Part-Time Virtual Assistant Position

Interested?

Here's the link.

I'm staying away, and suggesting you do as well.

Finding a Good Fit - "Trying On" New Clients First

Retainer packages are appealing for both Virtual Assistants and their clients. (1) They're usually cost-effective for the client. (2) Done right, they can provide the VA with a steady income flow.

Before you let a client sign up for a retainer package, it's a good idea to make sure you're a good fit for each other first.

Try each other out first with a small, one-time project to see how well you work together. Trials like this are key to finding clients you will work well with.

Sometimes you'll hit it off with a client instantly. Sometimes it will take an effort from both of you to make it work. Sometimes, it just isn't a good fit.

Don't be afraid to turn down a potential client if you don't feel good about working with them. Remember, you started your business so you could be in control and enjoy your work.

Preparing for a Client Interview: "What's Your Greatest Weakness?"

Client interviews are already stressful enough without the potential client asking point blank, “What’s your greatest weakness?”

There is no easy way out – but understand that the very nature of this question is designed to catch you off-guard. Don’t fall for it.

Go In Prepared

Preparation is the key to successful job interviewing. Know as much about the company, their products and their people as you can before the interview begins. That way, your potential client will have fewer chances to make you uneasy during the interview process.

They will probe you with various questions to find out what your weaknesses are. Do not try to bluff your way out of difficult questions. It will only give the impression that you will resort to cheating when you are put under pressure.

Answer Straight And To The Point

Some interviewers still like to ask the question “What’s your greatest weakness?” during an interview. You can answer this question by either stating a wea"wkness that you encountered during a previous contract and how you overcame it, or you could reveal a weakness not at all related to your business.

Don’t say that you do not have any weaknesses, because after all, you are human. This is the quickest way to torpedo your chances. Rather, you should use the approach of converting your weakness into a strength. You will sound confident and resourceful if you are able to recognize your own weaknesses and find strategies to overcome them.

Being prepared for this question before each client interview is the key to succeeding. Try to turn negatives into positives. You will impress your prospect with your adaptability if you handle this question well.

How to Find Good Clients for Your Virtual Assistant Business

Wondering how and where to find good clients for your new Virtual Assistant business? Freelance graphic designer and copy writer Marsha Maung shares her advice in the following article.

A Few Good Clients
By Marsha Maung

Many home workers have asked me this question and the question is “Marsha, how do you find your clients?” How do you earn consistently every single month and manage to survive every month as a freelance writer. The answer is very simple and honest – I have a few good clients. No. Hang on. Make it “I have a few good HAPPY clients” The point is to find that few good clients, work for them with every single ounce of your energy, immerse yourself in their project and see the results.

All big corporations know this. You don’t need a hundred clients to make big bucks! No, you really don’t. The secret is in finding those who knows people who wants to make big bucks so that you can earn big bucks. Although I often market myself, my focus is not on finding new clients (although it’s an important part of business irregardless of industry). The focus of a freelancer is on keeping the current clients happy. It’s true.

You see, I met A some years back and I’ve been doing some work for him for some time. The payment was OK but he was prompt and he knew people. Among all my clients, I focused on A because I had a feeling that he was as strong-willed as I was, believed in the Internet as much as I believed in it and sincerely thought that I did a good job!

Although I didn’t stop advertising or marketing myself, my focus was on pleasing A. A did not disappoint me at all. He knew people, recommended my services and I got more jobs as a freelancer. I then had two good clients. I worked hard for both of them – and they both liked me. And it mushroomed from there.

From just A to B….I am earning a consistent and stable income enough for a freelance mommy like me to survive on.

So, if you’re wondering if you should embark on a freelance career because you don’t have many contacts, just forge ahead. Gain the confidence of the first few clients you have, understand them, deliver and your few good clients will deliver the rest.

Marsha Maung is a freelance graphic designer and copy writer who works from her home in Selangor, Malaysia. She loves nothing more than blowing bubbles in the park with her 2 kids, Joshua and Jared. More information can be found at http://www.marshamaung.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marsha_Maung

Where is all of my time going?

At the end of your work day, are you left wondering where your day went?

If you don't have time to get everything done, it may be time to re-evaluate how you're spending your 24 hours.

Here's a simple exercise that can help you discover where your time is really going.

You can also use this exercise with your clients to help them identify areas where they could use your virtual assistant services to manage their day better.

Choose one day and track all your business and personal activities for that day. Start from the time you wake up in the morning to the time you get into bed at night.

Write down each activity and how long you spend on it.

Include everything you do, including interruptions, time spent thinking and planning, and looking for misplaced items

Do this activity on a regular working day to give yourself a good idea of where your time’s going. Proceed with your day as you normally would.

At the end of this activity, evaluate how your hours were spent. How many hours do you spend solely on your business? Do you see any ways you could manage your time more efficiently? Are there any activities you could outsource so you could have more time to devote to your regular work?

You might be surprised at what this little exercise turns up!

Are You Referring to Me?

by Jill Chongva | VADiva.com

There is an on-going debate in the Virtual Assistant community about potential clients asking for references. Some are offended; some don’t really care one way or the other. This is my spin on the issue.

Virtual Assistance is still a new industry, though for those of us who have been at it a long time, it doesn’t really seem that way. However, most of the business world is just beginning to discover the benefits of partnering with a VA. And it is the job of all VA’s to educate potential clients about what we do.

When you are interviewing a potential client, you cover all your bases by asking pointed questions about their work style, business plans, technology, etc. You ask the questions that get you the answers you need to determine if (a) you can work with this client and (b) if you have the skills to do what they need to have done.

And the potential client is interviewing you as well. So don’t be surprised when they ask for “references”. They are simply following good business practices.

Would you hire another VA for your team without checking with people she/he has worked for or with? Doubt it. And if you would, well don’t get me started.

Many of those who argue against references (and I used to be one of them) say that because you are an entrepreneur, you should not be asked for references. They see it as demeaning. You wouldn’t ask your accountant or lawyer for references would you? Um, yes, I actually would.

If I am going to trust ANY part of my business to another person, I want to know about their track record. I want to hear from people they have worked with/for to get a sense of whether they can do the job I’m asking them to do. I want to know about quirks. I want to know about results.

I wouldn’t hire a [insert any job title here] without asking about their success stories or without speaking to some of her or his clients first.

Testimonials are great, and many say that that is what you should give to people asking for references. While testimonials can help, they are static. They are never going to give you the same feedback and information that a phone call to an actual human being will give.

And since most people find their Virtual Assistant via web searches, it makes sense that they are exercising a fair bit of caution. The web is notorious for fly-by-night schemes and shams, and those who are looking for a VA should be cautious in choosing one. That means they will ask for references. They will want to speak to your clients. They will do their due diligence.

After all, wouldn’t you?



Jill Chongva is a Virtual Assistant with over 21 years experience in the Administration field. Her marketing assistance help solopreneurs make the most of their message by creating branding that stands out in the crowd.

Her new ebook “Find YOUR Ideal Clients: 99 Questions to Use to Create YOUR Ideal Client Questionnaire” is available at www.vadiva.com

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com