Have you changed your email address lately? Did you notify those whose lists you belong to? I manage a network of Virtual Assistants and periodically I'll send out an email to the list and get many bounce backs. There is considerable time spent tracking down each individual, either ringing or faxing them, or finding an alternative email address so I can let them know the important piece of information I was trying to get to them. When you change your email address you need to ensure that you … [Read more...]
Mail delivery failed: returning message to sender
550 Mailbox quota exceeded Is this something you're in danger of sending to prospective clients and others who email you? This is a message I periodically get faced with when emailing people and it makes me wonder how they run their business online if people cannot contact them because their mailbox is full. If you have had this challenge then it's time to look at increasing your mailbox or changing the mail service you use for something else. Or, look at how you're set up. Do you have your … [Read more...]
VATrainer Student Interview
I thought I would introduce you to some of those who have undertaken my VATrainer course to become Virtual Assistants and run their own businesses. This is an online course that runs over a 10 week period and has been available online for a couple of years now. I have been pleased to see the number of students that have come through and the quality of work they have produced throughout their course. The first is Kellie and in her words, here is what she felt about the course: 1. What made … [Read more...]
Invoicing the client
How do you invoice your client and how much information do you give? I have been using Quickbooks for many years and find that works well for me. Some use MYOB or other bookkeeping systems. Some use Paypal. Whatever system you use I feel it's important to itemise your invoice to the client so they know/understand where the time has been spent. If you received a phone bill for $150 but no detail of how that figure was accumulated you would be wanting more information. The same applies when … [Read more...]
I’m back – did you miss me?
Hi everyone, I'm getting back into things. Graham has returned to work this morning (although he was reluctant :-D) and I'm spending the rest of this month just sorting through emails, accounts, updating myself on everything and then back with clients from 1st July. Thank you to those team members who supported my clients in my absence - very much appreciated. I've uploaded the FoVA photos I took to my Facebook profile and I invite you to go and have a look. I'll gradually add all the names … [Read more...]
Pardon my absence but I’m on leave…
I will go back to posting regularly in July but for this month I'm now well and truly on holidays, in beautiful Canada. It began with the FoVA conference in Niagara Falls in the first week of this month but then Graham and I joined a tour to explore Canada on the west coast. We're currently in Banff and moving onto Lake Louise tomorrow. If you're interested in reading about our travels and seeing some of the photos, then please visit my family blog at http://www.thomases.org. I'll catch up … [Read more...]
What Type of Logo Should You Have for Your Business?
I have guest poster Ben Johnson sharing on the importance of the type of logo for your business. Your logo really is the proverbial "calling card" for your business. A potential customer or client will make that all important first impression many times based on the appearance, style and design of your business logo. Understanding the importance of your business logo, you may be wondering what you actually should have, what you should include within the design of that logo. Through this … [Read more...]
Two industry leaders together
Just thought I'd quickly share with you a photo of myself and Sharon Williams at FoVA09 together. Sharon and I've known each other for many years but up till this week had never met face-to-face so it was a joy to meet her and have my photo taken with her. She and I, and other industry leaders, will be on a discussion panel this morning at the event, before my husband and I head off to Vancouver to join a tour and enjoy a holiday. I've been limited for time online so will report more later … [Read more...]
FoVA 2009
It is the evening of 2nd June in Canada and tonight my husband and I met for the first time, some VAs from the US and Canada. Barb Lang, founder of FoVA, coordinated this 2nd annual event and tonight the first comers got together for dinner at Vinnies. Below is a photo of the group but I can't remember everyone's names so I'll have to tag them all later. It is exciting to meet face-to-face some names I've known online for sometime and have a chat with them over a meal - the best way to bond … [Read more...]
