Posts Tagged ‘ virtual assistant ’

Getting started as a Virtual Assistant

November 30, 2011

Getting started working from home as a remote virtual assistant (VA) can be an exciting and scary time for the new VA. But, if you really think about it, getting started in this business is no harder that getting started working as a secretary for a bricks and mortar business, it’s just different. To get started as a Virtual Assistant you need: Administrative or Secretarial Experience A Niche A Business License A Business Banking Account (or PayPal) A Virtual Assistant Website Knowledge of Interactive Technology Systems Developed to Help you Work Remotely Standard Operating Procedures A Client Contract Once you have these things in place, you simply market yourself as a virtual assistant both locally, and nationally. You can use sites like Shelancers.com or Guru.com, or Vanetworking.com to help find positions as a Virtual Assistant. You can also answer local ads that want a part time secretary that isn’t responsible for answering telephones. Make sure you spread the word. You can also offer to do over flow work for other VAs but do not feel like you have to work free unless you feel like you are truly getting something out of it such as good training such as with

How Add-on Services Can Increase Your Bottom Line

August 27, 2011

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

10 Ways To Keep Your New Client Happy

June 29, 2011

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

The Dreaded Author Bio

June 15, 2011

As virtual assistants, we are quite used to marketing our clients. We write them up in a fabulous press release, chat to potential customers on the phone about their stellar sales record and even create a killer Facebook profile. We are trained to “sell” their good points without the least bit of self-consciousness, awkwardness or embarrassment. Even if it is a blatant exaggeration, we have no qualms sticking to the overly complimentary script. So, why can’t we do the same for ourselves? Why is it so unbelievably hard to write an author bio or an About Us page for ourselves? I’ve met very few mom VA’s (ok – none) that feel comfortable taking on this project for themselves. In fact, it is downright impossible for many of us to toot our own horns. It’s like we somehow think that because we work from our own homes (while also taking on the responsibilities of raising future citizens of this world, I might add)that we are no longer as important as someone on the fast track to the corner office. Well, I’ve got news for you, ladies; I have a corner office. Ok, it’s a desk, in the corner behind the sofa,

Pneumonia, flu, and possible food poisoning and why working from home makes life easier

March 1, 2011

Since January my family and I have had our run of illnesses. This is just the immediate family, not counting the extended family who have also had some illnesses, some very serious. My husband and my step daughter work “outside” the home at their jobs and fortunately I don’t because if I did I am not sure how we could have survived the last few weeks. While it’s true I have had to burn the midnight oil on many occasions due to needing to take care of my sick family, and yes, I had to just give up one day and devote myself to rest while I had the flu, guess what: I did not miss even one deadline! Meanwhile my husband had to miss a few days of work, which required a doctor’s note. My step daughter also had to get notes for work and for school. I didn’t need a note because I’m my own boss. I make the rules, so therefore if I am sick, I get to be sick without worrying about someone else. Yes, I have deadlines, but no, I don’t keep specific hours for my clients. I do the tasks on my time, by