Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

Business-Bytes · #1 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009

Hey y'all,

Is a fax service or machine a necessary commodity for a VA? Maybe y'all could tell me how often you send/receive faxes regarding clients, please?

I want to be professional, and to me having the option there for clients is somewhat of a necessity, but I'm not sure what route to go yet. If I had an idea as to how often it is needed from established VAs (others please chime in, too

), that would help me immensely.

Thank you!

Office Goddess · #2 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009

I have a free efax account to receive online faxes 'cuz I get 2-3/month. Although I am a bookkeeper, most of my clients prefer email/snail mail to faxing.

Tess · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009

I also don't have that many faxes to send or receive and nothing on a regular basis - so I have always used the free online options. FaxZero has been great for when I need to send. I had a free eFax account but it seems not to be working for me anymore

Business-Bytes · #4 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009

Thank you, Lily and Tess; that helps a bunch to help me make up my mind.

Your comments led me to the conclusion that if I had a client that wanted to use faxing, I could always sign up with a good service to do this in no time at all, so that is a convenient solution. And thanks to all the great info here I have saved some links to ones that are a possibility in my OneNote notebook to have them handy.

Thank you very much!

Action Jackson VA · #5 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009

When working as a VBA a fax is a must have. Attorney's won't work with you if you don't have a way to fax them or them you.

Business-Bytes · #6 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009

Originally Posted by Action Jackson VA

When working as a VBA a fax is a must have. Attorney's won't work with you if you don't have a way to fax them or them you.

Hmmm...that gives me something to think about, Andrea. I wonder, since I really don't see attorney's being in my target market and doing any legal work/documents for them, if this would have any bearing on my decision? Is that what you are referring to?

Action Jackson VA · #7 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009

I would have to say this: I put every industry that has an online presence on my list of target markets. But, then I do a lot of different things and offer a lot of different services. Heck if your a truck driver your on my list lol That is because I know about Freight Brokering

But, again it depends on what your services are going to be. For instance, a new lawyer, just starting a law firm will be needing a website, logo etc. Most lawyers are not as tech savvy as you are and should be on your list as a potential client. Most are use to faxing whether it be for a case or for requesting information. You can do like Lily does and go for the free eFax that way you have a fax number to receive with and then email back the information to your clients. It never hurts to have all the equipment a regular office has, in this business.

Andrea~

Business-Bytes · #8 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009

Originally Posted by Action Jackson VA

I would have to say this: I put every industry that has an online presence on my list of target markets.

Wow, Andrea, I never thought of it like that! Those are great points! Okay, fax it will be. You convinced me.

Tomekia Lloyd · #9 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009

Hi,

Here's another thought to consider.

I have a virtual number and fax number through Phone.com.

The fax comes in handy because it turns all of my faxes into PDF documents. Then it shoots me an e-mail and text message.

This can be great when electronically organizing client information on the computer. Believe it or not, many business owners are still not familiar with scanning and using PDF programs. So they just fax and the service does it for me (like EFax).

But keep in mind I specialize mostly in bookkeeping, so I am anal about having electronic copies of everything.

Wordpro Wizard · #10 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009

I think a fax is an absolute necessity for most VA's. As a business office we must try to have available all the equipment and options possible. That said, I think a lot depends on the nature of your work, your market and clients. I've always had a multi-function machine (fax/print/copy/phone/voicemail) and recently replaced the one that served me well for 7 or 8 years. They're relatively inexpensive these days. The ink cartridges can be pricey but I just get mine refilled. Anyone needs lots of photocopying I do it at a copy centre and charge it back.

Lynne