Comments on: 5 Factors to Think About Before Searching for a Virtual Assistant

By: Cindy Greenway

Cindy Greenway — Sun, 04 May 2008 03:21:59 +0000

I absolutely agree – your Virtual Assistant must be passionate about your business and believe in what you do in order to effectively support you.

When investing in a Virtual Assistant for your business, you’re looking for more than just someone to delegate administrative tasks to. To get the most return on your investment, you want someone who will learn the ins and outs of your business, provide you with suggestions, feedback and truly become your sounding board and partner.

If a VA lacks excitement for your target market and what you offer, the relationship will not flourish and provide you with the best return on your investment.

Cindy Greenway
http://www.MultipleStreamsTeam.com

By: 10 Most Important Questions to Get Answered Before Hiring a Virtual Assistant | Sparkplug CEO

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:58:55 +0000

[...] Do you have experience in handling < insert task you want done>? As I have mentioned before about understanding virtual assistant, some virtual assistant specialize in certain areas and others have a broad array of services they provide. Also, this is a good time to have written down those tasks that you donâ€™t want to do or those task that are not your strengths [...]

By: Kathie Thomas, A Clayton's Secretary

Kathie Thomas, A Clayton's Secretary — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:17:07 +0000

Jonathan, if you got through the Virtual Assistant Networks which are the professional organisations for the industry you will find reputable and reliable VAs that you can keep. My longest term client has been with me for over 11 years and I have several other clients that have been with me well over 5 years. I have VAs who have been with my network over 10 years. At the VA associations or networks you'll find members who have come from the corporate world and truly are professionals at what they do. What's more the networks and associations give all their members support for the industry, training, and heaps of other things. This is not something that the 'VAs' at the freelance sites get, nor if they're a stand-alone VA and not aligned with any VA association. Kathie Thomas, A Clayton's Secretary's last blog post..How often are you backing up?

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:51:32 +0000

Hi,

I agree with what you had posted above. Lot of time and efforts goes into finding a best VA for you.

But the most difficult and productive part about using VA services is to find out how you can keep them for long time.

Any Thoughts?

Thanks
J

By: The Journey of Hiring A Virtual Assistant | eMoms at Home

The Journey of Hiring A Virtual Assistant | eMoms at Home — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:07:46 +0000

[...] searching, remember it is a good idea to acquire your goals for your business and next be sure you understand virtual assistant attributes. Such things as accessing what your future business structure growth and what you want to be in [...]

By: Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary

Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:37:16 +0000

Cheryl, there are many VA forums at yahoogroups.com – I suggest you go there and do a search for Virtual Assistants and then look at the number of messages that happen – that will soon tell you which ones are most active. I belong to several and many of them are attached to VA networks so you get to hear from existing members of the benefits of membership, and how their own businesses are going. You get to mix and mingle with VAs who are already running businesses.

There are other VA networks that also run board type forums – I personally prefer the email type so I don’t have to log in and check for messages every day – the messages come to me. However, both types of forums work really well.

And I encourage you to explore joining at least 2 or 3 VA networks when you’re ready – they all have their own ‘culture’ and bring different benefits to their members. Have fun exploring!

Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary’s last blog post..Transcriptions – Get all the details II

By: Teresa Morrow

Teresa Morrow — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:32:24 +0000

Cheryl,

I would like to ask you if you are looking to become a virtual assistant yourself or are you looking to hire a virtual assistant for your business?
Please clarify so I am able to answer your question properly.
Also, if you have a business, I would love to hear (read) more about it).
Thanks!

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:17:50 +0000

What are some of the "best" virtual assistant companies to look into? I'm thinking that would be a good thing for me, while I have a wee one at home (she's 22 months). Cheers! Cheryl's last blog post..New Pic

By: LaGina

LaGina — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:15:24 +0000

Thank you for these very helpful tips. I have considered a VA but wasn't sure where to begin and now I know. LaGina LaGina's last blog post..Connectors for Landscape Lighting

By: Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary

Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:33:32 +0000

Agreed Danielle - I don't manage anyone either, I manage the network which assists VAs to run their businesses, learn about the industry and look after clients. Again a professional organisation for Virtual Assistants. Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary's last blog post..Transcriptions - Get all the details I

By: Danielle Keister

Danielle Keister — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:13:24 +0000

I’d like to clarify… I don’t manage anyone. Virtual Assistants each run their own busineses. Rather, I am the founder of a professional association for Virtual Assistants. That’s a large distinction.

By: Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary

Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 06:21:17 +0000

Hey Teresa, just found this article – so good of you to write about our industry.

The passion is true – I celebrated my 14th year in business in March and I still love what I do with a passion. My longest term client has been with me for 11 years and she’s passionate about our industry as she tells everyone about us!

Like Danielle I manage a network of VAs – in 16 countries and always welcome new members. We have a bookshop, a coaching course, webhosting and many other things available to our team members. And they get to learn so much about running their own business whilst receiving client requests at the same time.

I love working in this industry – it’s provided so many opportunities and my family love that I am home for them too!

http://www.vadirectory.net

Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary’s last blog post..Transcriptions – Get all the details I

By: Jenn Givler

Jenn Givler — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:09:45 +0000

I agree with what others have said. Having a VA makes life so much easier.

If you’re not sure where to start with a VA, try handing over 1 or 2 small non-critical tasks. See how much time and energy that frees up for you. Soon, you’ll be looking for more and more things to hand off

Jenn Givler’s last blog post..Boundaries

By: Emilee Monaghan

Emilee Monaghan — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 03:27:15 +0000

Thank you Teresa!

That is a great article on what to look for when hiring a VA. I have been trying to build my business, and over the last few months have been considering hiring an assistant.

My problem I think is giving up some control of tasks that I am afraid another person wouldn’t do as well as I would – since they don’t have the interest invested that I do.

I realize it is necessary though, and your article sure helps to understand what to look for.

Thanks for the info!

By: Teresa Morrow

Teresa Morrow — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:05:23 +0000

And I believe that Katherine brought up the topic of having your virtual assistant being passionate as well about their business as well.

Yes, it does make it easier (I agree) when your virtual assistant is excited about helping your grow your business.

Thanks Katherine!

By: Teresa Morrow

Teresa Morrow — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:57:16 +0000

I wanted to say thank to Danielle also for giving these additional resources for the readers here. The VACOC is a great place for information as well.

Thanks Danielle.

By: Teresa Morrow

Teresa Morrow — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:54:22 +0000

I like what you say Marni about having a virtual assistant who is as passionate about what you do and I think that is a great point to add here.

I have had people whom I have hired to do work with me and they may have possessed the knowledge to do it, however, they clearly did not possess the passion to get it done and so I ended up disappointed with their performance.

I think passion is another factor that should be added to this list.

Thank you Marni for your comment.

By: David

David — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 16:28:13 +0000

I have about additional income from being a VA but deep down I know that I just can’t give the comitment needed.

Maybe just freelancing once in a while is a possibility.

By: Marni Dean

Marni Dean — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 16:04:50 +0000

I'm still looking at this VA thing - not sure they will have the same passion as I do for my business. I guess it doesn't hurt to try them out though. Marni Dean's last blog post..By: The Importance of Retaining Visitors

By: Suzie Cheel

Suzie Cheel — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:04:24 +0000

Thank you Teresa,

As having a personal assistant is something I aspire to having I think this is a good reference