Virtually Speaks

In the greater scheme of things…I am continuing to learn that life, career, and business is not about me, but who I serve.  We cannot be successful/fulfilled until we realize it’s all about those we serve and assist.  Providing a service is truly for the benefit of the client, yes I receive an income in doing so, but it’s truly about the clients need.

The other day I had an enlightening conversation with an older gentleman that I highly respect.  I have known him for a very short time, we met at my part-time position. He has been a tax professional part-time for many years.  He told me that he does what he does to serve others.  He is always up, always smiling, and he said his job is not about him, but those that he serves. He is very involved in his church and serves in ALL aspects of his life.

I have seen the results of his years of service.  He has been completing taxes for at least nine years.  His clients return year after year to have them complete his taxes.  As we all know, it is difficult to find someone we can completely trust when it comes to our taxes.  They know he is going to be knowledgeable, honest, and most importantly a person of high integrity.  I have spoken with his clients time after time that are willing to do whatever it takes to arrange their schedules to meet with him.

Soooo – who are you here to serve?

There have been occasions that I have received calls from a potential client and their first question is “What Do You Do?“.  I give my 30 second response and wait.  The next question is “How much do you charge?”.  My sales response is to then ask them open-ended questions so that I can then mirror their responses to my solutions.  (My corporate training kicks in) This type of potential client is not prepared to hire a VA.  (My opinion)

Then there are those that call and have questions prepared.  I love them…They know what they want, they have an idea already how long each task takes, and most importantly they are ready to make a profit.  This type of potential client is already aware that if they hire a VA, they can make more money.  Once they hire a VA they will be able to spend more time on their revenue generating activities vs. their non-revenue generating activities…bottom line.

They also recognize that we DO help them make a profit because we have knowledge that they can leverage on some of their marketing plans.  Some of us have experience of marketing plans that are working, and some that are not.  We probably did something right in our own marketing along the way after all “they” found us, right?

So if you are not ready, here are a few tips that hopefully help you prepare to hire a VA…THEN profit:

Step 1 – Identify the tasks that are NOT bringing in any money but ARE necessary.

Be specific.  In many cases the VA has the experience and skills to handle many of the tasks.  Quite often we can lend advice on the specific details and possibly help you expand the task. But to avoid confusion later, make sure you know exactly what items you want completed.

Step 2 – Have an idea of how long it will take to complete each of the tasks.

This is key.  When you are hiring someone to do something for you, we all hate to feel like we were taken advantage of.  Again, be specific.  I have received three different clients because the person they hired took too long to accomplish the task.  It wasn’t that they didn’t know how, but it took longer than they expected, so an expectation was not communicated.  There is nothing wrong with asking the questions up front to make sure the two of you are on the same page, and there aren’t unreasonable expectations.  If the VA says well I think it would take about this long, find out why…it just may be worth it, the VA may take the task to the next level.  Another reason for you to let go of it.

Step 3 – Add up the time and determine how you want to pay for the support.

Once you have the tasks identified, length of time for each task, add it up and determine how much time you need a VA.  Determine if this is daily, weekly, or monthly.  Think about if this is something that I need to have done every week. What time are you receiving back so you can make more money?…Average the hours and determine if you want to budget to pay hourly, project, or retainer.  What is best for your budget? You may be able to start on a trial to see how it pans out.

Step 4 – Now that you are prepared – it’s time to find a VA that matches your need – Invest in the time.

As you were deciding on the tasks that you need to outsource, hopefully you have created a list of skills needed to accomplish those tasks…Now would be a great time to utilize that.  Invest in the time to research.  Ask a colleague for a referral.  There are several places to find VA’s…Many forums, organizations, VA training organizations that list VA’s.  Of course, if you are already on social networks like Twitter. Linked-In, Plaxo, and Facebook, you can always search them as there are several of us out there networking.  I highly suggest you speak with more than one of us.  Once you determine a match of skill level, you also want to get a feel for personality.  Will your personality match with their personality?  Again, that may be another reason to trial it for a month or so to see if the two of you gel…Be upfront, and honest!

Step 5 – You have decided…The work begins

There is always a learning curve.  A learning curve for you to understand the processes that VA uses, a learning curve for the VA to understand your process.  Hopefully as thing progress, you will begin to have written processes/systems if you don’t have them already.  Once you get through that learning curve…take a moment and reflect on if this is working or not…if so…ahhhh…breath…move into that next step of profiting because now you have time to focus on THAT!  Now you can give more time to the clients/customers you already have and there is space to invite more in….Ain’t life grand?

I have been soo busy this new year that I forgot to celebrate my “5” years as a Virtual Assistant!

Congratulations to me!!

It’s not always easy, and I still have a long way to go.  But the one thing that has sustained me is the “confidence” that I have in my abilities to make it happen.  Don’t get me wrong, there are moments that my confidence is shaky, but I pull myself up, dust off, and put that next step forward to achieve what is necessary.

What I find most interesting is that I have made it this far!

When life is in session, and all the various things occur..it’s amazing when you take a moment to look back to see how you got there. I work extremely hard to look at the half full glass and keep steppin’.  Yep, some moments do not always appear half full, but I quickly, consciously, and intentionally reject the negative thoughts when they try to creep in.  After all if I don’t, how can I expect the positive energy to take over…I wanna dwell in the positive!

This stepping stone has caused me to reflect on “what” have I done differently that helped me to achieve this step.  I worked for a major corporation for 24 years and like soo many others, my job was eliminated.  The next day, I heard the term, “virtual assistant”.  I instantly knew what I was “destined” to do versus trying to find another position at the corporation. I really had an epiphany.  I have to admit, thinking about that right now…brings such a positive flow of energy into me and I “know” that I “know”  everything will work out.

In my humble opinion, “confidence” is one of the main drivers that leads us to accomplishment.  Regardless of what business, career or whatever one does to gain income, one must have confidence that this process/journey is going to work out. We must have the confidence that we will be able to perform the necessary tasks to achieve the goal we set forth. We must have confidence in ourselves before we can expect anyone else to have confidence in our abilities.

A salesperson cannot sale if they are not confident in the product they are selling…back it up even more, they can’t “sale” if they don’t have the confidence in themselves to be a salesperson.  It can be the best product in the world, but if you don’t have the confidence in yourself, the buyer will know immediately.

Relationships with clients are built on confidence…your confidence to serve them, their confidence in your abilities to complete their request.

You could not have convinced me 5 1/2 years ago that I would know how to publish a website, or edit with HTML.  I had no clue how a website even showed up! Matter of fact, when it was time to put up my first website, I hired someone else to do it.  I quickly realized that I was so visual, I could not convey what I wanted.  I purchased software, bought a template, created my content and asked someone how to publish it.

There are many requests that I have received from clients that I did not know how to do. BUT my confidence has taught me that I will figure it out.  I do know my limitations, but I will make every attempt to make it happen and quickly.

“Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.”….Peter T. Mcintyre

I am ok with saying, oops I was wrong. I am proud of my achievement…I am not afraid of what is in my future for I am CONFIDENT…it will be one of greatness, success, joy, love, and much happiness.  Are you confident?