Interview with Delilah Smith of Caliber Virtual Services

NZVAs · #1 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009

Delilah Smith
Caliber Virtual Services

Delilah currently resides in Virginia with her husband and son although she is originally from Pennsylvania. Her background includes several years of executive administrative experience working with professionals and executives in the corporate world.

Her aim is to partner with solo practitioners, coaches, and speakers to assist them in achieving their business goals and beyond as their personal virtual assistant.

She has always enjoyed helping others pursue their dreams and organize their future. Naturally then, discovering the world of virtual assisting was one of the greatest things that has ever happened to her. On discovering virtual assistance, Delilah found a wonderful way to combine and use her previous experience, education, and background to establish and grow an exciting and independent business.

What does your VA business specialize in?

Strategic Planning and Internet Marketing

Solo-Practitioner Admin Support

Event Planning

Digital Transcription

And Contact Management

Of the services you offer - which service do you most enjoy providing?
I would have to say providing administrative support. It can cover a range of services, of course. But, it’s still within the realm of assisting a client on a more personal, one-on-one level as a personal virtual assistant.

Can you tell us your experience of what “going beyond” as a VA means to you?
I began working with a new client, and at the time it was around the holidays. We hadn’t had a chance to solidify what she needed from me just yet. So in my haste and excitement to show what I can do for her, I created her next newsletter in advance. We did talk about writing at least two articles for it.

However nothing was said about me going ahead and creating the entire thing. So in my excitement and anticipation, I jumped forward and completed the newsletter anyway. Although she was impressed with the final product, I think she enjoyed seeing how enthusiastic I was to get started.

Some of the newsletter was changed, of course, because it needed to be more her “voice”. But I thought it was so funny that I was that excited to just jump in and get started. I think she appreciated the effort.

What software programme could you not do without?
Microsoft Office. It has everything you would need to offer services. Anything from word processing, data processing, desktop publishing, to creating spreadsheets. And definitely having a good back up system program is paramount. The last thing you would want to happen is to lose all of your files and client files on your computer.

What are your three favourite websites as tools for your VA practice?
Freshbooks invoicing system. Google Docs for non-confidential document and spreadsheet sharing and LogMeIn to work on a clients’ desktop remotely.

What skill has been most valuable to you, as a business owner, and as a VA for your clients?
Strong organizational skills. If you can’t keep your own business organized, how can you help others organize theirs? But I also feel having people skills or social skills are essential. You are going to interact with your clients and perhaps even their clients all on a virtual level. So having great interaction and communication skills definitely come into play.

When working with clients, what is the number one thing you could recommend to other VAs to aid in building a successful relationship?
As someone once recommended to me, always treat your client like precious gold. Don’t lose sight of that idea no matter how long the partnership. Sometimes as time moves on, we begin to see the client more as a friend or fellow business associate and become more casual in our relationship with them. Always treat them like gold and they will always see the value in you.

What has been your most successful marketing strategy?
Networking, networking, networking. I can’t say it enough. Initially, my networking consisted of interacting with other VAs in forums and at webinars. Then I evolved into the social media tools like Twitter, which opened up an opportunity to branch out and meet others.
Social networking overall has been most successful for me.

How did that marketing strategy impact your business?
Networking and word-of-mouth has had a wonderful impact on my business. Once you get to know other established VAs or business associates in your target market and they get to know you and what you have to offer, then the process becomes much easier.

Any tips on what not to do when networking?
Of course you wouldn’t want to “spam’ anyone as you get to know them on a social level. But when done properly and with taste, it can be quite fruitful. When you are constantly talking about what you can do, your service - just constantly advertising, it can actually turn people away from you instead of pulling their interest toward your business. Offer something of value when networking. Offer solutions if they are asking how to do something or where to find it.

Have you ever decided not to take on a client?
If for some reason I was unable to accept a particular client because business was at capacity or they were wanting a service I didn’t provide, I would refer the prospective client to one of many other qualified VAs I know. I would also suggest submitting a RFP or do it on their behalf.

If I acquire a client and a few weeks or so into the relationship and it seems that perhaps we may not a good fit to continue our partnership, I would do the same as I mentioned above. Hopefully, the separation would be amicable and mutual.

Where do you get your best VA business advice?
Well, I have to say two places. A lot of reading from sources researched over the internet and VA forums. It’s great to come into a “room” full of seasoned and new VAs alike and receive the support, education, and advice from the VAs in them. It’s extra special because these ladies (and gents) are taking time out their busy schedules to support a fellow VA. The variety of answers and suggestions give you a lot to work with. The information is always current whenever you seek it or just read other responses.

Do you have a mentor?
Actually I had two. My first mentor was someone who assisted me in learning what real world work experience was like as a virtual assistant.

My current mentor, Dawn with VAinParadise, is fantastic! She really gets into what you want to accomplish in your business. What your weak areas are, and how we can work together to strengthen them. She doesn’t let you off easy either. Actual “homework” is involved because she truly wants to see you make progress. No procrastination allowed! She’s patience, funny, and understanding. Even if we don’t have a regularly scheduled meeting, I can always pick up the phone and call her if necessary.

What is the one thing you most love about working for yourself?
I would have to say independence is foremost. Having that flexibility and freedom of creativity that comes with working for yourself is something I truly enjoy and appreciate. How many positions with previous employers can anyone say they had the kind of true freedom and flexibility we have with running our own businesses.

What would you give a million dollars to know now that you didn’t know before?
That just because you walk into the VA world with a specific skill set, education, and real world work experience, doesn’t necessarily mean you can just hang up a shingle and it’s a cake walk from then on. It is hard work and a steady learning process. But if you have patience and keep your goals before you, achieving your business goals is within reach.