Virtual Assistance by Roxie

New Look for a New Year

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 18:02:00 +0000

Hi all,

I just wanted to show you my sites new look, I figured I'm just about hitting a year of virtual assisting now and was ready for a change. I still love everything I'm doing and have stayed with the same people as well, not that I'm not looking for more work (hint, hint) but I am happy with what I have. I know I haven't been writing much which pretty much means that not driving any traffic to my site, I'm going to have to work harder on that one!!

I've started school again, I'm taking up legal studies and right now I'm studying for my BS in legal studies; I plan to go to Law School and become a lawyer now that my dad passed (June 2nd 2011) and that was always his dream for me. I'm excited and love what I'm doing, Kathleen really got me on the road to that and is teaching me so much not just about law but even how to raise business!! Thank you:D I'll be seeing you all soon with some new posts and thanks for sticking with me.

Debunking Common VA Myths

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 05:15:00 +0000

.While many consumers perpetuate myths about certain industries, it seems as though the Virtual Assistant Industry is riddled with them. Below I have compiled a list of some of the more common myths to be debunked:

1. All non-U.S. VA’s work for under $6.00/hr and its a great deal!

While it is possible to hire a VA from India, the Philippines or other developing country, for a few dollars an hour, there are some major difference between that non-US VA and a VA from the States. First, just because the VA charges an extremely low hourly rate doesn't mean that the cost of the overall project would be lower than if handled by a U.S. virtual assistant. it has been our experience that the foreign VAs take longer to complete the project and the resulting cost is higher. Further, the foreign VA will do exactly what you instruct - no more and no less. While that might work for a prospective client on certain levels, it can be detrimental in the long run. As a V.A., I consider myself your "partner" - if I think there is a better or more cost-effective way to accomplish a task or achieve a certain goal, I am going to share that with you. We work together for your success.

2. The VA is the employee of the client

Even though the VA is doing work for the client, they are independent contractors and not employees. The difference is that you do not have to withhold employment taxes (or pay the employer portion of the tax), offer benefits including medical, insurance, sick days or vacation days.

As an independent contractor, we only bill for the time we work on your project unlike an employee that you hire to work for you a certain amount of hours each day or week. This way, you are not incurring the cost of unproductive time which can actually be a great savings to you!

3. A Virtual Assistant cannot be as productive outside of the office.

Well that’s like saying no one can study with music on, ridiculous right? In this day of advanced mobile technology, VAs are able to be productive just about anywhere.

4. All VA’s are stay at home moms who are uneducated and only work when they feel like it.

First there are male VA’s. Second, while some are moms, they usually have at least a few years of experience and possible schooling as well; let’s not forget to mention the fact that as a person who owns their own business they usually work harder than the normal 9-5 person. Many Virtual Assistants have advanced training and technology that may not be available in your local area.

It’s so important to educate people about your business as a VA and there are two great ways to do that; first you can tell everyone you know about your business and second get in touch with your ideal clients and show them what you can do.

What do you mean it?s a question of Ethics? If it is wrong do not do it. If it is right do it.

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:23:00 +0000

I am new to doing business on the internet and have had my feelings bruised over the last few months, mostly because I believe people are honest and will do the right thing. Doing business online gives certain a mount of anonymity, you do not get to look someone in the eye or observe their body language. I am a trusting soul and remember when a handshake sealed the deal, I admit to being a little naïve and frankly, I hope I get to stay that way. We have all seen the Ads free information about working from home for only $39.00. I love to write maybe I’m just a big mouth who’s a little too proud of what I think. This is an example of bad behavior, I have submitted articles for a clients project the guy raves about how great they are so I send a couple more “Ken that’s great just what I want. “ my ego is jumping around like a new puppy. Then the same guy fires me says that is not what I wanted, I never hear from him again, but he has the articles free and I have a stomach ache. I am getting ticked, then a few weeks ago I have a client who after reading my work sends me a nice note saying my submission is not what he wants but he insists on paying me for my time and efforts. I try to refuse, but this ethical person insists on being not just fair but encouraging and generous. I have another client I work on his affiliate web pages. I am inexperienced in certain areas and he needs to give me instruction. I figure I learn then am paid after I can perform the task.

That is not what happens this ethical person insists on paying half my hourly rate to be fair then pays full rate to perform the task he taught me in the first place. I am vindicated I was not naïve to believe most people are honest and will do the right thing even at their own expense.

I pity those few who only hurt themselves by behaving badly.

I thank and praise God for making decency and ethical behavior the norm, not the exception.

What Customer Service means to me...

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 03:41:00 +0000

I've been thinking about what my niche is and I realized I have a few although they all really come down to customer service, then I thought about what customer service means to me...

To me it means helping someone out before, during and after purchasing either a product or service. Treating the customer as I'd want to be treated with respect and patience and going out of my way to get answers or solve a problem. To exceed the customers expectations with my quality and service by being genuine, providing information in a logical manner and delivering what has been promised to them since I will be representing my business and possibly another company. And last but not least don't just listen actually HEAR what your customer is saying!

It's Been Awhile

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:02:00 +0000

Well it's certainly been awhile since I've written, I've been so busy though with my two little guys home for the summer...we get up in the morning and go straight out to the pool! I've been lucky the weather's been nice and so have the boys tempers lol.

Viki had me write up a resume a good one finally and now not only will she have one to give her clients but I'm benefitting from it too, because I can keep it for my clients as well. I may have my first two jobs coming up...the first would be data entry in excel which is really no biggie I used to do it all the time at my old job. Then Viki asked me if I was proficient in 10 key at first I had no idea what that was but when I asked I found out it's just working with the number pad, I used to be sooo good at that although it's been a few years you never really forget so I told her yes of course...now I have to get a USB number pad to use with my laptop but they're only like $5, I even found a cute pink one although it's allllll the way in Hong Kong and I have the worst patience but I think I'm going to wind up waiting for that one specifically! Viki said she may have one for me and asked me to remind her to look for it which I'll do tomorrow and probably get sooner than the pink one lol!!!

I can't wait for this weekend we're going away to PA and honestly I've been dying to get away even with the boys!! It's so relaxing when we go, we just bought a kiddie pool today for the boys complete with a slide they're ecstatic of course. The great thing is I can bring my laptop and still work if need be and I won't be in anyone's way...plus Chris and the kids will be busy so no one will be in my way either if I actually have work by then, pray that I do. Well I better get going and practice some typing!!!

Subcontracting

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:56:00 +0000

I started looking into subcontracting while I look for my own clients and I found someone I'll be able to work with!!! I'm so excited to have this opportunity to learn from the people at Ask Viki Ltd. who have tons of experience and I'll get to bring that with me when I leave it's truly priceless. I will also get the chance to use her Elance and Guru sites to find my own clients...yeah!!!

School is officially out for the summer and I'd normally be thrilled but honestly my Ben is soooo bad I'm trying to think of what I can do with him or where I can send him....military school anyone?? He throws these horrible fits for hours on end whether in his room, the corner, the hallway, outside even if we spank him.

Ok I'd better go because I can't concentrate right now!

My First Inquiry!

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:25:00 +0000

"Good morning starshine, the earth says hello!" Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka. Am I in a good mood today? Of course and why shouldn't I be, I got my first inquiry about the business last nite. An acupuncturist in CA needs someone to answer phones starting in September, as soon as she contacted me I got right to work researching the best ways for us to make it work. There are quite a few actually and they all seem fairly easy to set up and inexpensive.

I have to thank everyone on the forums for their good advice as well as the speed in which they got back to me. I've honestly found the VA community to be some of the nicest people I've ever come in contact with (other than coffee people).

Of course due to my childlike impatience I've been checking my email every few hours waiting to see if I get a reply lol...Shelly forgive me! Anyway please wish me luck and pray for me that the Lord guides me to where he wants me and that I have enough common sense to listen.

I Finished My Site!!!

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 01:12:00 +0000

Wow, I can't believe it I've been working on my site nonstop for about 2 weeks now and it's finally done!!! Although I have a feeling it's really always going to be a work in progress lol. I spent most of my time researching, writing and rewriting my content trying to make it perfect. Now of course I'm dying for people to come to the site, look around, join the forums even...yeah I actually have forums lol!

I still have so much to learn but I've always felt like life is a constant learning experience anyway; think about it your learning all through school so you can be a competent member of society, you think you're done but then you get married and you're learning how to be a good husband/wife and how to make a new life with someone, then comes parenthood the ultimate nonstop learning experience!!! Learning new things helps you grow as a person why would anyone want to stop?

Well again I hope you're enjoying my blog, I'll be writing as often as I can!

Welcome

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 06:02:00 +0000

Hi and welcome! I'm so excited to be starting this journey to becoming a Virtual Assistant. I have many skills from previous office experience that will help me and I know I will be learning so much more as I go along.

I spent 3 years in my last job as a project manager and all around gal friday for a wonderful company and because it was on a smaller scale I was able to learn more and get experience I may otherwise not have gotten, like marketing experience which is obviously going to be a phenomenal help to me now lol!

A little bit about me to start off with so you know who I am...I'm the wife of my best friend (can a girl get any luckier than that?), a stay at home mommy of two beautiful boys who are just growing way to fast for me! Some of my hobbies are reading, researching, my business of course, crocheting, knitting, shooting, riding our quads and spending as much time as possible with my family (that's probably my favorite thing to do).

I really hope you'll follow me on this journey of mine and watch or help me grow!!!