asked 'how much?' they get stuck. That's ok, we've all been there in some form or another. What did I do when I was treading this same path 15 years ago? I looked at what I was earning the previous year in a corporate job. I knew that if I was going to make … [Read more...]
Number 7 Mistake VAs Make
Not keeping the client in the picture. Some clients will get very anxious if they don't hear from you within an expected time frame and will either go off and find someone else to help them or get very annoyed when they do connect with you. Always a good idea to ask what the time frame is and make sure you report back regularly if a large or long project or regular ongoing work. And particularly for new clients - they won't know what to expect and for many, using a VA for the first time can … [Read more...]
Mistakes VAs Make
I hope you like the series I've been doing on the mistakes VAs make in operating their businesses. I've been getting great feedback - both here at the blog and via email from various people and the list has been growing as I've been thinking about it when away from my office and doing other things. So, where did I get the idea to do this? Twitter. What Twitter? Yes. I saw someone post some weeks ago the number one mistake in their industry - it was just a single post and didn't continue on, … [Read more...]
Number 6 Mistake VAs Make
Staying in our comfort zone. We need to be flexible and stretch and bend if we want our businesses to grow. Technology - where would this industry be without it? And yet we all get comfortable and set in out ways and get to a point where we feel we don't want to learn anything new. It's all happening too fast and we're comfortable where we are... for a time. I remember I felt like that before learning about blogging. I only investigated it because a client asked me too but I really did … [Read more...]
