We, as virtual assistants (VAs), generally attempt to grow our businesses by obtaining more clients. Another strategy is to grow your business by subcontracting or outsourcing projects to a team of VAs. These VAs’ services will complement your services rather than compete with them.
In an attempt to grow my virtual assistant business and deepen my service list, I organized a team of three VAs. My core services are word processing services and Internet marketing, and my team services include bookkeeping, transcription, and ghost writing. Their services complement my services. Now I can offer these services in addition to my current offerings. They are also my backup.
There are two different models of multi-virtual assistant (multi-VA) businesses, which outsource overflow of projects. One model is team and the other is subcontracting. The main difference is a team approach.
Multi-VA team businesses list the team members on their team web pages, but everything is under the umbrella of the multi-VA business owner. Team members also have direct contact with the clients. Whereas, with multi-VA subcontracting businesses, the subcontractors don’t have contact with the clients; although, they may be listed on your website. You, as the multi-VA business owner manage the clients and projects.
In both cases, subcontractors and team members/associates are VAs themselves and are at the beginning stages of their businesses or have room for more projects.
Due to the current economic situation, there will be more entrepreneurs and small business owners, and they will need virtual assistance. We probably will see more multi-VA businesses, both team and subcontracting models.
If you are Virtual Assistant and you want to grow your business, consider organizing a team of virtual assistants whose service offerings complement your services.
In just two days, Cordina Charvis will begin her worldwide virtual book tour. She will make her first stop here on Friday, November 20th at 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. PST. I will be interviewing her about her newly released eBook, The Ultimate Virtual Paralegal Guide. Cordina’s eBook includes tips for starting a virtual paralegal business, as well as pitfalls she suffered when she first started her business and how to avoid them.
Cordina will also be giving away a fr^ee copy of eBook, valued at $18.99, to a randomly selected visitor. All you need to do to qualify is post a comment or question for Cordina on Friday, November 20th, to be entered into the grand drawing.
So come on by on Friday to learn more about Cordina, as well as ask her any questions you may have about operating and starting a virtual paralegal business. You can also be the lucky winner of her informative eBook, The Ultimate Virtual Paralegal Guide. See you on Friday!
Sometimes change is good, and this is one of those times. Out with the old, in with the new. So, I have decided to change the name of my blog to reflect the method of delivery of the content I provide to my readers. The new name is RJ’s Word of Mouth Weblog. Let me know what you think. I look forward to reading your comments.
Since I live in Southern California, I never think about being snowed in because of inclement weather. I can’t even fathom it since I have never lived in that type of climate. However, I am aware that in severe weather, businesses are sometime forced to close; whereas, in other cases, businesses can remain open, but some of the staff may not be able to get to work because of the road conditions.
However, one way businesses can economically survive during periods of inclement weather is to work with virtual assistants. The administrative tasks will be completed no matter what the weather is or if the business remains open or not. This can save companies money or, at least, reduce the amount of money that would have otherwise been lost. Another domino effect is the cost to the economy. Jill McLachlan of JMVA in the UK stated that in her country, according to Federation of Small Businesses, the cost to their economy may rise to $4B, because of a recent snow storm. Approximately 20 percent of the staff could not get to work.
The same holds true for parts of our country that deals with this same type of weather. Businesses may want to consider having virtual assistants as a backup to their regular staff for these situations in order to economically survive inclement weather. Small businesses who work with virtual assistants on an ongoing basis never have to worry about their projects and/or tasks being completed during harsh weather. Virtual assistants do not have to commute to their clients’ offices to provide the administrative support they need in order to keep the operations of their businesses going.
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If you are an owner of a small ad agency, you should consider establishing a business relationship with a Virtual Assistant (VA), especially if you have a small budget. Owners of advertising agencies and owners of virtual assistant businesses are similar; therefore, a Virtual Assistant understands and can anticipate your business needs. We both submit bids. An agency and a VA both respond to RFPs from potential clients. An agency’s and a Virtual Assistant’s services are billed hourly and generally are temporary. When a projected is completed, the job is over. We both work ourselves right out of a job. Ad agencies and VA businesses generally are small. According to U. S. Department of Labor, 68% of advertising agencies and public relations firms employ 1-4 employees. Majority of Virtual Assistant businesses are sole proprietorship.
We understand how time-consuming the daily mundane tasks can be. Generally these tasks are administrative in nature and can be delegated or outsourced to a Virtual Assistant. Examples of these tasks include bookkeeping, updating your website, setting appointments, placing phone calls, following up on e-mails, typing business documents, correspondences, etc. The time you save can be used to gain new clients and/or retain your current clients. A relationship between an agency and a Virtual Assistant has several advantages. When working with a Virtual Assistant, you only pay for the actual time used. Why pay someone for down time. There would be no need to pay a full-time salary or benefits. If the agency is limited on space, there would be no need to expand to accommodate an administrative assistant. A Virtual Assistant works from his or her office.
Being that advertising and Virtual Assistant industries are similar in many ways, we could establish a viable business relationship.
Rita J. Cartwright, Owner
RJ’s Word Processing Services Your Business Success Is Our Success http://www.rjswordprocessing.com
866-651-3073
According to a study done by Experian, small businesses make up 99.7% of all U.S. businesses. Small business is described as employing fewer than 500. Who are these small business owners? Today’s small business owner is between 48-51 years old and is likely to have a college degree. They also tend to participate in physical activities, as well as being active travelers. Women start 1,600 businesses a day, according to Intuit Future of Small Business Report.
Intuit’s report states one of the main reasons that women become small business owners is to get around the “glass ceiling.” Mothers with small children find it more feasible to work from home; therefore, becoming mompreneurs. The percentage of women business owners is growing almost twice the rate of all businesses.
I find these statistics to be quite interesting because they reflect me. I am a 53 year old, educated, woman who exercises on a regular basis. When I received my marketing degree, my plan was to work in the marketing department of a corporation. It never occurred to me to become an entrepreneur. Needless to say, my plans to work for a corporation didn’t quite pan out. Graduating from college at 44 years old presented obstacles. After numerous applications and several disappointing interviews, I decided that if they won’t hire me, I will hire myself. So, I combined my experience and education; therefore, coming up with the concept of providing virtual assistant services. And the rest is history.
Based on the aforementioned information and statistics, I guess I am what is known as “today’s typical small business owner.”
My husband and I recently traveled to Nashville for his family reunion, and we noticed that there is a new face in airlines. We flew on two different airlines, and one of them in particular employs mature flight attendants. Obviously, when flight attendants were known as stewards and stewardesses, they were not quite as mature. As someone who just had a 53rd birthday, I appreciated seeing the new face of today’s airlines.
When I received my bachelor’s degree, I was 44 years old. Needless to say, changing careers at that age had its difficulties. One of the reasons I started my own virtual assistant business was due to the type of positions I was offered.
There are stereotypes surrounding older workers; for example, they won’t last long or they have health issues, which leads to absenteeism. In fact, employees who are 50+ are more reliable, have stability, knowledge, and experience. The workforce can’t survive without this group of people who are also known as baby boomers. According to an article by Marian Stoltz-Loike, PhD and David Madison, PhD entitled “Making Full Use Of The Maturing Workforce,” there were 76 million baby boomers born between the years 1946 – 1964. Due to the erosion of retirement savings or lack of retirement plans, baby boomers can’t afford to retire.
The workforce is comprised mostly of baby boomers and, if they all retire taking their knowledge with them, it will be up to the younger generation to carry on. No matter how educated younger employees are they lack the necessary knowledge that is required to run the business. It would be in the best interest of employers or hiring managers, who are generally younger, to realize this important fact. Apparently, American Airlines is aware of this vital detail. The flight attendants look just like me.
Virtual Assistants (VAs) who are business owners do more than just type. We are also entrepreneurs, in addition to being small business owners. Virtual Assistant Networking Association (VANA) defines VAs as “A Virtual Assistant (substitute VA or Virtual Associate) works independently at an arm’s length, via the Internet, utilizing the latest technologies, to provide immediate professional support, services and skills to busy entrepreneurs and business managers.” International Virtual Assistant Association (IVAA) definition is “A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an independent entrepreneur providing administrative, creative and/or technical services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of communication and data delivery, a professional VA assists clients in his/her area of expertise from his/her own office on a contractual basis.”
As small business owners, we face the same issues and concerns as our clients. VAs are dedicated to helping their clients grow their businesses, while at the same time expanding his/her own company. It is a win-win situation. In addition to providing services, we are faced with the daily operations of a small business. These operations include everything from bookkeeping to marketing. In fact, VAs are hiring their own virtual assistants to help with the administrative tasks. We understand our clients’ business needs, because we are them. We do more than just type.
My day started with a phone call from a potential team member. After our discussion, we decided she will become a member of RJ’s Word Processing Services team. Then I received a RFP, which I will subcontract to one of my current team members if I get the project. We communicated via several e-mails regarding the RFP. We also use IM for communicating, but not today. Next, I received another phone call from another potential team member. Then I had to type up a contract for the new team member. Next, I began putting together the proposal for the RFP. My day ended with a phone call from a potential client on the east coast. I’m on the west coast. Because of technology and the Internet, this is a typical day in the life a Virtual Assistant; at least, for this Virtual Assistant.
We, as virtual assistants (VAs), generally attempt to grow our businesses by obtaining more clients. Another strategy is to grow your business by subcontracting or outsourcing projects to a team of VAs. These VAs’ services will complement your services rather than compete with them.
In just two days, Cordina Charvis will begin her worldwide virtual book tour. She will make her first stop here on Friday, November 20th at 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. PST. I will be interviewing her about her newly released eBook, The Ultimate Virtual Paralegal Guide. Cordina’s eBook includes tips for starting a virtual paralegal business, as well as pitfalls she suffered when she first started her business and how to avoid them.
Sometimes change is good, and this is one of those times. Out with the old, in with the new. So, I have decided to change the name of my blog to reflect the method of delivery of the content I provide to my readers. The new name is RJ’s Word of Mouth Weblog. Let me know what you think. I look forward to reading your comments.
Since I live in Southern California, I never think about being snowed in because of inclement weather. I can’t even fathom it since I have never lived in that type of climate. However, I am aware that in severe weather, businesses are sometime forced to close; whereas, in other cases, businesses can remain open, but some of the staff may not be able to get to work because of the road conditions.
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