SVA Forum

ExecutiveAssistance · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Posts: 77 Location: Tamworth

Why can't we do a podcast? That's a wicked idea Idea

and would be a great asset to a VA's website especially as I don't thing I've seen anyone else with one yet.

As the majority of our business appears to come from online networking, perhaps producing a podcast about the benefits of a VA would be the next logical way to promote the SVA.

Rather than wax lyrical about the benefits of a VA, we could highlight the value in choosing a member of the SVA - searchable database, adhere to a code of practice that sort of thing.

Although, I wouldn't have the first clue how to do one and I doubt my package would allow me to include one - but then again, I've never tried, and I'm sure Sally is looking forward to the next big challenge! 8)

caroline · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:02 pm Post subject:

See Sally - I didn't even post that one!!! Laughing

I think it would be great - Alan our webhost guru actually looked into podcasting a little while ago for another client, so I'll go and pick his brains, as he always has great gizmos!!

caroline · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:11 pm Post subject:

Okay - don't say I'm not good! http://www.audioacrobat.com/learnmore/learnmore.htm

However it's very amercian and I'm not sure if it would work on a UK phone system.

The alternative is recording an MP3 of a manageable size and having it to download on the site. Any ideas on content? We really need a script....

caroline · Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 5:54 pm Post subject:

Suggested script - not sure if the balance is right, we basically want to give reasons for people using VAs in general and also stress what being an SVA member means...Comments welcomed! It might be a nice idea to have different VAs reading each block as an example of the variety of VAs who we have on our books?

Welcome to the Society Of Virtual Assistants Podcast.

I am <INSERT NAME> of the SocietyOfVirtualAssistants.co.uk and I’ll be guiding you through how using a virtual assistant can help you and your business. We’ll be discussing:
 What is a Virtual Assistant?
 How can using a Virtual Assistant help me?
 What a Virtual Assistant is not.
 How you can find the right Virtual Assistant for you.

 What is a Virtual Assistant?
A Virtual Assistant (VA) provides administrative support and specialised services to businesses, entrepreneurs, executives, managers and other busy people. They are highly skilled independent contractors who make use of the advances in modern technology to complete assignments via the Internet, email, floppy or CD. Traditional methods such as regular mail and overnight courier are also used.

Virtual assistants are available whenever you need them but, unlike a temporary employee, guarantee you the same great service from the same dedicated people every time without the problems associated with employing staff. The majority of virtual assistants have many years’ experience as senior secretaries or personal assistants and who choose, for a variety of reasons, to operate as a virtual assistant, virtual PA or virtual secretary.

 How can using a Virtual Assistant help me?

Benefits of using a VA include:
1. VAs offer flexibility – they are available outside of normal hours, have no minimum hour commitment and are only paid for the hours they work.
2. VAs have a vested interest in the success of your business, so client confidentiality is paramount and they will treat your business as their own.
3. VAs allow you to use the same highly skilled, professional every time you outsource work.
4. You get more time to do what you do best, while leaving the admin to someone else.
5. Your work will be completed to perfection and delivered on time – or ahead of time.
6. No recruitment or agency fees incurred.
7. Your VA will work closely with you to achieve seamless perfection to your projects – no one will ever know it wasn’t completed in-house! That goes for call answering too!
8. No HR headaches like tax, national insurance or employee benefits. Employees and Temps are paid by you for coffee breaks, toilet visits and time taken for personal calls and issues.
9. VAs work from their own offices so you won’t have to organise workspace or equipment for them.
10. VAs come in all different guises – there will be one out there that suits you and your business perfectly!

 What a Virtual Assistant is not
Virtual assistants are highly skilled independent contractors who run their own businesses in a professional and efficient manner. They are not “work at home part-timers”. You should be confident that your VA is fully briefed and able to complete the tasks you delegate to them. As an Approved Society of Virtual Assistants member we sign up to a strict code of conduct where we agree to:
1. Be sufficiently competent in our listed skills to carry out the work you request.
2. Respond to emails sent during business hours within 24 hours.
3. Respond to phone calls during business hours within 24 hours.
4. Have a professional quality website and email systems.
5. Agree to be removed in the event of breaking any of these rules or having more than two complaints levied against us by any client.
So you can be assured of a professional response.

 How you can find the right Virtual Assistant for you.
Virtual Assistants are like Personal Assistants in that they come in many guises and many different personalities – somewhere out there will be the perfect fit for you and your business but you may want to ask yourself a couple of questions before searching for a VA:
1. What skills would I like them to have?
2. What kind of a person am I looking for?
3. What tasks will I be delegating to them? What will they need to be able to do this? (e.g. logos, files, contacts, templates etc).
4. Keep a note of any tasks you do daily, weekly, monthly or annually and what steps you take to complete them. This will act as an invaluable guide for your VA.

Contact us now to discuss what your needs are – we’re happy to help!

ExecutiveAssistance · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Posts: 77 Location: Tamworth

I like it a lot. Will go and have a look see at the site you recommended, but it's definitely on the right lines.

Maybe we should push the benefits of using an SVA member over other VAs. - ie adhere to a code of practice. Perhaps we ought to include a code of ethics? Confidentiality etc.... People feel more secure using someone who is a member of an accredited organisation. This could prove to be a selling point. :P

Maisie418 · Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 10:14 am Post subject:

You're all so techie, pardon my ignorance but what's a podcast?

Vee
_________________
www.hermes-secretarial.co.uk

ASAP Admin · Moderator Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 854 Location: Glasgow

Vee

Definition from the web: Podcast is a method of publishing files to the Internet, allowing users to subscribe to a feed and receive new files automatically by subscription, usually at no cost. It first became popular in late 2004, used largely for audio files.

I think the idea is for the podcast to be audio files on how using a benefit can assist you, etc

Lyns
_________________
Lyndsey Gilchrist
ASAP Admin
Call Team

Maisie418 · Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 11:05 am Post subject:

Thanks for that Lyndsey. :) I really must get myself updated. My only excuse is that when my boss retired in 2004 and was replaced in the Wimbledon office instead of Birmingham, I was given a fill-in job until it was my time to retire. It was a crappy job and I hated it but it kept me very busy with no time to surf the web or do anything except constantly update our database and chase email addresses of members from whose email addresses we had recieved bounce-backs to our outgoing emails. I've learned a lot since retiring and hope to learn a lot more. Thanks again.

Vee
_________________
www.hermes-secretarial.co.uk

ASAP Admin · Moderator Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 854 Location: Glasgow

I have just spoken with another VA who has gave me some info on podcasting: -

*Content should not just be an advertisement for business
* Give away tips and information to the listener and get them to look at your website
* The script should be something that the listeners will find invaluable and want to come back to listen to the next one
* The script should sound natural and flow easily,
* The content should relate to your business and give some information to your target market
* Podcasts are similar to articles but are more intimate as it is your voice
* Have an intro with music

Links to check out: -
* http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
* http://www.podpress.org/

L
_________________
Lyndsey Gilchrist
ASAP Admin
Call Team

Sally@Stonetext · Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 4:59 pm Post subject:

I am DEFINITELY NOT volunteering for this one!!

As so many clients seem to require audio transcription it might be worthwhile doing a How To Make a Decent Transcription Recording. Could do great sound effects on it.
_________________
Sally
Stonetext Online Admin Services www.stonetext.co.uk
Spida Web & Graphic Design www.spidawebdesign.co.uk

Please help to support SVA by donating to: http://tinyurl.com/37urec

ASAP Admin · Moderator Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 854 Location: Glasgow

Sally

There are tips for this on the blog. Here is the link http://scottishvirtualassistants.blogspot.com/2006/10/successful-recording-tips.html

Lyns
_________________
Lyndsey Gilchrist
ASAP Admin
Call Team

ExecutiveAssistance · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Posts: 77 Location: Tamworth

Have just checked out that link Lindsay about podcasting and it's a really useful one. Thanks!

Is it worth adding to the Links page on the forum so we can find it again?

ASAP Admin · Moderator Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 854 Location: Glasgow

Added to the Links page on the forum.
_________________
Lyndsey Gilchrist
ASAP Admin
Call Team

ExecutiveAssistance · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Posts: 77 Location: Tamworth

Thanks Lyns - I suppose I could have done that myself!!!

caroline · Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 6:59 pm Post subject:

I feel a podcasting best practice guide coming on....These guides are going to be available free to download on the new sales page, just as soon as I get Alan pinned down - literally! Laughing

(For anyone who doesn't know Alan of www.cmmc.co.uk, he came along to our latest face-to-face meeting, set up this forum and is our webhost too!!)

Anyone volunteering to tweak the script please feel free....