Comments on: Ultimate Virtual Assistant Guide

By: Kerstin Rios

Kerstin Rios — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:56:55 +0000

Thanks for your explanation. I’m afraid it was a bit of a knee-jerk reaction. I live in a college community where most of the secretarial- type positions require a degree, or I find later that I was over qualified for a position, so there is a lot of confusion. Some days I think I can, and others I don’t.

You sound like the type of person I would like to work for.

Again, good luck and thanks.

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:57:48 +0000

@Kerstin – Unskilled labor can mean quite a few different things to different people. Skilled work is something that you can’t sit down and teach a reasonably smart person how to do in a few weeks. For example, a reasonably smart person with a high school degree isn’t going to become a doctor or programmer with a week of training.

Some of the tasks a virtual assistant performs can be done by a reasonably smart person with a week of training. For example, learning how to do mail merges, book travel, file documents, etc. are all things that can be taught fairly quickly. Other tasks that some VAs perform can’t be taught quickly. For example, creating a filling system from scratch, organizing a large event, proof reading technical writing, etc.

Most people have parts of their job that are skilled and parts that are unskilled. If a prospective client only needs the unskilled part of what you do, then they may be better off paying for someone without the additional skills. Don’t get too bent out of shape if someone doesn’t need your skills–concentrate on finding clients where your skill set matches their needs.

By: Kerstin Rios

Kerstin Rios — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:48:47 +0000

I found your article very informative as I am contemplating becoming a VA and I think I would be good at it. I have many years experience but am still researching the safest way to accomplish my desire. I find the references to “unskilled labor” from some of the comments insulting. I hardly think that working all your adult life at something you are really good at classifies anyone as “unskilled”. Just because we don’t have a piece of paper that says we can, doesn’t mean we can’t. I commend you on seeking a VA on home turf, especially with the economy the way it is. Good luck.

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:52:52 +0000

Thanks for your article. I am starting a Virtual Assistant business and will find your information quite helpful.

By: Remote or Local Assistant? : Productivity501

Remote or Local Assistant? : Productivity501 — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:01:07 +0000

[...] has been a lot of interest in virtual assistants. The idea sounds great. You hire someone to do the work you need remotely. Since you [...]

By: Greg / Wise Bread

Greg / Wise Bread — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 01:56:23 +0000

Mark, this is an AMAZINGLY HELPFUL post. Thank you for taking the time to write this up!

By: Outsourcing Ideas : Productivity501

Outsourcing Ideas : Productivity501 — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 05:26:41 +0000

[...] suggestions for hiring a cook/chef via Craigslist. Sacha Chau has a review of TimeSvr and oDesk for Virtual Assistant work and a list of tasks she has assigned to [...]

By: American Express Concierge : Productivity501

American Express Concierge : Productivity501 — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 21:50:46 +0000

[...] my quest to find a remote executive assistant, I decided to give American Express’ concierge service a try. If you have a Platinum or [...]

By: Quick Wins: Three ways to save money fast | Results Junkies

Quick Wins: Three ways to save money fast | Results Junkies — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:31:31 +0000

[...] when you can have someone else do it for you, usually for less than $15/hour. (Check out the Ultimate Virtual Assistant Guide for more [...]

By: Business Development In Context : Does Your Product or Service Scale?

Business Development In Context : Does Your Product or Service Scale? — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:32:21 +0000

[...] – there is a return. For even more information on virtual assistants, see Mark Shead’s Ultimate Virtual Assistant Guide at Productivity 501. It is not just for product support: Working with a virtual assistant can save [...]

By: Working Effectively with a New Assistant : Productivity501

Working Effectively with a New Assistant : Productivity501 — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:14:27 +0000

[...] have also written The Ultimate Virtual Assistant Guide that helps prepare you for working with a remote [...]

By: Tasks Everyday : Productivity501

Tasks Everyday : Productivity501 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:13:34 +0000

[...] briefly spoke with Suvidh from TasksEveryday about their virtual assistant services. A full time VA from them runs $1116.20 per month. For a MBA, the cost is just under [...]

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:20:36 +0000

@Jennifer – The rates I mentioned were based on my experience. How much do you typically see good virtual assistants in India charging?

By: Jennifer "That Virtual Assistant Chick" Goodwin

Jennifer "That Virtual Assistant Chick" Goodwin — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:43:08 +0000

Wow lots of info for readers. The rates mentioned are VERY low. Most reputable vas in my circle who are in it for the long run command $35-$40 as a starting rate. It scares lots of clients but the ones who ‘get it’, get on the waiting list

Jennifer Goodwin – CEO
http://www.internetGIRLfriday.com

By: 5 Reasons To Get A Non-Virtual Assistant | Run Kitty Run

5 Reasons To Get A Non-Virtual Assistant | Run Kitty Run — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:11:46 +0000

[...] and give reasons to get a non-virtual assistant. This post was inspired by Productivity 501’s post that mentioned his own non-virtual assistant. That post convinced me to put an ad on Craigslist to [...]