I was asked to review the Virtual Assistant QuickStart Program for Virtual Assistant Forums. I was not paid to use this product, nor did VAF rec'v any compensation for providing a review. This product was reviewed solely as a service to the community members of VAF who may find the information useful.
I have had the great opportunity to review a program by Katie Gutierrez, a virtual assistant and international speaker who teaches people how to work with virtual assistants. She is also the founder of Assistant Match - a virtual assistant company that finds qualified individuals to assist business owners with office support and more.
Katie's program, "Virtual Assistant Quickstart" is a self study course that comes in an eighty (80) page manual as well as CD audio program to complement any learning style. This program is great for any individual who wants to learn more about the virtual assistant business and become a virtual assistant! The program can be completed at your own pace and provides three sections that is comprised of information, action items to complete, and a list of important resources a VA business should use. The main aspects of the Virtual Assistant Quickstart program are learning the qualities that make a strong foundation for your business, finding clients through different "marketing" channels, and learning the financial forecasting basics for a virtual assistant business in today's industry.
In completing the Virtual Assistant Quickstart program, I really enjoyed going through the individual worksheets on time management, strengths/skills inventory, and creating an elevator pitch to use for potential clients. The entire program has worksheets, questions, and assignments tailored to meet any virtual assistant business. However, I think that any individual who purchases this program will really be impressed with is the section that focuses on "You have a new client! Now what?"
In this section, Katie discusses the importance of a smooth transition with a new client. A discussion of including a legally binding agreement that outlines rates, services provided, payment terms, amount of time either party must give to terminate the relationship, and other aspects that will be important to a virtual assistant business. Also, a welcome packet for each new client is a great idea! The welcome packet should include a short letter of introduction, business hours (if any), policy for returning calls/emails, and time keeping details (will you charge by the minute or 15 minute increments). This section also includes client questionnaire fundamentals, the "introductory call," and shared workspace. This is just a sample of what is offered in the Virtual Assistant Quickstart program!
What other great things can you learn from the VA Quickstart program? How about the potential challenges a virtual assistant may face with clients at some point in time? What do you do when a client disappears - no phone call, no email, no response? What about those clients that hound you 24/7 and want to check the status of their work? When do you pass on or terminate a client? Need additional ideas for increased revenue for your virtual assistant business? What are some common myths of a virtual assistant business? The VA Quickstart program provides great solutions to these questions, problems, and challenges.
Besides the eighty (80) page manual, Katie Gutierrez also offers a resource list with over 100 websites to use, a subscription of the Assistant Match e-zine newsletter, and monthly coaching calls to address Q&A. The resources, program content, activities, and 80 pages full of virtual assistant information can be purchased for $197.
Click here to buy the book!
Link:
http://vaquickstart.wordpress.com/
REVIEW - Virtual Assistant QuickStart Program
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