Entrepreneur or Employee?
I sometimes get emails from various people wanting to know how to get a job as a Virtual Assistant.
There is a vast difference between being a virtual worker looking for a virtual job and a virtual assistant seeking new clients for the business. It is important for upcoming VAs to understand the difference because it has a huge impact on the success of your business.
First of all the manner in which you respond to employment ads is very different. Truth be told VAs respond to Request for Proposals (RFPs) by submitting a proposal which outlines the services they provide, rates and terms. The RFP will also include some background information and in some cases a portfolio.
In some cases VAs looking to get started may respond to an ad for employment. In this case it is also unnecessary to submit a resume. Employees submit resumes.
It is incorrect to state that you are looking for a job as a Virtual Assistant. VAs market their businesses to attract clients, they work on their own terms, provide their own equipment and software, pay their own taxes. A virtual assistant is a business owner and as such may work with a number of businesses. An employee typically works for one employer for a guaranteed number of hours weekly.
I hope that you get my point because as upcoming VAs, understanding the difference between a VA and an employee, is crucial to the success of your business.
Technology and You
We have come a long way in the last few years due to changes in technology. We now have
- The iphone
- The Blackberry
- The ipod
- The internet
- Virtual Collaboration
- The Virtual Assistant
Yes I have added the Virtual Assistant to that list. VAs are now the driving force behind many small and not so small businesses.
So what is a Virtual Assistant anyway? I would say that a VA is a highly skilled professional and entrepreneur who provide services from a remote location to other entrepreneurs, businesses, executives etc.
Due to the growing list of technologies a Virtual Assistant can now stay at home and provide the tasks normally assigned to the office assistant. Not only that, many VAs have gone so far as to provide web design, marketing, bookkeeping, desktop publishing, the possibilities are endless.
As a Virtual Assistant I have worked with clients just up the street and clients thousands of miles away. Thats the beauty of working virtually, proximity does not matter.
So do you have what it takes to move into this billion dollar industry? Well I must emphasize that you must have the capacity to help others. For me that is what being a Virtual Assistant is. The skills that I have perfected over the years has only been to make my clients shine.
Aside from that you must be first rate at the services you decide to offer, you should have some business management skills, you should have an idea of how you would market your business. Finally you need to be motivated, motivation will take you through the rough spots.
You can read more on motivation for Virtual Assistants here.
Comments are always welcomed.
Crystal
FSE
EverNote - What a Handy Tool
Are you still keeping notes on little pieces of paper or a maybe on a variety of programs? Then EverNote just might be your new friend. I have been using EverNote successfully for a few years and couldn’t get through the day without it. It gives me the freedom to log all my thoughts, my clips my handwritten reminders in electronic form and I just need to do a quick search whenever I need them.
Some of the cool features of EverNote include:
- EverSearch! For me, this makes this program absolutely amazing. This keeps me organized. Whenever I need a note, instead of searching my trash for little bits of paper I just do a quick search for all my little reminders.
- Drag and Drop. You can just drag and drop all your content into EverNote. Web clips, word documents, spreadsheets, emails you name it. Just drag and drop into EverNote.
- AutoSave. No need to save your new additions. EverNote automatically saves it all.
- Keep everything in one place. Remember I spoke about this in the beginning? Its worth a second mention. EverNote keeps ALL your notes. Handwrite your notes, add clipping for a website you need to visit later. No need to use bits or paper anymore…
- Its Free. You just can’t beat free. There is a paid version of EverNote but I never needed to upgrade. I get all I’ll ever need and more with the free version. Need I say more?
A Word On Motivation
In my eBook I discuss the power of motivation. I believe motivation is what sets apart a powerful, successful business from an unsuccessful one. Here is an excerpt from the eBook.
I recently asked a few Virtual Assistants to fill out a short survey explaining what their motivations for staying in the industry. Some of their reasons are listed below:
- Money (They were earning more than what they earned on a full time job)
- Being your own boss.
- Flexible hours.
- What to stay at home with the kids.
- The satisfaction of a job well done.
- Being passionate about the industry and loving what they do.
In general the successful Virtual Assistants were they one who enjoyed the work, who loved doing what they do each day.
Think about what motivates you. Channel that motivation, write it down and look at it each day, two or three times a day if you must. This will help feed the desire and you will find it easier to do your daily duties. Remember also that motivation that is purely profit based soon wears thin. That is not going to keep you up at night to finish a client’s project that is due early the next morning. Find your motiviation today!
FSE
10 Things I love about being a Virtual Assistant
Firstly, there are days I get so busy I wonder where the time went. Some days I work 16+ hours and I do get frustrated from time to time. Today I had an idea: I decided to write (off the top of my head) 10 things I love about being a Virtual Assistant. I printed it and pasted it on the wall behind my computer. This will be my inspiration for when I get frustrated. By the way I came up with over 35 reasons but I’ll share ten in this post.
- I work with people from different cultures and background.
- I work to achieve my dreams.
- I take pride in my clients achievements that results from my work with them.
- I am my own boss.
- No long commutes and power suits.
- I get to stay at home with my son.
- I can make my own schedule.
- The sense of accomplishment from seeing my business grow.
- No mundane tasks here: there is always something different going on.
- The value of meeting new people almost daily (new clients, other VAs etc)
FSE
Your Job Proposal- It’s not complete until…
Part of my business (and I am sure yours too) involves responding to RFP’s. I average at least ten a week and get about twenty percent of the jobs. Whether these are small projects or on-going retainers I have learned that there are some absolute musts when it comes to you job proposal.
Outline Everything:
Do not leave your potential client guessing. List your services, your rates and limit the grey areas. In fact, clear them up as much as possible.
Paper Trail:
I have developed a habit to saving all my correspondence with clients and potential clients. Its m way of covering my you know what in case there is ever a problem, for instance, non payment of invoices, etc.
Include a clause for project changes:
Often there may be changes in the requirements or responsibilities. To be prepared for this include a clause stating that any project changes will incur additional charges.
Don’t forget the contract:
Especially if you do not know or have no connection with the potential client. For most jobs it is customary to request a 50% advance before work commence.
FSE
