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getting started as a va

Are You Stuck in Research or Planning Mode?

When you are getting started with your Virtual Assistant business, you need to do a lot of research and planning. It is very easy to get stuck in this mode, and not actually take a step forward to launch your business. Sound familiar? If you are stuck in research or planning, you’re not alone. It can feel overwhelming – all the things you need to learn to get started. It’s also scary. Putting yourself out there. What if you fail? What if you make a mistake? It’s not always fun. But here’s the thing – you have to take a step forward or you’ll never get moving. If you are stuck in that research mode, first consider what it is… Read More »Are You Stuck in Research or Planning Mode?

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Getting Started as a Virtual Assistant is Hard

I have officially been in business for myself for 20 years. I always remember it because I was 8 months pregnant with my son when I was leaving the office to be off for a while, and my boss asked me when I could get back to work. I worked for a local restaurant chain’s head office. I sort of motioned to my big belly and said, ‘Um, having a baby here, not sure how you expect me to come back to work.’ And he suggested that I could do my work from home whenever I was able, and as soon as I was able. He needed the work I was doing to continue, and he just said to track… Read More »Getting Started as a Virtual Assistant is Hard

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Get Your First, or Next, VA Client

Good clients are NOT hard to find. Whether you have lots of clients, or are still looking for that elusive first one, it is important that you find GOOD clients. The backbone of any business is clients. Without clients you have no revenue … you have no business. And frankly, life is too short to work with clients that you don’t like or who stress you out. Look at your client list right now. Do you love each person you work with? What do you like about them? Is it the work you do for them? Their personality? The rate they pay you? Be honest with yourself and really determine what makes a GREAT client for you. It may not be… Read More »Get Your First, or Next, VA Client

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Being Your Own Boss is So Great!

This week I hosted a free information session for Virtual Assistants. One of the first things I ask anyone when they are thinking of starting out: why they want to start their own business. I have heard a variety of answers to this question, but many times the answer is ‘to be my own boss’. When I start to work with someone as their coach, I ask them to look deeper into that statement. Why do you want to be your own boss? There are always more underlying reasons that simply because you want to. And we often talk about needed to understand WHY you want to be in business for yourself. Because some days are hard, and some decisions… Read More »Being Your Own Boss is So Great!

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It’s Not Personal, It’s Business

This week I have seen a common theme running through various Facebook groups for VAs. Well, I see it quite often but for some reason this week it really became noticeable on several groups. It’s about personal versus business. The whole concept.  One of the things I have learned in my business life is that most men handle business decisions VERY differently than most women do. Most men treat their business like a business.They make decisions for the good of the business, not because they think people will like them better or because they think that people will judge them for making a hard decision. Most women tend to treat their business as their pet project, or even as extension of their… Read More »It’s Not Personal, It’s Business

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Getting VA Clients is Easy

I recently taught a training session on getting great clients. One of the things I hear VAs lament about all the time is the lack of clients. Or the lack of great clients. If they don’t have clients, they think there are none out there. If they do have clients, they think they need to do whatever the client wants to keep them. I mean, really, who likes to turn down money? But it’s not a way to build a sustainable, awesome business. When you are operating your VA business, YOU get to make the choices – how much to charge, what services to provide, and who you want to work with. If you aren’t comfortable making these three decisions, then you are missing an essential piece of your business. Getting clients is easy – all you have to do… Read More »Getting VA Clients is Easy

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Accepting Payments For Your VA Services

Accepting Payments You can accept payments in advance, in portions, as recurring payments (ie multi pays) or as ongoing payments for a specific period of time. Depending on what your business is will determine how your payment structures are set up. Coaches accept payments in advance. Graphic artists or project consultants may get paid with a deposit, a mid project payment and then balance on completion. Some people may get paid for completed work only. It really depends on how your business is set up. There are many ways you can accept payments for your services. Cheque or money order (certified cheque) – you have to wait for the money to be received, but once it is the services begin.… Read More »Accepting Payments For Your VA Services

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15 Services You Can Offer As a VA

The Virtual Assistant industry has really broken out of its shell over the last several years. I remember when I first started out as a VA, there were only a few places to find really good information about getting started in the business. I am happy to be able to share some of my knowledge with you! As various industries have begun to embrace the idea of hiring off-site administrative help, people are beginning to realize all the tasks that a VA can provide for them, that maybe they didn’t think of before. Once you get started, you can decide which services you want to provide, and you can even get some specialized training, but it’s easy to get started… Read More »15 Services You Can Offer As a VA

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