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Top Ten Posts of the Day
Posted By: Jerri G
Posted On: 01 September 2010 - 04:36 AM | Title: Digital Signature
I'm feeling a bit funny asking this but, what are digital signatures and how do I get one. I wrote my signature on paper and tried to scan it, that didn't work, I coud barely see it. Then I put another piece of paper on top and adjusted the darkness that still didn't work. What am I doing wrong? I see some posts that read scan in your signature. But to where and how?  I want to be able to digitally sign my contracts and certain documents. |
Comments: 9 :: View Comments |
Posted By: Dana Fortier
Posted On: 31 August 2010 - 08:57 AM | Title: Stick-Tight Clients
Let me first say, I really, really like this client. Warm, funny, great to be with, we always end up laughing during our phone calls.
Bad: Because we get off-topic, we don't get anything accomplished.
Here's what I've been doing for the past two years: we have a bi-weekly phone call (usually an hour) and when we get off the phone, I realize we covered only about 1/3 of what we needed to cover, so I send an email with my questions. Client responds with partial answers, or, at worst, no answers at all.
I fired the client 4 months ago, but had loose ends to wrap up.
Four months later, (this week), I again fired the client. Client won't let go. Wants to "re-establish our relationship".
Problem is: I'm focusing my business somewhere else, and plus I've gotten VERY DEFINITE about who my clients will be. And this client doesn't fit the profile in any way, shape or form.
Second part of my problem - I know anyone I could possibly refer this client to wouldn't appreciate the humor and warmth, so what do I do?
I really don't want to keep this client, but I can't focus my energy effectively if I keep this client. |
Comments: 11 :: View Comments |
Posted By: Julie1975
Posted On: 30 August 2010 - 03:39 PM | Title: Oil and Gas Companies
| Has anyone or does anyone work with Oil and Gas companies? If so what has been your experience with them and also how did you find they responded to the idea of a Virtual Assistant? They are my ideal client as I have a fair bit of experience working in that industry. I have had some clients from smaller companies but not much from the bigger companies that use staffing agencies for their contract work. Those staffing agencies also tack on a 10-20 percent increase to the rate to cover their services. I feel that a Virtual Assistant would be much more cost effective for them as well as a benefit to their business. Any thoughts on this or experiences? |
Comments: 1 :: View Comments |
Posted By: AssistingOthersVirtually
Posted On: 30 August 2010 - 06:47 AM | Title: Craigslist, Kijiji and other advertising avenues
Hello All!
Happy Monday morning!
I have been exploring different websites to advertise and promote services I offer. Does anyone get serious clients from websites like Craigslist or Kijiji? I have been advertising on Craigslist and find that the responses are ridiculous - people are just joking around or if I do get a non-joking inquiry the person just wants to find out what my location is or what is my URL. I have read other posts in this forum as well and responses seem to indicate that Craigslist is not the place to find ideal clients and most people who search on Craigslist are looking for bargains. Yet I have read other posts where some VAs on virtual assistant forums have indicated they have found good clients on Craigslist to work with. Mixed signals  and I'm not sure I want to continue to advertise on Craigslist. I have posted an ad on Kijiji but with no responses.
I do network at different networking opportunities with BNI, Chambers of Commerce and women's groups because I don't think it's wise to rely on only one way to advertise or promote my business.
Any feedback or advice is appreciated.
Thanks,
Barb |
Comments: 2 :: View Comments |
Posted By: KarenSalter
Posted On: 30 August 2010 - 06:01 AM | Title: How would you respond to this?
I'm curious about how other VA's would respond to this situation.
Background - I worked for Raven on a barter basis for over a year. Hours in return for advertising and promotion. I completed the terms of the agreement and she kept asking for more and more. In the process I learned that her sphere of influence was not nearly what she represented it to be. I did a few hours work for her at a reduced rate. Then when I "drew the line" and said our barter agreement is complete. She agreed and went and bartered with another VA. At that time she pulled all advertising and promotion of me off her site and radio program. I received two short term clients from this - one was a project basis and one I had to struggle to get paid for work completed. This was over a year ago when it all "ended."
Fast forward to last month, a person contacts me about doing some work. Raven referred her. I send Raven a note and say thanks.
My policy for referrals: current clients receive 1 hour service for anyone referred who SIGNS a retainer agreement. Non clients/past clients get a thank you. I have never had any complaints about this and 95% of my business comes from referrals.
So I get the following emails from Raven:
From: Raven
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2010 2:16 PM
To: Karen Salter
Subject: ******** now your client....how cool is that 
Karen do I get any referral bonus or free service forreferring *******,,,she is my dear friend and she a huge client you'll benefit big time from. I am suprised you never told me I heard it from her after I sent her copies of things you did for me and really solde her on using you
On Sun, Aug 29, 2010 at 5:27 PM, Karen wrote:
Hi Raven,
Yes, I think **** is very happy with the work I’ve done for her so far. She is very good to work with.
My referral policy is 1 hour free service for each referral. This is not priority service so you need to give me plenty of notice when you want to use it.
Virtually yours,
Karen Salter
From: Raven
Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2010 8:20 PM
To: karen@saltervirtualassistants.com
Subject: Re: **** now your client....how cool is that
okay ...how much in advance?
On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 6:50 AM, Karen Salter wrote:
2 weeks for a small 1 hour project.
Virtually yours,
Karen Salter
From: Raven
So I give you a huge client and all I get is a small 1 hour project okay I'll keep that in mind. I do know other people to refer her and others to |
Comments: 10 :: View Comments |
Posted By: AmandaB
Posted On: 26 August 2010 - 07:53 PM | Title: First Client????
A Coworker came by my desk at work today and handed me a business card, and told me this guy needs some web maintenance and social media help, and she told him about me. She didn't have my cards on her (I supplied her with a whole handful more right then, lol), but she told him she would pass his info on to me.
Just based on what I can see from the little research I've been able to do, this could be my first client. I've sent him an e-mail introducing myself and inviting him to meet (he's local) to discuss what I can do for him.
Wish me luck!!! |
Comments: 8 :: View Comments |
Posted By: Gemini
Posted On: 24 August 2010 - 10:19 AM | Title: 1 Shopping Cart Help
Hi all, have a client who needs 1SC help ASAP. She assured me in the beginning everything was fine and didn't need much assistance, I was concerned as it is a complex program and I'm not very familiar with it. But she's trying to send out her first newsletter, used me as a test and I received "globbly-gook" huh: Not sure if this is the right place to post but if someone is very knowledgeable about 1SC and first-time setup, etc. my client and I would sincerely appreciate it!
Also...separate topic...where is the RFP section? things have changed, it's been a while since I've been on...thank you  |
Comments: 5 :: View Comments |
Posted By: KarenSalter
Posted On: 23 August 2010 - 07:09 AM | Title: Someone who answers phones
Hi,
I had a gentleman call me today who wants someone to actually answer their phones. I don't do that because I don't like to be tied to my desk. I know I spoke to someone from Texas who does this but for the life of me I can't remember who?? If it's you, please email me and I will give you this guys info.
BTW, I also suggested he do an RFP here on vanetworking.
-Karen |
Comments: 1 :: View Comments |
Posted By: Patty M.
Posted On: 22 August 2010 - 09:14 PM | Title: When a Domain is not available...
I just checked domain.com to see if the name I'm interested in using is available, and it is not. But, I was given several alternative domain possibilities using .co or .biz or several other options to tack onto the name before the final .com
I know this sounds silly, but my question is this - does any of this affect a keyword search, or anything else I should be aware of?
And, if the domain is not available, that probably also means that the company name is also taken so that I can't use it, correct?
Thanks for any help in this direction.
Patty M |
Comments: 4 :: View Comments |
Posted By: Patty M.
Posted On: 21 August 2010 - 07:13 PM | Title: Anyone with experience providing admin support to a financial planner?
Ok, so it's been a while since I've worked on Wall Street, but I have a potential client who needs a VA to do admin work for a financial planner, filling out forms, managing accounts, etc.
Has anyone here done anything like that? I was wondering if there is any particular software needed to do this virtually, and what might be unique to this type of client.
Any help or insight would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Patty M. |
Comments: 2 :: View Comments |
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