Christmas/New Year, in Australia at least, is generally a time for taking a break. Many companies close down for 10 days, 2 weeks or more or they have a skeleton staff operating during that period. It is a time to just relax, let go, recover from the previous year and start to plan or look ahead to the following year. Sometimes it's just really hard getting going again. Depends on where you've been at on a mental level and a physical level. It is traditionally a time to set new year … [Read more...]
New Year Message to my Virtual Assistant readers
I sent this message to the two forums I manage but thought I'd share it here too - in case you don't belong to one of the forums! Hi everyone, well, it's the end of the year of 2009. For my family the year started off badly but has ended up quite well (if you ignore my computer challenges). A new home in the country, a new grandson (our first) and a trip overseas which meant I met many VAs from the US and Canada face-to-face for the first time at the Forum on Virtual Assistance. I was so … [Read more...]
Thinking about a new start for the New Year?
Want to set up your business as a Virtual Assistant, get some training and get started? Or perhaps you are already operating a VA business but feel there is information missing and you want to fill in the gaps? Why choose this program? Learn from an experienced Master Virtual Assistant (MVA) who has over 14 years' knowledge of the industry Work out what skills you can use and the types of services you can provide Look at different niche markets you can target for your business Give your … [Read more...]
Being a Virtual Assistant – Do You Have What It Takes?
There is so much on the web these days about being a Virtual Assistant and for newcomers who have just discovered this industry it can indeed be a challenge working out where they should go for information, what they need to get started and how they find their clients? Information: May I say that it's important to check the credentials of those giving 'advice'? Many may be well intentioned but not all have the experience or knowledge to point you in the right direction. One good way to avoid … [Read more...]
Virtual Assistant Conference
Do you know it's less than 3 months till AVAC? The dates are 12/13 March and once Christmas and the New Year has passed, that time will go very quickly. Why not gift yourself a booking or gift someone else? Take advantage of our early bird tickets at only $140 which includes a choice of sessions, morning and afternoon refreshments, a networking lunch and the opportunity to mingle with sponsors and speakers. Our lineup of speakers is impressive and there are more being added soon. Book now … [Read more...]
Holiday Season
This time of year normally sees a quieter work period. For some it might be busy as rush jobs come in before Christmas but generally it is much quieter. So what do you do during this time? I find it an ideal time to review things and update things, or tie up loose ends. This year I'll be looking at updating/revamping a couple of my websites, going through papers that have been sitting on my desk for a couple of months or more and think about plans for the new year. As we will have family … [Read more...]
Protecting your accounts
At this time of year (Christmas/New Year) scams will be on the rise and so will phishing emails with promises of all sorts of things through bogus promotions. One of the VAs from my team posted a warning about a phishing email supposedly from her bank the other day. A day prior a client forwarded to me an email she got from Paypal (supposedly) but I was soon able to detect that it was not a genuine email. Here are some ideas to get you looking. 1. Usually not personally addressed. Banks … [Read more...]
Win a year’s membership with the ACS Team
Are you a Virtual Assistant looking to get more exposure for your business? Have you thought about joining a VA network but not sure whether it's worth it or not? (I can tell you now, it certainly is worth it) Perhaps you are looking to get started in the new year and membership of a VA network is on your to-do-list? Whatever the reason I invite you to join our team at "A Clayton's Secretary" and you may win a whole year's membership free. All you have to do is read the membership criteria … [Read more...]
Do I have to have a niche?
The question asked by many new VAs is: Do I have to have a niche? I see this discussed on various forums and while the intentions are good on behalf of those VAs who respond, I find that sometimes their enthusiasm for what they feel is right may be holding others back. The following is my answer: I think as your business grows and develops you eventually discover a niche that's right for you but unless you really do know what you want to do at the start, I don't feel people should be limiting … [Read more...]
