networking

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?

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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?

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Don’t Wait to Make That Connection

I recently hosted a conference for Virtual Assistants. When you plan an event, you call everyone you know to see if they want to attend, or if they can help or support you in some way. At least I do! It’s important to remember that everyone you come into contact with in your business can play some sort of role – to get the word out, to point you in the direction of great resources, to become your clients, etc. Building your business depends on the connections that you make. And yet, so many VAs I know don’t make those connections regularly. At least not consciously. So at the conference, I kept making a point of telling the people in… Read More »Don’t Wait to Make That Connection

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Say No to Get More Done In Your VA Business

Do you ever feel like you are running so fast that if you stop everything will crash in on you? It’s like that scenario of having so many balls in the air, and if someone tries to catch one for you, they will all drop. That was me, the last couple of weeks. I have a lot going on, like most of us, and my life is busy and so is my business. But it’s really not a good way to be all the time. You have to have ebbs and flows of activity. You have to be able to rest and then come back strong to work well. I know this. I teach this. But sometimes I don’t do… Read More »Say No to Get More Done In Your VA Business

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5 Reasons to Attend a VA Conference

Working as a solo virtual professional, we sometimes run the risk of having a little too much solitude. Sometimes networking mainly consists of water cooler-type conversations with our colleagues, and then jumping back to client work. That’s why it’s important to seek out opportunities to get out there in person. Live networking events are a great way to have actual conversations with people. It’s a great place to learn and grow, and basically refine your art of conversation. I am hosting the first VA conference in Ottawa, Ontario in May! Are you coming?   The VA Conference will be a great place to connect with your colleagues and take time to work on your business (instead of just working in… Read More »5 Reasons to Attend a VA Conference

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Where Are You Finding Your VA Clients?

Where are you looking for new clients? This is something that I come across often – and VAs tell me ‘everywhere’. I’m here to tell you that ‘everywhere’ is the wrong answer if you are asking yourself that question. When you are in business, you always need to be on the lookout for prospective clients. That’s a given! But looking everywhere is a waste of time and not the same thing at all. I’ve heard people complain: “I’m networking all day long and there are no good clients out there.” “I spend all of my time looking for clients but I don’t have any.” “I am ready to give up. All clients want to pay a VA peanuts:” Have you… Read More »Where Are You Finding Your VA Clients?

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100 Conversations to Grow your Business

This month I started taking part in a great challenge that my friend Sally Guest is doing in one of her Facebook groups. It’s called 100 Conversations in 100 Days and it’s basically a challenge to grow your business. Since I teach people to network by talking to 2 people each day about your business, I thought it was a great idea for me to do it for 100 days myself. And it’s only one person per day, so it’s ridiculously manageable. We are already almost at Day 10, and it’s so easy. I challenge you to start too – try it. Think about one person every day that you can speak with about your business. Maybe it’s someone who could… Read More »100 Conversations to Grow your Business

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Stop Confusing Your Potential VA Clients

When you attend a networking event, are you nervous beforehand? You’re not alone. Do you get anxious thinking of what people might ask you? Do you get freaked out because you think you will not say the right thing? Happens to the best of us! But … do you rehearse what you will say to them in return? Probably not! The most important part of the networking action is what you say. You can meet 100 people or 5, but if you don’t say the right thing to all of them, your actions are useless, and your time (and theirs!) is wasted. The words that come out of your mouth will make or break any networking connection that you make. I… Read More »Stop Confusing Your Potential VA Clients

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