When you first set up your VA business, hopefully you look at your existing skills and choose to only offer services that match your skills and abilities. I do often see new, and some not so new, VAs asking at forums about offering services they know nothing about. It's quite obvious otherwise they wouldn't be asking how to do ....? for something that might seem basic to those already experienced in that skillset. That aside, I want to encourage you to think about where your skills are … [Read more...]
7 Weird Things About Me
I contemplated putting this on one of my other blogs but it seems this is a meme that's been passed from VA to VA so in keeping with that, here it is. I got tagged by Terry Green at MyFastType.com. Thanks Terry! Before I get started, here are the rules: 1. Link to the person’s blog who tagged you. 2. Post these rules on your blog. 3. List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself. 4. Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. 5. Let each person … [Read more...]
VA Network News
At the beginning of January I announced a new community service for the VA industry. I am thrilled to say that service is now in operation and it is called VANetwork News. The plan is that a weekly newsletter will go out to those interested in the VA industry. At this stage the newsletter will be monthly till it gains momentum, but already we have hints and tips for our next issue and the first one went out Monday this week. So we might even get an issue out in two weeks! We want you, the VA … [Read more...]
Back Up Support Strategies
This was in my recent ACS Newsletter but thought the information relevant here also. When VAs are on leave, have emergencies, or whatever, there are other VAs they can seek support from to keep things going. A client of mine and I were talking recently about backup support, particularly for when I'm not around. I've been away on a few trips in recent years and I know that some clients can get anxious if they know I'm not going to be around. So having a backup strategy for ongoing support is … [Read more...]
Barefoot Executive Summit and Other Shows
I've been invited to speak at the forthcoming Barefoot Executive Summit. In fact, over the past month I've done a number of Teleseminars for US audiences and recorded two interviews for a Radio Show in the US. I have set a goal to obtain speaking engagements (in the flesh) in the US for this year so I was thrilled when each of these opportunities arrived in a short space of time, over a period of a few weeks late last year and early this year. Good preparation for my arrival in the US, when it … [Read more...]
Top Blog!
For over a year now, possibly longer, I've been on the Top 100 Aussie Blogs list - a goal I set for myself in 2005 when I first started blogging. I am currently number 60 on the list. Well, I applied for a listing in the Top 50 Aussie women bloggers as I knew my ranking fit their criteria and was accepted. They've now increased that list to the top 100 but you'll see I am definitely in the top 50 - currently placed at number 30. I enjoy writing and blogging and seeing that one of my blogs … [Read more...]
Do I Have To Do Any Cold Calling?
I recently had a new VA contact me, asking for advice about cold calling. She was quite nervous about it and whilst she could psych herself up at night and write out scripts, she just couldn't get herself to follow through the following day. So she contacted me for advice. This is my response: Hi, I'm so happy you contacted me. You should never have to do cold calling - I never have. I spend time networking and getting to know people - much, much easier. Always carry business cards with … [Read more...]
Ready To Share Your Expertise?
IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF A VA FORUM and not seen the following promoted, please share it with your members: Are you ready to share your expertise with your fellow VAs located around the globe? Then don't miss this opportunity to present at the upcoming Online International Virtual Assistants Convention, scheduled Thursday, May 15 through Saturday, May 17, 2008. Applications are being accepted through January 31, 2008 by completing the form located at: ttp://www.oivac.com/form-speaker.htm. If … [Read more...]
Responding to client enquiries
One of the forums I belong to has had a great discussion on response times for client enquiries. This is a good topic for all to have a think about. I know that I often get clients contacting me saying they had rung someone or emailed someone before me and had had no response. There had been no voicemail message, or no autoresponder, or no-one had returned the call or replied to their email. Their contact with me is sometimes several days or a week later. Virtual Assistants are business … [Read more...]
