Virtual Assistant Moms - Tips for being a VA and a Mom

Keeping Interruptions to a Minimum as a Virtual Assistant

September 8, 2011

For those who work from others at home, such as a virtual assistant, setting and keeping a schedule can be a difficult thing. Quite often people do not take you seriously and think it is just a hobby and that you are not really working. But if you set some guidelines, you can help combat this and get your work done. Set a Time – Depending on what is going on with your life such as kids in school, it is a good idea to set a time where you focus just on the work you need to do. This is especially important if you are needing to contact clients on the phone as it can be best to have a set time to talk to them. If you need to handle email or other elements that are not time sensitive, it is easier to be flexible but it is still a good idea to set work hours just like if you were working outside the home. Closed Door Signal – From talking to people who do various tasks at home, they have taught their families that if the door is closed it means that it is work time and

How Add-on Services Can Increase Your Bottom Line

August 27, 2011

By LisaNMA

How Add-on Services Can Increase Your Bottom Line

Add-on services are great. Every business uses them to eek a few extra dollars out of the sale. The window cleaners always offer to clean the screens before washing the windows. The lawn guys can trim the bushes and edge the lawn in addition to mowing the grass. Even your local coffee shop offers a selection of yummy pastries to go with that steaming cup of joe. Why not you? Why not add-on services for virtual assistants? You do not have to stick with the standard services. Think outside the box. The more services you can offer, the more valuable you are to your client and to your own bank account. Plus, it adds variety and a little fun to your day. So, what can you do? Here’s a few suggestions that people are willing to pay for because either they don’t know how or don’t have time to do. Think of it as an untapped source of revenue for your VA services company. Facebook: Every business needs a FB page these days, whether they actually want one or not. You can offer your services to maintain that page with comments, links, status updates and interacting with their fans. You

Spotlight Interview – Staci Jansma

August 26, 2011

By Stephanie Watson

This is our next interview in a new series on the site – VA spotlight. We’re not looking for just Virtual Assistants – anyone that provides a service is welcome to be interviewed. That means if you’re a web designer, ghostwriter, copywriter, business coach, etc we would love to feature you! Please, fill out the form here and you’ll be contacted once your information is reviewed. This week our expert is Staci Jansma of Your Online Virtual Assistant. You will find a brief bio about who she is and below that you can listen in to her interview. Staci Jansma Your Online Virtual Assistant Staci is an internet entrepreneur focusing on helping others by providing assistance virtually. She delivers excellent service in custom website design, proofreading articles, search engine optimization, shopping carts, affiliate programs, autoresponders, and creative projects. Staci is always eager to tackle a project. Staci is Your Online 24/7 Virtual Assistant ready to help when you need her. Show Notes: how Staci got started does she support herself full-time with her business what is the best part about having a home based business Listen to Staci’s Interview below

Spotlight Interview – Sheila Reithmayer

August 19, 2011

By Stephanie Watson

This is our next interview in a new series on the site – VA spotlight. We’re not looking for just Virtual Assistants – anyone that provides a service is welcome to be interviewed. That means if you’re a web designer, ghostwriter, copywriter, business coach, etc we would love to feature you! Please, fill out the form here and you’ll be contacted once your information is reviewed. This week our expert is Sheila Reithmayer of TSR Virtual Solutions. You will find a brief bio about who she is and below that you can listen in to her interview. Sheila Reithmer Sheila has over 18 year’s administrative experience. She’ worked in many different industries & positions. Sheila started off by working in receptionist type positions and climbed her way into more senior roles as her career progressed. She first heard about a virtual Assistant about 2 years ago while working with a lady who had taken some courses. She was very intrigued at that point but content with where sh was at in her career so she simply just kept the idea in the back of her head. Shortly after that the company Sheila was working for went through a buy-out and

Spotlight Interview – Hilary Brooks

August 12, 2011

By Stephanie Watson

This is our first interview to kick off a new series on the site – VA spotlight. We’re not looking for just Virtual Assistants – anyone that provides a service is welcome to be interviewed. That means if you’re a web designer, ghostwriter, copywriter, business coach, etc we would love to feature you! Please, fill out the form here and you’ll be contacted once your information is reviewed. So, let’s get this show on the road Our first guest expert is Hilary Brooks. Below you will find a brief bio about who she is and below that you can listen in to her interview. Hilary Brooks Virtual Assistant & WordPress Website Designer Hilary Brooks, founder of A Virtual Edge, supports busy entrepreneurs, bloggers, speakers and coaches with all sorts of time-consuming tasks, such as Internet marketing, website and blog maintenance, customer service, social media, and other administrative functions. Hilary has been active in the industry since the start of her virtual assistant career in 2001. During her 10+ years of experience as a virtual assistant, Hilary has revamped client websites, followed up on hundreds of opportunities and leads for her clients, integrated numerous affiliate programs and shopping carts, set up

Top 10 Reasons To Have A Website For Your VA Business

July 12, 2011

By LisaNMA

Top 10 Reasons To Have A Website For Your VA Business

I know, I know. You have so much to do and this is really at the bottom of your list. Way, way down there below cleaning out the gutters and alphabetizing your spice drawer. Hear me out, though. You like money, right? The more clients you have the more money you make, right? And the more money you make the bigger the shoe budget … oh, wait. Did I say that out loud? Forget it, just read the list. Having a website makes applying for jobs quick and easy. In fact, many times speed is of the essence when a hot job is posted on a forum. Just PM or email a link to your site with a quick note and you’re done. While everyone else is trying to get samples, links and cover letters together, you are already on to the next task. Or, better yet, already on Skype with your new client. A website creates a clean, professional image for you. From the perspective of a potential client, if your website looks professional then you must be, too. Think of your website as you hanging out a virtual “Open for Business” sign. It is your advertisement. Your “Hey!

Naming your business

July 1, 2011

By Stephanie Watson

If you plan to be serious about your virtual assistant business, you will want to come up with a suitable name under which you will offer your services. Most people do this for tax purposes, or to maintain their personal privacy. With a business name, you can get an EIN from the government, so that you do not have to give out your social security number when it comes to filling out tax documents. Here are a few tips that will help you with naming your business. Try not to be too generic. Sarah’s Virtual Assistant Company is a little too…blah, and to does not stand out in the crowd. You want something memorable so that clients can refer you to their business associates. This will also be handy when can remember your name to look you up on Google. Names that deal with your geographical location also a little too bland, especially when you will primarily offer your services on the Internet. The name of your business should also be short and sweet. You would not want to run a business called My Little Business for Virtual Assistant Services. That is just way too long, and does nothing to

10 Ways To Keep Your New Client Happy

June 29, 2011

By LisaNMA

You got the VA client; now what? How do you keep that client happy and coming back for more projects? Other than doing a good job (obviously), there are many things you can do to show them that you were the right gal (or guy) for the job. Turn work in on time. Heck, turn it in early. Everyone likes to turn on their computer in the morning and see an email that a project is completed. It’s a great way to start the day. Don’t make excuses. We touched on this a little bit here but it really is lame to come up with excuses when you are a grown up. The dog ate my homework line didn’t work in grade school and it certainly doesn’t work when you run a VA business. Over deliver. The current business catch phrase is, “meet and exceed your client’s expectations”. As cheesy as that phrase is, it’s true. Seriously. Blow them out of the water with how amazing you are. If you are personally familiar with their topic or field, don’t be afraid to speak up and make a suggestion. I once had a client marketing snow globes but he kept calling

How To Deal With “The Comments”

June 28, 2011

By LisaNMA

Whether you are a virtual assistant, a writer or any other type of wahm (or wah dad), you have heard the occasional “comment”. You know the ones. We’ve all heard them. “Can you do fill-in-the-blank for me because you’re at home and I have to work?” “It must be nice to be home all day with your kids.” “How is that little internet thing going.” “You just play around online all day.” Sometimes, it goes in one ear and out the other. Sometimes, it gets under our skin. The problem is that people like that are just never going to get it. With friends and family, you can just politely change the subject instead of trying to explain what it is that you do all day for the millionth time. With strangers, you can think up some witty reply. Maybe “I can’t do fill-in-the-blank because it will interfere with my nap” or, how about the popular, “I invented the internet. It’s going pretty good.” Sarcasm aside. The problem can be either avoided completely or nipped in the bud before you go postal in your own living room. But, what do you do if a client has that perspective? Unfortunately, I

Do you really know how to start a business?

June 23, 2011

By Stephanie Watson

Do you really know how to start a business?

Oftentimes we have great ideas about starting a business but sometimes we have to be honest about whether or not we really know HOW to start a business. Depending upon your situation there are many variables that need to be decided upon. Do you need a business license? How will you keep track of income and expenses? Do you have to be income taxes in your state? Do you earn enough to pay income taxes to the federal government? What is a 1099? How should I set up my office? What skills do I need to be a virtual assistant? What is a niche? Why do I need to target my market? What services will I offer in my virtual assistant business? Do I need training? These are all questions (and there are more, these barely scratch the surface) that you’re going to have to ask and answer before you can even get started conducting business. Fortunately, soon, you will be able to work with me to learn how to answer all these questions and more. I’m kind of being coy, I know, but I want you to be sure and check back soon for some really important information about