Comments on: Important Benefits from Working with a Virtual Assistant

By: Important Benefits from Working with a Virtual Assistant « Virtual Assistance for Your Business,Your Home, and Your Life

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:53:15 +0000

[...] a Virtual Assistant

Wendy Piersall presents Important Benefits from Working with a Virtual Assistant | Sparkplug CEO [...]

By: Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary

Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:38:42 +0000

Megapixels, you can Google ‘Virtual Assistant’ and find many VA networks and associations out there. Or you can go to http://vanetworknews.com/va-organisations/ and contact some of the organisations there who will assist you with finding the right VA. And yes, a VA is like a PA, only virtual. I’ve been one for over 14 years.

By: Megapixels

Megapixels — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:29:27 +0000

I've never heard of Virtual Assistants before, but I think I want one. Is the only difference between a Personal Assistant and a Virtual Assistant, the connection through the internet? Secondly, where does one start looking for a VA? My business is still growing, but I could see that 6 months from now a VA could really help. Megapixelss last blog post..Really Good Reasons To Buy A Digital Camera Online

By: Wendy Piersall

Wendy Piersall — Thu, 01 May 2008 03:55:07 +0000

@ Dane Carlson:

Hey Dane – thanks so much for stopping by!! Sorry nobody responded to you earlier, I just found your comment had been stuck in Akismet for several days.

In fact, Lorelle from Wordpress just turned me on to a fantastic script that made it actually possible to find your comment in the first place – will be posting about it soon! I found 5+ others along with yours!

By: Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary

Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary — Thu, 01 May 2008 03:21:12 +0000

Dane, having a Virtual Assistant does not mean they have to be in another country, or even another state. My longest term client literally lives only 5 mins away from me and we have built a strong business relationship and a friendship over the past 11 years.

Although I’m sure many VAs from everywhere would love to provide you support and show you their abilities, there are sometimes jobs that need to be done where the VA needs to be local for various reasons.

My long-term client and I speak periodically on the phone but most of the time we email each other. We often attend networking events together, because our ideal client target market is almost the same, so we go out and network together too.

But if your chosen VA is truly virtual, i.e. never face-to-face, then you can start off with small tasks and as you get to know each other, you can build that up.

I do service clients I’ve never met because they are interstate and/or overseas – they have mainly come via referral from others who know me and have experienced my support. Do you know anyone who could refer a VA to you that they have personal experience of?

Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary’s last blog post..Do you want to succeed as a VA?

By: Our Monmouth

Our Monmouth — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:29:29 +0000

I have received a few nice referrals from my virtual office in a short amount of time (I have only been there two months). It wound up being a a nice resource because most of the office fits my target market.

Beset wishes.

By: Shannanb aka Mommy Bits

Shannanb aka Mommy Bits — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:50:19 +0000

My husband hired a virtual assistant last year. In addition to assisting him with some contract work, when we were considering moving overseas we had her research several countries we were considering. It was great and really affordable. Shannanb aka Mommy Bits's last blog post..Kellogg's + Girls on the Run Int'l = Sucsess

By: Mark - Productivity501

Mark - Productivity501 — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0000

In my situation, I didn’t realize how long it took me to gain the specialized knowledge that I’m trying to pass on to my remote assistant. The type of stuff I’m needing isn’t the type of thing any VA is likely to have encountered before so it has taken about 1.5 months to really get into a groove.

For the things that were routine my assistant has been incredibly efficient once she understood what was needed.

Mark – Productivity501’s last blog post..Reader Question – Organized Work Desk

By: Teresa Morrow

Teresa Morrow — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:39:30 +0000

Thank you Laura for your kind response. I am glad you enjoyed the post. Teresa Teresa Morrow's last blog post..5 Factors to Think About Before Searching for a Virtual Assistant

By: Teresa Morrow

Teresa Morrow — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:38:40 +0000

I concur with Kathie on that point Mark. Most of the time when you hire a VA you can ask the questions to ensure that they are skilled in those areas that you need them to be skilled in. Also, if you would like, you can ask the virtual assistant for client references to ensure the skills you are needing have been completed with other clients.
Yes, there are sometimes the situations where someone is new and they want to receive clients so much, they may say they know how to do a skill even though they may not possess the skills you require.

Also, I would like to add that when you hire a VA (at least I know for me) they are wishing to create a long lasting relationship and if you have the patience and give them the time to learn new skills, you may get rewards in return.

Thanks for your input Mark.

And thank you Kathie for your response too.

Sincerely,

Teresa

Teresa Morrow’s last blog post..5 Factors to Think About Before Searching for a Virtual Assistant

By: Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary

Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:55:34 +0000

Mark, it's no different to training a PA in the corporate world and showing them what's needed to support you in the best possible way. A truly professional VA will come to the task already very skilled and experienced and will know what questions to ask and how to show you to get the best out of the support they provide you. Kathie Thomas, A Claytons Secretary's last blog post..If my Virtual Assistant happens to quit?

By: Mark - Productivity501

Mark - Productivity501 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:27:20 +0000

I'm doing some experiments working with a remote assistant. One thing I've learned, is that you need to allow plenty of time to get up to speed. It takes awhile to get someone to the point that they are useful and at first it might even take you more time than it saves. Mark - Productivity501's last blog post..Reader Question - Organized Work Desk

By: Laura Spencer

Laura Spencer — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:19:09 +0000

Thanks for writing this piece. I had heard about Virtual Assistants, of course, but this post really helps me see the benefits of using one. I especially liked the angle of cross-promotion. It's something that I hadn't thought about, but it only makes sense. Laura Spencer's last blog post..How Will the Economic Stimulus Package Affect You?

By: Dane Carlson

Dane Carlson — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:13:35 +0000

All of these do sound like great benefits, but to me it's the downside of a virtual assistant that is my greatest stumbling block. Maybe it's an issue of trust, but the idea of opening up, not just my business, but my personal live to someone I can't see/feel/touch scares me. I don't know, but I really like my assistant to be in the same room with me. How do I get over this? Dane Carlson's last blog post..Running A Company From Home