It's survey time again!

Last August, the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce conducted its first annual survey of the Virtual Assistant profession. Over 3,000 Virtual Assistants worldwide, primarily from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia were personally invited to participate, and the response was tremendous!

The survey yielded over 71 pages of data--it's the best representative cross-section taken and most in-depth, comprehensive information available in the industry today. AND... everyone who participates gets a FREE copy of the survey results. You don't even need to be a member!
Participation is completely anonymous to ensure the highest level of participation and the most candid, forthright responses. The survey is open to anyone who:

-self-identifies as a Virtual Assistant;
-has an open practice (not closed or in planning stages);
-has at least 5 years secretary/administrative assistant experience of some form;
-works for themselves and is not a member of a virtual staffing agency;
-and offers primarily services that are administrative in nature.

There are 97 multiple-choice questions in the survey, and three optional free-form questions. The survey is very fast-paced, should only take you 20-30 minutes tops to complete. Survey sections include:

Individual Demographics
General Business Demographics
Experience & Credentials
Clients/Target Markets
Hours
Pricing
Employees & Subcontractors
Services
Marketing
Training & Continuing Education
Success, Profitability & Entrepreneurship
Industry Organizations
Industry Training Programs
Professional Standards & Ethics
Be part of history! And don't forget to tell your colleagues!

The VACOC is contacted constantly by the media for information on Virtual Assistance. The information collected by our survey has been absolutely instrumental in creating more awareness about the Virtual Assistant profession, getting more accurate articles written about the Virtual Assistant industry, and creating a more informed, better educated marketplace--all of which helps YOU get more clients.

By participating in this survey you become part of that history and play an instrumental role in helping us make Virtual Assistance a household term. Visit the survey page here at http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/survey.htm.

The more Virtual Assistants participate, the better results and exposure for the Virtual Assistant industry overall!

Let your opinion count !

A Graduate-Level Course for Assistants , Virtual Assistants & Interns

And why I say: Thanks, but no thanks!

I admit, I am not perfect and certainly not somebody who knows it all but reading the newest “training” program designed to “help” the VA industry just get’s my blood boiling…

There is no need for “my” client to send me to a course to help him write better press releases or to write a media kit for him BECAUSE that’s not what I offer in the first place. Would I be interested in offering such a service I certainly would not chose a course, which consists of a total of five (5) days training course, featuring 10 hours of live training. It took me years to perfect the knowledge I have now – how can someone in his or her right mind believe that they can learn enough to be a "Lean, Mean Publicity Machine " in just five days ???

Don’t get me wrong, I am all about learning and educating myself,which is a lifelong process, but I know where my strengths and limits are as well as I do know that courses such like the offered one by a well known publicity ‘expert’ is nothing but another way of making big bucks in a quick way. And no, I am not talking about you making money :)

If you ara a VA in the making and you come across any of those courses, think long and hard before you spend your hard earned money !

If you are business owner and you are looking for somebody who knows what they are doing without sending them to "courses" because all of the Ladies presented there are experts in their field simply visit VACOC

The $8.00/hr Virtual Assistant

I come across plenty of ads on craigslist.org and other places for a Virtual Assistant or an Administrative Assistant on a contract basis – the job requirements go from simply taking or making phone calls to a list a half-page long.

What really blows my mind is if the qualifications and knowledge request is as long as half a DinA4 page, how can the pay offered be only $8-15.00/hr?

Here is a great example :

“QUALIFICATIONS:
• Must have Microsoft Word experience and knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Types at least 50 wpm with tremendous attention to detail (grammar & spelling)
• Relevant degree or equivalent
• Minimum of 2 years working experience in a business environment with a customer service focus
• Professional and polished image a must
• Excellent written and oral language skills
• Ability to multi-task with confidence
• Familiarity with Website maintenance
• Understanding of and adherence to standard business protocol
• Can establish, develop, maintain and update filing systems
• Research various topics and collect information to support various projects, at the President’s request
• Create PowerPoint presentations, and occasionally work with the Designer to put together client materials and information
• Can manage the backend operations for teleclasses
• Prepare frequent web statistical reports as requested
• Has a computer at home for 'home work'
• Has dependable transportation

“The starting rate is $12-$15/hour and bonuses are possible. The person will be paid as a 1099 and will have a current/valid business license within Scottsdale, is bonded and has their own liability insurance. There is no benefit plan. Start date is June after 6/11 (hopefully sooner if we find the right person right away).”

How can they expect someone in his or her right mind, with a solid education AND business knowledge to accept work at pay like that? How is it that they want to “hire” the person on a contractor basis? This is an oxymoron in itself, by the way.

Now for anyone out there who is thinking about signing on as an independent contractor for a low hourly rate, I would like to ask you to have a look at the free service-pricing sheet offered by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce. It is a great tool to discover what you need to charge to cover all your costs including insurance and taxes.

If you go to through the process, you will quickly realize that a rate of $8-$15/hr is anything but realistic, especially if you have to pay your own taxes, insurance etc.

Working from home - Dream vs. Reality

Honestly, if you ask my Husband about what I am doing, his answer will be something like: My wife stays at home.

In his mind, I go back to sleep after getting up with him early in the morning to prepare his coffee and will probably wake-up again around 10am – most certainly to let in the maid who, of course, I pay with his salary. The maid takes care of the house, gets the laundry and the ironing done, as well as taking the dogs for several walks, and prepares the food shortly before she leaves the house. If I could only train her to do the Virtual Assistance work as well :) . . . Oh no, let me correct that -- I am NOT working, not really. Working from home means sitting on the sofa, eating chocolate and watching all the newest shows and soaps. Did I mention lying at the pool as well?

Reality looks a little different though. Yes, working from home gives you more freedom and you can indeed make your own schedule BUT . . . if you want to be successful, you have to take your work seriously! You have to be disciplined, get organized and find your routine.

Remember, it’s much easier to get distracted while working from home, so make sure you have your priorities straight.

There is a time for work, for household chores, for the kids, and for the TV! Make sure you have them all separated. It’s nearly impossible trying to complete an important project while watching the Oprah show!

You have to make sure that your friends and family know and accept that while you have your “Office Hours” you will have no time for small talk, at least not more than you had while you where working at your last job.

If you have kids, make sure you explain to them that yes, you work from home now, but it’s work nonetheless. Make sure they understand and respect the hours you need to spend on work.

Know that no one will tell you how to do your job nor will anyone check whether it’s done right. It’s up to you to make sure that projects are delivered to your client on time, finished the way he needs it.

Fact is, working from home is not for everyone!