The number one mistake (I believe) Virtual Assistants make is not changing one's mindset when entering our industry to become a VA. I'm going to post a series on this topic and I wanted to share the one I believe is at the top of the list. What do I mean by that? Many who join the chat forums plunge in and start asking questions before they've done the research and read the message archives or articles online about this industry. Or even some of the books available out there. What happens is … [Read more...]
Facebook for networking
I was recently having a discussion on my Virtual Assistant forum about using Facebook for networking. Some thought that it might not have value and others thought it a great tool. Comment had been made about the necessity of using it to advertise how many friends or fans you have. I'll share with you here what my response was about using Facebook. I used to think similarly but I don't anymore. And it's not about 'advertising' who your friends are. It's about keeping in touch. I … [Read more...]
Will you be the one?
I've been running a promotion here for our 1,000th member at "A Clayton's Secretary". We are very close to that number and it's been good to see the new members who have joined us over the past couple of months. Some of those members have received bonuses for joining and here are a few more lucky people. If your name is below, please contact me via email or the contact form here so that you can receive your bonus. Teneille Griffiths Juliet McDonald Penny Green Sophie Cherval Each of these … [Read more...]
Do you give gifts to clients for Christmas?
On some of the Virtual Assistant forums there have been discussions about whether or not to give clients gifts or cards during this special holiday season. Some give discounts, some give gift vouchers for books, movies or other things, some offer other things. On one of the LinkedIn forums I belong to there was a link given for a site that has some excellent "No Cost" gifts for colleagues and service providers and I've listed some of them here. To see the rest please click on the link … [Read more...]
Intel Centrino – a Notebook to play with
Over the past few weeks I've had the privilege of playing with, and testing, an Intel Centrino 2 powered notebook. It has a great easy to view widescreen, is very compact, slim and lightweight, and easy to use. This one has Windows Vista installed on it and OpenOffice suite. It also has 4gig ram. I wasn't able to carry out my normal daily activities on it as it didn't have the software I use every day (MS Office 2003, ACT!, Quickbooks, Dreamweaver) for my regular client activity and it would … [Read more...]
I think I need a VA – what do I do now?
I had a new prospective client contact me overnight. He feels he now needs a VA and has read through my blog but wasn't sure what the next step was. Ooops! Didn't I tell anyone? My oversight. I have a link in the right-hand menu of this blog but for those who read this via email or RSS, then just simply go to http://www.vadirectory.net/jobrequest.htm and fill out the form giving the details of what you want done. Don't forget to include any software programs that are relevant. The results … [Read more...]
Why I do what I do
In the 1980s/90s my husband and I were active Amway distributors. By that I mean we didn't just sell the product, we brought people into the business, taught them how they can help others and how to build their own businesses. The personal and professional development in the distributor leg we were in was phenomenal and existed of many professionals, i.e. doctors, nurses, laywers, consultants and others. We were amongst people we related to well. But those who seemed to 'rise' up and above … [Read more...]
Putting a timestamp on your business
A forum I belong to (non-VA) was discussing whether or not members pay attention to the timestamp on emails sent to them. What they were actually talking about is the fact that many people today send emails at all times of day and night and because of how instant emails are, tend to expect instant replies. But what does that do to the recipient, the service provider? Does that now mean they have to be available 24/7? I mentioned that I've had to make a ruling for myself with respect to the … [Read more...]
Will you be attending FoVA?
The Forum on Virtual Assistance will be held at Niagara Falls in Canada June 2009. This will be the second event run and it promises to be an exciting event for the industry with many well known VA leaders in attendance participating in discussions, running workshops and supporting the event. I'm excited to be one of those leaders who will be attending. My first visit to Canada! And I'll get to meet for the first time face-to-face so many names I know really well. Can't wait to see them … [Read more...]
