Virtual Assistants on Freelance Mom??

[Dawn~AturService]

Hello Ladies :)
I was just wondering if there were any Virtual Assistants still active on this forum. FreelanceMom is one of the first groups I joined upon the birth of my business and I feel a closeness to it. I know there were a couple of VA's here when I started several months ago; I'm wondering if any of you are still around. If so, do you feel any impact on your business from the "struggling economy"?

Thanks,
Dawn

[Lori]

Hi Dawn,

I do still have one large client that I do VA work for - which includes basically everything - managing customer support team, web design, marketing, seo, project management...

But I don't bid on VA work any more... in fact, if any comes my way, I need reliable people to outsource to or refer to depending on what's on my plate.

I am just taking SEO work now, and sometimes design work.

My business does continue to grow, which is why it's so puzzling when ends sometimes have a hard time meeting. I think it hasn't grown enough to keep up with the rising cost of living.

Do you have plenty of work? Do you get your clients mostly from word of mouth, advertising or job boards? What are your most favorite types of gigs?

Lori

[Dawn~AturService]

Hi Lori,
Do you not like doing virtual assistance anymore? Or is it just too much trying to run the business and manage a family? It is very trying, that's for sure!

It's strange but not matter how much money we make, it is never enough! LOL There have been years we have brought in double our average annual income and have nothing to show for it. We live the same no matter what we make. We always feel broke, but have always been able to survive and provide the kids with what they need.

No, as a matter of fact I don't have plenty of work. LOL. I was doing real good for awhile and have now hit a lull. I firmly believe it is a growing pain (At Your Service was established in April 2008). It is partially my own fault. I didn't practice what I preach and slacked on marketing while I had a full work load. I'm not beating myself up over it though because I went through an extremely fearful transition of leaving my career to running my business full time. I walk away with a learning lesson!

I have acquired clients through several marketing strategies including forums, Craigslist, RFPs on VA board, word of mouth/referral and direct mailing of brochures.

I can't say I have a favorite gig yet. I like designing websites and TRYING to create graphics, but I also like the variety of the other admin stuff. I seem to pick up a lot of directory submission jobs. I guess some people just don't like to be bothered with it.

Have a great weekend!
Dawn

[Lori]

Hi Dawn :)

As time went on I realized that SEO is what I really have a passion for...

I'm sure it's just a growing pain! There is a ton of work out there.

I maintain a membership at elance to make sure we have work in the pipeline here -- but most of my work comes from client referrals...

What's your rate on directory submissions, btw? Do you seek out niche directories for your clients or use general directories?

Lori

[Dawn~AturService]

Hi Lori,
I enjoy learning SEO as well. I've actually been studying it pretty intensely over the past couple of weeks only to find out about all of the changes for 2009 announced at the Pubcon in Vegas. :huh: I'm always looking for good tools and resources though so please feel free to share! :)

The directory submission projects I do are mainly to general web directories. I haven't had any other types of requests yet. I own a directory of niche website directories (http://www.nichelister.com). Most of the niche directories on there were sought out by me so I am familiar with them.

I haven't signed up for eLance. I'm on Guru but haven't had any success.

I'll PM you my submission rates.

Have a great day!
Dawn

[NevadaVa]

Hi Dawn and Lori,

I am a VA from Southern Nevada. I am happy to meet you both here! I just rejoined this site a few weeks ago! I've stayed fairly busy inspite of the economy how about you Dawn?

[Dawn~AturService]

Hi NevadaVA,
It's nice to have you back. I know how hard it is to keep up with forum participation when you have a full work load. :eek:

As I mentioned, I'm really slow right now. I don't believe it has anything to do with the economy. I really think it's just a growing pain of owning a new business.

Do either of you ladies have any insight on my marketing tactics that I mentioned...
I have acquired clients through several marketing strategies including forums, Craigslist, RFPs on VA board, word of mouth/referral and direct mailing of brochures.

Am I on the right track? Or am I trying too many strategies at once? I know there's a lot of work out there, it's just a matter of finding it and closing the deal. What has worked best for both of you? (Sorry Lori, should I move this question to the marketing thread?)

Thanks in advance for your time and support.
Dawn

[Lori]

This is a perfect place for it Dawn, no probs.

I've always had the best luck on elance. Some of my longest standing clients were found there and whenever we're low on work we go there and find whatever we need to fill in the gap.

Here's one of quite a few new VA jobs (http://www.elance.com/c/rfp/main/rfpBid.pl?jobid=15806894&rid=XJRC) there right now...

Lori

[Dawn~AturService]

Thanks Lori. I'll start focusing some attention there.
I appreciate your guidance.

Dawn

[Lori]

I really hope it works out for you Dawn! It's tough at first with no feedback, but based on your posts here I'm sure you'll be successful.

I've found the real key to be addressing all the points of the job instead of something canned... Make sure to check feedback on the client too before wasting your time bidding on them :)

[Dawn~AturService]

Thanks Lori and thanks for the client feedback tip. That's a great point!

Luckily I don't feel discouraged, thank goodness. I expected business to be totally up and down for the first two years. I just wasn't sure if the economy was effecting other VA's.

Dawn