Posts Tagged ‘starting business’

My VAnetworking seminar this week was a presentation by Jill Jordan of Smart Women’s Coaching, the topic was Personal Branding.  She gave a great talk, and really got me thinking…especially when she asked us all to write down what made us different from others in our line of business. It’s a big part of the process to help you brand yourself.

Through all my classes and workshops with CEED, I have done a Strength and Weakness list a  few times, but I found myself stumped when asked this question directly.

What makes me different and unique…hmmm let’s see.  Well… I have 15 years administrative experience, I like to learn new things, I am fairly organized, and motivated to work, but how do I translate all this into a one liner?   It surprised me that I couldn’t quickly give an answer to this other than “I don’t know, can I get back to you?”  I wonder if other people find this as difficult as I do.

Now I have some “homework” for the next week – because I am determined to find an answer to this question – What makes you different?

Technorati Tags: branding, seminars, starting business, VAnetworking, virtual assistant

I have been doing a lot of networking in the past few months.  As a new business owner, it’s a real good way to get the word out about your business and services, especially to the local business community.  I also do quite a bit of online networking, and I must say both have paid off.

So far I have landed one client from online networking, one through Twitter, and participated in a  very interesting “Looking to Hire a VA process” also through Twitter. Local networking has seen more understanding and interest spread about virtual assistants – and I have also landed a client through word of mouth/referrals.  Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: elevator speech, home office, networking, Nova Scotia, starting business, virtual assistant

Many fellow Virtual Assistants probably run into this same situation; I have several times lately while networking and discussing my line of work with others.

Recently, when talking to someone about how she can investigate becoming a virtual assistant (VA) herself, I referred her to the online group, VAnetworking.  Once she had a chance to look it over, we talked – and she told me she didn’t understand why I would belong to it.

My answer was simple… support!  Then I added to it; access to loads of information, meeting other VAs, and learning tips and tricks from them during the weekly networking sessions were a few of the first things out of my mouth. After giving some specific examples, she understood better my reasons. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: home office, networking, starting business, VAnetworking, virtual assistant

I ran into a situation the other day, where I decided that I would not make a request to someone I do business with.  We only recently began working together and I felt – in my mind – that what I was looking for was too much to ask for and too soon.  It’s the Canadian in me… we can be very complacent, I’m told.

Funny enough…a few days later, through one of our conversations, this person offered up exactly what I had been looking for. It was by chance.  Once it was out there; I told her that I would love it and that I had been contemplating asking her  the same thing, but decided not to …the bit of advice she gave me was:

The answer is always no until you ask!  The worst answer you will get is no, which leaves you at the same spot…odds are, you’ll get an answer to push you further towards your goals in life.

Great advice from a great business woman!  Something I will definitely keep in mind as I continue on my path of running a successful Virtual Assistant business.

Technorati Tags: plans, promote business, reward, starting business, virtual assistant

The message about the effectiveness of hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) to help with business is getting out in the world. I know this because my mother, of all people, mentioned tonight how businesses must be seeing the value of VAs in this economy.

We were talking today -she is still a great sounding board for my business- and she started on this topic.  It was great! Her comments made me realize that all my chatter, networking and explaining to people about Virtual Assistants is working. Professionals and business owners are seeing that VAs can be the lifesaver many of them need. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: cost effective, how to find a VA, office support, starting business, VAnetworking, virtual assistant