Periodically there will be requests on the Virtual Assistant forums asking about free advertising. In fact you find requests for free almost everything. I'm a believer of that old saying 'you have to spend money to make money' and the fact is if you're in business, you should expect that you're going to have a number of taxable expenses. It goes with the territory. However, given that, there are a number of low cost or free options for a number of things in business and if you can save money, … [Read more...]
Being a VA doesn’t mean ‘cheap’
I get amazed by the (thankfully small) number of people who contact me looking for, and I quote ' I could do with a good inexpensive VA. My experience with them has been poor. Would appreciate your advice on this score. My response to this person was: Re 'inexpensive' VA. Not sure what you mean by that exactly. I don't have any on my lists who charge what the Asians charge but I do have Virtual Assistants in 11 countries, all English speaking and writing and depending on their cost of … [Read more...]
Trading off someone else’s business name is bad form
Why is it that new Virtual Assistants (and I guess new anything in any industry) think they can run their business using someone else's business name and catch phrase? Worse for them - both are trademarked. This particular VA is running a business in Queensland Australia. I doubt very much that they haven't heard of my business. I'm even in listed in their Yellow Pages. I hope the owner of the site I'm referring to reads my blog. This is extremely bad form and shows you have little … [Read more...]
Being a Virtual Assistant
Interesting discussion at one of the forums I belong to related to the term of title 'Virtual Assistant'. Some found it hard to explain to people what they do, some wanted the title changed and others were happy to stay with it. The title isn't just a title though, it's a whole industry. And it's an industry that birthed in the mid 90s, and is here to stay, still evolving as technology changes, still getting noticed by those out there who have need of our services. It's like any industry or … [Read more...]
Tips for clients to find the right VA
On my site there is a form for clients to fill out and the information therein goes to my VA team so that the client can receive several responses. However, often I have to write back to the client, before the request is sent to the team, to ask for more information. Things that are really useful to know, when responding to a request for work to be done are: - What software program are you using? If you want data entry done for a database or bookkeeping done, it would be useful to know if you … [Read more...]
You can’t build it 100% online
I know I'm going to get people arguing with me on this one but hear me out. If you're running a Virtual Assistant business then you are servicing clients who need your help. Those clients come from all walks of life and not all of them live on the internet as many VAs do (me included). So, to get in front of them we have to go out and meet them. That means doing face-to-face networking and meeting people in person. Yes, we have the avenues of the internet, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, … [Read more...]
We are not ‘just secretaries’
Had an interesting conversation with a prospective client today. They were despairing that they couldn't find good telemarketers and had spent extensive time doing some research to find the right people. I spent some time asking questions. Seems they only want to pay sub-contractor's rates and not full rates. I explained to them that an agency might pay the rate they wanted to pay to one of their workers but they would charge the client considerably more. The client agreed on that point. I … [Read more...]
Are you doing the work?
I sometimes wonder just how much effort some put into building their VA businesses? They join a network or forum, put up a website and then I see very little of them after that. Sometime later I get told they're closing their business or resigning from the network. What has taken place in between? Have they worked their networks, spent time marketing, have they gotten to know other VAs to increase the opportunities for sub-contracting or outsourcing? Have they participated in forums and … [Read more...]
New to the VA industry and looking for a job…
odesk, guru, elance, craigslist, you name it. New VAs come to various VA forums and ask about these different sites and wonder if they really work. The latest one was this: I'm new to the VA world and just came across this American company xxx that offers jobs to VAs and hiring opportunities for employers. Is it reputable and has anyone used them? This was my answer to her which was well received: odesk, guru, elance, freelance, craigslist. There are quite a few sites out there that give … [Read more...]
