Most virtual assistants (especially new start-up online assistants) are looking for new ways to attract businesses looking for virtual assistant services. One way to get businesses and new clients to start calling you for your virtual services is to be an established name or expert in the industry. But how do you do that? Want to know how to stand out from the crowd – even without an advertising budget?

Here are four easy ways you can do it, even if you’re just starting out >>>

#1 Leave Your Own Comments on Virtual/Remote Worker Industry Blogs

It’s time to showcase your expertise by posting your own name and virtual business on established blog sites.  We recently had a virtual team expert post a comment on our Virtual Team Intelligence Blog.  The information he posted showcased his expertise in the world of Virtual Team Building. By posting a comment, he put his name out there for others to see. Next time our readers want advice on managing virtual team meetings – he just may be the “go to guy” they think of.

Virtual Assistant Biz Tip: Select a virtual assistant blog article that you feel you can add value to.  Select a subject that allows you to showcase your expertise to businesses looking for virtual assistant services. Make your comment and be sure to post your name for all to see. Start with this article by telling us what ways you use to help your clients stand out!

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To attract your ideal virtual assistant clients, you need to know exactly who your ideal client is, and what it is that your client is looking for. Do you really know what types of businesses are actually looking for virtual assistant services?  Do you know what specific virtual assistant services they are looking for? There is a huge demand out there for online services – you just need to know where to look, and how to implement client attracting strategies into your business plan.

If you take consistent action to attract new clients to your virtual business, set yourself up right, and follow through on your business plan, I promise  >>>  you’ll never have to look for a new client again!

Here are 5 clever tools you can use to get new clients knocking at your virtual door…

#1 Find out what virtual assistant services or online services are in greatest demand – locally and internationally

Are your clients searching online, and if so what services are they searching for?  One brilliant tool you can use to find out is Google Analytics.A recent session on Google Analytics revealed to me two new services in demand for virtual assistants. What virtual assistant services or skills do you have that you don’t even know there is a huge demand for? There is huge potential that you should be tapping into right now.   Contact us for a discovery session to find out where your hidden money potential is hiding out online.

Recommended Tool for Virtual Assistants: Google Analytics

#2 Attract your potential VA clients by showcasing your expertise.

Contributing to a blog is one of the BEST ways to showcase your virtual assistant or online business expertise. By providing rich content and valuable information via your blog, your potential client will desire your online services, before they even speak with you.

It’s important you’re blog is professional and structured the right way to make a full impact.  It also needs to be structured in a way that attracts potential clients looking for the specific services you’re offering.

Recommended Virtual Assistant Tool: How To Blog Guide Online

#3 Discover what virtual services your potential client really wants and adjust your offer to suit their needs

Engage your potential virtual assistant clients before you speak with them.  That way you know exactly what they are looking for when they come to you. A great tool is Survey Monkey. You can set up a survey/simple questionnaire and add it to your site to discover the kinds of services your potential client is looking for, BEFORE you event speak with them.

Recommended Virtual Assistant Tool: Survey Monkey

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In a virtual team you don’t have the luxury of seeing someone working intently on a project outside your office door.  Where are your virtual workers based? Are they working remotely in your local area or are they scattered across the globe, in a completely different time zone?

There is a large element of trust involved when working with someone on the other side of the world that you cannot see in action.  You trust your virtual team members are loyal and that they put 100% into the projects they are assigned.  But, have you ever had that sneaking feeling that someone on your virtual team isn’t “pulling their weight” or perhaps they are “slacking off” on the job?

As with the typical work environment the majority of virtual workers take pride in their professionalism and wouldn’t dream of “slacking off” on the job.  They value their reputation and the benefits they get working virtually.  In my experience, I have found virtual workers highly productive and committed to the projects assigned to them.  However, from time to time you’ll see the little signs creeping in.  Little signs that someone on your team isn’t performing their best.  Signs they could actually be ripping you off!  Taking it easy while you pay for the time they work.  A costly mistake for your virtual business and one that can be avoided.

Here are a few signs to keep a look out for and what you can do about them: Continue reading

Health professionals tell us we need to drink more water.  Do you know the best way to drink more water in a day?  Use a bigger glass 🙂

It’s no different in your virtual assistant business.  One of the easiest ways to increase your income as a Virtual Assistant is to increase your range of services or specialist skills.

You already have a client base who love your work, and if you can offer a service that benefits their business you have automatically increased your income.

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Here’s a list of 15 x handy desktop tools and online software solutions for remote virtual teams (many of them available for free).   Use these tools to help your virtual team improve organisation, communication and performance.

#1 Online remote team collaboration software – keep the team communicating and together! http://www.centraldesktop.com/

#2  International time zones and meeting planner – an essential tool when planning an international virtual meeting http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

#3  Automated Online appointment scheduling – will save you or your virtual assistant hours of time spent co-ordinating your diary across multiple time zones. http://www.timetrade.com/

#4  Create virtual training videos from your screen – great for capturing screen training with virtual team members http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html

#5  Meeting with your team and clients virtually.  Make your virtual team meetings interactive and exciting.  Share screens and talk face to face with the video conferencing facility.  ShowMyPC Meetings and Remote Support

#6  Send large files to your clients and remote workers across the  globe http://www.sendbigfiles.com/

#7  Calling Codes for every country in the world – http://www.countrycallingcodes.com/

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Looking for some creative virtual team building activities to build virtual team morale, loyalty and trust? Many techniques you currently use in the typical work team environment can be adapted for your virtual team, remote working environment. Here are three ideas for you to try.  Take these ideas and adapt them to your own virtual office culture and the individual needs of your virtual team.

Take an “online” coffee break with key virtual team members

Who said you can’t have an intimate coffee online with one of your virtual team members.  It’s just about being a little creative and organized.

Boost your virtual relationships by getting to know each of your virtual team on a personal level.  Invite them for an online virtual coffee.  Send them a voucher or gift card from their local coffee shop chain. Starbucks have gift card plans available.  Or better still arrange for a desk top coffee machine for your favorite virtual team members.

Send an invitation with your gift or card to join you for coffee. On the invitation include the time and online video conferencing details you’ll be using to host your coffee date! Your virtual assistant will be able to help you arrange this if you don’t know where to start!

When it’s time for coffee, open your video conferencing facility (you can have your virtual coffee in your own office take-away style or right at your local coffee shop using Wi-Fi). Be prepared with some ice-breaker style questions in mind and some interesting projects to discuss (just like you would for a typical coffee break).

With all this in place, go and make the appointment.  Enjoy this ultimate virtual team building activity at your next coffee break with one of your remote workers or a virtual team member!

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If you want to travel and work online via the internet there are a number of options available to you.  Here are just three ways (tried and tested) that will have you embracing the virtual lifestyle.  The virtual working way of life gives you the laptop lifestyle – freedom to travel while still earning a living via the internet.

It’s simple – just requires a little investment of either your money or time.  But believe me it is all worth it.  Being able to adventure around Australia, US, Vietnam, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland makes it a small investment with a huge reward!

#1 Blog Creation & WordPress Website Design

This is one of the most in demand virtual services we are seeing at the moment.  If you want to know how to create and set-up WordPress blogs for clients check out this awesome low-cost resource… http://howtoblogguideonline.com/. Once you’ve got the skills and resources you can put them into practice and earn money from anywhere in the world – as long as you have an internet connection!

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Are you embracing all the benefits your virtual work lifestyle is offering you?

Here’s part 2 of the presentation “7 Healthy Habits for Successful Virtual Workers”.

Enjoy!

Is your virtual office lifestyle slowly killing you?

Are you embracing the true benefits of a virtual working lifestyle or are you perhaps finding yourself glued to your computer for hours at a time?

Are you enjoying the freedom of travel and a lifestyle that the true virtual remote work lifestyle offers you or are you feeling imprisoned by your clients, team and clashing time zones?

Here’s a reminder of 7 essential habits of the highly effective virtual worker!

Enjoy the slideshow (Part 1)…

“Who said nerves were a bad thing.  It means you care, so embrace them for success”

If you’re a seasoned virtual business owner, then chances are you find meeting with a potential client for the first time both exciting and rewarding.   However, if you’re new to the virtual assistant industry and the whole meeting with a client via video conferencing scares the life out of you, then these tips are for you. Enjoy!

#1 Get familiar with the technology before you meet…And test it out first.

Don’t leave this until the last minute.  If you’re confident with the technology you’ll feel confident inside about conversing with your client. I do recommend video conferencing because that gives your client the chance to see your real professionalism in action – just like they would, if they were meeting with you in a typical work environment.

6 more tips waiting for you here.  Some may surprise you! Continue reading