Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

VagabondetteVA · #11 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008

Thanks for the links, I'll check them out. From the research I've done, it seems that giving either useful info that they'll need and hang on to or giving money/discounts is the best way to make an impact with the back of your card. It's also a conversation starter.

On the back of my Finance Coach cards I had the FICO scoring system on one style and the 5 steps to retirement savings on the other. People *loved* them. Almost every person commented about what a great idea and what great info it was.

Since I don't really have anything like that for VA stuff I figured I'd go the money route.

Tess · #12 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008

Amanda, I think it's very cool that you have this plan to travel, etc. but would suggest that you remain open to the needs of admin clients (in terms of printing, faxing, etc.) just keep in mind that they have fax machines and the like as far afoot as remote villages in Borneo...
You don't need to limit yourself or your client's expectations just because you're going to be traveling.
We handled everything we needed to without owning more than our two laptops, but there were times I needed to go to the local fax shop to get something sent (because we didn't have a scanner...who wants to travel with a scanner...LOL)

And, while I'm giving you both of my two cents here

Part of what you will need to do as a VA is train your clients to understand how to work virtually. It's all well and good to want to work with people at a certain level of understanding but you will do your practice a world of good just adopting the perspective of teacher. Even if it means helping a client here or there set up an email account or learn to attach a document.

I have clients with PhDs who have needed instruction in that area. We have one client who has a Masters in Business and was a top exec at a MAJOR search engine before he went solo - we had to teach him things I could not believe he didn't know. But you know that client pays 50% of our total income each month and he's loyal because we took the time to educate him

Empower your clients and they're yours for life. No matter what corner of the world you're typing from.

VagabondetteVA · #13 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008

Yeah, I've thought about setting up a skypein number. I do actually have a local portland number through yahoo that I got when I decided to move out here. I may just end up using that. I funded it with $10 over a year ago and it still has over $6 left in it. My pay-as-you-go cell plan was funded with $100 3 months ago and still has $40 and that includes a $25 phone call to USair trying to figure out flights.

So, you can see that I'm not big on phones.

VagabondetteVA · #14 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008

Oh, I know that I'll still need to use a fax/printer/whatever occasionally. I have no problem with that and I know that I can do that from anywhere. But I also know of people who are so tech averse that they won't use anything other than that and those are the people I wouldn't be able to work with.

For example, I know someone who was doing some bookkeeping for a guy. He put everything into excel but refused to learn Quicken and wanted to pay someone to take his data from excel and put it into Quicken. But, he REFUSED to email the excel spreadsheets because he was worried about security so he faxed the info to my friend for her to enter manually. He didn't care that it took 10 times longer. This is not a person I could successfully work with.

I anticipate some level of education for most clients and I don't have a problem with that but I've gone through training techphobes before and I *really, Really, REALLY* don't like it and I'm not good at it. I'd rather not have a client than have one that requires a lot of hand holding tech wise. I've been down that path and it makes me very frustrated and unhappy.

eve_k0802 · #15 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008

Tess, that's what I was trying to find - Skype! That would be a good alternative.

LOL about hating the phone! Me too! I hate the phone, I hate hearing it ring, I hate talking on it. Most of the time I have my ringer turned off on my phone because I can't stand the sound of it! I leave it sit beside me and can see when it lights up that someone is calling. I utilize text messaging so much more than the actual phone, and now that I have a BlackJack (AT&T's version of the Blackberry) I get all my emails right on my phone as well. Lately I've been really into Twitter too.

I guess maybe it's because of my background and the types of businesses I worked for, or maybe my generation or something, but I would always put a phone number on a business card. I prefer to work with people who know how to utilize the technology that I do, but I'll also teach people how to use it if they want to work with me and take the phone calls if I have to until he or she is ready to go completely virtual. I even taught my mom how to get on the internet and send email, and now she's texting too! I'm not sure where you stand in your business, if you're just starting up or already established, but I would hate for you to lose out on business just because of someone's perception of the business. Just my opinion, after working in the corporate world. Plus I'm from Pittsburgh and this city tends to be behind the times in just about everything. Like Tess said, give it a try and see how it goes. I have a totally paperless office, too. I rarely print anything here. If a client has a big print job, I use the online services of FedEx Kinkos or Office Max and they even deliver the job to the client, too.

I just talked to someone about creating a sig file today. I've done them for others, just never for myself. Maybe it's time.

eve_k0802 · #16 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008

Originally Posted by Tess

And, while I'm giving you both of my two cents here

Part of what you will need to do as a VA is train your clients to understand how to work virtually. It's all well and good to want to work with people at a certain level of understanding but you will do your practice a world of good just adopting the perspective of teacher. Even if it means helping a client here or there set up an email account or learn to attach a document.

I have clients with PhDs who have needed instruction in that area. We have one client who has a Masters in Business and was a top exec at a MAJOR search engine before he went solo - we had to teach him things I could not believe he didn't know. But you know that client pays 50% of our total income each month and he's loyal because we took the time to educate him

Empower your clients and they're yours for life. No matter what corner of the world you're typing from.

I couldn't agree with you more, Tess. My mom just asked me to build a website for her! If you knew her you'd understand what a huge leap into the 21st century she's taking. My point is though, I was able to teach her (and this is a woman who couldn't work her vcr) so I can get my clients to work virtually eventually.

I have a website client who didn't know how to attach docs or even check her email remotely, now she does it all and we call each other "Techno Babes". I went with her to buy her own laptop and now she travels from East to West Coast regularly and works from wherever she is. I even signed her up for a monthly plan for me to maintain her site. She's been a client of mine for almost two years now.

I think alot of people want to learn what's happening with technology but are afraid of it or never had anyone take the time to show them what to do. As I've said before, it's all about finding your client's "pain" and showing them how you can ease it!

White Rose · #17 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008

I certainly agree with Tess - empower your clients really can come a long way!

My Office Zilla · #18 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008

I don't have much to contribute to the whole number/no number debate as I have my number on mine; however, I can tell you what else is on my card. I guess the front is just standard: logo, contact info, website, email, name, title. I think the thing that grabs the most attention is the die-cut corner. I love it, it fits with my logo/tag AND I do every single one of them by hand. :p

On the back I have a list of my services and a variation of the VA definition from Wikipedia.

Although I put a lot of work into them and thought they were perfect when I took them to my first networking event I didn't put much thought into them after that. Then, during the event people would actually stop to look at and read the entire thing. After reading they usually started firing off questions. It was amazing! My elevator speech went out the window thanks to my business cards. I had several people say, "I've never met a virtual assistant before!"

Make it a great day!

vainparadise · #19 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008

Quote:

Part of what you will need to do as a VA is train your clients to understand how to work virtually.

And if you can do this then it really doesn't matter whether you number is on your card or not.

I honestly think it is a matter of personal preference. If you are adament about not having the number listed then I say go for it.

Office Goddess · #20 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008

My number is NOT on my cards. It is, however, published on my website. My goal is to have people look at the website BEFORE calling me!

I, too, hate answering phones so I have set my generic ring tone to "30 seconds of silence" that I custom created so I don't jump when clients/strangers call. (The silence also prevents my 9-5 boss from freaking out about my constant personal calls). I have an actual ring tone for the hubby, family, or my 9-5 job. (PM me if you want the info on setting up a "silent" ring tone).

I tell clients that I don't answer my phone and they will need to leave a message; I will return their call within 3 hours. This allows me to return calls on lunch break or after my 9-5 day is done. I explain to clients that answering a phone call in the middle of a project distracts my thought process, leaves the potential for mistakes, and takes time to get "back up to speed" on the project after finishing the phone call, and it may be THEIR project that gets interrupted.