In the past few days I've received emails from a couple of VAs who have had computer problems and lost some emails which were important to them. They asked if I could help by resending any emails I'd sent or help locate the person who had contacted them. They did have their data backed up but not email from what I can gather. At least not a current version. Computer problems are going to happen. Email programs are not 100% robust and they do fail, fall over, and quit when we least expect … [Read more...]
Has anyone worked with a Virtual Assistant? Part 8
Another in our series of VA client interviews. This time we're delighted to have Camille Valvo of Professional Speaking with us. Camille's VA is a member of the "A Clayton's Secretary" team. Please tell my readers a bit about who you are and what you do. I am unique event insurance as a professional MC, corporate facilitator and speaking coach. I eliminate stress for event organizers as their ‘professional up front’ and for speakers who need a little or a lot of help delivering their … [Read more...]
Introducing Australian VA Conference
I'm thrilled to announce that the Australian Virtual Assistant Conference is going to take place on Friday 12th and Saturday 14th March, 2010 in Melbourne. While it's called The 'Australian' VA Conference it doesn't mean you can't come if you're not Australian. It simply means it is being run in Australia and everyone is invited. It's been in the planning for several months and the venue is now confirmed, accommodation organised for those who need it, and airport transfers. Some speakers have … [Read more...]
Do I need a business name?
That's a question I see asked at VA forums often, or a variation on it, asking for suggestions on business names. However, do you really need one? If you don't have a focus, i.e. have no idea what your specific service offerings may be at the start and you're just feeling your way, then a business name may not be necessary. It's probably best to work under your own name till you have some idea. Why? Because when you register a name that's just the beginning and there are a number of … [Read more...]
Spelling – doesn’t it matter any more?
I can't get over the number of VA forums I belong to where members don't appear to check what they've typed before publishing it to the (board) forum. Or make use of the Edit function for corrections. Or, do they think that in a closed community it really doesn't matter? If that's the case, I beg to differ. Many VAs outsource to other VAs and the way you present yourself in the typed word is the very first impression others get of your abilities. How often do we see typed VA's instead of … [Read more...]
Do it yourself or…?
On the VA forums I often see new VAs asking about whether they should design their own logo or pay someone else to do it, design their own website or pay someone else to do it, and so on. I know they are new and probably not earning much yet but what price is your business worth to you? If something looks home made or unprofessional that is going to reflect on your business - people will view your abilities by what they can see and assume that the rest of your abilities are as mediocre. But … [Read more...]
Who do you listen to?
I participate in many forums and see lots of 'advice' being given to newbies in the industry by others who have only been VAs themselves such a short time. Some of that advice is good and helps to demonstrate the journey they, themselves, have been travelling, but I've seen some advice that was ill-founded although well-intentioned. It is really important that VAs who are seeking advice, mentorship, coaching and training, check the backgrounds of those advising them, especially if they do get … [Read more...]
Are you making it complicated?
You may be aware I run a Virtual Assistant training course and in the process, students are required to send me their homework from each week's lesson. One thing that has really stood out to me is that sometimes they try to complicate things when in fact it should be kept simple. What do I mean? Well, for example just creating client files. Some have thought of some security measure, others have used different filing systems other than alphabetized, some use codes and so on. What they are … [Read more...]
When the work load is low…
... what do you do? Believe it or not, it has happened to me, just as it has everyone else at some stage. Why does this happen? I believe it's because we get complacent when we are busy and we stop networking, stop marketing and we stop connecting with people. The momentum is hard to establish at the beginning but once it is going, it's best not to let it stop. Because around 3 months later work will start to dry up and things get quiet again. You have to keep feeding the funnel that you … [Read more...]
