Not sure if this is the part of the forum to ask this but here goes . . .

I am a newbie still researching to set up. I have general administrative experience and want to offer similar services. While working in employer's offices work and projects were dictated to me. How do clients give you work? For established VA's out there . . . for instance do clients give you e-mail notes to type up letters or create databases? Or do they tell you on the phone what they want?

Every situation is unique, Gravics. When making your agreement with the client, the mode of info/data transfer has to be made clear. It may be via email, Google docs, remote access tools, telephone, local pick-up ... the possibilities are vast.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Hi

The majority of my work comes via email. I love that because then I can go back over my emails later if I need to doublecheck something.

One thing too that helps me is often times we set up a schedule to talk on the phone and just go over things. That really helps me too.

Thanks!

Diana Ennen
Virtual Word Publishing
www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Originally Posted by DianaEnnen

Hi The majority of my work comes via email. I love that because then I can go back over my emails later if I need to doublecheck something. One thing too that helps me is often times we set up a schedule to talk on the phone and just go over things. That really helps me too. Thanks! Diana Ennen Virtual Word Publishing www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Thanks for the information Diana. It seems like e-mail and phone would be the most logical. I just wasn't sure how they convey to you what they need. I guess it would make sense that they just give you a list of their needs for the project.

I was wondering the same thing. I have a phone consultation today with a potential client and I plan on discussing with her the best way to send projects to me.

For me, I'm thinking email might be the way to go for clients to submit projects. Why? Because emails give you a point of reference to go back and check your understanding. It also creates an electronic paper trail so if there is ever any dispute, you can send the client a copy of "their" request

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Angela D. Jordan
Your Humble Assistant, LLC

Email. Phone. Video conference. Courier. Meeting locally.

ETA: I've even done some work via facebook. Probably not the best for most, but in my case it worked well.

Quote:

While working in employer's offices work and projects were dictated to me.

I've never researched this, but I would imagine that there are software packages out there where you could dictate something and then email it, or whatever.

I do remember that there was an app that I had on my blackberry (I forget the name) where I could dictate a message and have it emailed or texted (voice recog) to someone. I took it off because I wanted the voice recognition portion and it didn't work very well.

But there may be something like that out there that you might be able to use, if this is an option for you.

Originally Posted by intercovbc

Email. Phone. Video conference. Courier. Meeting locally. ETA: I've even done some work via facebook. Probably not the best for most, but in my case it worked well. I've never researched this, but I would imagine that there are software packages out there where you could dictate something and then email it, or whatever. I do remember that there was an app that I had on my blackberry (I forget the name) where I could dictate a message and have it emailed or texted (voice recog) to someone. I took it off because I wanted the voice recognition portion and it didn't work very well. But there may be something like that out there that you might be able to use, if this is an option for you.

Thanks for the comment. That wasn't quite what I meant - my fault I should have been clearer - I meant that employers used to just tell me what they needed when working in an office. I assume that clients will just tell me what they need via e-mail or phone. Thanks again for your assistanct.

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That wasn't quite what I meant - my fault I should have been clearer

No worries. I have a tendency to not be as clear as I could / should be either.

Mine depends on the client. My main client calls me and sends me emails (tons of them). We also try to speak on the phone daily just for check in purposes. I learned a long time ago to keep all my emails from him. As I finish something that was assigned by email I put it in an email folder labeled whatever year it is. If something is on hold for whatever reason I put it in a folder named "Still Working On". It has definitely helped to cover my butt but it's also proven that I didn't do something...LOL

Dawn