Start Up VAs
Offering Call Answering as a VA
Call answering – how do I charge for it? We get asked about answering calls on behalf of clients often enough that we started copying and pasting the answers from old call answering threads… So we thought we’d do a blog post on it instead! The first thing I’ll say about answering phones: You cannot…
Read MoreHow many secretarial skills do you use in your VA business?
Had an interesting chat recently with Rosemary Parr who runs Scottish PA Network – we were chatting about the different skillsets VAs and PAs have…and that’s why the transition can sometimes be difficult. I thought it might be useful to run a poll: Certainly on the SVA Forum there’s some debate about what is unique…
Read MoreVAT Registration – for VAs!
It is very unlikely that you will have to register for VAT, at least initially, as a virtual assistant. You only have to register if: Your turnover (the amount you invoice your clients) for the previous 12 months is more than £85,000, the threshold at the time of writing, OR You expect to go over…
Read MoreTackling Late Payments
The Small Business Commissioner, Paul Uppal, has been tasked with tackling late payments for small businesses… We all know the pain of juggling cashflow because a client has been late to pay. The knock on effect means you can’t pay your own suppliers – or maybe it means you are late paying household bills? Getting…
Read MoreVirtual Assistant Insurance
Virtual Assistant Insurance Over the years we’ve done a variety of articles on why virtual assistant insurance is needed: Virtual Assistant Insurance Claims – what can go wrong? VA Nightmares Policy Bee – our recommended insurer And we included professional indemnity insurance in our VA Standards for Approved VAs who appear on our FIND A…
Read MoreVirtual Assistant Directory Advertising – is it worth it?
We’ve had a few virtual assistant directory sites pop up offering advertising recently. I typed out a long response on whether I thought it was was using these on one of the Facebook groups and thought it was worth posting here too: Why not use a Virtual Assistant Directory? Over the years we’ve had VA…
Read MoreTop 10 Tips for Becoming a Virtual Assistant
SVA put together 10 baby-steps to becoming a Virtual Assistant – a must-read for any aspiring assistant!
Read MorePrice increase letters
Over the years we’ve been asked for examples of price increase letters – each VA business is different and you will know your clients best, but here’s a few ideas about how you can increase your virtual assistant rates without alienating the clients. Why raise your virtual assistant rates? Firstly, remember that your clients will…
Read MoreVirtual Assistant Rates: Should I lower my VA charges?
It’s the eternal battle… Income vs High Rates. If you have carefully crafted your virtual assistant rates to reflect your experience, your costs, the quality of your work and your ability to continue in business, can you afford to work for less? Should you work for less? (Still struggling with calculating your rate? Check out…
Read MoreGet Virtual Assistant Clients Now!
About Caroline Caroline has been a Virtual Assistant (VA) since 2004 in her business, Virtually Sorted. With a background in music and advertising, she worked in the creative industries for over 10 years, both in London and Glasgow. Trying to avoid wearing a suit every day, Caroline switched into entrepreneur mode and has never looked…
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