Q: How long have you been doing what you do and how did you get to be a Virtual Assistant (VA)?

A: I was working as a VA long before I knew what the term was. After graduating from Baylor University (Sic ‘Em Bears) in 1996 I started to do some virtual work with Rainbow Days, Inc., a non-profit organization that gives kids in high-risk situations the skills they need to overcome adversity and stay drug free. Not long after I began my long-distance work with Rainbow Days I found myself working with other companies in a long-distance, virtual situation, including a skin rejuvenation center out of Beverly Hills, an IT consulting firm based in Colorado, and a private real estate broker in Utah. But something wasn’t quite right; I still wasn’t in charge of my life. It wasn’t until 2002, when I was reading a Woman’s Day article that I found the answer to what I was looking for. The founder of AssistU, Stacy Brice, had been interviewed for this article about women doing what they wanted to do with their lives and being successful at it. When I read how Stacy began her career as a virtual assistant it was like looking back over the past 6 years of my life. I was accepted into the AssistU Virtual Training Program in March of 2003 and completed my training that December. Since then I have taken charge of my business and continued to expand my knowledge of how to better serve my clients virtually in order to make their lives more focused and less stressful. Who knew a magazine article could have such a life altering effect!

 

Q: How are you different from a secretary or administrative assistant?

A: For starters, I am not an employee of my clients’; I am a partner in their success who has chosen to work with them so they can achieve their professional and personal goals. Like most of my clients, I’m a small business owner so I understand how tight resources can be, so I work from my own office, which keeps my clients from having to create a physical space for me. Plus most small business owners don’t require someone 40 hours a week, but find it difficult to attract part-time personnel with the level of expertise they need, which I can provide.

 

Q: What kinds of task do you do as a VA?

A: Website maintenance and updating - Ezine creation and delivery - Create and maintain databases - Travel research and booking - Event planning and coordination - Creating systems of organization - Reminder service - Scheduling - Social Media - Transcription and dictation - Invoicing - Bookkeeping - Mailings (email and snail mail) - Technical editing - Writing - Proof reading - List maintenance. However, the list goes on, so if there’s something you need done that is not on this list there’s a good chance I can handle that too. And if it’s something I cannot handle, chances are I can find someone who can.

 

Q: Are there any tasks you won’t do?

A: Yes there are. But I prefer to discuss those with clients as we figure out what their needs may be. If there’s something a client needs done but it’s something I don’t handle I will work with them to find someone who is qualified to meet that need for them.

 

Q: How do I know what tasks I could give to you to take on… what would you suggest?

A: For the next week keep a pad of paper and pen with you at all times and write down anything you do for your business that you personally did not have to attend to or that you would love to have taken off your hands. Then shoot me an email and we’ll schedule a time to talk.

 

Q: How will we work together?

A: Initially there are a lot of conversations between us, as I learn your work style and your needs. Once a routine is established it is easiest if you email me your requests and then I can get back to you with an update. Of course if it’s something that needs my immediate attention I can be reached by phone.

 

Q: Who are your clients exactly?

A: My clients are busy professionals who are ready to take their business to the next level but need someone to help them by taking over the managerial tasks of their business so they can focus on growth and productivity.

 

Q: What happens if you haven’t yet worked with people in my field?

A: Most of the things I handle for my clients are not specific to their field alone so there is a lot of cross over in tasks between seemingly unrelated fields. However, if there is something specific I need to know I am very eager to gain that knowledge so I can better assist you.

 

Q: What type of personality do you work best with?

A: My ideal clients realize they can’t do it all on their own and are ready to hand things over to someone who is capable of stepping in and handling their administrative tasks in a knowledgeable and professional way. My clients are very trusting people and know that I want to help them achieve their goals, but their business is still their own and all decisions about it ultimately rest with them. Because of the nature of our relationship, my clients must be good communicators with a clear idea of the outcomes they expect.

 

Q: What type of professional do you NOT work with?

A: I do not work with people who are not respectful of my boundaries. Nor do I work with people who deal with everything at the last minute. Of course emergencies will happen and I am quick thinking and fast acting in a pinch, but I encourage my clients not to make their lack of planning my emergency. I also do not work with people who do not trust me or feel the need to micro manage. My clients work with me because they know I can get the job done. And it can’t be said enough…they must be a good communicator! People who can’t effectively tell me what they expect are not ideal clients.

 

Q: What results can I expect?

A: A new lease on life! You’ll gain back hours in your day, which allow you to focus on the growth of your business, your personal life, a hobby that’s been stashed away in a closet, or much needed rest. Not only do you regain lost hours, but the hours you do have become more streamlined so your time is more productive.

 

Q: How can I guarantee myself that I will get more of my time back?

A: By telling me everything I need to know about you and your business. I have a welcome packet that I send to all new clients. The more thoroughly you fill it out the better I will be able to help you.

 

Q: Can I contact some of your clients to see what it’s like to work with you?

A: Absolutely. In fact I encourage it. I have several testimonials from clients who are more than willing to share their experience with you.

 

Q: What is the difference between being a retainer client and a pay-as-you-go client?

A: My Retainer clients pay for the hours they are going to use in advance, just like you pay your cable bill for the coming month. This guarantees them an agreed upon number of my hours. My Pay as You Go clients pay me after the work has been completed and are billed a higher rate than my retainer clients. These clients do not have a guarantee that I will always be able to handle what they need done. If my practice is filled to capacity I may not be able to accommodate them if they suddenly require more hours than they have in months past.

 

Q: OK, I know what I want to hand over to you, how do I start?

A: Start by emailing me and letting me know when you are available to talk. I will schedule a time that works for both of us so we can discuss what your needs are and how I can best meet those needs.