When first starting out, one of the things a new VA needs to know is how much to charge for the services they will provide? And it's not always easy trying to work this out. Will they charge too much, will they charge not enough? What are others charging? And so, it's not uncommon to see this question being asked via VA forums. But it's not an easy one to answer either, because there are some things to consider, for example: What typing speed do they have, if the bulk of their work will … [Read more...]
Invitation to Virtual DiVAs Group H.U.G. (Help Us Grow)
I recently became a board member for a new group for Virtual Assistants. This group was developed for a very different reason to the existing forums. It is recognised that there is a downside to working at home - and that is the lack of exercise and increased tendency to just snack through the day. If you have been a Virtual Assistant for more than 6 months you'll know what I'm talking about. I love being at home and wouldn't swap it for anything but I have to admit that I have definitely put … [Read more...]
Client Request
As probably happens to many VAs (or for that matter, any business operator) whose websites are easily located, I get requests asking me if I would promote something, refer someone, or give work to someone. This morning's request was of the middle agenda and here is what was sent to me: My name is Joe (withheld) I am with a company called (withheld). We would like to do some business with your Consulting firm. Let me explain the help we need. 1. Your company and my company are always looking … [Read more...]
New Look Blog!
I'm still tweaking it, but now have Virtual Assistant - THE Blog housed on my own server, using Wordpress. I've been learning this program for just over a couple of months now and have been able to successfully import this blog from its previous home. Please do update your bookmarks to http://www.vadirectory.net/blog/ for new posts or, if you haven't already done so, subscribe to my blog at the left of screen and new posts will be automatically emailed to you. KMT blog theme, blog template, … [Read more...]
Why Don’t Virtual Assistant Businesses Work?
Interesting title - why would I use it? Well, because I noticed recently that people were Googling this phrase. Additional to that I had an email from a gentleman who was contacting VA businesses trying to get business from them - he wanted to operate as a VA and just couldn't understand why other VAs wouldn't give him work. He isn't the first who has sent me similar emails. His response to me, in our email discussion, was that he was convinced the 'VA business' didn't work. So, why would … [Read more...]
Suitable Times To Call a Client?
One of the team asked me today a question I'd not thought about before - at least, not in detail. It's one of those things that you tend to develop an unwritten law about - and each person has their own law. She was responding to a job request late in the day and asked up to what time would be suitable to call the client? We discussed some times and I suggested that anything up to 8.30pm is often ok for many people but not for others. Probably best to call and ask if 'now is a convenient … [Read more...]
Do You Have a Newsletter?
If you don't already provide a newsletter to existing and prospective clients, now is as good a time as any to start thinking about it and preparing one. Perhaps you might feel you have nothing to say, or perhaps you don't feel confident in your own writing ability. But don't despair because you can get good articles from any of the article submission sites available online, such as www.goarticles.com, www.articlecity.com, www.ezinearticles.com, www.ideamarketers.com and others. The authors are … [Read more...]
Industry Forums Are Very Useful
Recently one of the ACS team asked members on our chat forum about online facilities that would allow training via the internet to take place. She had an overseas client who needed training in the database program she was using for them and she was looking for something where the client could see what she was seeing on her computer at the same time. Sound like something of the future? Not at all! It can be done today and that's what makes this industry so exciting - the possibilities … [Read more...]
Just who is the expert?
One of the ACS team sent a message yesterday about an advert she saw. This is it: · Work from home listening and typing up lectures · Paid $15 per completed transcription Transcriptionist required to listen to recorded lectures and transcribe lectures in fields of either : 1. medicine OR 2. organic chemistry OR 3.physics and mechanics of solids Lectures run for no longer than 1hour in duration Can do as many lectures per week as desired but minimum of 6 required She sent an enquiry to … [Read more...]
