How about which services NOT to offer? - Page 2 - Virtual Assistant Forums

#11 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008

Tess, Question regarding web design. I do not offer web design as one of my services. However, in real estate, there are many tasks that involve updating sites using forms and other site tools. What could I put on my website as the service I offer?

Jenifer

#12 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008

I think that would fall under 'website maintenance'

If you're concerned that clients might expect HTML along with that ('maintenance' is pretty varied and vague) you could sub-list specific tasks that fall into that category for you.

#13 (**permalink**) 08-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tess View Post

Moving bits around a templating system does not a web designer make.

I don't offer any website design or development services but this is me. Made me chuckle.

Great post and I completely agree.

#14 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008

Tess, I agree with you to some extent, but what about instances where you may not be 100% on top of your game in terms of offering a particular service but you work closely with other VAs who are the best in that given area in a work sharing or some other arrangement in which they lend their skills in bettering your service? Would you say that the VA or service provider should not list services they get support it?

#15 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone offers website proofreading as a service? I am considering this as one of my services and had a technical question on the best way to go about it. I saw a few ads for website proofreaders who required the client to email or upload their website copy as a Word document so that the changes could be done in Word track changes. This sounds like a great way to go but I am wondering what to do with clients that do not have Word?

Any suggestions?
Joyce

#16 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008

I entirely agree, Tess! It drives me nuts to see websites offering editing, writing or proofreading services and their sites are full of typos. A recent example from another forum, a VA inquired where she could get 'article templates' and wrote "I have too articles that I need to write with photos for wood working publications"... I am sorry, but if you can't differentiate between 'too' and 'two' then you shouldn't be writing articles for anybody, not to mention but 'wood working' is spelled as one word,

! I also agree that the best way to improve your skills in this area is to read, read and read some more.

Joyce, I don't offer website proofreading as a service, but have done it for a few clients. For clients that don't have Word, I would still use Word to edit the document, but you could always return the edited copy back in the body of an email showing the changes. Interesting question, perhaps someone else has a better suggestion. Good luck!

#17 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008

Thanks Kate,
I see so many websites with errors that I would love to offer that service. I think people just get lazy or are in a hurry when writing emails or posting to forums and just don't proof their work. I know I have been guilty of that a few times.

Joyce

#18 (**permalink**) 08-07-2008

I don't often take issue with typos on a forum, etc. - it happens to the best of us and those 'in the moment' communications often fall victim to typing too fast, trying to do too many things at once etc.
It's when a professional website, with static content, advertising editorial services is riddled with mistakes in spelling and grammar that I start to shake my head...

#19 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008

Tess,
You are so right! I have my sister ( a teacher) proofread my website and I edit things for her in exchange. It is so hard to catch your own mistakes but amazing how many people obviously are not trying. Not to change the subject, but I tried internet dating recently and I could make a killing editing profiles.

Joyce

#20 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tess

I don't often take issue with typos on a forum, etc. - it happens to the best of us and those 'in the moment' communications often fall victim to typing too fast, trying to do too many things at once etc.
It's when a professional website, with static content, advertising editorial services is riddled with mistakes in spelling and grammar that I start to shake my head...

While I agree that I am amazed at the amount of poorly-written 'professional' websites that are full of errors, I disagree that casual typos on forums are best excused by being too much in a hurry or not bothering. If you are providing a professional service such as writing, all your communication should reflect that to the best of your abilities. In fact, I would think that forum entries would be another place you would show off your work no less than you would if you were being paid for it. After all, if it's picked up by the search engines and a potential client does a search on your name and comes up with all sorts of poorly-written forum entries, how does that reflect on your abilities?