It is now OFFICIAL!

It is now official!!! I will be a full time VA from the 5th February 2010, so just under 1 year since my initial 6 month plan but I am still immensly proud of myself!

Now to get some clients in and make it earn the cash to keep me in shoes (and pay the bills).

VERY soon to be VA

I am aware I haven't posted on here for rather a long time now, as I have moved to my RRVA blog, since I started trading properly in April this year. However, it seems appropriate that I say it on here too.

I will VERY soon be a full time VA!!!! Yay, whoop and hurrah!!! Slightly off my 6 month hope, and it will be nearer a year when I achieve my goal but not bad!!!

Suffice it to say by February 2010, mission accomplished! Then to drive the business onwards and make it the success I know it will be.

New client and others promoting me!

This week has been great as I have started working with my first proper regular client who seem to be willing to trust me with both big things and smaller but equally essential things. Big smile on my face!!! I had a brilliant skype meeting with them (and I taught them how to skype at the same time which was fun!!!!

A VA I did some sub work for back in June finally paid me this week too so my bank balance is a little happier.

Also a friend/client who I've helped out has been telling loads of her contacts about me and how fab I am so fingers crossed I hear from one of them soon!!! Must remember to sort out some article writing for her to say thank you but its just the most awesome kind of publicity!!! The free kind of other people saying your brilliant and they tell you about it later... So yep, a great week in R&R VA Services land :-)

Distractions, distractions everywhere!!!!

I am getting sooo distracted at the moment. I think it's coz I've been away on holiday....Just look at the lovely St Brelades Bay.

And I'm away again this weekend, this time to Cardigan Bay. In between I have further market research to do and another press release to write so focusing on actually promoting my business has slipped a bit.

This is a big mistake I know and I'm trying to rectify it ASAP. But then I'm off to the beach with the kids !!!

Building up my client base...

I'm rather pleased that things seem to be on the up at the moment. After careful following up I appear to have a regular client! Don't want to say who yet unless it all goes horribly wrong at some point but yay to me!!!

I also have a client who keeps coming back for another one off job, ooh and could you just do another one too so am hopeful he may become a regular too. We'll just have to wait and see but currently rather proud of my little business and need to get networking again to increase my client base even more.

Fourth Plinth

Slightly random post this but I have applied to be on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, it will be in September I think if I'm selected...will keep you posted!

Check it out if you're interested http://www.oneandother.co.uk/

At the time of writing this there is a guy in a monkey suit up there :)

Clients...

I am waiting to hear whether Set Deisgn have decided to work with me or have me train them in Social Media. Waiting is really hard!!!!! Finding the right length of time to follow up on the meeting and emails with a 'so, do you want to work together?' that isn't too pushy (ie too quickly, before they have had time to think about it properly) or leaving it too long so they have lost interest and moved on to the next idea, is tricky.

Also wanted to follow up with an old friend who contacted me on Facebook re his t-shirt design business in response to a retweet that came up as my status. I'd love to meet up with him anyway but the possibility I could help him grow his business is also great BUT....he seems to have deleted his Facebook profile!!! His comments (and therefore his links!) have gone from my wall and I can't remember the exact name of his company so can't find the website aaaggghhhhh!!!!! Guy if you're reading this by some great chance (Google probably!!) email me please.

Potential client meeting today

I was a bit nervous about this but went in and tried to really listen to what they needed (whether thery realised it yet or not) rather than just go on about what I can actually do. I can do a lot of things, I've been a PA for over 3 years at senior level and in admin for years prior to that but most of it isn't relevant to a shop selling funky design knick knack type things!

They were interested in social media Twitter, blogging, Facebook etc and hoping to raise their online profile to strengthen their sales in our currently difficult climate (one for Nlab's social media for business resilience I think!). I think it went well overall and I'm please whether they choose to work with me or not. I've got to pracitse what I preach for a change! Plus I really do love their stuff and am chuffed they even wanted to speak to me.

So please check out Set Desgin! (I recommend their rude and twisted section for hilarity!!!)

Referals today clients tomorrow!!!

Had a great meeting today with Fred BRookes from Creative Leicestershire. Lovely guy and he gave me some great suggestions for other avenues to market to and in but also good places to keep up with so I keep up with whats going on in the Creative Industries!

He may even refer a few clients my way which would be awesome! An idea that came to me during the conversation as well is to post on my RRVA any interesting calls for funding that are coming up as it would be useful for my client base to know (without having to search themselves!).

I also need to highlight my abilities and experience in finding such funding opportunities and help that I can give in completing the forms and keeping people focused on what the call is for and not just what they want to do!! I'm no bid writer more a bid writing assistant...I'll have to think of a better name.

Plus whilst I was at the Depot I dropped a few postcard flyers in all the post boxes of the creative companies that are based there....you never know I may get a call from that.......

Amplified Leicester event

You really do meet potential clients in the oddest of places sometimes! I attended the Amplified Individuals and Business Resilience seminar on Thursday 18th June at DMU in the interests of finding out more about the uses of Social Media in helping build solid connections to allow my business (and my connections with people) to flourish in difficult financial times.

I was also hoping to find out a bit more about what's after Twitter too! this wasn't so obvious but I met several other small business owners, heard their opinions - both in favour of and vehemently 'not getting it' - on social media. It made me realise that you can be too evangelical about these things but you can also offer VA services to people at these events because you will save them money as they won't have to do it themselves. My time is no less valuable but they do not feel like they are then wasting their own.

The other most interesting thing I took away from this event is that we are still rather immature about how we use such media. It is mostly about being horrible about people, complaining about things and not used (yet) as a force for change. You can see the beginnings of this in the uses of twitter in particular in the Iranian elections, that it has the potential to galvanise people into taking action in the real world as well as the cyber one. It could be a way to get policies changed, to make people listen to or sensible suggestions as alternative ways to do things. And not just complain about them. But we WILL get there, it will just take us a little time

Organising my time

I really need to do more planning! I know its a good thing, I tell other people they HAVE to do it but...when it comes to my own I am as guilty as the next business owner. I put it off because someone else is going to pay me for my time and my own jobs get pushed down the list.



I must stop it! I have updated my filing and am in the process of scheduling my regular tasks across days of the week and including some time off to be with my family and husband of an evening!!!!



I know, I know...how dare I consider it but I do need to look after myself a bit otherwise I'm not on my best form to give my clients the service they need or my children a mum who is awake enough to play with them!

Facebook business page

I'm just in the process of setting up my R&R VA Services Facebook fan page. Won't be in time to get enough followers to get my vanity facebook url but it will be good for business!!!

I'll let you know when it's up and finished and you can all come and massage my ego by becoming my fans hehehe!!

Being helpful ... for free!

I do keep doing this and not in a marketing 'give-something-free-and-hook-them-in' kinda way or a big thing about the fact it's my expertise I'm giving away (well apart from this!) but just because it's a nice thing to do. If it brings me clients then great, but if not, at least I helped someone out.

And also a note on being organised....
I'm currently printing out a few new client consultation forms that I complete as I converse with any potential client for reference and to help identify what they require (as I'm sure all good VAs do) but I just don't want to get caught on an unexpected call with no notes to guide my talk or notes on a client in lots of different places!!!

VAs that Lunch and Night Owlers

These are 2 completely awesome skype groups set up by Claire Lydia Ray of Vomnet-uk for UK/European and Australasian VAs to network, chat and generally help each other out. You can drop in and out of the thread and I have honestly not met a more wonderful, supportive and inspiring group of people. VAs are very supporting of each other whether a newbie or a pro, you got an issue, drop it into the conversation and you get instant helpful comments, a virtual hug when needed and inspiration when you get a difficult/interesting to work with client or project.

I found this group and was invited to join via the VA Twitter community and have particularly participated in Night Owlers which is from 10pm (GMT) onwards every weekday. It's convenient as it in no way impinges on the day job or distracts from my VA activities and the wonderful ladies are helping me to stay determinedly fixed on my 6 month plan and are helping me to believe I can actually pull it off!

If you are a VA in any of the above categories or happen to be around when our respective time zones coincide, I seriously recommend you come join in!!!

Creative Business Networking

I attended the LCB Depot TCB Social tonight and have to say it was great. Some useful but short presentations with opportunities to meet with business services afterwards as well as mingle. I met some interesting new people, people interested in research, people who already know me and friends! So enjoyed myself.

I have been thinking a lot recently about how I should approach these evenings (having been reading The Dream PA's Virtual Assistant Handbook) and I went with just being myself. Helpful, offering advice or to put people in touch and using my local knowledge to point people in the right direction. I hope that this strategy engages peoples interest and leads to paid work. Plus it is much less nerve wracking attending as myself rather than getting worried about representing my company, I mean I AM my company after all!!!!

I went to Creative Coffee Club yesterday too and made some good connections there too. Bring on the next event! The more I do this the more likely it is to pay off!

My USP

Apparently my main USP is, well, me! Which is nice to know but how to market me effectively........

Things are getting busy....

My to do list is getting rather long now and whilst my motivation is still there to keep working towards my Master Plan of full time VA in 6 months my body just feels like this picture. Mmmmm I'd really like to just curl up and sleep for a few days to get back my ability to function properly!!

But with all these new business set ups you just don't get the luxury! So I'm off to Creative Coffee Club tomorrow and then LCB Depot TCB Social on Thursday. I have a computer to back up before it dies on me and a marketing plan to get out of my head and onto paper....well screen anyway!

Oh and a Fabulous networking place to share with you all called Be Fabulous!! Hope to see you in the forums and help inspire each other!

Lots going on!

I've been busy with lots of different things over the last week and am having guilt that I haven't fit in blogging!

I've opened a business bank account, I've set up a meeting with Creative Leicestershire, struggled with some coding and spent the weekend in the total signal dead zone of North Shropshire!

Next big thing on the horizon is the Creative Networking (TBC Social) event on Thursday evening at the LCB Depot in Leicester. My main challenge will be getting people who know me from my day job role to view me in a different light. It could either work in my favour or not....

Top tips

Yep today I received a few from a Business Link advisor. Our meeting was great, helpful and informative if a little one sided (from her I mean, for once I shut up!!).

Hoping to implement some of what she told me (for my bullet pointed list from the meeting click here). I really need to get on with trying to source some funding for my basic equipment needs i.e. get a lovely iMac!!!! Interestingly advisor was a typical PC and went on about limiting my market by going Mac due to compatibility issues??!!! Oh well, no point in Mac evangilising there!!

And then it's network, network, network.....

Blog on my website

This is turning into a complete nightmare!!! All I want to do is have a blog on my own website (it will be about other things than are on here and be more creative industries focused) but can I find an easy way to do it...can I hell!!!

Tried blogger, can get it to point to the right place but can't get it to look right unless I can modify the code (which I'm not exactly having much success with) and so I looked at Wordpress....and

My hosting company doesn't support it!!!! Change hosts I hear you all cry (well you did on Twitter :-)) But I've already had to move it twice and, therefore, pay twice. I can't really afford to move it all again!

There has got to be a simpler way...

Maybe if I'm less tired and I'll try again with the code another night.

End rant...well for now anyway.

Women in Business Networking event

It was brilliant!!! Despite suffering from a migraine and, therefore, drugging myself up to the hilt before I could even get out of bed let alone attend the event, it was still brilliant. Lovely, supportive and informative women who were very welcoming to a new comer like myself. It was a bit strange to be recognised straight away by someone I have never met before from my Twitter profile picture but I guess thats actually a good thing. Rapport established straight away as she had an idea of my personality from my tweets anyway.

There was a fabulous and informative presentation on branding from a professional which has made me check that I am remaining 'on brand' and trying to clearly define my core values.

Also, which I was not expecting at all from my first visit, I had some fairly significant interest from a potential client!!! Just trying to effectively follow though and provide the information I said I would in a timely manner. Need to make a good impression in this game!

Also made a good contact with a Business Link advisor with whom I am in the process of setting up an appointment to explore possible grant applications so RRVA can go full time and be my proper focus. Exciting and totally worthwhile event all in all. Thank you to Barbara for such a brilliant opportunity, and I'm now trying to get enough money together to join properly.

I then went home and crawled back into my darkened room and bed until the kids came home, and then went to sleep at the same time as them.

Website & other things

After a fairly long discussion of with Ben my web designer my website is finally up as I want it to look! So please go and check it out.....www.rrva.co.uk

Now to promote it lots!

Also formatting a few word documents for information, client consultation etc. packs ready for any follow ups I have after tomorrows event. Hopefully I'll get at least 1!

Hopefully won't be up too late or need to be up too early.

Failure....oops!

When it comes to work I really must focus on my own business paperwork too! I know it's important but I do everyone else's first! So this weekend everything except my business plan got done.

Oh well, there is always tonight.

Getting busy

I have some Sub work for another VA to do first this weekend ... well actually tonight! I have set myself the task of stopping procrastinating and actually finishing my business plan by the end of the weekend too, as I want to apply for some funding and I also have to perfect my 1 minute pitch for networking.

There is also the small task of redesigning husbands spreadsheet for his tax return ready to send to his accountant as soon as possible!

But it's all good. Interest is growing and I have a few meetings in the offing about possible recommendations and further contacts. What I want to achieve, I think, is profile raising and the paperwork behind me so that I'm actually ready when the work starts flowing in more rapidly. Plan and organise....and practice what I preach!!!!!

Funding

Thinking about applying for some sort of business loan so I can actually concentrate on getting RRVA running properly and earning decently. It seems to be the only way I can sensibly focus on my venture to be honest but not sure if it is wise in a global recession....

Working on the financial forecasting bit of my business plan so hoping when I've finished that bit I will have come up with a view.

Answers/suggestions on a postcard please............

(I'd rather have GB £'s but I guess US$ would do!!!!)

Even more networking

I've recieved my guidelines for the next networking event, how and what to say in my 1 minute elevator pitch.

Think I better get practicing!!!

Networking.....

I know, I've blogged about this quite a bit but it is important!!! Plus I learned a really basic lesson that I should have realised before I went to my first event....don't think you can network and promote your new business venture at an event run by people you work with in the day job! Doh to me on that one!!!!

Perfectly pleasant evening, lovely people and nice (if slightly loud) venue. Introductions set the tone from my business point of view. Not a good place to start, my fault entirely.

So on to the next one.

Continuing to move forwards

Yipee I've had responses to my survey!! And I have contacted Creative Leicestershire about distributing it more widely - hopefully they will help it reach more people.

Now to do the information pack to send out to my respondents......busy, busy. It's the best way to be!!!

Things are moving along...

I'm off to a networking event tonight so hoping to, at the least, meet some interesting people there if not pick up a new client!

I've produced a survey for market research purposes too. I may think I know what services would be useful to Creative Businesses but I could be completely wide of the mark so I thought it wise to ask as many as possible!!! I have also conducted some interviews with a couple of the people I know who run such companies so hoping my services match their needs. If you're interested please click here.

AND I've been contacted about possibly doing some sub contracting work for another VA. Fingers crossed that I a) came up with a decent rate as the forums were strangely empty of actual figures to compare with and b) she gives me the work!!

Things starting to feel rather positive just need it to all turn into actual cash!

Website

The redesign for my website is nearly complete and I really like it! Thanks Ben Harvey! It needs to be live by Wednesday when I attend my first networking event, when I hand out my business card I want the website people then look at to represent me properly rather than the instantsite I currently have.

Fingers crossed for some business anyway!

Exhausted.....AGAIN!

And this has lead me to wonder why I'm putting myself through this stress. It's having the virtually full time job, children to look after and then a business to set up, something has gotta give (you've probably noticed due to cleaner desire comments in previous posts that it is mostly the housework to get ignored)! I'm not so much a 5 to 9er but more of an 8 to 11er!

I do REALLY want RRVA to fly but right at this moment in time I'm just knackered. And will probably continue to feel like this until RRVA is my full time job and well established......

Networking events aplenty!

I have realised that I'm actually about to start attending quite a few networking events in the next couple of months and am hoping that business is forthcoming and good contacts will be made.

First up is the De Montfort University Alumni Association Leicester networking event on the 29th April, then the Leicester North Women In Business Network have kindly let me visit their 13th May meeting to see if I wish to become a full member and then on the 4th June I'll be at the LCB Depot in Leicester networking evening for Creative businesses!!!

So quite a lot to be getting on with....off to work on that elevator pitch and make sure I have enough business cards!!!!!! Wish me luck!!!

Some work to be getting on with

The business cards I sorted out for a friend have arrived today and look really great! She starts her music leadership career as of today so good luck Cherie, inspire those kids!!!!!

Now, off to source a good web designer for my brother's music production (fledgling) company! Where does he find the time?? Air line pilot by day, sleep deprived new daddy of 11 week old by night and also metal type music producer......

All I need now is some clients who will actually pay me!

To rant or not to rant.....

That dilema again and upon reflection I think I'll choose ... not to.

I shall let today's crappiness and frustrations go and try to focus on achieving the dream of being a full time VA, getting that client list to build and moving back to sunny shropshire!

Business goals

Trying to write these. It is a good process as it is making me think really hard about what I want to achieve both in the short and longer terms.

Short term: get 40 hours of client work a month along side current day job
Medium term: go full time as a VA and network my ass off!
Long term - (as in when both kids are at school, so about 5 years time) employ a network of VAs to provide THE service for small and medium size creative businesses.

Right those are pretty straight forward, now to work out how the hell to achieve them and then get on with it!

(post inspired by a discussion on UK Business Labs and a desire to get profitable!)

Wireless router should arrive Tuesday ........

Well allegedly anyway! After me phoning up to find out where there hell it was that is.....I discover that they've frozen the order on the computer system because it won't work with our speed broadband. Oh but they haven't bothered to call and tell me!!! Anyway one that will work should now arrive on Tuesday. At least I'll be able to work from bed then as I seem to be working into the night a lot at the moment.

Am I nearly there yet.....?

This is what I keep asking myself. Can I actually call myself a Virtual Assistant now? Some days I think yes I damn well can, I have a client, I'm joining networking Groups, I'm promoting the idea of Virtual Assistance to everyone I know (which is a fairly hefty number of people) I AM a VA now!!!

But then days like to today happen. I want to sack in the day job and focus, focus, focus on making this my main earning business but the depressingly practical side of me knows that I have 2 children in childcare and a mortgage to pay. I am also not exactly earning much from it at this very moment. I need to turn those contacts into paying clients, I need my face to be more known by my client group and to be recognised as RRVA and not as my current position. AND I need to do that without pissing off my boss as I need my job to pay for everything in the mean time!

Small tasks really....am I now VA??? Probably not quite yet.

Longing for Mrs Mop....

I have been working out just how many hours I can work as a VA without my current employer (for whom I work nearly full time but not quite) getting annoyed and trying to fire me. I think I can take on 40 hours a month comfortably without completely exhausting myself or them putting me in front of some kind of tribunal for breaching their rules somehow.

I know this sounds a bit paranoid but someone I know of lost their job because of conflict of interest and apparently doing their own work on company time. Need to be very careful and basically not Tweet or Facebook about VA related stuff when not on my lunch break or at home. Still I have a business to grow which I am rather serious about and am busily making contact with potential clients.

Plus if I can get 40 hours a month I can employ a cleaner!! That's my idea of heaven........

Big lesson learnt!!!

Yes it was about payment. Having been on training courses and read it everywhere on the VA forums and blogs about always getting payment in advance, guess what newbie, desperate to get going me didn't do......obvious isn't it.

Don't get me wrong, client has paid and everything but the dynamic between us is a bit skewed now. Its a bit too employer/employee which is NOT what I want at all!!!! Plus I was really anxious and I mean worried with sick feeling in my stomach anxious until I actually got the payment....it's my own fault I know.

Anyway payment in advance in future!

Word of mouth referral

I'm rather please with myself today! My one paying client has recommended my services to another business owner that she knows and asked to pass on my contact details to them, yippee!! Word of mouth recommendation is the best marketing.

I need to look into a few services like call handling that this client may well need and I have capacity to handle myself. Anyone recommend a reputable company?

Completely exhausted

I think the post title says it all, trying to do a near full time job, look after the children and set up, my VA business has taken its toll and completely shattered doesn't even come close!

Anyway at least my business cards have finally arrived - although I'm not entirely satisfied with the colours, they don't quite match what was on the screen.

VA hopes

I've been thinking a lot over the weekend about how much I want to be able to grow my business so that it is viable for me to do this full time. I've been making a few plans about how to achieve that even in a global economic downturn and have a few friends who are willing and want to hand out my business card at some events they will be attending with my relevant target market - just need said business cards to actually arrive now!!!

Back to raising the online profile for me I guess!

Paying Client!

I have just completed and sent off my first piece of paid VA work, yipee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope they are happy with it and have definatly learned to overestimate the time it will take me slightly!

Lesson learned! Over estimate cost and then over deliver!

Paying client...

Yes!!!! I have a paying client and I'm rather chuffed about it all, small job but hopefully leading to a more long term arrangment.

Check out their website Assault Events.

Website!!!!

Yes it is finally live!!!! Please check out RRVA and let me have your feedback please so I can improve it. And yes I know it needs some serious SEO work on it so some direction would be good........

Thanks x




RRVA
Here to help you be Creative!

Actually doing VA things today!

Yep a whole day dedicated to setting up RRVA!!!! It's brilliant! My website is all done bar a bit of hacking at the Html code to change a picture here and a colour background there and a few networking sites visited. Unfortunately though I can't seem to get the damn website to publish!!!!!

A whole day working from home has been rather productive (once I got past the procrastination of cleaning the bathroom and going to the shop just coz I a) needed to and b) could!). I rather like this and am trying to work out if I dare take any further days holiday but then if one of the children is ill I may be a bit stuck with unpaid leave :(

Wireless sorted and day to focus tomorrow

I have got the wireless router ordered from my cable provider and the thingy that will make it work with my computer too. Shouldn't be too long til I'm all set up and Hubby can stop complaining about me hogging the computer!

Tomorrow I'm off work so currently compiling a list of things to get done on the business, will update you tomorrow.......

Getting Amplified!

Well I'm getting that way anyway. I now have a lovely new iphone which completely rocks and am busy downloading fabulous apps for the business to it. Just trying to work out which is the best productivity app and how to sync it with my google calendar without loosing all the contacts off my phone!

Off into town to get a wireless router for the house at lunchtime and then I'll be able to VA from any room in the house and the garden too. Well actually it's because hubby keeps complaining that I hog the computer and he can never get on online!!!!

And children not being sick allowing I WILL have Monday off to finalise website and explore those lovely forums and raise my profile properly....can't wait

Some more bits of client work

Just a couple of things to do for a client today, sort out a business card for them and also an invoice template. Should have that done tonight!

It's nice to have some VA work to do!

IPhone & not getting any time..

Most excitingly I got my I-Phone today, a completely wonderful birthday present from my husband! Downside is I now have to manually transfer all my contacts from my old phone. Suffice it to say that I know rather a lot of people.

Also today was meant to be my day to focus on RRVA and get the website up finally and also to explore some of the VA and online business forums BUT unfortunately I ended up having to go to work as my daughter was sick last week and I had to swap my holiday day. She's fine at the moment though so hopefully next Monday I'll get to work on the business......

Distracted from my VA aspirations.

I have been somewhat distracted over the last couple of days from anything Virtual Assistant related. However I have just joined an online course for VAs that's based in the states and also been doing lots of searches to make sure no one else has the same name as I want to trade with/use! It seems a bit trivial but I definatly want to be certain before I order any business cards or anything - otherwise it could get expensive!

I've got Monday off work to focus on my business but it currently depends on whether my daughter manages to be healthy enough to go to nursery. She really doesn't seem to be getting on well with getting teeth. Oh well fingers crossed for a Virtual Assistant focused day.

Doing & planning

Sorted out a blog and twitter background for a friend today (which is good practise) and am planning a little investigation exercise into Enterprise Nation for potential clients and VA Networking for some start up tips and support. That said it's mostly about building networks and reputation at this stage and the belief that from thence clients will come......

Twitter and Blogs

Helped a friend today to set up their blog and twitter profile, check Cherie's blog out if you're interested in music teaching with a twist!

Have liberated an office chair too but may need to do some work to make it fit in with my newly organised and colour coordinated office space!

Anyone know how to recover one of these things????

Website is sooo going live soon!

Oh yes it is finally coming!!! A lovely person who I work with is coding it as I speak so it all looks pretty and does what I want it to. Watch this space and I'll let you know when it goes up!




RRVA, Here to help you be creative!
www.rrva.co.uk coming soon

Days off to focus on my VA Business!!

Yes I have booked a few days off from my current work to actually focus on getting R&R VA Services off the ground - well a bit more anyway. Following on from yesterday's post I have decided that I need to really utilise the forums I've joined, seek out more and (rather essentially) get my website up and running! I need time for all of that.

I can't wait!

Networking & resources

I keep finding myself wishing that I had more time to look into this properly. I have joined both VA Networking and UK Business Labs (and I am sure there are others that I should join too, suggestions please) but I have not yet had the time to actually explore these resources properly. Not least because I have been caught up in the practical issue of making a space in my home in which I can actually work. However, by the time I get home from my current job, sort the kids out and eat I'm too exhausted to look at these useful things with any form of intelligence as I am just soooo exhausted.

The only way I keep up with any handy hints is either via Twitter or (and I'm sorry JessL) printing out related articles that come on the e-newsletter and reading them on my lunch break or in bed! I think I will have to take about 3 days off work soon just to really focus on the business, explore these resources properly and draft my business plan.

Getting on with things

Just getting on with things really. Nothing exciting to report today I'm afraid.

Keep organising!

Whilst I'm motivated by the forthcoming arrival of my daughter's 1st birthday party on Sunday I am keeping going with the tidying/organising frenzy.

I have been to WHSmiths and purchased an array of storage boxes in their sale and shall be requesting the matching magazine files etc from the children for my birthday and/or mother's day. So the bureau and surrounding work area is on track. Just need the office chair and Mac now!

Tidying phase 1 results....

So here is the toy containment and book facility now resident in my living room...

and Phase 2, tidying of my work space in progress.....
Promise to keep you posted (excuse the pun)!

Tidying frenzy!

This weekend has turned into a bit of a tidying/organising & cleaning frenzy! Inspired by Jess Laccetti's call to get my desk straight and go paperless I set about the task of sorting through my desk area on Friday after I'd put the kids to bed. This seemed very simple and straight forward...however, it then spread! My desk is in the corner of my sitting room and I decided that trying to work sensibly whilst being squashed by the toy mountain in the room wasn't on. To cut a long story short this has resulted in a total reorganising of most of my house, a trip to Ikea and the expenditure of £155 (wonder if I should include it on my start up cost spreadsheet?)! The only room I haven't rearranged this weekend is the bathroom.

It's still not quite finished, my bureau drawers need to be tackled and I need a few more boxes, baskets and magazine files oh and a proper office chair but it's coming together.

Picture will be posted when it's all completed (hopefully later this week). Nothing focuses the mind than a rubbish week at work and the prospect of 15 adults and 6 children running amok in my house next weekend.

Fitting in this business set up with the rest of life

I have realised that tonight I can either keep reading advice, writing my business plan and other things related to setting up as a VA or I can do the ironing.

My son does not have any t-shirts to wear tomorrow, so I think my decision is made for me there!

On a VA related note though I have had some very useful feedback on this blog from Sue Thomas so it looks a bit different (if you can tell!) so thanks Sue.

Free guides to being a VA part 2

Well I've only managed to read a couple so far, my ginger cat Amigo has been helping me to read them with has made things um.... interesting.

The one from VA Networking was pretty good if a bit cloyingly North American for British tastes. And it does say that I can share it too, which is nice. If you click the link above it will take you to it. I will be doing stuff from this one particularly about SEO.

The other one had a useful checklist but was an awful lot of self marketing in it to buy their e book/join their courses etc. I know we all have to make our livings but it is a bit annoying but here's the link so make up your own mind, http://www.asklilach.co.uk/page-freestuff.html

Free guides to setting up as a VA

I have, quite frankly, been bombarded with these from varying places....I can feel a rant coming on! Whilst I am sure that all these people may mean well and be actively encouraging people (well let's be honest here - women) to look at being a VA as a career and growing the industry, I feel rather overwhelmed by all the information. Some of it is conflicting, most of it says don't believe what other sites tell you and pretty much all of it is followed up with a "to find out more spend an exorbitant amount of money to get a book/do a course/join a forum etc etc. I'm setting up in business for pitys sake, I haven't got the money to spare!!

I shall read the 4 I currently have and let you know which ones I think are any good tomorrow. And I may even try not to be rude about them - you never know.

Fellow mumtrepreneur disscussions

Today has been a day for discussing business ideas with a fellow mumtrepreneur. She is looking into more dynamic ways to teach music to young children so it is more fun and helps them learn more effectivly. I have offered her any admin help she may need in setting up like business plans, applying for funding to start up and key from area is my contacts who may be able to help. She's a friend so it's good practise for me and a way to build up my VA expereince. Another potential client I hope!

As my latest Tweet tells you, I'm just tackling the storage issues in my house so that I can actually have a vaguely dedicated work space without having to move house!!! It's too distracting to try to work surrounded by children's books and toys - will post a picture when it's done.

Radio silent for a couple of days

Well I probably will be a bit quiet as we're away for the weekend and it is doubtful that I shall have anything VA related to report.

I have good intentions for next week on sorting out my website (finally), sorting out my logo and getting on with things generally!

Networking

Today I've been investigating several forms of VA networking online and have had quite a few interesting things arise from Twitter mainly. Thinking I should join a specific online VA network too. This has all been very helpful and I need to do more.

I also attended a Business Plan writing training session run by CEO which had a few helpful pointers but I think it was aimed at people selling product rather than a service. Got a few good tips though!

Happy Client

Well they seem fairly happy with what I've done so far. Hoping that will continue!

Keeping positive

Keeping positive today, or at least trying to. This will happen, people will be satisfied with my work and seek me out for my expertise!! If I say it enough it will happen.

I'm waiting for feedback on my first bit of client work, trying to sort out my website template so it is 'branded', get my logo designed and still have a job and look after my family. Phew, how do we do it all???? I know lots of other mum's and VA's do.

Going to email Jacky from Back Office PA now. I met her at the VA Success Group Training day and she has asked us all for some questions re blogging etc that she can ask someone she know, just want more people to read this really and up my ratings!

Actually working!

Yes tonight I have actually started my first piece of work for my client. It'll be there on that there intraweb for them to review in the morning. I foresee having no time in the evenings at all if this keeps up! Guess until this is my proper job that's how it's gonna be.

I'm quite pleased about that really!

Valentine's day

Yes I had a day off from writing this blog yesterday, here's a little example of why....

Also a reminder to myself why I want to be VA in the first place, so that my work fits in around my life and not the other way around.

Right back to sorting out that quick task for my client!

My first Client!!

Well my first client consultation went really well and I have my first client! It's only a small job I'm sorting out for them as I'm still working nearly full time but from acrons etc.

They're completely in my target market too as a performing arts company and really appreciate that I 'get' what they are about. They gave me some feedback too on what I need to really promote in my materials and website. It was very sensibly about heavily promoting my arts and creative background and that I do understand the sector and can, therefore, be entrusted with the non creative tasks so they can get on with actually doing their productions etc.

R&R VA Services, Here to help you be creative!

Right, first client consultation now tomorrow!

Yep, it's moved to tomorrow and I'm trying very hard to be organised about it. Have all my questions typed out on a form to take notes on and am just trying to prepare a little statement or few about what a VA actually is and can offer a small business.

Hope it goes well.

Exhausted

Had a rubbish day at work today and apart from it making me really, really want to hand in my notice now and set up my VA business tomorrow (practicalities aside), it has left me too exhausted to do anything that involves thinking. So no more client consultation questions or review of what I've written so far as all I want to do is fall into bed.

Will try to do more tomorrow though, what else are lunch breaks for?

Client questions

Am currently, as in right at this minute, in the process of trying to draft some client consultation questions as I have a meeting next week for which I will need them! I have had a look at the document packs available on the VA Success Group's website, as why should I reinvent the wheel quite frankly, but the appropriate pack with this info is is £79. Proabably a bargin really given all the things included but a bit beyond my means currently (bloody childcare fees again!). So It's back to my list and workbook from the workshop.

I'll let you know how the consultation goes, fingers crossed it's well!

Working from home, an experiment

Due to the lovely weather here last week I was required to work from home for a few days as the roads were a bit interesting and nursery was closed. Brilliant I thought, I can see how this will actually work. Husband was home too so I should be able to concentrate.......oh boy was I wrong!!

You really can't work at home successfully and have small children around! I got some things done but answering the phone to work colleagues and having to break off mid sentence to prevent baby being hit on the head with a toy train was not ideal to say the least. I still want it to snow again though......

The money issue....

I've just had one of those OMG moments. I was merrily working out how much money I think I should have saved to cover essentials like the mortgage and food for the kids to get me through the first 6 months in business. Then I factored in the childcare of 2 kids in nursery........shit! was my reaction. Think I may have to wait until the eldest is in school, which thankfully is in 8 months time, before I can even contemplate getting this off the ground!!!! That or a bank robbery just to pay nursery.

Lists, lists

I've written a list (well combined several previous lists with a few additions anyway)- it's not too long- detailing all of my next moves towards actually being a VA. It seems deceptively simple and short(ish). However, tasks such as 'complete my start up costs spreadsheet' require a little more time than at first it may appear..there's a bit of research there into exactly what I want and how cheaply I can get it!!!
Write business plan is another case in point. I am going to try to get on with them, in order as much as possible though, so that I have something to actually tell you lovely people about and to keep myself motivated. This is what I want to do and I'm damn well going to do it!

I'll try and come up with some office space in the making photos along the way etc otherwise this blog will just get plain boring to look at.

Pondering

Pondering names again, and STILL haven't come up with anything that isn't already taken and would appeal to my target market - the Creative Industries. It's the area I work in and with so I do understand the requirements of the small companies particularly. Need to do a practice client interview on my colleague who runs a dance and multimedia company and see what that turns up...

Off to write said questions in between eating my dinner and tidying up my desk area so it's a bit more accessible - will post a pic when it's done.

Sensible name suggestions will be considered if you want to post some.....

Marketing course

Just had an email from Emma & Justine about the online VA Marketing course they will be offering soon. Am I going to do it??? Probably coz I really want to get on with things and at least I won't need to travel or anything for this one. Mind you, the conflict with my current job rears it's head again and I'm going to need to do some serious consideration about what to do.

At the moment I'm just finding it all depressing. Here's what I want to do but then I have constraints within the rest of my life that restrict me. Mind you given the client interest previously mentioned I'd better pull my finger out......It will have to wait at least for today though - I need the kids to stop being ill before I can really concentrate on anything!

Clients, OMG!!!

Can't believe it but have had at least one query and another possibility already! I'm not even in business yet...need to get more organised and fast!

Business name/ Domain name

After Saturday's course I'm starting to seriously ponder my name for my VA business. I had thought of R&R Virtual PA Services but now think it's far to long (RRVA.com has already gone too!) and having PA in the title is possibly a bit limiting. All the other names I can think of have already been snapped up by VA's in the states.......arse!

Pictures as promised

As promised here are a few of pictures of the day, just sorry that I wasn't able to drop them in the posts at the time. My lack of organisation I'm sorry - I'll know better next time and make space on my camera phone!

Here's everyone concentrating hard on what Justine has to say.

My notes that I need to re read and digest....

Everyone networking....



There are a couple more on my flickr...

Its finished for the day...

Final thoughts for today are it’s been very wordy with no visuals. Good info but needs more interesting delivery I think. It’s not a very tech savvy training course, I know it’s aimed at the basics but it is an industry with virtual in the title! I guess you need to not put some people off. Saying that alot of tech has been raised in detail towards the end and people freaked out a bit!!!

Personable presentations, feel able to ask questions, friendly from Emma. Getting a bit bored though, its been a long day.

Don’t forget our hot niche area ladies! Monday will get the resources link, roll on Monday is what I say…..

Nice speedy pace to setting up though at the end. Thanks for that Justine.! Overall nice and enthusiastic and a definate please keep in touch message.

A quick few thoughts.....

It's very informative, don't get me wrong on this one, but it isn't very visual or exciting. I guess that's part of it being a basics course but it would be nice to have something to look at........

At the VA Workshop!!!!

Yes I am here at the VA Success Groups Start Your VA Business Workshop and blogging live, so apologies if there are any spelling mistakes in this one! Not spotted any obviously creative types but several other knackered new mums to bond with!

It's a bit typical in some ways in that it's an all female room, which is not necessarily a bad thing, and the reasons for being here are pretty much flexibility around family commitments or recent redundancy. Given the current worldwide financial climate I guess that's not really that surprising.

Its been very clearly laid out and imparted to us so far, key messages are Keep it Simple and it's normal to charge in advance! Yes pay up before we do the work or no deal! My main problem is I appear to be in a room full of Mac haters!!! Boohoo, but you know I'm a Mac devotee...

I'll be addressing my proposed domain name and rather alot of my marketing materials when I get home, length to avoid mistyping of your address etc is something in my current field of Creative Technology I should really have thought of on my own. Its good to be reminded of things like that 'coz when you're doing it for yourself it's easy to miss.

Photos and key points up hopefully tomorrow and further notes later on.....

More modifications!

I've done more modifications to this lovely page, pictures, more links, my twitter feed etc. I feel the need to become a bit more interesting now everyone can see it all in one place! Oh well, beauty in the little things.......

Website design is still ongoing though and more will be done after tomorrow's workshop, particularly on pricing and services available ;)

Blogging tutorial

Today I have received a very informative, useful and most importantly nice lesson in blogging and live blogging techniques by the wonderful Jess. I have now completely revamped my layout and look and still have more to do when I can fit the time in. Tags and my Facebook, Flickr and Twitter all need either improving or adding, all rather essential so someone will actually read this in the first place and then keep in touch!

Also I thought I'd show the small beginnings from where I hope and intend great things to grow! My desk, in the corner of my sitting room. Nothing grand and definitely not the home office I would like but it's a start. Don't think it would pass any kind of Health and Safety assessment for working on a computer.

Train booked for tomorrow to take me to the Setting up your VA Business Workshop in London, hoping for some peer networking but mostly some handy hints on how to earn some money doing this gig.

I'm going to be attending the VA Success Group's 'Start your own VA Business workshop' in London on Saturday 31st January, for more information on it. Should be helpful and it's not ridiculously expensive as some of the courses seem to be.

I'm going to blog live from the workshop if I can and wifi permitting, so hopefully someone will be reading this by then and get something useful out of it!!!!

My first ever blog post!

I've finally caught up with a lot of people that I know and have started my first ever blog! So Hello there in the ether.

I'm not entirely convinced anyone will want to read my ramblings as I go about setting myself up as a VA (Virtual Assistant) but it's worth a shot. It may garner some business or it may simply provide a cathartic outlet that no one ever sees as I get stressed about the little things that happen whilst setting myself up in business.

I'm still working on my VA website design so that's not live yet, which I'm disappointed about but these things happen when your strapped for time. I need to rewrite my 'Home' page too as it's somehow got deleted and I can't remember what I said - the joys of a short memory span - hopefully it will come back to me at some point. Probably when I'm in the bath or some other such place where I can't grab a computer and type it in before all those lovely words escape me again.