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5 Tips for Better Health as a Virtual Assistant

Do you ever get to lunchtime and realize you have been sitting at your desk since 8? Or worse, do you chat away on Facebook on IM with your colleagues and when lunch comes you realize you haven’t done any work yet? Both scenarios are not good for you. Physically, I mean. When you don’t take regular breaks, it is hard on your body. When you waste too much time, it is too. You have to catch up at some point, right? And when you are not actually working (like being on social media) your body language is completely different – watch yourself next time – your posture is probably suffering when you are just playing online versus when you… Read More »5 Tips for Better Health as a Virtual Assistant

What’s the Point to Networking for VAs?

I love talking with VAs about networking. Some of them don’t do any. Some do plenty of it. Most don’t do it right. What?? Yes, there is a right way to network. There is a point to meeting people – what’s yours? If you don’t know, don’t worry. It’s a simple thing – so simple you will laugh actually. Probably. The point of networking is to grow our business. BUT the point of attending any networking gathering has to be clear as well. I spoke recently with a VA who had attended 3 networking events in the last month. First, I’m always proud when VAs get out there … but when I asked her what her goal was from those events,… Read More »What’s the Point to Networking for VAs?

How Big Is Your To-Do List? Get More Done Today!

Oh, the dreaded task list. How big is yours? Mine can get unruly sometimes. When I have a ton of things that I need to get done, I tend to do a ‘brain dump’ and build a big task list to see all of the things that I need to plan to do. But did you know that doing that can actually make things worse? If you are anxious about having too much on your plate, having it all written down in front of you can actually make you more anxious. Sound like you? If it does, then I have a suggestion for you. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself! Just do one thing. No, I mean it. Right… Read More »How Big Is Your To-Do List? Get More Done Today!

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

Make Your Virtual and Live Connections Count!

I’ve been to a few ‘in person’ events lately and it really does make a difference when you are face to face with someone – how your relationship can build quickly. But planning is the key to helping you quickly build solid connections with the people you network with. Do you make your connections count? Here are a few tips for you when you are connecting with new folks, live or virtually: 1. Develop a plan that suits you. Plan where you will go, and who you hope/plan to meet. Figure out what you want to accomplish at each event or gathering – ahead of time. If you are looking online, think of a couple of LinkedIn group that might be… Read More »Make Your Virtual and Live Connections Count!

How Committed Are You To Success In Your VA Business?

In preparation for my group mastermind and hosting my own mastermind, I have been faced with this question often: how committed are you to your success? I think all of us that get into business for ourselves have some level of commitment at the start. Whether we foster that commitment or let it fizzle out is really an important thing. If we forget why we got into business to begin with, the commitment can be watered down with the everyday icky stuff that comes with business. And we can become unhappy. Or even resentful. And trust me, neither of those attitudes will have success showing up at your door. How committed are you to your success? What is it that stops you from… Read More »How Committed Are You To Success In Your VA Business?

A Lesson About Your Value as a VA

Last week I learned a valuable lesson. Actually that’s a funny choice of words because the lesson was actually about VALUE itself. Here’s the backstory – I went to Walmart last year to get some new contact lenses. I always pick them up from there because it’s convenient and the prices are good. Well this particular trip, the dispensing optician told me that my prescription was more than two years old, which meant that it was invalid and he could not issue the lenses. Hmm. So at the time I needed the contacts because I was travelling and I knew I probably could not get in to see my eye doctor quickly enough. The optician mentioned that they had an eye doc at Walmart… Read More »A Lesson About Your Value as a VA

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