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Does This Bother You?

One of the most important decisions you will make in your business is what you charge. Revenue is what drives your business. Without money coming in the door, your business can not sustain itself. But what is the right rate? What is enough, but not too much? What takes into account your value, without being exclusive? What are you and your clients comfortable with? These are the questions that you need to consider when setting your rates. But many VAs don’t have the confidence to simply make that decision. They have to ask lots of others what their opinion is. And that’s okay, don’t get me wrong. Advice is good! But once you ask around, you still have to be able… Read More »Does This Bother You?

How Do You Find Your Core Message for Your VA Business?

Marketing and networking can be challenging when you are a VA.   If it’s not something you specialize in providing as a service to your clients, there can be a steep learning curve.  But how do you get clients if you don’t learn a little bit about marketing, right? One of the pieces of advice I like to share is about developing a core message that you can talk with people about. When you go to a networking event, and someone asks you what you do, how do you reply? Usually this goes one of two ways: either you recite your 30 second elevator pitch, or you just tell them you are a VA.  Neither of these is the right answer to that… Read More »How Do You Find Your Core Message for Your VA Business?

Make Sure You Don’t Miss The Point!

When you are in a conversation with someone, are you really listening to what they are saying? Or are you just waiting for your turn to jump in and speak? Or even worse, are you just looking to point out their errors? If you do any of these things, you are not alone. But you should try to stop. A long time ago in a performance evaluation I got told by our HR Director that I didn’t wait long enough after someone else spoke to respond. I hadn’t noticed it before, but as I reflected on what she said, I realized she was right. I was a fast responder! She said that my mind worked very quickly and that I made… Read More »Make Sure You Don’t Miss The Point!

Where Will You Find Your Next VA Client?

I love being a Virtual Assistant. I love working with my clients, and I love meeting prospective clients. I know this, but it’s interesting what really reminds you of that sentiment. I have been recovering from surgery the last couple of weeks and to say I am going stir crazy is probably an understatement. Not only do I have to heal, but I have some limitations imposed by doctor’s orders. No swimming and no driving. And no lifting things over 10 pounds. So what’s a girl to do? The lifting part I’ve got down. That means no laundry!! Easy enough. But the other two – no driving and no swimming? I had planned to spend my time ‘off’ by the… Read More »Where Will You Find Your Next VA Client?

Do You Really Have What It Takes To Be a Successful Virtual Assistant?

Getting into business is easy. Staying in business … not so much. There is the basic stuff that you have to know, like business and marketing, of course, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about you. Your personality. Your perseverance. Your personal strength. Arlene Dickinson talks about this in her book All In. She says if you don’t have the personal strength (she calls it a few different things – mental muscle is one of my favourites – but basically it is really about resilience and personal strength) then you will not be able to cut it as an entrepreneur. I totally agree with this. Not everyone has the mental strength to be a business owner, and… Read More »Do You Really Have What It Takes To Be a Successful Virtual Assistant?

Do You Make Time for Self Care?

I think it’s a female thing. Taking care of others before taking care of ourselves. I don’t do it on purpose, and you might not either, but it happens. It’s often instinctive. That never-ending list of things we need to get done ticks away in our heads and sometimes we forget that we need to slow down. We need to take time for ourselves. To care for ourselves. Do you make time? I remember way before my VA days, I was in my early 20s trying to figure out what I was going to be when I grew up. I was working as a courier driving packages around the city. It was a good job and I was able to… Read More »Do You Make Time for Self Care?

It Takes a Minimum of 21 Days to Form a New Habit

Lately I have been working on a new strategy to market my business. My business has changed completely in the last year – totally planned changes! – I have gone from running a full time VA business of my own, with some VA training and coaching on the side – to now owning two VA associations, and having my training and coaching at the forefront, and my VA business considerably downsized. It’s been a complete flip – and with that come new challenges. I have earned my main income from my VA business for many, many years now. I know how to market it. I know how to network for it. I know how to find clients whenever I want… Read More »It Takes a Minimum of 21 Days to Form a New Habit

Did You Reach Your Goals This Month?

I taught a workshop this month about goal setting. I know, I know. I talk about goals a lot. But as a business owner, goals are essential to your success, your profit and your growth. If you don’t know what you are trying to achieve – then how can you achieve it? I set lots of goals. Some I reach, others I don’t. I don’t beat myself up about the things that don’t go well. But I do ask myself why they might have failed, so that I can do better next time. For instance, I joined a 100 connections challenge earlier this year. The challenge was to reach out 100 people in 100 days about your business. That means… Read More »Did You Reach Your Goals This Month?