On one of the forums I participate a member was asking how to market their VA business and get work. I joined in the conversation and highlighted the importance of networking. My response is below. Networking is a key to developing business and a big part of it. I believe you should be networking both online and offline. I started with offline networking in the early days of my business because there was no Internet then but online networking today is just as important - you need a mixture … [Read more...]
What were you doing 15 years ago today?
It was 24th March 1994 and I had been attending the National Secretaries Day breakfast in the city. After the breakfast I headed for the Govt Dept so I could register the business name I'd decided on for my brand new business. I was so excited about my business name but didn't want to tell anyone what it would be till I had it registered. I was also excited about unknown possibilities and the fact that I could finally be home for my children. Two clients were already lined up with a possible … [Read more...]
Is there room for me in your network?
I recently met a copywriter at a business breakfast I was speaking at and she was keen to talk to me after the event. She was looking for more ways to get clients and was wondering if I accepted copywriters into my Virtual Assistant network. I told her I would send her some suggestions that would help her with her business and then I realised that it might help some who read this blog as well. We met at the breakfast last Tuesday and you were wondering if my Virtual Assistant network would be … [Read more...]
Hobbies – do you have one?
I was thinking about a client of mine today and recent conversations we've had. I worry that their focus is always on business and nothing else. Even on weekends. I know that many who think they know me probably think that's all I have on my mind too, but the reality is that while I can quickly change into 'business' mode no matter where I am, or who I am speaking to, I do spend time doing other things. My family is important to me and when we lost our daughter Miriam late last year it made me … [Read more...]
6 Degrees of Separation… or less
I have a story I tell at conferences and other events when speaking about how my business became international. I talk about my first international client - a lawyer who lived in Picardy, France in 1997. Imagine my surprise at a recent event when a gentleman with a South African accent came up to me to tell me that a lady he lived next door to in New York for 11 years knew this very same client. He was her landlord. That's the first time I've ever had anyone come up to me to say they knew … [Read more...]
Taking on a new client
I regularly have clients contacting me via my website asking for a Virtual Assistant to support them. The work is quite wide and varied, with some jobs being one-offs and others being short- or long-term commitments. Most of the time I introduce the client to a Virtual Assistant team member and I don't hear from them again, unless it's to thank me for my assistance in connecting them - but very few clients do that. However, on odd occasions a client will come back to me to ask for a new VA and … [Read more...]
I’m sick, should I tell my clients?
Interesting discussion arose recently on one of the VA forums and I thought I'd bring the topic here. How do you handle things if you're not well and have client work to be done? I guess the answer really depends on the timing for that work and the relationship you have with your clients. Also, just how sick you might be? If I've had a day where I've felt a bit 'off' but not needing to be in bed, I will work at half capacity, completing anything that might have had a deadline for that day and … [Read more...]
15 years in business!
I was looking at my calendar and realised that the 15th anniversary of my business is just over a week away. 24th March marks the day I registered my business in 1994 - 15 years ago. I can't believe how fast that time has flown. I know that many are still learning that our industry exists but there are thousands out there who have joined our industry to utilise their skills and change their lifestyles over the years. It has been my pleasure and good fortune to have watched our industry grow … [Read more...]
Spend your govt bonus on an Aussie VA!
Watching the news on TV there was an article about the Australian Govt bonus that will be soon made available to those eligible in Australia. They were recommending that in order to help boost the Australian economy the bonus should be spent on services in Australia, rather than pay existing bills or purchase goods where a percentage of the monies will go to businesses outside of our country. That includes whitegoods. As soon as they mentioned 'services' my ears pricked up. They did mention … [Read more...]
