I met William a year after I started my business. He found me in the Yellow Pages after the secretarial service he'd been using moved out of the area. William was in his late 60s at the time and still a practising Export Trade Consultant with a government department. He ran his business from his home and would fax me his handwriting and I would fax back the typed document so he could fax it on to someone else. His handwriting was difficult to read but I got used to it and gradually, over time, … [Read more...]
Client Case Study #1
It was suggested to me via a recent comment posted that I should post some Case Studies and I think that an excellent idea - it will help demonstrate to both wanna-be VAs, and prospective clients, just how a client-VA relationship works. So, enter Lorraine, one of my longest-term clients. Lorraine is a Business Coach who specialises in showing people how to better organise their working and personal lives. Her business name is The Office Organiser and her catch phrase is "How to Have Less Mess, … [Read more...]
An Anniversary Almost Passed By….
Today is 24th March. Probably doesn't mean much to most people who read this - unless they have a birthday, anniversary or something else that prompts them to think of this day. For me it's the anniversary of the day I registered my business in Melbourne, Australia - on National Secretaries Day 1994. 12 years ago! Each year I think I really should do something to celebrate the day, make it special in some way, and each year it sneaks up on me - probably because I'm always busy doing … [Read more...]
Requests for Help
I often get requests for help from those just starting out in our industry. Often they have set up great looking websites, have some brochures ready to give out - they just don't have the clients and don't know where to start. So they ask if I can get them started, or send work their way, or give advice... there are so many things they ask for, and I could spend all day, every day, assisting others and not getting my own work done. There's a saying: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, … [Read more...]
Marketing Your VA Business
I was asked over the weekend by a new VA, the following two questions: 1. How do you know how many potential clients you should market yourself to? In terms of income I would perhaps prefer to have one particular client that I work for on a regular basis and then pick up other work as and when I can. and, 2. Should I simply saturate the market with advertising material - on the flipside if it does get busy I might end up turning clients away. Kristen First Legal Support Solutions Email: … [Read more...]
Making Things Add Up In Business
One of the topics of discussion via our forum this week has been about required registrations for the Tax Office. Here in Australia we need to register for Australian Business Numbers (ABNs), and also Goods & Services Tax (GST) if earning over a certain amount. I'm sure in other countries there are obligatory requirements for people in business - small or large. It amazes me how many do not investigate this side of getting their business started. They ask via chat forums for advice on … [Read more...]
Developing a Business Plan For a VA Business
Periodically new VAs post help! messages to VA forums looking for this item, or that or advice on how to do something. The advice part is ok but there are some things that they really need to do for themselves, for example researching how much they should charge, or setting up certain templates for regular use with clients. One of the things they really need to work on themselves, and not get a copy from someone else, is their business plan. I really believe they need to find a generic business … [Read more...]
Volunteering Makes Good Sense
Many prospective or new VAs are keen to get as much experience as they can to be eligible for job leads that come along, but how do they get the experience if a client only wants someone with experience? The answer is to volunteer their services! I don't mean give away a lot of your time, but I do mean keep your ears and eyes open for opportunities in areas where you already have an active interest. Perhaps it's your local kindy or junior school where a son or daughter attends. The mother's … [Read more...]
Your Business and Your Health & Safety
The team and I had a great chat Wednesday. It started because one of the girls was experiencing some pain in her shoulders from constant typing and she was seeking advice on what exercises she should do. The discussion opened up with suggestions on seeing an Osteopath, Chiropractor or Physiotherapist, but then it turned to general OH&S practices and what is important. We all should be regularly taking breaks from our computers and doing something else. It's possible that many of you have not … [Read more...]
