| My guest today is Gazelle Simmons, the founder of Admin Services . She is a Virtual Assistant (VA). She started working as a VA in 1998. Since then she has worked with numerous businesses, individuals and independent contractors. Virtual Assistancy is a growing industry. In my interview with Gazelle, she talks more about what these virtual assistant jobs are…. Read and get inspired. |
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What is a ‘Virtual Assistant’?
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The International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA) describes a Virtual Assistant (VA) as an independent entrepreneur providing administrative, creative and/or technical services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of communication and data delivery, a professional Virtual Assistant assists clients in his/her area of expertise from his/her own office on a contractual basis. |
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How does one become a Virtual Assistant?
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| You can study to become one or have work experience that give you training to do the work required to be a Virtual Assistant. |
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Is there a body we need to get accredited to or are there some courses we need to do?
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| I’d recommend the IVAA certification program. There is also a program through Virtual Assistants University (VAU), University of Virtual Assistants (UOVA), and the International Association of Virtual Office Assistants (IAVOA). |
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Can you tell us about the various services you offer?
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| I offer data entry, presentations, word processing, database management, editing and proofreading services, mass mailings, thesis and manuscript processing as well as other clerical and secretarial services. |
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Gazelle, how do you go about finding your clients?
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| I send out postcards, letters, flyers, business cards, etc. every month. I’m adding people I meet to my mailing list and contacting as many people as I can. I try to leave my business cards with everyone I know and meet. My business cards and postcards are purchased from Vistaprint.com. I have created my own flyers, letters and mailing lists. I signed up at Ryze.com, Meetup.com, WomanOwned.com, iVillage, Networking for NetworkingFoHer.com, Soflow.com, AtHomeResources.com, ‘WAHM Announce It.com’ as well as WomenBizOwners.com. I visit almost daily to network and answer posts.I advertise with WBO, Kudzu.com, Smallbizpreneurs.com and Smallbizcommunity.com. I also purchase an ID Plate from Kathy Brown on Ryze, that posts my information on my car.I joined several networks at Ryze and do my best to get in at least once a day to network. I also attend local networking meetings through Meetup.com and ABWA.com.I just purchased a domain name from GoDaddy.com. That makes my fourth site so I can keep getting my name out on each of them. One site is based on Bellsouth Personal Pages, one site is based at Ryze, one site is on Google and my latest is with GoDaddy. All have links to the other sites so I’m doing my best to keep them all referring people to me and others.I’ve told all of my friends, family and even my kids know all about what I do. I encourage them to send people my way. Word of mouth from people who love and care about you can be so good.I’ve had responses from my local mailings, Internet advertising and from word of mouth. I recommend following up with everyone who contacts me as well as sending information out to people everywhere. |
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What has been the biggest hurdle in your business so far?
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| Restarting after Hurricane Katrina. It was a challenge to start over without any clients as well as the necessary equipment, supplies and material I had always had at my disposal. |
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In your business I am assuming that you interact with most of your clients only on the phone or via email. There probably is not much face to face contact. Is this difficult?
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| Actually, with phone, fax and email, you can accomplish so much as well as time chatting to clarify questions. I do have several local clients in Georgia so I do get face-to-face contact periodically but most of my clients and I never meet. It helps that I’ve got an outgoing personality and can talk to anyone. |
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What advice would you have for readers who only have remote interaction with their clients (i.e., is there anything they need to watch out for – based on your experience)?
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| Make sure you have a signed contact and payment up front before working. You should also do careful screening to see if the person contacting you is going to be a good client. I stress to clients that I work with them, not for them and as we have entered into a partnership, I have a vested interest in seeing them succeed. |
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Finally, your five keys to success?
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| Keeping God first, family second and work third. Networking and more networking. You never know who knows your next customer. |
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| Sites Of Interest |
| http://www.admnsrvcs.com |
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| Visit Gazelle’s website to get more information about her Virtual Assistant Jobs. |
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| Check out my most trusted guide about virtual assistants by clicking How To Become a Virtual Assistant. |
| To read more stories about women in service industry click Idea Home Based Service Business. |
| To read a detailed post about virtual assistant jobs and how to become a virtual assistant click - virtual assistant jobs. |
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