So far we've looked at treating your business as a business and having the right mindset; setting rates that are too low; and recognising that clients can be local, they don't have to be totally virtual. This 4th mistake relates to the third one in a way. Many new VAs, particularly those from countries that have a much lower cost of living, make the mistake that other VAs are their target client base. They're not - they're your peers and you learn from them and help shape the industry with … [Read more...]
Your Home Business Magazine out today!
I was recently interviewed for a brand new magazine launching this month in Australia. This magazine is about profiling businesses that have been around for sometime and are successful, rather than focusing on start-ups. The first issue is out today and if you live in Australia you should be able to get a copy at a local newsagent. Peter Switzer, of Switzer Media & Publishing, sums the magazine content up like this: "The biggest mistake any home business owner can make is to think they … [Read more...]
Friday Finds
Now that I'm using Google Reader I've come across a number of blogs with great hints and tips for writing, blogging and things relating to business. So, each Friday I'm going to send you some of the best I've seen during the week! Here's my selection for this week! Interview at Equus - you have to check out this lady's artwork and her CafePress site. Gorgeous! Network Blogging Tips gives 16 ideas for posting to your blog. Now you have no excuse for not being able to post … [Read more...]
Keep your bookkeeping up to date!
I try to make it a rule to do my bookkeeping on a weekly basis. By that I mean statement reconciliations, filing of papers, etc - I do the data entry daily as I complete jobs for clients. However, sometimes I get behind with the busy-ness of life, and wouldn't you know it, there are sometimes debits on my statement and I don't recall the business name or what it was for. I used to have to write 'miscellaneous' for the time being until I could remember what it was the amount was or what … [Read more...]
What The Client Needs To Know…
From the very start of my business in 1994 I determined that I would not let my family be used as an excuse for not getting things done. I came from the corporate world and at that stage home-based workers were seen as 'backyard operators' or 'shonky dealers'. I knew of people who ran legitimate businesses at home but they were few and far between and they never let their clients know because of that attached stigma to their place of operation. Today things are very different and a lot of … [Read more...]
Software for client support
The majority of VAs are using Microsoft software for servicing their clients. The core product used is the Microsoft Office software and this works really well for a large number of jobs to be carried out for clients. But when Microsoft updated their software to the 2007 package it actually meant that earlier versions could not read the documents without downloading a compatibility package. I personally find this inconvenient, and knowing that many of my clients are not that software or … [Read more...]
Do you want to succeed as a VA?
You probably look at many VA businesses and wonder how it is that some succeed and really develop and others seem to struggle to find clients and get the work. What is the difference? A number of things - but one of the major ones would be networking - constantly. Stats show that 80% of all business comes from networking and referrals. Is it any wonder that the successful VAs tell all the others 'network, network and network some more'? You don't have to have the gift of the gab and have an … [Read more...]
OIVAC Countdown is on!
Those who have been in the Virtual Assistant industry for sometime will be aware of our annual Online International Virtual Assistants Convention run in May each year. This event runs for 3 days and is entirely online and virtual. We have over 30 speakers from around 7 countries speaking on all sorts of topics and whilst the convention is aimed at Virtual Assistants, anyone who is running a business, particularly online, would be welcome to attend any or all of the sessions which have been kept … [Read more...]
If my Virtual Assistant happens to quit…
I've noticed a very disturbing trend on the web lately via various blog posts about the Virtual Assistant industry. It seems there are many business owners out there in fear of losing their VAs because they might up and quit or something else might happen. It seems that many look at having a VA for the short-term only. Why is this? Virtual Assistants are not employees but many are talking about their VAs as though that's what they are and yet, on the other hand they talk about short-term … [Read more...]
