Virtual Assistant Networking Preparation Top Tips

December 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
There are a number of things you can do before any event to help you prepare. If you are prepared, you will feel more relaxed which is always a good thing.
 
Prepare your presentation
At any networking event, the most common question you will get asked is ‘what do you do’? Otherwise known as your elevator pitch, this is how people get to know you and so it is a good idea to prepare what you want to say.
 
Take plenty of business cards
Swapping business cards is how you start building relationships with your fellow business owner. However, only give out your business card if someone asks for it.
 
Speak with the organiser before the event
Call the organiser before the event to ask what types of people attend their meetings. You can then tailor your elevator pitch accordingly.
 
Wear something you feel comfortable in
You need to feel comfortable when at an event and clothes will play a big part in this. There is no point wearing clothes or shoes that are too big or small as you will not concentrate on the event and be too self conscious.
 
Arrive at the event early
A lot of people are nervous when attending a networking event and aren’t sure what to do. Why not arrive early so that you are there to welcome people and they then have to approach you.
 
Ask the organiser to introduce you to some people
If you don’t know anyone at the event, explain this to the organiser and ask them to introduce you to some people. Most organisers will be more than happy to help you if you ask.
 
Just remember to be friendly and approachable as people will remember and will want to talk to you.
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How to Set Your VA Fees Part 2

November 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Please see the post here for the other factors you need to consider when setting your fees.
 
Do you want just retainer clients or a combination of retainer and project clients?
Pay As You Go (PAYG) or Project:
This is the type of client requests your assistance occasionally, on an ad hoc basis, either for jobs as and when they occur, or for specific help with a particular project – eg, an office move, a recruitment drive, etc.
 
Retainer:
Retainer clients purchase a number of hours in advance and receive regular monthly support. This type of client is particularly good for your business, as you can plan your time effectively by allocating specific hours each day, or week, to specific clients. It is also good for cash flow, as you know exactly how much money is coming in at the beginning of each month.
 
You should also decide whether you want to offer clients a discount for purchasing retainer agreements. Some VAs offer a percentage discount, while others reduce their hourly rates slightly.
 
What are your outgoings?
Work out your monthly outgoings, so that you have a baseline to work from, ensuring that you cover these costs. Remember to factor in potential future costs (networking events, marketing materials, etc).
 
Regardless of where you work from, there will be some standard expenses to consider:
  • Telephone calls and line rental (landline and mobile)
  • Stationery
  • Professional memberships
  • Website hosting
What are your plans for the future?
You should consider your future plans. You may want to start further projects. This can then be factored in to your rates to enable you to build up some capital.
 
Want to build and grow your own Virtual Assistant business with a little help from us http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-online-courses/online-courses-bundle/
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How to Set Your VA Fees Part 1

November 2, 2011 By 1 Comment
Setting your fees is something that you should think through thoroughly before you start your business. It is difficult to lower your rates once you have set them. You need to consider a number of factors to come up with a pricing structure that is right for you and your circumstances.
 
Some of these include:
 
How many hours do you want to work?
When deciding how many hours you want to work, you need to remember that your time will include chargeable client work, and your non-chargeable, but nonetheless essential, administration and marketing work. When setting up your business, much of your time will be taken up with this non-chargeable work as you build up your client base. However, the ratio of non-chargeable to chargeable time will diminish as your client base grows. It is important that you factor this in when working out the figures for your business plan.
 
What is the maximum number of clients with which you can work?
This may seem a strange question to consider when you are just starting out. But, it is a very important that you know your working capacity. You are in trouble if you calculate that you need 20 clients to break even, when you have time to fit only 15 into your schedule?
 
How much do you want to earn each year?
This is the most important question of all. Once you know the answer to this, you can work backwards and calculate how much you will earn each month, each week, or even each day. You can then draw up an action plan to show how you are going to achieve these targets.
 
Want to build and grow your own Virtual Assistant business with a little help from us http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-online-courses/online-courses-bundle/
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Virtual Assistant Networking Preparation Tips

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

There are a number of things you can do before any event to help you prepare. If you are prepared, you will feel more relaxed which is always a good thing.

Prepare your presentation
At any networking event, the most common question you will get asked is ‘what do you do’? Otherwise known as your elevator pitch, this is how people get to know you and so it is a good idea to prepare what you want to say.

Take plenty of business cards
Swapping business cards is how you start building relationships with your fellow business owner. However, only give out your business card if someone asks for it.

Speak with the organiser before the event
Call the organiser before the event to ask what types of people attend their meetings. You can then tailor your elevator pitch accordingly.

Wear something you feel comfortable in
You need to feel comfortable when at an event and clothes will play a big part in this. There is no point wearing clothes or shoes that are too big or small as you will not concentrate on the event and be too self conscious.

Arrive at the event early
A lot of people are nervous when attending a networking event and aren’t sure what to do. Why not arrive early so that you are there to welcome people and they then have to approach you.

Ask the organiser to introduce you to some people
If you don’t know anyone at the event, explain this to the organiser and ask them to introduce you to some people. Most organisers will be more than happy to help you if you ask.

Just remember to be friendly and approachable as people will remember and will want to talk to you.

 

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Setting Your Virtual Assistant Fees – Part 2

November 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Please see last post for the other factors you need to consider when setting your fees.

Do you want just retainer clients or a combination of retainer and project clients?

Pay As You Go (PAYG) or Project:
This is the type of client requests your assistance occasionally, on an ad hoc basis, either for jobs as and when they occur, or for specific help with a particular project – eg, an office move, a recruitment drive, etc.

Retainer:
Retainer clients purchase a number of hours in advance and receive regular monthly support. This type of client is particularly good for your business, as you can plan your time effectively by allocating specific hours each day, or week, to specific clients. It is also good for cash flow, as you know exactly how much money is coming in at the beginning of each month.

You should also decide whether you want to offer clients a discount for purchasing retainer agreements. Some VAs offer a percentage discount, while others reduce their hourly rates slightly.

What are your outgoings?
Work out your monthly outgoings, so that you have a baseline to work from, ensuring that you cover these costs. Remember to factor in potential future costs (networking events, marketing materials, etc).

Regardless of where you work from, there will be some standard expenses to consider:

• Telephone calls and line rental (landline and mobile)
• Stationery
• Professional memberships
• Website hosting

What are your plans for the future?
You should consider your future plans. You may want to start further projects. This can then be factored in to your rates to enable you to build up some capital.
 

Filed Under: Virtual Assistant Articles Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting Your Virtual Assistant Fees – Part 1

November 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Setting your fees is something that you should think through thoroughly before you start your business. It is difficult to lower your rates once you have set them. You need to consider a number of factors to come up with a pricing structure that is right for you and your circumstances.

Some of these include:

How many hours do you want to work?
When deciding how many hours you want to work, you need to remember that your time will include chargeable client work, and your non-chargeable, but nonetheless essential, administration and marketing work. When setting up your business, much of your time will be taken up with this non-chargeable work as you build up your client base. However, the ratio of non-chargeable to chargeable time will diminish as your client base grows. It is important that you factor this in when working out the figures for your business plan.

What is the maximum number of clients with which you can work?
This may seem a strange question to consider when you are just starting out. But, it is a very important that you know your working capacity. You are in trouble if you calculate that you need 20 clients to break even, when you have time to fit only 15 into your schedule?

How much do you want to earn each year?
This is the most important question of all. Once you know the answer to this, you can work backwards and calculate how much you will earn each month, each week, or even each day. You can then draw up an action plan to show how you are going to achieve these targets.

 

 

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Tips for Successfully Working with Associates

April 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

3.    Send information.
When you have handpicked those you want to approach either give them a call or drop them and email to ascertain their interest. If they are interested go ahead and send them an information pack and application form. Examples of both documents are available in our Associate Pack available here: http://www.vasuccessgroup.co.uk/documents.htm

4.    Review application.
On receipt of the returned application make sure you have a good look through it. Are the skills the potential associate can offer a good fit for the kind of clients you take on? Do they have any specialist skills that you don’t have that you could offer by working with them? Do they have sufficient experience?

For the remaining 8 tips in this series, download our free “10 Steps for Successful…” guide at: http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-freebies/
 

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Top Tips for Successful Networking

March 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Networking is the most effective way to grow your business and there are now a variety of opportunities available for you to meet new people.

The key thing to remember about networking is that it is all about building relationships so you will benefit from attending events regularly to get to know people as well as for them to get to know you.

To get the best results from your networking activities, I recommend you follow these 6 top tips.

1.  Know what you want to achieve from each event
Do you want to meet new customers, suppliers, potential referral partners, strategic alliance partners or support from like minded people?

Take a few minutes before attending any event to ask what you want to take away from that event so you are focused on the right result.

2.  Participate in different types of events available regularly
There are 3 main types of events you can attend and it is best to go to at least one event from each type.

Structured: membership based groups who have 1 person per category and opportunity to present your business for one minute at each meeting (The Athena Network, BNI, BRX etc).

Open Networking: open to anyone to attend and you are left to yourself to mingle and talk to others (Circle Events, Chamber, business club etc).

Online Networking: can network at time to suit you but is often overlooked (Ecademy, Twitter, Facebook etc).

3.  Have a contacts database
Once you attend networking events, you are going to collect a lot of business cards so you need to do something with them…and not put them on a shelf or in a drawer to gather dust!

Have a simple database that is easy and quick to maintain so you can input all the relevant information for use when following up or mail shots.

4.  No point attending events if you don’t follow up
This is such an important point that I will say it again… there is no point attending any event if you don’t follow up!

Diary time to follow up with contacts after each event so you don’t forget.  Call or email them within 24 hours to reintroduce yourself and mention anything that you agreed or discussed.

It is also really important that you do whatever you say you will do…send information pack, details of event, contact details of someone they should contact etc.
 
5.  1 – 1 meetings are key to successful networking
Meeting people outside of the events is vital as you really get to know each other and it ensures the best results.  It shouldn’t be anything formal, just arrange to meet up for coffee and don’t do any selling, it is a getting to know you chat!

6.  Be yourself and have fun!
If you are nervous about networking, remember that everyone is in the room for the same reason so approach people and talk to them.  Look for people on their own or go to get yourself a drink as you will meet others who have the same idea.

But most importantly, relax and don’t pretend to be anyone other than yourself!

For more information about networking, have a look at our Networking for Virtual Assistants Online Course at: http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-online-courses/networking-for-virtual-assistants/

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Networking – Are You Interested and Interesting?

March 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Are You Interested?
As well as having the opportunity to speak about yourself and your business, it is equally important to show interest in your prospect and their business activities. You will create a great first impression if you listen carefully and ask questions. By doing this you will be able to find common points of connection as well as identify areas where you will be able to help them professionally.

Make Yourself Clear
Make sure you are prepared for the specific situation. If you are attending a networking group, make sure you have perfected your one minute presentation and are prepared to speak to prospects on a one-to-one basis and have a ready answer to the inevitable question ‘What do you do’. If meeting a prospect who knows a little more about you and your business, make sure you are clear on what you are offering and how your service works and be prepared to explain this in simple terms with out jargon.

What Else Can You Add of Value?
When you are meeting a prospect or attending a networking event you will understandably be focused on what you can get out of the experience. But be prepared to give a little too. It could simply be making an introduction to another of your contacts that could be useful to your prospect or offering a free piece of advice or your expert opinion. Small helpful acts like this will create a great impression and ensure you are memorable to your prospect.

For more information about networking, have a look at our Networking for Virtual Assistants Online Course at: http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-online-courses/networking-for-virtual-assistants/

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Virtual Assistant Free Tips – Virtual Assistant Networking Preparation Tips

March 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Networking is a great way to build your VA business with clients and suppliers.  However, some VAs are nervous about attending networking events for a variety of reasons.

One way you can overcome this fear is to be prepared in advance.  Check out this great article about Virtual Assistant Networking Preparation Tips.

Visit http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-freebies/articles

 
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