As anyone who's been in business for sometime would know, setting up a business and building a good client base takes considerable time. It would be rare to make a full-time income in the first year in business, let alone a profit - at least in traditional business. However, even in building a Virtual Assistant business, it still takes time to get sufficient clients to establish a full-time income, even if you show a profit much quicker than traditional business. There's a lot you need to do, … [Read more...]
Planning to set up as a VA in the New Year?
So much to think about, so much to plan. It can be overwhelming, but I want to give you some good news! I would love to help you on your journey of discovery. First of all, have you seen my article linked in the menu on this site 'Become a VA'? Important for you to read as it will give you some great tips in setting up your new business. What about the type of VA you'll become? Again, my article "What type of VA are you?" will give you more information to process. The next … [Read more...]
Looking for VA work?
If you are, you'll be doing the same things many others do - look for networks, directories, forums, groups and associations you can join in order to get work by being introduced to clients through various methods and/or meet other VAs who outsource or sub-contract work in times of overflow. And even training courses so you can learn how to operate your VA business. Often the lower the cost, the more attractive the site will seem, especially when you are wanting to earn an income but don't yet … [Read more...]
Are you getting your full member benefits?
Reading a discussion on a VA forum recently, a VA queried whether it was worth being a member of a particular VA network and the questions they asked indicated they weren't fully aware of what was available to them with that particular network. Several gave suggestions and below is my answer. Any business group or network is worth giving a try for a full 12 months. It takes a while to understand how any group works and takes a while to get into the swing of things. Make sure you join their … [Read more...]
VA Story: Janet Camilleri
I have another VA story for you, this time from Janet Camilleri. Here are her words. Three years ago, completely out of the blue, my government position was made redundant. I was devastated. Although I wasn't totally happy in my job, it was local, I'd been there for many years, and working just 4 days a week, it gave me some flexibility which is important to a working mum (no matter how old your kids are!). People kept telling me that at the two year point I would look back on it as one of … [Read more...]
Spamming is not on!
I am getting so fed up with Australian businesses sending commercial email that is purely spam. This message is for all VAs, irrespective of where you are located around the world. If you are engaged to send out email on behalf of clients make sure you ask them about their lists and how they came by the list - if you're taking it over. If building from scratch, encourage the client to build their list organically by networking wherever they can and collect business cards and also by using their … [Read more...]
Don’t leave building your business till it’s urgent
While some people achieve great things at the last minute, the majority fail because of lack of preparation. I watch and participate in a lot of discussions in the VA industry and periodically see people posting their particular predicament and why it's urgent that they have to get a client... now! Trouble is, they're asking their peers to help them find a client. Which really isn't the right place to find one :-) And often it's because not a lot of the right things have been done up to that … [Read more...]
Being a VA is not a fill-in role
It both amazes me and annoys me that people think they can become a VA while studying at Uni, or just as a fill in till something else comes along. I don't know about you, but in my way of thinking, a VA needs to have a good amount of past experience behind them to be a good VA. They must have a working knowledge and experience with the programs they're planning to provide a service with and experience in working with clients. None of the VAs in my network have less than 5 years' working … [Read more...]
Local VA or offshore?
I thought I'd share on this topic here. A few years ago I wrote an article about outsourcing and offshoring and the fact that these are two different things although they can be mingled too. Outsourcing means to engage someone outside of your business to provide services to support you. This could mean someone next door, down the road or in the next suburb or state. Offshoring means you are sending work offshore for someone else to manage for you. Our major Telco in Australia has call centres … [Read more...]
