|
|
||
|
 |
|
Click here to sign up for our free
newsletter today! |
|
JERPAT's Monthly Tips
Missed one of our past issue? Click here to view our archive.
In this issue:
Note from Patty I have informally been sending out emails to those on the list, but due to such a large request from my clientele, I am establishing a newsletter specifically for clients and potential clients. I want to first clarify that if you do not want to be on this list, please feel free to go to the link at the bottom and unsubscribe. If you are on this newsletter list it is because you have requested to be on this list, or because you are or have been a client.
With that said, I want to explain that the purpose of this newsletter is to give you tips on a variety of topics. There will be monthly tips on ideas for working with with a virtual assistant (VA) and maintaining your computer. There will also be a monthly article relating to a topic that I think will be of interest to you. Lastly, there will be a special for the month. Be sure to check out what kind of savings you can get.
Please, let me know if you have questions or something you would like to see tips on. I want this newsletter to be a benefit and blessing to you. Many of you call me with questions on your computers, and that is great, just know you may see it in next months tips, as I need you to inspire me with your questions!
Also, I am excited to share with you that we have created a new look on our website. It now contains more information, resources and links to help benefit you. Visit us at www.moretime4u.org/home.html to see what we have added!
I want you all to know how much I appreciate you and all that you do for JERPAT. Several of you have been there since the beginning and have watched us grow and change. It's because of your support that we have been able to expand and develop into the business we have become. Thank you!
God
bless, JERPAT Virtual Assistants and Web Designs
Tip of the Month As a note, I will be giving directions from an XP Operating System and Microsoft Office 2003. Other versions my vary slightly from my instructions. I also write the directions as if you are all beginners. This is so that I can meet everyone's needs as everyone is at a different level of computer knowledge.
This tip came from a question a client asked me about why her computer was running slow.
Depending on how often you work on your computer, you should clean your desktop at least once a week. I am working on my computer constantly, so I clean it daily. Here are the steps to clean your system:
That's it! It will clean and then close down itself. If you have Norton Internet Security, it also has a cleaning feature. I run both on my computer. If you would like directions on this, let me know and I will send them to you individually.
Putting Your VA to Work for You! (adapted from 101 Plus Ways to Use a Virtual Assistant (VA) from coachville.com)
Collect business cards from associates, potential leads, and networking events all month long. At the end of the month, put them in the mail and send them to your VA. They can then input all the information into the your database (or a format that can easily be downloaded into your contact management software). This will help you keep your contacts up to date for easier follow-up.
How to Work with a Virtual Assistant By Patty Benton © 2005 JERPAT Virtual Assistants
When someone asks me what I do, and I tell them I am a Virtual Assistant, I am bombarded with questions. What is a Virtual Assistant? Who uses a Virtual Assistant? How much do they charge? How can they complete my work without being in my office? How is a Virtual Assistant more beneficial than someone in my office? How do I know that I can trust the hours they charge and that they won’t share my personal information? How do I go about finding a Virtual Assistant that is a “match” for me? These are all legitimate questions that someone considering hiring a Virtual Assistant needs to ask and have the answers to.
What is a Virtual Assistant? A Virtual Assistant is a person or company that completes a variety of administrative, web, and computer work virtually. This means that they complete the work from their office and send it to their client via email, web link, postal mail, or fax. Communication is mainly done via email and phone, with many Virtual Assistants never meeting their client face to face.
Who uses a Virtual Assistant? Anyone can. Real estate agents, coaches, non-profit, churches, small business owners, and big corporations are a few that can benefit from the services of a Virtual Assistant. The benefit of a Virtual Assistant is that they can be used on an “as-needed” basis, or a client can contract them to work so many hours a month.
How can they complete my work without being in my office? The power of technology allows work to be done from anywhere. Some Virtual Assistants will connect their computer to a client’s and work directly on the client’s computer. Other options are to send work via email, postal mail, and even put it on the web and have clients download it. Depending on the project, a Virtual Assistant can find a way to complete the work and make sure the client gets it.
How is a Virtual Assistant more beneficial than someone in my office? The main benefits of a Virtual Assistant to someone in an office are financial and space. An average office employee makes $43.54/hour (United States Bureau of Labor Statistics March, 2003) with their benefits package and wage. By the time an in-office employee takes breaks, lunch, restroom breaks, and chatting with others in the office, think of how much money is wasted! A Virtual Assistant will charge their client ONLY for the time spent working on the project and they pay their own benefits.
The other benefit is space. Having another person in an office means somewhere to put another desk, computer, and other office equipment needed by that employee (plus the cost of all this equipment and maintenance). Virtual Assistants provide their own work space, computer, equipment, maintenance, etc. In addition, most Virtual Assistants will cover the cost of supplies, which for an employee, the employer must also provide. When adding up these costs, the Virtual Assistant comes out as a far cheaper option.
How do I know that I can trust the hours they charge and that they won’t share my personal information? Most Virtual Assistants use some sort of software to track their time in and out. There are several software programs that allow the user to punch in and out, just like a punch clock. It tracks the time, and at anytime the user can create a “report” that vouches for time spent and can be sent to a client when needed. As a Virtual Assistant, I use TraxTime. This allows me to record my time working, and easily punch out if I need to take care of something personal. It also allows me to make memos as to what I am working on, so a client has an idea of how long something takes to be completed. All Virtual Assistants have their own preference of software they like to use, but all work under the same ethics that they charge only for time spent working on a project. They won’t charge you for their lunch break, or the call that came in from another client. Obviously, Virtual Assistants work on the honor system of punching out for personal time. Clients always have the right to find another Virtual Assistant to work with if they feel their Virtual Assistant is charging them for time not spent on their project.
As for sharing a client’s company information, clients need to be sure to have a contract in place that ensures their company secrets and information will not be shared. Many Virtual Assistants have “niched” an industry, and this results in them having competing clients. With a contract in place, they cannot share a client’s information or use it to help another client. And to speak logically on this, if a Virtual Assistant did this, they would lose the faith and trust of clients, which would result in the failure of their business. So, it is not to their benefit to share a client’s information. But, to protect themselves, clients should be sure to sign a privacy clause in a contract.
How much do they charge? The general price ranges from $25 to $50+ per hour depending on the services requested and the Virtual Assistants experience and degree. Many Virtual Assistants offer a “retainer plan” for those clients that are willing to commit to a certain number of hours per month. With a retainer plan, a client can get a discount on hourly rates.
How do I go about finding a Virtual Assistant that is a “match” for me? As I mentioned previously, many Virtual Assistants find a “niche” which is an area they excel in. A client needs to find a Virtual Assistant that niches in their area of expertise and that offers the services they need. Some clients find it beneficial to have 2 or 3 Virtual Assistants that have different areas of expertise. The most important thing in finding a Virtual Assistant is not cost, or even area of expertise, but do you match well? Do you have the same work ethics? Do you have personalities that will work well together? Finding someone you feel comfortable with is the most important because a Virtual Assistant will become your partner in business and will help your business become even more successful.
Patty Benton is the owner of JERPAT Virtual Assistants and JERPAT Web Design, www.moretime4u.org, which provides affordable administrative and web design support to coaches, small businesses, religious organizations, and realtors. Additionally, Patty is a coach for new entrepreneurs interested in venturing into the virtual assistance industry. She has developed a program that is affordable for all. Visit her coaching site at www.virtualvacoach.com for program details and great business resources. © 2005 JERPAT Virtual Assistants You have permission to reprint this article electronically or in print, as long as the text and byline remain unedited. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.
Special Offer Submitting your articles gives you the potential to reach thousands of publishers and editors who are looking for articles to place in their publications. They then send out your article to their 100s or 1000s of subscribers for free!
Did you know in order for your article to be
effective, it needs to be submitted to at least 20 websites every
month? Do you have time to effectively run your business and
submit articles? JERPAT's team can take care of this for you!
We have a large database of article submission sites where we can
submit your article.
I would like to offer you a special discount.
During the month of November we will submit your article to 40 sites
for only $110.00. That is a savings of $15.00 off our regular price
with an added bonus of submitting to 10 additional sites. This
price includes an Excel spreadsheet with every site your article was
submitted to along with any log-in information you will need for
future reference.
Contact Patty today for more information on this special.
(Good only for the month of November, 2005)
Contact Patty Benton 303.766.3051 9 am-5 pm MST Monday-Friday
© 2005 JERPAT No part of this newsletter may be reproduced unless specified in the authors byline. Please respect all guidelines provided in this newsletter. If there are no guidelines provided for a section of this newsletter you would like to reproduce, please send print request to jerpatvas@comcast.net.
|
||
|
©2005 JERPAT |
HOME |
ABOUT US |
SERVICES |
CONTACT US |
|
