Author Archives: Danielle Keister

Dear Gritty VA: What Do You Do When the Client Wants to Jump Ahead/Overstep Your Processes?

September 9, 2009 – 10:00 am

This wasn’t technically submitted as a Dear Gritty VA question, but it was a question asked of me by one of my reviewers who is helping me with my new and updated “Client Consultation Process.” However, it was a perfect question for my column and so I thought I’d turn it into a Dear [...]

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Take the 2009 Virtual Assistant Industry Survey

September 8, 2009 – 6:00 am

Hey, Virtual Assistants! It’s that time of year again!
Each year, the VACOC conducts an industry-wide survey with the purpose of taking a representative, group snap-shot of those who are in the business of providing ongoing administrative support. Virtual Assistants who participate get the survey results report absolutely free!

The theme for this year’s survey is social [...]

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Adding to that Thought

September 7, 2009 – 10:00 am

On my Virtual Assistant forum last week, I shared a fun story from the blog of one of my favorite guys, Mark Merenda, about the cost that do-it-yourselfers and micromanagers incur in their businesses. A sign his auto mechanic keeps in his shop illustrates the light-hearted point perfectly:
Labor: $95 per hour
If you watch: $125
If you [...]

Posted in Business Savvy, Personal Musings, Virtual Assistant/Virtual Assistance | Tagged | Comments (0)

That's Not Your Client's Burden

September 3, 2009 – 10:00 am

You’ve seen them, those charts and cost comparisons on many, many (did I say “many”) Virtual Assistant sites trying to bribe clients into working with them because they are cheaper than employees. Back in my early days, I even had a similar cost comparison. Egads! LOL
But it’s not necessarily true that Virtual Assistants are cheaper [...]

Posted in Business Savvy, Marketing, Virtual Assistant/Virtual Assistance | Comments (5)

Cracking the Whip

September 1, 2009 – 10:00 am

When you go to the store, do you blow in like a hurricane and start barking out orders to every person who crosses your path? Why not? You’re the customer aren’t you? They are in business to serve your needs, aren’t they? You are the very reason for their existence. What does it matter that [...]

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Poll: Help Me Out?

August 31, 2009 – 10:00 am

I’m taking a poll and would really appreciate your input.
If you were joining a membership site or forum, which would you prefer:
A) No monetary fee with the only “cost” required being your active participation and those accounts that don’t comply with the membership participation requirement being deactivated after a specified amount of time.
B) Membership fee [...]

Posted in Fab Ideas | Comments (1)

Dear Gritty VA: Your Advice?

August 26, 2009 – 10:00 am

Dear Gritty VA:
I am starting a Virtual Assistant business to augment my income. I have a full-time job that I am intending to keep. I’ve been working remotely with a client for more than a year (limited hours; I have a lot more on my hand). I consider that as a Virtual Assistant client. I [...]

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Turning Money Away (I know! Crazy, right?)

August 25, 2009 – 10:00 am

Something must be in the water.
A couple weekends ago, an internet marketer paid for advertising (without getting approval first) in The Portable Business™, our ezine for clients. He didn’t submit the form until later. When I went to the link to see what he was wanting to advertise, it was one of those [...]

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Where Is Your Arrow Pointing?

August 24, 2009 – 10:00 am

Last week I had a conversation with a Virtual Assistant who was struggling to get out of nickel and dime project work and find more reliable, consistent clients and income. She wasn’t new to the industry, but so far, she wasn’t having any success in making the leap to retained clients, which is what she [...]

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Free Call Today: The Truth About Anchor Clients

August 20, 2009 – 9:32 am

Hey, there’s still time to sign up: http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/teleseminar.htm
Today, I’ll be talking with Sherri Garrity about landing that “one big client” and why it’s not necessarily manna from heaven. Here’s the scoop:
Anchor Clients: Smooth Sailing or Trouble at Sea?
Many business owners operate with a feast-or-famine business model, meaning they take on whatever work they can get [...]

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