Determining Your Services

What kinds of services do virtual assistants offer? Discuss the possibilities here.

Forum Sponsor (Advertise with us)
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
    #1 (permalink)  
Old 05-12-2009
NikAssist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Company name: NikAssist.com
My latest Twitter: test
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Maryland
Posts: 91
Blog Entries: 10
Question Internet Research?
I am so sorry if this is a silly question, but I would much rather ask, than post I can do it, only to find out I don't have a clue.

Now, I do product research on the internet all day at work..using Google or MSN to find what I'm looking for. I got to the sites that come up and grab the info on the product I'm looking for.

Is that what is meant by internet research?

Can someone please give me a detailed description of this service? Pretend you're selling it to a client or a 3 year old for that matter.

I'm pretty sure I can offer this, but don't want to jump the gun without knowing all the details.

Thanks!
Reply With Quote
    #2 (permalink)  
Old 05-12-2009
Contributing Member
Company name: TRC - Cheryl is writing this post
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 84
Blog Entries: 1
Default Re: Internet Research?
I think internet research varies by the client.
I have been tasked with finding a certain type of medical clinic nationwide;
oxygen suppliers nationwide, bento boxes worldwide, hotels that are for sale in a specific geographic location, SIC codes for clients that are looking to market to specific industries. I've also done legal research for a non-profit I work with dealing with child support laws.

I'm sure there are more but those are just some of the examples I've done recently.
__________________
Cheryl O'Neil
Southern Orange County
Reply With Quote
    #3 (permalink)  
Old 05-13-2009
Karen's Avatar
New Member
Company name: Aveon Business Services
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Northwest TN, USA
Posts: 40
Send a message via Skype™ to Karen
Default Re: Internet Research?
Not a silly question at all. I've wondered about it myself. I think there are different levels of internet research and I'm not sure how to promote my abililty level without falsely implying that I can do more. Maybe some of the others will have ideas on that.
__________________
Karen Cole, MBA
www.aveonservices.com
Reply With Quote
    #4 (permalink)  
Old 05-13-2009
KimberlyDeaconVA's Avatar
Contributing Member
Company name: Kimberly Deacon, VA
Kimberly Deacon: PLM Podcasts
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 64
Default Re: Internet Research?
I am asked all the time to research a topic at work. I take the subject and then research it on the internet via google, yahoo, etc. To me that is internet research.
Reply With Quote
    #5 (permalink)  
Old 05-13-2009
ShelleyH's Avatar
Junior Member
Company name: Sage Virtual Assistance
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 389
Blog Entries: 1
Send a message via AIM to ShelleyH Send a message via Yahoo to ShelleyH Send a message via Skype™ to ShelleyH
Default Re: Internet Research?
I was asked to do research on scholarships for a PhD student. I started with google and then found a download called PPC web spy. I could then google specific words and the paid ads at the top and right side of the page would come up with their keywords, it helped me narrow the search down. I can actually go to those sites without them having to pay per click. Little extra tools..

I think when you are looking something up, its online research.
__________________
www.sageva.com
Shelley Halpain,
Reply With Quote
    #6 (permalink)  
Old 05-13-2009
NikAssist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Company name: NikAssist.com
My latest Twitter: test
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Maryland
Posts: 91
Blog Entries: 10
Default Re: Internet Research?
That sounds like what I would do then, adding to my list of services now!

Thanks so much for the info!!
Reply With Quote
    #7 (permalink)  
Old 05-13-2009
Office Goddess's Avatar
Senior Member
Company name: The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 2,966
Send a message via Skype™ to Office Goddess
Default Re: Internet Research?
Here's some links that will also help you w/your research:

http://www.lib.monash.edu.au/vl/www/wwwprin.htm
owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/pp/Internet.ppt
http://library.csun.edu/Research_Ass...trategies.html

I used these to help our high school intern learn better internet research techniques.
__________________
Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"
Reply With Quote
    #8 (permalink)  
Old 05-13-2009
NikAssist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Company name: NikAssist.com
My latest Twitter: test
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Maryland
Posts: 91
Blog Entries: 10
Default Re: Internet Research?
Thank you so much! Some of the information seems so elementary, which is great because it means I can do it easily and have the experience to know-it-all already!!! Well, that is, as of today..as much as things change...this is wonderful info!!
Reply With Quote
    #9 (permalink)  
Old 05-13-2009
marketingva's Avatar
Contributing Member
Company name: Buckeye VA
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 104
Blog Entries: 4
Default Re: Internet Research?
You might want to build on the type of internet research you do, since some clients might need something more or less than another. You'll learn more as you serve your clients and don't be afraid to ask as you work

Good Luck!
__________________
Your Marketing, Research and SEO assistant www.buckeyeva.com
Reply With Quote
    #10 (permalink)  
Old 05-15-2009
Contributing Member
Company name: Upscale Contract Management
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 72
Default Re: Internet Research?
Internet research could also entail gathering competitive intelligence on a company's competitor. For example, find out if the competitor has a new product line, if they are hiring/firing or if they are participating in joint ventures with other companies, etc.

It just depends on what your client specifies.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
[Question] Research as an offering? Rosie18 Determining Your Services 27 06-15-2009 01:14 PM
Doing research EMRShane Member Introductions! 5 02-22-2008 07:08 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:22 PM.

International Virtual Assistants Association
Project Management for Virtual Assistants
Work from Home | Become A Virtual Assistant
Virtual Assistant Directory
Affordable WordPress Themes
Create a Professional New Client Welcome Packet
Virtual Assistant Forums Advertising

© Virtual Assistant Forums 2012
All content and images are protected under copyright law and may not be reproduced in any way without express written consent.