Finding Balance: How I Maintain Productivity and Well-Being While Working from Home
Finding Balance: How I Maintain Productivity and Well-Being While Working from Home. Member Feature by Adele Botha of Perpetuity Virtual Assistant Services When I had the opportunity to start working from home, I was thrilled. It was a dream I had cherished for years....
Fingers Crossed, Success Story Unfolding!
Fingers Crossed, Success Story Unfolding! Member Feature by Adele Botha of Perpetuity Virtual Assistant Services Literally for years I wanted to start my own Virtual Assistant business. I did online courses, I registered a company, I got a VA coach, I got the...
This Virtual Assistant Needs a Virtual Assistant!
This Virtual Assistant Needs a Virtual Assistant! Member Feature by Laylah Williams of Elite Desk. When I started my virtual assistant business nearly two years ago, my goal was obviously to make an income and to be able to spend time with my kids as they navigate...
Thinking About Giving Up?……..DON’T!
Thinking About Giving Up?......DON'T! Member Feature by Adele Botha of Perpetuity Virtual Assistant Services I am the proud owner of Perpetuity Virtual Assistant Services, or PVAS for short. I registered my Virtual Assistant business in late 2020, and finally...
Is It Time for a Virtual Assistant in Your Business?
Is It Time for a Virtual Assistant in Your Business Member Feature by: Chantel Griffin from Synergy Solutions SA Running a successful business often means juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities. As your company grows, so do the demands on your time and...
The Pilgrims Way
The Pilgrims Way Member feature : by Petro Botha from MPB Virtual Assistants Cleaning out my bedside table drawer today, I came across my credential. This is the document needed to walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage way. There are many routes to walk to...
How Can You Save: 6 Hacks of Hiring A Virtual Assistant?
How Can You Save: 6 Hacks of Hiring A Virtual Assistant? Member Feature by Kopano Moshoana of Sorted Virtual Assistance GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF TIME !!! Does never-ending paperwork prevent you from getting out there and promoting your product? And somehow your days...
Boost Your Revenue by Hiring a Virtual Assistant
Boost Your Revenue by Hiring a Virtual Assistant Member Feature by Nombali Mabuya of Thuso VA Consultants Virtual assistants (VAs) work remotely instead of being physically present in an office, like personal assistants (PAs). They can provide administrative...
Turning Your To-Do List from a Horror Show to a Feel Good Story
Turning Your To-Do List from a Horror Show to a Feel Good Story Member Feature by Megan Fairhurst of Sekhmet Virtual Assistant Services To-Do Lists – you either love them or loathe them. There is no doubt that they are useful and help us get our days and our...
15 Life Lessons I Live by
15 Life Lessons I Live by Member Feature by Sunet van Antwerpen of Virtual 24-7 There are so many lessons we learn in our lifetime, however, like most, I have a few of my favorites that I wanted to share. Below are 15 life lessons I believe keep me going. Life...
The struggle is real…..starting out as a Virtual Assistant
The struggle is real...Starting out as a Virtual Assistant Member Feature : by Sunet van Antwerpen of Virtual 24-7 Starting a career as a Virtual Assistant and continuing to work as one can be a struggle. I've answered some of the most common questions that...
The Upside of Social Media
The Upside of Social Media Member feature: by Sarieta Schultz of Sarieta Schultz Communication Connecting with audiences by telling your stories in your voice is a massive advantage of using social media platforms. Through storytelling, one can inspire, inform,...
Words are Things-Time to Stop Self-Sabotaging
Words are Things-Time to Stop Self-Sabotaging Member feature: Mathuto Taole of ThutoGape Virtual Admin Assist (TGVAA). I am not sure how many of you have heard the statement, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." Over the years I have been...
Becoming a NEW You!
Becoming a NEW YOU Member feature: Mathuto Taole of ThutoGape Virtual Admin Assist (TGVAA). This has nothing to do with NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS but has a lot to do with re-evaluating, re-writing, re-imaging yourself, exposing yourself to more challenges, opportunities,...
5 Goals to Match a 2022 Business Environment
5 Goals to Match a 2022 Business Environment At the beginning of every year companies and individuals set goals. The idea is to accomplish a desired result in the short and long term and to better oneself or one’s business in whatever ways you can. We cannot...
Businesses That are Set to Make Waves in 2022
Businesses That are Set to Make Waves in 2022 The Unseen Shoppe The Unseen Shoppe is the business to look out for in 2022. The local hobby store is based in Westville, Kwa-Zulu Natal, and is managed by an amazing and knowledgeable person named Bradley. The Unseen...
New Goals for Success in 2022
2022 will be a year of new beginnings and new goals for my personal life, travel agency, and virtual assistant company-Amon Ra Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd. 2021 was a year of great misery for the travel industry as many travel businesses closed down due to lock-downs...
Outsourced Services are Set to Explode in 2022!
One of the most significant hazards facing business in 2022 will be if the tidal wave of economic issues we've had to deal with in recent years subsides; and we had to rush back into the sea of rebuilding a workforce just to be hit by a new wave of unanticipated...
Christmas-A Time for Hobbies and Family
This Christmas is the time to appreciate the small and big things that bring joy to you this season. One of the big things is spending time with your loved ones in the family and the small things would be enjoying the hobbies that you are passionate about. The main...
Why Every Business Will Hire a Virtual Assistant in 2022
This may sound like a bold statement, but it rings true when you add to the end of it, ''if they only knew what a VA could do for them!'’ As we face yet another wave and strain of the COVID-19 virus, business owners are beginning to accept that dealing with Covid is...
Charities that Need Help from VAASA- Same Love Toti
As part of VAASA'S End of Year Blog Challenge, we would like you to read this blog below from Carl Coetzee of Amon Ra Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd. Amon Ra Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd has chosen a non-profit organisation called Same Love Toti. The Founder of Same Love...
Change your mindset to grow your business in 2022
As part of VAASA'S End of Year Blog Challenge, we would like you to read the blog below from Juanita of V-Assist. As we draw towards the end of another year and stand on the threshold of 2022, many business owners will be taking stock of the year gone by and looking...
VAASA’S End of Year Blog Challenge
VAASA's End of Year Blog Challenge For the month of December, we will post a blog each day from one of our Premium Members. They have loads of information and knowledge to share which you will find useful. Look out for these interesting blogs which could teach...
New Ways of Client Communication
New Ways of Client Communication! Member feature by : Carl Coetzee of Amon Ra Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd. During the global pandemic of COVID-19, companies needed to change their ways of communicating with their clients, employees, and suppliers. Companies adopted...
Outsource your Stress!
Outsource your Stress! Member feature by : Anna White of Westfield Accounting CC You want to take your business to the next level by focusing on growing the business, personnel training, developing another division, etc. You are now asking the question – should I...
Let your Vision Propel you Always
Let your Vision Propel you Always Member feature by : Mathuto Taole of ThutoGape Virtual Admin Assist (TGVAA) “The type of person you are, is usually reflected in your business. To improve your business, first improve yourself.” As an entrepreneur, your business...
What’s In a Name?
What's in a Name? Member feature by : Felicia Sikhetane of Virtual Hand Admin Services A lot, for us at least. We love names and like most of you, I love asking people what’s the story behind their names and I often ask companies why they chose their names. Because a...
The Tales of a Travel Agent during COVID-19
The Tales of a Travel Agent During COVID-19 Member feature by : Carl Coetzee of Amon Ra Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd. Amon Ra Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd is a travel agency based in Amanzimtoti Kwa Zulu Natal. The company was founded by Carl Coetzee in 2014 after many...
Why do the Rest when you can Delegate and Take a Rest?
Why do the Rest when you can Delegate and Take a Rest? Member feature : by Sizile Msomi of Sizile VA Having a VA is not something that comes from luxury but often a necessity due to intense schedules and expectations. With this in mind, how do you know when you need a...
3 Reasons to Make Marketing Shift to Influencers
3 Reasons to Make Marketing Shift to Influencers Member feature by : Juanita Nieuwoudt of V-Assist. In a recent article we spoke about the great power of Influencers, those people with a huge following on the internet who can greatly influence your branding through...
The Power of Influencers Cannot be Underestimated
The Power of Influencers Cannot be Underestimated Member feature by : Juanita Nieuwoudt of V-Assist We know you must be pretty tired of hearing about COVID-19 and the devastation it wreaked on the markets, people’s lives and businesses as a whole. It is important to...
How I Got Here
How I Got Here Member feature : by Rowanne Booysen of Rose Assistants Living in a society where entrepreneurship is a key asset, I started to notice with our every changing global situation, that we started to work from home more due to the Coronavirus Pandemic....
Communication-How Good Are Our Skills?
Communication-How Good Are Our Skills? Member Feature by : Anna White of Westfield Accounting CC Our communication skills – how good or bad are they? When communicating with others, are we sure that the person or persons we are talking to actually understand what we...
Mindset Matters: Getting Inside the Head of Top Earners
Mindset Matters: Getting Inside the Head of Top Earners Member Feature : by Rose Chaplin of VCS More Time For YOU. When you think about the highest earning business people what comes to mind? Charisma, experience, and expertise are often at the top of the list, but...
Staying Motivated….
Staying motivated… Member Feature : by Tash Naidoo of Simply Virtual I find myself still grabbing by Uggs and beanbag as there is a definitely an undeniable chill in the air, it seems as though I blinked and winter crept up on us and although we are only in August I...
Being Organized Increases Productivity
Being Organized Increases Productivity Member Feature : by Erika Coetzee of The Office Cog. Poor organizational skills often lead to feelings of anxiety, stress and overwhelm causing mental exhaustion. Being disorganized and without structure reduces focus and energy...
3 Useful Ways VA’s can help you build your Online Business
3 Useful Ways VA's can help you build your Online Business Member Feature : by Jutta Dudley of V-Assist The pandemic and ensuing lockdown have prompted many to seek online businesses they can start. In this series, we will be giving you some great ideas to create an...
Building Relationships that stand the Test of Time
Building relationships that stand the test of time, in PR and beyond Member feature by Nicola Read of icomm We all know that quite often in today’s world it’s not necessarily what you know, but rather who you know that helps you to forge ahead. As humans it’s a fact...
Beat Email Overwhelm and Improve Work Life Balance
Beat Email Overwhelm and Improve Work Life Balance Member feature Erika Coetzee of The Office Cog We live in a time of instant gratification and responses. Shopping can be done 24-hours with the click of a button. Even banks now have the option of communicating with...
How to stay Authentic During the Intensifying Digital Deluge – More Time for You
How to stay Authentic During the Intensifying Digital Deluge-by Rose and Dawn of VCS Most humans on earth have been ordered to stay at home so most businesses in many countries have had to send employees home and set them up to work from home. Businesses that have...
Life as we know it…
Life as we know it Member feature : by Tash Naidoo and Jess Cloete of Simply Virtual For weeks we have seen people from all walks of life come together, united in our mutual struggle during these uncertain times. No amount of money in the bank or social standing...
3 VA Tasks that help you improve your ROI
3 VA Tasks that help you improve your ROI Member feature : by Marcia Vorster of Admin Assist Doing business is all about ROI – you’re either aiming for an increased outcome or a result that adds measurable value to your business. Don’t get discouraged by how...
Monthly Goal Setting – Tips to Help you Stay on Top
Monthly Goal Setting - Tips to Help you Stay on Top Member feature : by Tracey Barkus of VA Connect The beginning of the year is full of resolutions, good intentions and goal-setting. It can be all too easy to let it all slide after the first month but with a...
Have you chosen the right outsourcing partner?
Have you chosen the right outsourcing partner? Member feature : by Marcia Vorster of AdminAssist In today’s market businesses are looking to scale or expand through outsourcing which is why you need a partner who is results-driven and who will take...
4 Tools That Will Change How You Deal With Your VA
4 Tools That Will Change How You Deal With Your VA Member feature: by Marcia Vorster of AdminAssist We live in an age of tech start-ups and an ever-increasing array of productivity-enhancing tools. The good news is that most of them have features tailored to...
It’s time for a refill…
It's time for a refill… Member feature : by Liz of VA Connect So I know that the start of the year always reignites everyone’s motivation for what we want to do and achieve in life and in our respective careers or business. We form these goals and objectives in...
SELF CARE IS NOT A LUXURY, IT’S A MUST
SELF CARE IS NOT A LUXURY, IT’S A MUST Member feature by : Jennifer Botha of VA Connect People used to think that self care was a luxury that only the wealthy indulged in, but today with the ever increasing fast paced lifestyle people live, it is a necessity...
The secret most successful entrepreneurs won’t tell you.
The secret most successful entrepreneurs won’t tell you. Member feature : by Corné of VA Connect What you put in is not what you’ll get out! Let’s just decide to be honest today, achieving success as an entrepreneur is hard work! Extremely hard work and I love...
Are you in touch with your emotions?
Are you in touch with your emotions? Member feature by : Michelle of VA Connect We all experience emotions from an early age. As adults attempting to navigate the often chaotic world of modern life, the range of emotions we experience in a day can change...
What drives me to be the best Virtual Assistant I can be
What drives me to be the best Virtual Assistant I can be Member feature : by Susan Smit of VA Connect I’ve studied logistics for 4 years. During that time, I already knew that I loved project and production management and knew what I wanted to achieve in...
Learning as a Virtual Assistant
Learning as a Virtual Assistant Member feature by: Heidi Basch of VA Connect Technology is changing the world we live in faster than ever and in many ways. These changes can be seen in our homes, in our cars, in entertainment and particularly in business. A...
The Season of Giving
The Season of Giving Member feature: by Jenni Franz of VA Connect The Season of Giving – a fantastic phrase to capture the essence, create a buzz and get our feelings stirred up and into action, but for me, this also raises the question – why only a season. ‘Season’...
How to avoid the crazy Christmas rush
How to avoid the crazy Christmas rush Member feature by : Michelle of VA Connect Yes it's that time of year, yet again, we are fast approaching December! We all know that time speeds up as the end of the year approaches, and before you know it, the Christmas...
Holiday Plans for this Virtual Assistant
Holiday Plans for this Virtual Assistant Member feature: by Annie Francis of VA Connect Going to the Kruger Park is our most treasured annual family tradition. A time for our family to make memories and bond, laugh lots, recharge the batteries, eat too much...
Why clients need to be educated on how to work with a VA.
Why clients need to be educated on how to work with a VA. Member feature: by Corné Morrison of VA Connect Onboarding a new client is always a very exciting experience for any virtual assistant. However, sometimes, a few weeks down the line one or both parties may feel...
The Ultimate Gift Guide…for this VA
The Ultimate Gift Guide...for this VA Member feature : by Lindi of VA Connect Yeah, it's that time of the year again! If you're like me, you buy your own Christmas gifts… I mean you literally buy your own gift. My husband and I never really buy gifts for each...
The beautiful Chaos that is Christmas in a Portuguese household
The beautiful Chaos that is Christmas in a Portuguese household Member feature: by Liz of VA Connect The countdown has began.. Tis the season to be jolly tralala lala la… its ok you can go ahead and hum that carol along with me, with only 42 days left until...
3 Life lessons I’ve learnt from an influencer (not Tyra Banks) that you can use anywhere in life right now
3 Life lessons I've learnt from an influencer (not Tyra Banks) that you can use anywhere in life right now Member feature: by Lindi of VA Connect The person that influenced me most in life played a very unconventional role. It goes without saying that you look...
What Every VA Really Wants for Christmas
What Every VA Really Wants for Christmas Member feature: by Susan of VA Connect They say hard work pays off and I thought about what I need that can make the “pay off” so much sweeter. As VA I realised I need a gift registry to make my life easier, and why not...
The Best of Online Shopping
The Best of Online Shopping Member feature : by Maxine Clark of VA Connect “Just Google it” – a phrase most of us use multiple times in a day, maybe even utter to ourselves when going through the many thoughts we have in one day. In need of a red top, “just...
How Practicing Mindfulness Can Change Your Way Of Thinking
How Practicing Mindfulness Can Change Your Way Of Thinking Member feature: by Michelle of VA Connect What exactly is mindfulness? Mindfulness is described as a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging...
The best gift guide for Virtual Assistants
The best gift guide for Virtual Assistants Member feature : Tammy Nortier of VA Connect What’s that you say? 38 days left till Christmas?? It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner and I am sure the pressure to secure the perfect gifts for...
Are you feeling demotivated? This is what I do to get up and keep going
Are you feeling demotivated? This is what I do to get up and keep going Member feature : by Lindi of VA Connect This week we're chatting about things that inspire us. Through the hustle and bustle of the past couple of months it really took me a while to...
Being a VA is not for everyone, and that is okay.
Being a VA is not for everyone, and that is okay. Member feature : by Maxine Clark of VA Connect Question to a VA: What do you do? Answer: I am a Virtual Assistant (VA) Question: Okay and what exactly does that mean, what does a VA do? Answer: a...
3 Powerful Steps to Overcoming All Your Challenges Before Christmas
3 Powerful Steps to Overcoming All Your Challenges Before Christmas Member feature : by Corné of VA Connect All of us face trials and challenges sometimes, or should I say most of the time? It might be just me (although I doubt that) but it always seems like...
Have a look at how a VA can help you prevent burnout in your business
Have a look at how a VA can help you prevent burnout in your business Member feature : by Lindi of VA Connect We've heard countless times about business owners reaching burnout. Why do you think it happens so often? It's because they're trying to do everything...
Tips for clients on how to best work with your Virtual Assistant
Tips for clients on how to best work with your Virtual Assistant Member feature: by Tracey of VA Connect As a Virtual Assistant (VA), we receive regular training and guidance on how to work virtually and how to work with clients that we don’t see day to day, if...
The meaning of motivation and how to stay motivated
The meaning of motivation and how to stay motivated Member feature : by Michelle Wilbraham of VA Connect First of all we have to understand what motivation is? Motivation is a reason for acting in a particular way something that pushes us to do things that we...
Are you ready to find out how loving yourself can make you more productive?
Are you ready to find out how loving yourself can make you more productive? Member feature : by Tammy Nortier of VA Connect 😍 When last have you complimented yourself? I bet you’re sitting there thinking to yourself – “What is this person on about?” Well if that is...
3 Essential Tips on How to Avoid and Overcome the Procrastination Pitfall in Your Business
3 Essential Tips to Avoid and Overcome the Procrastination Pitfall in Your Business Member feature : by Corné Morrison of VA Connect I’m pretty confident we’ve all gone down this road before one time or another! Or should I rather say these mountains of...
Successful Entrepreneurs are the Ones Who Outsource Their To-Do List
Successful Entrepreneurs are the Ones Who Outsource Their To-Do List Member feature : by Tammy Nortier of VA Connect I see you there – yes you the entrepreneur with too much on your plate and no time to do the things that will grow your business i.e....
How self-care can help you become more productive
How self-care can help you become more productive Member feature : by Michelle Wilbraham of VA Connect Practicing self-care is not a choice. I forget ALL of the time, even though I tend to be the first person to preach to others about the importance of...
Why Successful Entrepreneurs Always Choose Extra Help in Their Business
Why Successful Entrepreneurs Always Choose Extra Help in Their Business Member feature: by Jenni of VA Connect Ever looked at those successful Entrepreneurs who seem to have everything under control, time on their hands to spend developing their business and taking it...
Learn from the best, why you can never do it alone
Learn from the best, why you can never do it alone Member feature: by Susan Smit of VA Connect When I started out on this VA journey, I did it to see if I can do something different from the job I was doing for 13 years. I always knew I wanted to be more, do more and...
Simple guidelines to build long-lasting relationships with your difficult clients
Simple guidelines to build long-lasting relationships with your difficult clients Member feature: by Lindi Boshoff of VA Connect I've got a very useful talent, I know how to read people. It's something I've discovered over the years whilst working with people...
‘Get up, Dress Up, Show up’
'Get up, Dress Up, Show up' ~Regina Brett~ Member feature by: Natalie Irwin of VA Connect I’m no motivational firecracker and I’ve definitely had many days when I wanted to give up, change my plans, or just crawl back into bed. To me, staying motivated is not...
Why it’s important to be consistent
Why it’s important to be consistent Member feature : by Jennifer Botha of VA Connect Have you ever thought about how a sculptor needs to consistently chip away at a block of granite, wood or whatever he has chosen as his material in order to reveal that which...
3 Foolproof Tips for Educating Your Clients to Work With a Virtual Assistant
3 Foolproof Tips for Educating Your Clients to Work With a Virtual Assistant Member feature: by Corné Morrison of VA Connect Onboarding a new client is always a very exciting experience for any virtual assistant. However, sometimes, a few weeks down the line one or...
7 Reasons Why it is Good for a Woman to be her Own Boss.
7 Reasons Why it is Good for a Woman to be her Own Boss. Member feature: Heidi Basch of VA Connect Internationally and in South Africa, every year we celebrate the amazing achievements of women and the progress we have made towards gender equality. Women...
Stilettos in the Boardroom
Stilettos in the Boardroom Member feature : by Annie Francis of VA Connect Women are strong and passionate leaders, their natural instincts of taking care of people and working to a plan can assist them in becoming great leaders. A successful woman leader is...
5 Repetitive Tasks you can Handover to Your Virtual Assistant
5 Repetitive Tasks you can Handover to Your Virtual Assistant Member feature : by Marcia Vorster of AdminAssist In every company there are bound to be repetitive tasks that, although vital to the running of your business, are time-consuming. Here’s a list of things...
Debunking 4 Myths about Outsourcing to a Virtual Assistant
Debunking 4 Myths about Outsourcing to a Virtual Assistant Member feature : by Marcia Vorster of AdminAssist There are several well-made arguments for why you should outsource aspects of your business to a Virtual Assistant and what it could mean for your...
4 Successful Entrepreneurs who have a Virtual Assistant
4 Successful Entrepreneurs who have a Virtual Assistant Member feature : by Marcia of AdminAssist You’ve done it, you’re an entrepreneur, perhaps still in infancy stage or perhaps you’ve weathered (or rather survived) the start-up stage. Regardless what the...
How did I achieve my midyear goals?
How did I achieve my midyear goals? Member feature : by Susan Smit of VA Connect To keep a healthy mind I believe everyone should set goals for themselves and work hard to achieve those goals. Setting goals and achieving them is what motivates us and keeps us...
Don’t Miss Out on Getting a Virtual Assistant Who’s Worth her Weight in Gold
Don't miss out on getting a virtual assistant who's worth her weight in gold Member feature: by Annie Francis of VA Connect Many entrepreneurs have thought long and hard about whether they really need employees when starting out on their business venture. A...
Loving YOURSELF in order to be more PRODUCTIVE!
Loving YOURSELF in order to be more PRODUCTIVE! Member feature : by Chantel Griffin of VA Connect “Love and Productivity” “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson I love this...
Do we need to guide our clients on how to make use of our services?
Do we need to guide our clients on how to make use of our services? Member feature: by Lindi of VA Connect From personal experience, we've determined that it is indeed necessary to educate clients on the use of a Virtual Assistant. Some might know they need...
The Reality of Burnout and How to Combat It with New Methods
The Reality of Burnout and How to Combat It with New Methods Member feature: by Tammy of VA Connect So, the year is winding down and the silly season is around the corner. It’s no secret that this year has been a crazy rollercoaster ride and I think possibly...
Income Tax – Don’t Stress Yourself Into an Ulcer this Tax Season
Income Tax - Don't Stress Yourself Into an Ulcer this Tax Season Member feature: by Corné Morrison of Virtually Centered Solutions The tremendous need for finance and tax-related information for sole proprietors and individuals are undeniable! AND with the...
Business at the top, PJ’s at the bottom?
Business at the top, PJ's at the bottom? Member feature : by Mica Newman of Office Online So what exactly does a Virtual Assistant, or VA, do? Well, the first answer to that question is that the world is changing, and rapidly. Thanks to the wonderful world of...
The Secret to Enhancing Your Business’ Processes for Maximum Efficiency
The Secret to Enhancing Your Business' Processes for Maximum Efficiency Member feature : by Corne' Morrison of Virtually Centered Solutions You're halfway through this year and you realize with a bang you have slowly but surely fallen behind on your goals! Do...
Why successful entrepreneurs always choose extra help in their business
Why successful entrepreneurs always choose extra help in their business Member feature : by Michelle Wilbraham from VA Connect If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ll know that deciding what your priorities are is extremely important. Where should you be spending...
Creating Newsletters that work for you
Creating Newsletters that work for you Member feature : by Jutta Dudley of V-Assist In my last article I took a look at creating blogs that work for you. We have explained why it is necessary to create these blogs, but you need to make sure they are working for...
On-boarding Blog
On-boarding Blog Member feature : by Marcia Vorster of AdminAssist You’ve taken the step to hire a Virtual Assistant (VA). You’ve done the research, compared the options, signed the agreement and you linked with your VA. But now you may find yourself thinking,...
How to take on a task you dread
How to take on a task you dread Member feature : by Marcia of AdminAssist In an ideal world, you would be able to delegate all the tasks you dread. It is an important ideal because the quality of our work is so much better when we do something we’re good at...
What makes up the cost of your Virtual Assistant?
What makes up the cost of your Virtual Assistant? Member Feature : by Marcia Vorster of Admin Assist You have come to the realisation that you not only need to free up your time, but you also need space to focus on generating more revenue for your business. You’re...
Positive and Professional behaviour for the challenging client
Positive and Professional behaviour for the challenging client Member feature by: Annie Francis of VA Connect Working as a Virtual Assistant you get work on many different assignments and with many different personalities. Some of your clients are wonderful...
Income Tax – Don’t Stress Yourself into an Ulcer this Tax Season
Income Tax - Don't Stress Yourself into an Ulcer this Tax Season Member feature: by Corné of Virtually Centered Solutions The tremendous need for finance and tax-related information for sole proprietors and individuals are undeniable! AND with the South African...
Looking back at the past year with gratitude
Looking back at the past year with gratitude Member feature: by Michelle Wilbraham of VA Connect This is a time of year where as much as things speed up they also slow down. They let us take a pause and reflect on the past year. It’s a time where we can express...
5 Steps to Keeping Yourself Motivated
5 Steps to Keeping Yourself Motivated Member feature: by Tammy Nortier of VA Connect Motivation – It does not always come easy to everyone but if you are to carry on and be successful in your business you need to find a way to get motivated and stay that way....
How do I know that I need a Virtual Assistant?
How do I know that I need a Virtual Assistant? Member feature: by Stephanie Wium of on demand VA It’s TOUGH! Identifying that you need help is often the toughest thing for an entrepreneur. Fortunately there are a few common signs that it is time to start...
On point with your pricing
On point with your pricing Member feature: by Melanie of Mela's VA Services In today’s blog, I thought I would tackle the all important aspect of pricing. A quick disclaimer, pricing is detailed orientated and industry specific. The tips here are very generic, to...
A what? Virtual Assistant? What is that?
A what? Virtual Assistant? What is that? Member feature: by Stephanie Wium from on demand VA A What? A virtual assistant is somebody who is self-employed and who works WITH you to lighten your administrative load. But How? She, or even he, works from their...
The Fourth Industrial Revolution – Are You Prepared?
The Fourth Industrial Revolution – Are You Prepared? Member Feature: By Rose Chaplin & Dawn Beech of VCS – More Time for YOU. "The speed of current breakthroughs has no historical precedent... it is disrupting almost every industry in every country. And the...
Why clients need to be educated on how to work with a Virtual Assistant
Why clients need to be educated on how to work with a Virtual Assistant Member Feature: by Susan Smit of VA Connect Working as a first time “official” Virtual Assistant, I’ve realised that it’s much harder to work with someone that’s miles away. Virtual assistants are...
Four Steps to Creating a Successful Blog
Four Steps to Creating a Successful Blog Member Feature: by Jennifer Botha of VA Connect In today’s life with over 4 billion people around the world on the internet blogging is becoming increasingly popular. Now why is this? Well, with so many people on the...
Have an attitude of gratitude in business
Have an attitude of gratitude in business Member Feature: by Annie Francis of VA Connect As I sit here on my veranda reminiscing on the year that has just gone past, I am reminded of all the blessings I have received over the past year. I have been told that...
Time Management Can Be Tricky
Time Management Can Be Tricky Member Feature: by Melanie Wallis of Mela's VA Services Confession time! I fell into a trap of my own making! There are thousands of amazing course's out there that help you create the life of your dreams. And I pretty much signed...
How to Teach People How to Treat You
How to Teach People How to Treat You Member Feature: by Jennifer Botha of VA Connect Often we hear how important it is that we teach people how to treat us, but do we know what it really means and how we actually achieve that? It starts with self awareness so...
Are you an Octopus Mom?
Are you an Octopus Mom? Member Feature: by Jutta Dudley of V-Assist As a Virtual Assistant who is herself a working Mom, Wife and friend to many, I can totally empathise with the many working Moms that I assist to get through their ridiculously busy and sometimes...
Educate your clients in how to use your services
Educate your clients in how to use your services Member Feature: by Henriette Howell of VA Connect Not too long ago the world of Virtual Assistant did not exist. Here and there, a stay at home mom perhaps who arranged with her company to work from home, but...
Effective delegation means letting go!
Effective delegation means letting go! Member Feature: by Jutta Dudley of V-Assist There’s no doubt that you will have learned as an Entrepreneur that If you develop and improve your delegation skills, you will probably have a far more successful business and be able...
Why your Virtual Assistant is such a great asset to the team
Why your Virtual Assistant is such a great asset to the team Member Blog Feature: by Robynne Shields of Admin Inc I have always advocated the concept of a Virtual Assistant (VA). Not just because I am one, but because it makes business sense. A VA is a little fairy...
Showing gratitude for the year that was
Showing gratitude for the year that was Member Blog Feature: by Jennie Franz of VA Connect Looking Back Over The Past Year With Gratitude Moving towards a new beginning means saying goodbye to a past. And so it is with a New Year looming and everyone looking...
Evernote: 6 handy features you should know about!
Evernote: 6 handy features you should know about! Member Blog Feature: by Susan of On Hand Virtual Solutions Evernote Personally, I love Evernote, and I have used it for many years in a personal capacity. Most important to me is that Evernote seamlessly sync to...
3 Critical Tools for Your Small Business to Survive Load Shedding This Year
3 Critical Tools for Your Small Business to Survive Load Shedding This Year Member Blog Feature: by Corné of Virtually Centered Solutions L-o-a-d-s-h-e-d-d-i-n-g Yes, it’s the new swear word every online service provider dread. As OSP’s (Online Service Providers) in...
It’s Time to Hire a Virtual Assistant
It’s Time to Hire a Virtual Assistant Member Blog Feature: by Charlaine from Virtual BizHub Business Owners start their ventures with bold visions and big plans. However, it’s all too easy to get distracted by the mundane tasks involved in building a business...
Invoices: The importance of accurate on-time processing.
Invoices: The importance of accurate on-time processing. Member Blog Feature: by Corne of Virtually Centered Solutions In our previous articles, we’ve taken a look at procurement (which consists of obtaining the relevant quotations and securing the product or service...
Why a Virtual Assistant
Why a Virtual Assistant Member Blog Feature: by Jutta of V-Assist Over the years VA opportunities have grown and technology has enabled this to become the way to do business. Observing first-hand how many businesses struggle with the admin part of their business, has...
Painless Procurement – 4 Steps to simplify your life
Part 2 ~ Accounts Payable Series Member Blog Feature: by Corné of Virtually Centered Solutions Procuring services or products from your suppliers or vendors A lot of the information the AP department needs to efficiently and accurately process transactions,...
From Administration to Aviation – V.A.s should be versatile and tailored!
From Administration to Aviation – V.A.s should be versatile and tailored! Member Blog Feature: AllInOne by Rosemary I am a woman who has served extensively in the business sector, and with a passion to see others succeed through running their business optimally by...
5 Reasons why you should outsource the minute-taking of your meetings
5 Reasons why you should outsource the minute-taking of your meetings Member Blog Feature : AdminAssist by Marcia Whether for an all-day strategy session, a monthly sales meeting or a quick internal meeting, getting someone professional, like an admin assistant, to...
Accounts Payable Series – Goals you want to achieve in Accounts Payable
Part 1 ~ These are the goals you want to achieve in Accounts Payable Member Blog Feature by Corne of Virtually Centred Solutions When we talk about Accounts Payable we shouldn’t be dreading the month-end closing process. Or worse yet, get that nauseating feeling of...
Getting back on track and staying there
Series: Client resource - Empowering you to succeed Part 3 Part 3: Getting back on track and staying there Member Blog Feature by Corne of Virtually Centred Solutions As we are heading towards the middle of the 3rd quarter of 2018 tension in the workplace and stress...
Looking to be a Free(er) version of YOU?
Looking to be a Free(er) version of YOU? Member Blog Feature : AdminAssist by Marcia More often than not, we find ourselves caught up in the constant buzz of everyday life and don’t realize that we might have bitten off more than we can chew. The average person in...
Top 10 tasks any awesome online Executive Assistant can do
Top 10 tasks any awesome online Executive Assistant can do Member Blog Feature by Jutta of V-Assist Even in the largest companies, company Executives are beginning to recognise and utilise the services of outsourced Virtual Assistants. This is for a number of reasons,...
4 Tips on crucial preparation for a frustration free start
Series: Client Resource - Empowering you to succeed Part 2: 4 Tips on crucial preparation for a frustration free start Member Blog Feature by Corne of Virtually Centred Solutions Whether you’re a business owner, entrepreneur or CEO that on-boarded a Virtual Assistant...
Demystifying the value of a virtual assistant
Virtual Assistants "Demystified" Member blog feature by Robynne of Admin Inc One of the many benefits of working with a Virtual Assistant (VA’s) is the ability to tap into services anywhere in the world. One could argue time zone differences could challenge this...
4 Pointers to help clients cut through the confusion
Part 1: 4 Pointers to help clients cut through the confusion Member Blog Feature by Corne of Virtually Centred Solutions You've in finally managed to source a Virtual Assistant - mission accomplished! Definitely not! Don't get too comfortable yet. Signing on a VA is...
14 Best video conferencing tips for your business
14 Best video conferencing tips for your business Member Blog Feature by Jutta of V-Assist Video conferencing has become a very cost effective and time saving way for businesses to communicate with their staff, clients and business networks across the globe. However,...
This Is Why You Should Outsource Your Business Transcriptions
This Is Why You Should Outsource Your Business Transcriptions Member Blog Feature : AdminAssist by Marcia Keeping an accurate account of all your communications is standard practice in today’s business world. Detailed and accurately written records of interviews,...
So… what is Good Customer Service?
So… what is Good Customer Service? Member Blog Feature : It's Virtually Done by Sharon In South Africa we are not always guaranteed to get good service, and when we do experience it, we take it for granted. I’ve been fortunate to travel overseas over the years and...
5 ways to get Virtual Assistance with you Social Media Marketing
5 ways to get Virtual Assistance with you Social Media Marketing Member Blog Feature : V-Assist by Jutta I have been writing about the many ways that Virtual Assistants can help any small, to medium size, or even fairly large businesses. We have spoken about how...
5 Best digital tools for Small Business
5 Best digital tools for Small Business Asking for help never hurt anyone. In fact, by getting the help you need you can focus your energies on growing and developing your small business. This kind of help can come in different shapes and sizes. You could outsource...
5 ways to ensure the effective outsourcing of a Personal Assistant
5 ways to ensure the effective outsourcing of a Personal Assistant Member Blog Feature : V-Assist by Jutta The outsourcing of PAs in the form of reputable Virtual Assistance companies is becoming more common and a preferred way to have permanent help without employing...
Top Tools for Building All Your Virtual Assistance Sales Funnels
Top Tools for Building All Your Virtual Assistance Sales Funnels – Rose Chaplin, VCS – More Time for YOU We’ve talked about sales funnels before and now the question is: Are you ready to start building out your Virtual Assistant sales funnels? There are just a few...
The Missing Element in Your Virtual Assistant Funnel
The Missing Element in Your Virtual Assistant Funnel – Rose Chaplin We have written previously about Sales Funnels. Now the first thing new online Virtual Assistants learn as online business owners is the power of the VA offer funnel. You’ll find WordPress plugins to...
Every Virtual Assistant Needs These Tools To Be The Most Effective
Every Virtual Assistant Needs These Tools To Be The Most Effective Every Virtual Assistant knows that in order to be the most effective at what they do and to also streamline their client's lives they need great tools. Great apps and tools make your life as a VA so...
What Entrepreneurs can expect when hiring a Virtual Assistant for the first time
What Entrepreneurs can expect when hiring a Virtual Assistant for the first time It can be quite daunting to hand over the reigns of certain parts of your business to someone who isn't you - I get it! Trust me, it took me more than 5 years as an entrepreneur to learn...
Find Creative Ways to Keep Your Clients Happy
Find Creative Ways to Keep Your Clients Happy If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my ten years of being a Virtual Assistant and with running a Virtual Assistant agency, it’s this - take care of your current clients. Did you know that it takes far more effort to find...
3 Surefire Ways to Create In-Demand Service Offerings
3 Surefire Ways to Create In-Demand Service Offerings If there’s one thing that holds promising entrepreneurs back from launching their business, it’s this - a lack of confidence in their service offerings. Sure, you think that skill is a great idea, but how do you...
Why Being on Time is so important to Gaining Success as a Virtual Assistant
Why Being on Time is so important to Gaining Success as a Virtual Assistant I feel one of our biggest challenges is having enough Time. Everything revolves around time management with work or our personal lives so I get that this isn’t always easy to manage. I think...
Build a Business, Not Another Job
Build a Business, Not Another Job Many people dream of working for themselves, being their own boss, and having the freedom to only take on clients and projects they love. What they don’t realize, though, is that there is a huge difference between building a business...
Mindset Tricks of Successful Entrepreneurs
Mindset Tricks of Successful Entrepreneurs Want to know what sets the uber-successful apart from the “wannabe entrepreneurs”? It’s not money, or brilliant ideas, or even powerful friends. All of those things (and more) are nice to have, but they’re not a requirement...
Work on your Business and not in your Business
Work on your Business and not in your Business Member Blog Feature : SS VA by Samantha So this phrase has been repeated a few times to me in the last week as I attended some entrepreneurial talks and meeting with like minded business owners. So what does it actually...
How being honest in business pays off
Be honest ! Honesty is the best policy Member Blog Feature : SS VA by Samantha I received a request via Facebook for a client starting up his business and he needed some assistance with his bookkeeping. Great call introducing ourselves and setting up our first...
How to ensure that outsourcing works for you
How to ensure that outsourcing works for you Member Blog Feature : V-Assist by Jutta I have written articles in the past on why businesses should outsource Virtual assistants and how to make the best of such a relationship. I think though that as a Virtual assistant...
Understanding your worth as a Virtual Assistant
Understanding your worth as a Virtual Assistant Member Blog Feature : SS VA by Samantha If I look at my hourly rate I use to earn in the corporate world to what my hourly rate is now as a VA, I question am I charging too much or too little per hour. Starting off from...
5 ways to ensure the effective outsourcing of a P.A
5 ways to ensure the effective outsourcing of a P.A. Member Blog Feature : V-Assist by Jutta Dudley The outsourcing of PAs in the form of reputable Virtual Assistance companies is becoming more common and a preferred way to have permanent help without employing...
Business Owners & Entrepreneurs – Quick and Easy Website Tweaks to Automate Your Business Sales Funnel – and your VA can help you!
Business Owners & Entrepreneurs - Quick and Easy Website Tweaks to Automate Your Business Sales Funnel – and your VA can help you! by Rose@VCS – More time for YOU. When it comes to leveraging your time, automation is the sharpest tool in your toolbox. It allows...
My experience comes from what I have done in the past
My experience comes from what I have done in the past Member blog feature : Samantha Stapelberg If I look back at my work experience I think I could’ve covered every aspect of becoming an experienced Virtual Assistant however I can’t say I have a certain amount of...
Common Questions Prospective Clients Have About Virtual Assistants
Common Questions Prospective Clients Have About Virtual Assistants Although Virtual Assistants (VA’s) are now widely sought after, there are still many business owners who wish they could understand what VA’s do and how they can help their business. In today’s blog...
Beyond SMART: Goal Setting for Virtual Assistants
Beyond SMART: Goal Setting for Virtual Assistants If there’s one thing we know about goals, they have to be SMART, right? After all, that’s what we’ve been told for years. The only thing that matters is that your goals are specific, measureable, attainable, realistic...
The Easiest Way to Simplify Your Life
The Easiest Way to Simplify Your Life If you’ve clicked on this blog, you’ve probably figured out that life can be pretty complex. Keeping to responsibilities as well as finding time to do what you love just isn’t easy, or even possible for some. While that may be...
How to Structure Your Day When You Work from Home
How to Structure Your Day When You Work from Home Sometimes, working from home can be difficult. With family and other distractions, how could you get anything done? Undoubtedly, discipline is the key to succeeding as a work-from-home assistant. While you may have...
Get More Work Out of Your Employees this Year!
Get More Work Out of Your Employees this Year! The average employee works 40 hours a week. Take away lunch breaks, secret naps and other little breaks, employees really only work for 30 hours. If you want to get the most out of people, you may need to motivate and...
How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost?
How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost? How much of your workday is spent by making or answering phone calls, doing admin, collating research, performing data entry and more? If you spend too much time on admin-related tasks, you are not spending enough time on the...
Virtual Assistants – You Can Use Storytelling As Your Secret Weapon – Rose – VCS More Time for YOU.
Virtual Assistants – You Can Use Storytelling As Your Secret Weapon – Rose – VCS More Time for YOU. Virtual Assistants you can use story telling as your secret weapon and become a well-read blogger, which in turn, will attract clients. So what makes you read a blog,...
How an Online Timer Can Improve Your Workday
How an Online Timer Can Improve Your Workday In the virtual workplace, keeping track of billed time is important. It helps you stay on track with your tasks and shows you which tasks take more time than others. It’s a great way to measure resource allocation. When you...
More Important Than Money: Understanding Why You Really Do What You Do!
More Important Than Money: Understanding Why You Really Do What You Do! Happy New Year to all our VAASA Members and aspiring VAs – here’s to a prosperous 2018! What do super-successful Virtual Assistants and small business owners all have in common? It’s not...
A Festive Season Message about Trust and Communication – by Rose Chaplin VCS – More Time for YOU
A Festive Season Message about Trust and Communication – by Rose Chaplin VCS – More Time for YOU As a founding member of VAASA I would like to wish you all a wonderful festive season, full of Trust and Good Wishes. We are excited about the positive response VAASA is...
5 Ways VA’s Can Get Ahead these Holidays!
5 Ways VA’s Can Get Ahead these Holidays! Can you believe that we have reached the end of the year and that in just 25 days we will be saying hello to a brand new year? Cheers to fresh starts! But before you go on holiday and enjoy yourself, here are five ways you can...
Say it With Confidence: How to Discuss Rates Like a Pro!
Say it With Confidence: How to Discuss Rates Like a Pro! Does the topic of money make your mouth dry and your hands sweat? Do you dread that point in a conversation when someone says, “So what do you charge?” You’re not alone. Most of us have difficulty talking about...
How a Virtual Assistant Can Help You with Transcription
How a Virtual Assistant Can Help You with Transcription Many companies hire transcribers to convert their audios or videos into written content. If you haven’t thought about transcribing your podcasts, videos and meetings, this blog will help you to understand why you...
How to Become Good at Typing
How to Become Good at Typing Most Virtual Assistants don’t consider their typing skills when they pursue a career in this field. We have found that even those who type for a living such as writers and bloggers don’t pay much attention to their Words Per Minute (WPM)...
Why Your Virtual Assistant Sales Funnels Leak And What To Do About It – Rose Chaplin VCS – More Time for YOU
Why Your Virtual Assistant Sales Funnels Leak And What To Do About It – Rose Chaplin VCS – More Time for YOU For Virtual Assistants with a solid funnel in place, it’s easy to take a look at the number of subscribers at each level of the funnel and predict pretty...
Build a Client Database with a VA!
Build a Client Database with a VA! Big businesses have fancy CRM systems and other tools to build a database, but for most small businesses, they must create a database manually. Using a simple spreadsheet can be valuable in helping you have a constant supply of leads...
Use a Virtual Assistant for Office Support
Use a Virtual Assistant for Office Support Reliable, skilled and competent office support is important for business growth. A secretary can help you keep to your schedule and manage the front office, but what about the day-to-day support that you need? Things such as:...
Sales Tips for Reluctant Sales People
Sales Tips for Reluctant Sales People Would it come as a surprise to you if I said we’re all sales people? It’s true. Every time you have a prospective client on a discovery call, you’re making a sales pitch. Every time you send an email or write a blog post with an...
Take Back Most of Your Workday: Simple Steps to Outsource Your Emails
Take Back Most of Your Workday: Simple Steps to Outsource Your Emails Who wouldn’t like to free up some of their workdays? As a business owner or entrepreneur, you’re probably putting in more than 40 hours a week – sometimes it may even feel like 40 hours a day! In...
What VAASA Can Do for Your Business
What VAASA Can Do for Your Business The concept of Virtual Assistants (VAs) in South Africa is still new. Entrepreneurs and small business owners are slowly learning how a Virtual Assistant can benefit their business. We believe that Virtual Assistants are the key to...
Characteristics that Make up a Good Virtual Assistant
Characteristics that Make up a Good Virtual Assistant So you think you want to be a Virtual Assistant, but do you have what it takes? Perhaps you’re a small business and you want to hire a Virtual Assistant; can you spot a good one from the rest? In this blog, we will...
3 Pages Every Sales Funnel Should Have—And What To Include On Them!
3 Pages Every Sales Funnel Should Have—And What To Include On Them! Confused about how exactly sales funnels work? You’re not alone. In fact, that’s the number one reason Virtual Assistants say they can’t get their funnels set up—they simply don’t know what to include...
Should a Virtual Assistant Use Personal or Corporate Branding?
Should a Virtual Assistant Use Personal or Corporate Branding? A question many Virtual Assistants ask is: “Should I brand myself as an individual or a business?” The answer to this is not quite simple. It depends on your needs and preferences. The good news is that by...
Join VAASA as a Virtual Assistant Member
Join VAASA as a Virtual Assistant Member What makes a great leader, worker or even a great Virtual Assistant? We believe that it takes coaching and guidance from industry experts, coupled with your education and experience. Yet, working as a VA can sometimes feel like...
Fear-Based Decisions Are Bad for Business!
Fear-Based Decisions Are Bad for Business! At one point, or another, every business owner will find him or herself in a worrying situation. Revenue is down. New clients are scarce. Profits are falling, and a peek at the financials is enough to bring on a full-fledged...
The Benefits of Unplugging and How to Unplug
The Benefits of Unplugging and How to Unplug Most of us can’t live without our wonderful gadgets. When most people leave their homes, they have their mobile phones in one hand and an iPad in the other. Conversations at dinner tables have become one-sided because...
What is a Sales Funnel, Anyway? – More Time for YOU
What is a Sales Funnel, Anyway? – More Time for YOU As a Virtual Assistant, a sales funnel can be one of the most important marketing tools you have. And yet many VA’s - both new and established - have no clear understanding of what a funnel is or how it works. As you...
How to Spriiiing Up Your Office
How to Spriiiing Up Your Office Spring is here, hello! For most of us, this season marks the time for flowers, happiness and oh yes, change. This is a time when most people ‘spring clean’ their homes – or life, and get rid of all the winter junk. But how about your...
9 Super Impressive Cell-Phone Hacks
9 Super Impressive Cell-Phone Hacks Would you like to join VAASA as a Virtual Assistant? Click here! If you’re a Virtual Assistant, you’re probably doing a lot of work on your phone. Perhaps you’re on the road and use your phone to keep up to date with clients, or you...
Need More Clients? Think Like a Farmer
Need More Clients? Think Like a Farmer Think all a farmer has to do is wait until fall to harvest truckloads of delicious tomatoes or corn or squash? Think again! That farmer has worked hard all year long to prepare for that week or two of reward. He prepared the...
How A Virtual Receptionist Can Change Your Business
How A Virtual Receptionist Can Change Your Business Customer service can be a great differentiator for many businesses, especially those in saturated industries. If you can respond to queries quickly and professionally, a customer is more likely to stick with you than...
How Much Transparency Is Too Much?
How Much Transparency Is Too Much? We’ve previously talked before about storytelling and authenticity, and how being your true self is your most powerful Virtual Assistant branding tactic. But just how open and honest should you be when it comes to sharing your VA...
4 Ways Business Owners Can Build Trust with a Virtual Assistant
4 Ways Business Owners Can Build Trust with a Virtual Assistant Join other entrepreneurs who said yes to working smarter and not harder. "Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward...
5 Ways to Keep Your Virtual Employees Happy
5 Ways to Keep Your Virtual Employees Happy Need a Virtual Assistant? Let’s chat! We all know that happy employees are the most productive. Unhappy employees are unmotivated, do the bare minimum and fail to comply with rules and regulations. Staff morale is easy to...
Lessons Learned: What A Lost Client Really Tells You
Lessons Learned: What A Lost Client Really Tells You We’ve all lost clients. Sometimes it’s our fault. Sometimes it’s theirs. Sometimes it’s out of everyone’s control. But no matter the reason, there is something to be learned from a lost client. A system to review...
Clarifying Your Virtual Assistant Services for Bigger Profits
Clarifying Your Virtual Assistant Services for Bigger Profits Imagine two stores sitting side-by-side in a popular shopping mall. One is your go-to shop for just about everything. They sell garden tools, candy bars, T-shirts, car parts and baby bottles. The other is...
How Virtual Assistants Can Get Leads on Instagram
How Virtual Assistants Can Get Leads on Instagram You’ve probably got a website and linked it to your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn account, but did you know that Instagram is one of the best platforms for business? Yep, if you’re not using Instagram for business,...
How Well Do You Really Know Your Ideal Client?
How Well Do You Really Know Your Ideal Client? We’ve all done the exercise. It’s the first thing you’re taught when you first start your business: Create an ideal client avatar. This vision of your ideal client guides everything you do, including pricing (you can’t...
Is Blogging Really Necessary for Your Business?
Is Blogging Really Necessary for Your Business? Someone once told me that “blogging is dead” and that businesses should no longer consider blogging to get more leads. These days, everyone has a blog. There are over 152 million blogs online and research shows that...
Virtual Assistants, You Are Your Brand!
Virtual Assistants, You Are Your Brand! Virtual Assistants, here is a secret successful marketers know - clients don’t buy a product. They buy you. Your personality. Your experience. The unique qualities only you possess. There was a time when “branding” meant a...
5 Eye Exercises for People Who Stare at Screens All Day
5 Eye Exercises for People Who Stare at Screens All Day A Virtual Assistant who spends most of her time in front of a computer can develop eye problems such as dry eye, vision problems, fatigue and eye twitching. These conditions can be the cause of your work errors...
Getting Started with Public Speaking To Help Network Your Business!
Getting Started with Public Speaking To Help Network Your Business! It’s not written in stone that you have to get up in front of a large audience and put on a full, two-hour presentation. There are many ways to get started with public speaking: The trick is to find...
The Best Ways to Manage Your Email Mailbox
The Best Ways to Manage Your Email Mailbox Although we like to think that we’re well organised, many of us do not have total control over our mailboxes. You must avoid losing control as once your mailbox has grown to over 100 new emails while you keep receiving new...
How Virtual Assistants Can Use The Art Of Storytelling To Attract Clients
How Virtual Assistants Can Use The Art Of Storytelling To Attract Clients Whether you want to touch a nerve, reach a new audience, or increase your Virtual Assistant client base, storytelling is the most powerful tool in your arsenal. As humans, we love a good story,...
The Art of the Discount: How to Never Lower Your Rates Again
The Art of the Discount: How to Never Lower Your Rates Again It’s happened to every VA at one time or another—probably more than once. You offer a proposal or contract, only to have your potential client respond with, “That sounds great, but I can’t afford it.” What...
5 Ways to Keep Yourself Motivated as an Entrepreneur
5 Ways to Keep Yourself Motivated as an Entrepreneur Let’s face it, being an entrepreneur is hard work and can be daunting at times. For those who have never taken the entrepreneurial journey, they may not understand the work, sweat and tears that go into building a...
Budgeting Tips for Virtual Assistants or Freelancers
Budgeting Tips for Virtual Assistants or Freelancers As a Virtual Assistant and Freelancer, you are managing your own income. This type of work sometimes entails certain periods where you’re busy and earning money, and others where you’re not making anything at all....
Time Management Tips for Small Business
Time Management Tips for Small Business Managing time in your business should be a high priority for you as a business owner. Because you want to maximise your profits, you should reduce time spent on non-income producing activities. Here are four tips to manage your...
5 Chrome Productivity Apps for Virtual Assistants
5 Chrome Productivity Apps for Virtual Assistants Working virtually comes with many perks such as managing your own schedule, being in charge of your income and achieving a work-life balance. But at times, it can lead to many distractions that if not paid attention...
How to Identify Your IDEAL Client
How to Identify Your IDEAL Client If there’s one mistake that new—and sometimes even established— Virtual Assistants make, it’s this: failing to develop a clear vision of her ideal client. Too often we think our particular virtual assistant service is “for everyone.”...
How to Advertise Your Services as A Virtual Assistant
How to Advertise Your Services as A Virtual Assistant There are plenty of Virtual Assistants worldwide and now that it’s becoming a more popular method of employment for entrepreneurs, a career in the field can be rewarding. One challenge Virtual Assistants may face...
How Do You Pay Your Virtual Assistant?
How Do You Pay Your Virtual Assistant? So, you’ve hired your first Virtual Assistant – well done! Now begins the work on how you will set her up to complete her work successfully. One of the things you need to set up is payment. How will you pay your Virtual...
How to Balance Work and Home Life
How to Balance Work and Home Life Entrepreneurs are known to be extremely hard on themselves. They overwork their minds and sometimes forget to take a break. When 24 entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders were asked why work/life balance matters to them and why...
The Real Way to Sell Virtual Assistant Services – No More ROI!
The Real Way to Sell Virtual Assistant Services - No More ROI! Want to know what keeps a lot of VAs from charging what they’re really worth? It’s that all-too-common belief that “I am not a sales person.” Combine that with a healthy dose of “It’s rude to discuss...
Why eating healthy is important for Business Productivity – Part 2
Why eating healthy is important for Business Productivity – Part 2 Last week we shared some great healthy eating tips with a few amazing and easy to follow recipes. This week we'll be covering three more delicious recipes for you to follow! Bacon, Cheese and Sweetcorn...
Why eating healthy is important for Business Productivity – Part 1
Why eating healthy is important for Business Productivity - Part 1 HEALTHY BODY = HEALTHY MIND = HAPPY VAASA MEMBER VAASA wish for all our members to be happy and healthy. We all know that healthy and balanced food is important for a great lifestyle. Sometimes work...
Advice from 5 Entrepreneurs About Hiring a Virtual Assistant
Advice from 5 Entrepreneurs About Hiring a Virtual Assistant Admit it, you may have wanted to hire a Virtual Assistant but there are so many questions going through your mind that make you hesitate to go through with it. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Most...
20 Tools Every Virtual Assistant Should Use to Facilitate their Work
20 Tools Every Virtual Assistant Should Use to Facilitate their Work Working as a Virtual Assistant can sometimes be a “one-man show” where you’re left to decide on which tools you will use to facilitate your work. Clients will generally accept your method of doing...
Four Tips to Make Sure You Hire the Best Virtual Assistant
Four Tips to Make Sure You Hire the Best Virtual Assistant The first employee an entrepreneur should hire is a personal assistant in the form of a Virtual Assistant. Not a secretary, call centre agent or admin manager. Here’s why: Your business is still growing and...
How to price your Virtual Assistant Services
How to price your Virtual Assistant Services 1. Figure out your minimum hourly rate How much do you need to make a living? Notice we said “make a living” and not just earn an income. You could charge R25.00 per hour and earn some income, but will that help you pay...
Submit a Request for Proposal to get the Virtual help you need
Submit a Request for Proposal to get the Virtual help you need Finding the right kind of help for your business can be as tricky as training that person to provide the level of support you require. Submitting the right kind of RFP (request for proposal) can either...
How to Use LinkedIn to Promote your Virtual Assistant Business
How to Use LinkedIn to Promote your Virtual Assistant Business LinkedIn is growing at a phenomenal rate. If you have been with LinkedIn for a while you will have noticed the difference between “then and now”. More and more people are realising the importance of...
How to easily overcome the challenges of working from home
How to easily overcome the challenges of working from home Working from home is such a fantastic opportunity not to mention liberating at the same time! It can be a challenge, but as entrepreneurs we know the rewards can be great. As working from home at times can be...
5 Points on what you can avoid when hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA)!
5 Points on what you can avoid when hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA)! Don't hire a VA just because somebody has told you to hire one! Make sure you have a plan! Hiring a VA for the wrong reasons! If you don’t have a business case to justify the hiring of a VA to ensure...
Are you listening to your clients?
Are you listening to your clients? Do you listen to your clients? Do you know and utilise the art of listening? We all believe that we listen to our clients, yet some of us pretend listen. Here are a few examples of pretend listening: Thinking about how you will...
Why hiring a Virtual Assistant will benefit your startup
Why hiring a Virtual Assistant will benefit your Startup So you may have been wondering of late that you would like some help around the office, yet you just can’t seem to get to the point of hiring a full-time employee. “As entrepreneurs, time is our most valuable...
This is for the Entrepreneurs who want a Secret Weapon to Stay at The Top
This is for the Entrepreneurs who want a Secret Weapon to Stay at The Top Congratulations, you are one of the progressing, up and coming, exciting, bold and rocking entrepreneurs in Africa. You have launched your business and know your market. You have a business...
A Healthy Body and Mind makes a Happy VAASA Member
A Healthy Body and Mind makes a Happy VAASA Member VAASA wish for all our members to be happy and healthy. Sometimes work gets in the way of our exercise time and the Pilates, gym or jog is pushed to the bottom of the list. Exercise helps keep our body fit and our...
5 Best productivity tools to get your VA business off the ground
5 Best productivity tools to get your VA business off the ground Having the right tools at your disposal will make a big difference to the success of your new business. And as a new business owner you’re probably doing your best to keep costs down without scrimping on...
Getting the support you need for your VA business!
Getting the support you need for your Virtual Assistant business! Network - a great way to get the word out about what you do is to go out and meet people. Even if these aren’t initially your target market, networking raises your profile in your local business...
How to find quality clients at a networking event?
How to find quality clients at a networking event? Effective Networking by Lori Padgett Choosing a Networking Group Visit as many networking events as possible. Make a mental note of the nature of the event. Are the attendees supportive to one another? Some networking...
How to get your client to delegate tasks to you
How to get your client to delegate tasks to you You’ve signed the new client and you are raring to get started, but you wait and wait for the tasks. Hesitancy to give up control of tasks is definitely a sign that your client needs assistance. As the VA you can...
Top Tips on Offering the Right Services to the Right Clients
Top Tips on Offering the Right Services to the Right Clients A question that VAs often ask - what services they should offer their clients. This will depend on what your client requires, what is in demand, your niche market, your skills, etc. Think about your niche...
The pursuit of Virtual Assistant excellence within South Africa
The pursuit of Virtual Assistant excellence within South Africa Setting up as a VA is an invigorating experience. It’s an exciting and interesting career and if you are dedicated to excellence and professionalism like we are, it is incredibly rewarding. Having been...