Exploring A Career As A Virtual Assistant – Virtual Book Tour Stops Here!
July 29, 2009
This blog is quickly becoming a place for all books about virtual assistance, and that thrills me to no end! Today we have another Virtual Book Tour stop here at the blog and in full disclosure, the book belongs to ME!
I have recently launched my book Exploring A Career As A Virtual Assistant and I’m currently on virtual tour to promote it! The book was a natural next step from the class I teach at the University of Wisconsin through the Minicourse departmentcalled Exploring A Career As A Virtual Assistant (new class dates coming up in September and October!). The class has had great response based on the ever growing interest in the Virtual Assistance industry and the current job market conditions that have people exploring their career options more vigorously than ever before. I wrote the book so that people beyond driving distance to the University can learn much of the same information that I share in class from the comfort and convenience of their own home. After all, this is a book about working virtually, so sharing the information off site is a natural fit! You can read a free sample from the book by clicking here.
As part of this tour stop, I am available today to answer your burning questions about the Virtual Assistance industry! Post your question by leaving a Comment below. I will respond in the Comments section so be sure to check back!
To celebrate the book’s launch, I have a few goodies to offer my readers. The first is a 20% discount off the purchase of the book. Simply use the promo code THANKYOU during check out.
The second is that one lucky ready will receive a free copy of the eBook version of the book! To be eligible to win, you simply need to post a question about Virtual Assistance in the comments section of this post. The winner will be chosen at random and announced here in a couple of days.
The book is currently available for immediate download via an eBook (pdf) format and in hard copy. To purchase the book, click here.
July 30, 2009 at 2:07 am
I hope this is correct.
I’m in the process of starting my VA business. What are some of the best ways to get clients that you have gleened from your experience? Also, when you have no clients what do you tell people that ask you for client referrals? Thanks
July 30, 2009 at 5:43 am
Hi Rhonda!
In my experience, the best client source has been referrals from friends, family, current and past clients. There is no overhead in procuring those opportunities, and “a friend of a friend” usually helps in the “get to know you” phase of exploring the opportunity.
Additionally, I graduated from the Virtual Training Program through AssistU. AssistU has a Registry that alumni/community members in good standing can subscribe to (for an annual fee). Excellent potential client opportunities come through this source. To learn more about AssistU, visit http://www.assistu.com.
Another nugget of advice I like to give is to simply tell people you know what you are doing. When people ask “What’s new?” Tell them! You never know where those types on conversations will lead.
Are you asking about references in your second question? If so, I recommend putting together short “Testamonials” about you personally and professionally. Even though you have not had a client yet, try to think of people that could comment on your abilities as an administrative professional – co-workers, past bosses, a group you may have volunteered with/for in the past… Eventually put that info on your web site (be sure to get permission from the sources to reprint). Then when the question comes up you can refer interested people to that part of your web site.
Thanks for your questions!
Best,
Jessica