My Virtual Assistant Interview!

Interview With a Virtual Assistant

Raquel Kelly

Hello everybody! Join me in my chat with Connie Sheppard, one of our very own VAs here in the Virtual Assistant Community, it's about what life is like for her as a Virtual Assistant.

Raquel: First tell us a little about yourself.
Connie: I'm a former homeschooling mom (my children are out of school now), married to my wonderful college sweetheart. We attend and are very involved in our church. I am a musician, and from the age of 12 until my youngest turned 8, (about 30+ years) I taught piano, voice and flute lessons from my home. I have a B.A. in music, and was all but one semester shy of getting an Assoc. degree in Medical Records. I love to learn, I love variety.

Raquel: How long have you been a VA?
Connie: Officially, I have worked with a regular client for one year the end of this month. I worked off and on a few other jobs before that as well.

Raquel: How many clients do you have?
Connie: Two

Raquel: What kind of work do you do for your clients?
Connie: I handle their e-mail, their calendars, confirm appointments, type documents and spreadsheets, set up meetings, book hotel conference rooms, send information and forms to clients, set up fan pages and event pages, update clients Twitter followers and following status, order gifts….etc.,

Raquel: How many hours per week do you work?
Connie: This week I worked 19, but most weeks between 12 and 15 hrs. That will be growing in the future.

Raquel: What's your biggest challenge as a VA?
Connie: You're always having to learn new stuff, and you have to have the proper mindset for that -- a "CAN DO" attitude. If you don't -- you're sunk!

Raquel: What do you like best about being a VA?
Connie: The variety -- hands down! I love that. It's the one thing office positions I've had before could not offer, and I thrive on it.

Raquel: Connie, thank you for giving us a peek into who you are and what you are doing as a VA! Is there any parting advice you'd like to give to the VAs in our community?
Connie: You can do it! Go for it!

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I was asked to do this for the Virtual Assistant Community that I belong to. I was excited for the opportunity. It was nice to be in print! (Patting myself on my back...)

Out of My Comfort Zone

Testing the Water!

Ok, I admit it! I like my comfortable routine. I'm not real crazy about change. I used to be when I was younger, but let's face it...I'm not a teenager anymore (comments from the audience not necessary).

But I needed something to do after my daughter graduated homeschool. Homeschooling took up a large part of my life for a long time. Now what was I going to do to fill my hours, that would keep my interest, and maybe aid the family budget?

So I took a class in becoming a VA. VA stands for Virtual Assistant, and is basically an office assistant off site...usually from home. It was a safe jump into the water...because it was just a class. No commitment.

After waiting and waiting, doing some temporary work here and there, I finally got a client! Scary business. This was commitment, this was really testing the water, now. I opened a new e-mail account, started making appointments for her, did a few excel spreadsheets, and a few Word documents. Not bad. I can do this.

Then ordering gifts, mailing them out, checking e-mail when she's out of town. Do an event page? What in the world is an event page? A Fan Page? Yikes! Find a conference room, figure out what's wrong with Time Driver, you never know what will come up that needs to be done. Typing transcripts came next - now that makes me a happy camper, I love to type. See who's following her on Twitter...add clients to LinkedIn, etc., etc.

It's a challenge - and you can never complain about being bored!

In the back of my mind, I've been telling myself I need to step it up. Advance to the next challenge. There's been this "toe" hanging over the edge of the dock, hanging but not dipping into the cold water.

Well, today...the "toe" got dipped. I heard the little scream in my head...but, it only lasted a short second. I took on a new client, AND added my name to an available transcriptionist list - all in the same day!

The water was a little icy...but I survived. I'm not quite swimming yet...but I will be. So are you sitting on the dock with one foot an inch above the water? Are you trying to decide if you really want to challenge yourself or move outside your comfort zone? Hey, I did it and I'm still alive...so you can, too!

Thanks to Denise, Rhea, and Stacey. You gals rock!
(And not to forget their input, thanks mom and dad for making me take some business classes in high school!)

(No, that's NOT a shark...it's a dolphin, come on now!)

Friday's Fave 5

Well, this has sure been a busy week. I work from home as a Virtual Assistant - and one of my client's kept me very busy. Hey, that's the whole point!! Busy = income!

Thinking about some of the favorite things that occurred this week, I found myself dwelling on some not-so-favorite things - like the trip to the doctors, or hearing my cousin with Ovarian Cancer is really struggling with the new chemo. But...I refocused, and here's what I thought of.

1. My cousin MAY be suffering bad from the new chemo...but her cancer counts were down by HALF!!! According to her, that's the most since her surgery. Praise the Lord!!

2. I did go to the doctor, the gynocologist to be exact. Not my favorite place. In fact, I usually stretch out the time between visits as LOOONNNNGGGGG as possible. My last gynocologist passed away, just a year or so after her husband died. So, there I was with no doctor. But I found one nearby, that has Nurse Practitioner's...and I met one of them this week for my appointment. I like her a lot. She's a little avant garde, but that's ok with me. It's easier to put up with an uncomfortable situation like visiting the doctor - when you like who you see.

3. I've SO enjoyed working with my client. I've had all kinds of jobs in the past - way too numerous to list, and I've never enjoyed working with anyone, or doing the kind of work I did - as I enjoy what and with whom I work now. It's very challenging, and very different. It never gets stale.

4. I really enjoy opportunities to save money. This week I found out that I could save almost $50.00 a month by going back to one company for a complete bundle on phone, internet and TV. $50.00 a month! That's $600.00 a year - nothing to ignore. I'm one happy camper. Granted, it's on one of those two year specials - but in two years, that's $1200.00. Then I'll just go find another deal.

5. I love, love, love Spring (minus the allergies). I love the new leaves, the new flowers, the "twitter-pated" birds, the sneaky squirrels, watching people walk by the house, the grass greening up, the warmth and the sunshine. Someone asked if I would get tired of days like yesterday if that's all we had (near 80, gentle breezes, lots of sunshine). The answer - NEVER. It's my absolute, favorite kind of day.

It's been fun sharing. If you'd like to participate...hop on over to Suzanne's Living to Tell the Story

The Benefits of Being A Virtual Assistant - Repost

I decided to repost this blog, to encourage others to think about this possibility as a resource for the hard times we are all facing. Both men and women can become Virtual Assistants, and there are many types of Virtual Assistants. Some may specialize in Bookkeeping, or website development, others may do data entry, e-mail management, or a host of other office related activities. If you're at all interested, one great training program is being offered at EducatingForSuccess.com. Check it out.

I also wanted to reprint it, because I was excited to see it in print on the VA forum/website that I belong to. That was neat. So consider this a bit of tooting my own horn, as well!

THE BENEFITS OF BEING A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT AND WORKING FROM HOME

All my adult life, I’ve worked some to provide extra income for my family. My main career goal in life has always been to be a wife and mother, and we had chosen for me to be a stay-at-home mom. Along the way, though, I’ve done side jobs…the list of which is quite diverse. The worst experience ever was making Christmas wreaths in an unheated warehouse!

Working from home allows me the opportunity to take a sick family member or pet to the doctor. It allows me to do the laundry between projects, take a personal call if one comes in, stop and make a healthy meal, or work at 7:00 p.m. if I couldn’t at 9:00 a.m.

During my daughter’s last year of high school (we home-schooled), I began my work as a Virtual Assistant. I was still there for her questions, and still had time to plan and prepare for lessons. We had to learn to be a little more flexible, but that’s one of those adult skills we all need to have, anyway, so call it Life Skill training!

We, as a family, are trying to learn to live frugally. We have two older cars, and one of them is on its last tires! Rather than go into debt and buy another car, we’re making do with one as often as possible. If I were not working from home, we would not be able to do that.

If we need to have a repairman out, like say, for a microwave that dies mid-meal preparation, I am home. I don’t need to leave work, or ask a friend to come over and let the repairman in. That makes deliveries, meter reading, anything like that so much easier.

Being a stay-at-home mom, I have constantly dealt with the feeling of not contributing. Now, that’s ridiculous, and I know that! However, it’s especially uplifting and encouraging to actually be adding to the family income without changing my primary focus.

I love being a Virtual Assistant. I am always being challenged to learn something new, to believe in myself, and grow. It’s a great opportunity to work from home and improve yourself at the same time. Besides all that, it is so much fun to tell people I’m a Virtual Assistant and wait for the ….”a what?” It happens almost every time!

Thanks to Google Images for the fun pictures.

Benefits of being a Virtual Assistant

THE BENEFITS OF BEING A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT AND WORKING FROM HOME

All my adult life, I’ve worked some to provide extra income for my family. My main career goal in life has always been to be a wife and mother, and we had chosen for me to be a stay-at-home mom. Along the way, though, I’ve done side jobs…the list of which is quite diverse. The worst experience ever was making Christmas wreaths in an unheated warehouse!

Working from home allows me the opportunity to take a sick family member or pet to the doctor. It allows me to do the laundry between projects, take a personal call if one comes in, stop and make a healthy meal, or work at 7:00 p.m. if I couldn’t at 9:00 a.m.

During my daughter’s last year of high school (we home-schooled), I began my work as a Virtual Assistant. I was still there for her questions, and still had time to plan and prepare for lessons. We had to learn to be a little more flexible, but that’s one of those adult skills we all need to have, anyway, so call it Life Skill training!

We, as a family, are trying to learn to live frugally. We have two older cars, and one of them is on its last tires! Rather than go into debt and buy another car, we’re making do with one as often as possible. If I were not working from home, we would not be able to do that.

If we need to have a repairman out, like say, for a microwave that dies mid-meal preparation, I am home. I don’t need to leave work, or ask a friend to come over and let the repairman in. That makes deliveries, meter reading, anything like that so much easier.

Being a stay-at-home mom, I have constantly dealt with the feeling of not contributing. Now, that’s ridiculous, and I know that! However, it’s especially uplifting and encouraging to actually be adding to the family income without changing my primary focus.

I love being a Virtual Assistant. I am always being challenged to learn something new, to believe in myself, and grow. It’s a great opportunity to work from home and improve yourself at the same time. Besides all that, it is so much fun to tell people I’m a Virtual Assistant and wait for the ….”a what?” It happens almost every time!

Thanks to Google Images for the fun pictures.

Octo-Woman alias Virtual Assistant!

Thanks to SillyArt.com, I found a picture that describes my days these last few! A crazed look on my face, and eight arms going in all directions. But it's been fun. That's the nature of being a Virtual Assistant!

My client, Stacey Hylen, is putting together a great event for entrepreneurs, business owners, self-employed - anyone wanting to grow their business. It's called Business Optimization Week - 2009, and it's happening from October 26th through the 30th online. This is her 3rd event.

It absolutely amazes me how much it takes to put together an event like this! It's mind-boggling.

One little portion of the big picture was to send out this gift to the speakers that will be on the event. There was the letter, the wrapping, picking up the envelopes, getting a nice quality paper to print the letter on, finding out how to send international mail. Then there was the patiently filling out the form at the Post Office that they should have told me about the day before, so I could have had it already done!!

These were the little gadgets that I sent out. It's a calendar, clock and alarm, and calculator.

I've enjoyed learning how to do new things while working on this huge project. I'm finding out how to add Friends to Facebook, follow people on Twitter, I'm working on setting up a search for affiliates for Stacey's clients...and SO much more.

What's particularly good about this opportunity in my life (outside of earning some money), is learning to be a better steward of TIME! You have a set a schedule and try to stick to it. There's always the temptation to NOT do that, to sluff off, but then not only do you not have time to get things done for your client, but your own work doesn't get done.

Obviously, this week, as my regular blogging friends have noticed, I didn't have a lot of time to blog! Sorry about that. I'll be getting back to my regular blogging events ASAP.

Update on becoming a VA!

I'm a Virtual Assistant!

Well, I'm doing it!! I am officially working as a VA.
My client works out of Canada and has clients she deals with both in Canada and the US. I believe she may even have a few clients internationally as well. So, what am I doing?

I do excel spreadsheets, Word documents, make appointments, and verify appointments. I may eventually do other things as well - but for now, this pretty much covers it. I hope to start handling her voice mail as well.

I am most enjoying the opportunity to work from home! I get up and check in around 9:00 in the morning, take a break to start a load of clothes, plan supper, then go back to work. If I need to run and errand - I can. If I get a personal phone call - I can take it. If I want to work in my nightgown (and I have), I can!!

The only problem I run into, is that I'm often asked to do things I've not done before, or at least not done a lot of. It makes it a little stressful to go figure it out when you have a time frame you're working with. However, that's the only way to get comfortable with things - by doing them!

So, you might ask - is it profitable? Are you making anything doing this? The resounding answer would be - YES!! Right now I'm making $10.00 an hour. My last job didn't pay that much per hour and I had to drive my car, take lunches, wear business-type clothes, often work mandatory over-time....etc. I am one happy camper making $10.00 from home!

How do I get paid? Well, I suppose my client could mail me a check - but that's snail mail. She pays me via PayPal - which I then transfer electronically to my bank account! Couldn't be easier. Love it!

Well, one reason I started this blog was to journal my journey into the world of home-business and technology. So, this is just a long-time coming update!

If you're interested in the field - you might want to check out Rhea Perry's VA classes online, at www.educatingforsuccess.com. That's how I learned to do this.

Working With a New Site Owner!

Well, for the last part of my apprenticeship, I will begin to work with a new site owner. She's doing a site that will encourage parents of children with learning disabilities. I am excited about that - as I can relate to parents in this situation. Our dd has learning disabilities.

These last few weeks have been challenging. I'm still in the "everything" is new stage. I'm hoping just once I'll get the opportunity to do something twice! I learn best when things happen over and over again.

Homeschooling dd during this period of time has been challenging, too. I am increasingly concerned about her abilities in dealing with the real world. There are a lot of things to take responsibility for. That has been my goal this year, to show her what responsibilities are hers - and help her move into them with confidence. It's been tough, because there is still a part of her that wishes to remain a child.

That stress of knowing I need to continue the push toward her maturity, as well as pushing myself to learn new and often times challenging things, kind of moves into overload at times. However, I know that God is able to see me through all this. He has led me to take on these challenges - so He'll provide a way for me to get through them as well.

Continuing to Learn!

One thing I'm discovering! There is never a point when you've totally learned your job as a Virtual Assistant. I am now venturing into the world of article creation. I have yet to start, but it sounds like I'd best find some creativity.

It's been a little slow the last few weeks - one apprenticeship is winding down, and I'm beginning to work with another site owner. Hopefully, I'll get to do more this next couple of weeks.

Homeschooling my dd has begun to be problematic. I really am despairing of knowing how to help her prepare for the work world, to become independent at some point in her future. Her learning disabilities are a huge problem. Math skills are elementary at best, writing skills not much above Jr. High level - if that. It's not her fault - but now that she's 17, how does she work? There are only so many jobs in the area for high school age kids...and usually they involve counting change back at some point. Her efforts to learn that reliably have been futile. She still doesn't get it.

One thing I do know. God created her. He has her life completely planned out. I know that He has only good intended for her. So, though I don't see the future, and feel frustrated as a parent...I know things will work out.

I'm awaiting some input from someone who might have some suggestions to help her. It will be interesting to hear what they have to say.

If anyone's interested - there's about 63 more days of cold weather left. That's really not the 1st of Spring or anything...just the point at which Ohio usually doesn't get the bitter cold anymore. I know...I've got it bad.

Staying Optimistic

I am suddenly bombarded with assignments. It's a little overwhelming! Ok, so it's a LOT overwhelming. Everything is brand new and has to be learned from scratch. I was kind of hoping things would move into some routine as I went along, and that I'd be doing some things again and again - you learn better that way!

However, I am now learning about Facebook, My Space, Web2.0 sites, page rating.....and the list goes on. This is ok! It'd be great if I didn't feel under pressure to get things done in a timely fashion. So suddenly, I feel a bit depressed.

Then my pastor inadvertently came to the rescue. He's preaching a series that eventually will take us through the entire Bible - in time. Right now, we're in Exodus. Remember the story of Moses? In short and in my narrating style, he was born during a time when the Pharoah of Egypt wanted to murder Jewish boy babies, mom hid him a while - then stuck him in a basket to float down the Nile where the princess of Egypt found him. He was raised in the palace, saw how the Jews were treated - eventually murdered an Egyptian soldier and found himself on the run. He ended up in the desert, married Zipporah, and ended up "shepping" for a living. (I love that term, Pastor used it on Sunday). While "shepping", he came across a burning bush...and found himself in the presence of God. God gave him his assignment, and here's where I started feeling the pinch - Moses wanted to turn away from the opportunity. He complained, he made excuses, he whined.

The gist of Pastor's point was, don't walk away from opportunities God presents you. So now, here I am - faced with all these multiple tasks, and I'm whining and complaining. God however, has given me this opportunity, and it's time to just be optimistic. If God wants me to do this - He'll give me the answers to my questions, the time to get it done, and the ability to understand what it is I'm doing. So onward and forward.

Take note, I added a website for you to go visit when you've got a moment. Just click on it in my blog description and it will take you to a great site.

Learned something new!

Well, it seems that every time I have a new assignment as an VA apprentice, I have to figure something out. There's always a problem to solve. Did you know that Excel 2007 spreadsheets cannot be downloaded to Google Documents? Well, now you know. Did you know you can Save a 2007 spreadsheet in Excel as a 1999-2003 workbook? I didn't. Once I learned this key bit of info., I was able to then download a spreadsheet to Google.
It certainly would have been nice to know that before I spent all that time trying to figure out what I was doing wrong!

Before I forget. Happy New Year! Best wishes. Hope the holidays were wonderful.

More Questions than Answers!

As I'm learning about EBay, and blogs, and becoming a VA - it seems like I keep adding more questions to my list. For example....what is a Feed, as in RSS Feed? How do I get more ads on my Blog? How do I get people to come to the blog?

When you want to set up an auction for stuff...do you have to set up a separate auction for every item you want to sell? How do you know how to set prices and shipping?

How can you become an affiliate for someone, and how do you know a good one to affiliate with?

Should you have extra protection for your computer when you're doing work from the computer?

Well, my list could go on, and on. I guess it's time to do some googling. If anyone out there has some input on these particular questions...let me know.

Everybody got their Christmas shopping done, presents wrapped, dinner menus selected?
Just a couple more days!

Getting My Feet Wet....or

Drowning! I am working on my apprenticeship. I enjoy doing the assignments, but it makes me a nervous wreck. Did I do it right, am I getting everything done? There are loads of places to get help - our VA class has a discussion forum we can go to. There are all kinds of wonderful teaching sites. One could spend all day finding information to help with Excel, or create a blog, or on time management. Spend a little time researching and you can learn just about anything you want online.

I'm also finding that the person I am apprenticing with has loads of information to help me too, and not just with being a VA - but in helping homeschooled students adventure into the world of entrepeneurship. There is so much out there that kids can learn to do. My dd is an artist, and I've been given some pretty neat ideas already on things she might do to use her talents and abilities.

So I've done a spreadsheet in Excel, set up a group, and begun to do a little research. I always have to learn things the hard way, so it takes time to accomplish every task - but hopefully that will allow me to remember things better for the next time.

Things I've Learned...and need to Learn

Well, my first few days as an apprentice are behind me. I haven't had that much to do yet - but what I've had to do has already been a challenge. The Excel 2007 spreadsheet has been a bit of a bear! Did you know that Excel 2007 Docs cannot be opened in Google Docs - currently? I did not until yesterday! Google Docs needs to get a move on!

I learned that I can really make a mess of formulas in Excel. Obviously, some hands on training would be helpful. If someone could sit down with me and tell me how to do things while they're sitting beside me, things would stick in my brain.

The biggest thing I'm beginning to understand is that I'm going to have to be more organized, use my time wisely, get up a little earlier and get stuff done around the house. This will be my greatest challenge.

What better way to educate oneself, though, than through trial and error. I learn best when I do things for myself, make mistakes, and have to figure out how to correct them. Since I've made a lot of mistakes this week, great learning must be happening!

Thankfully, my "boss" Sharyn, seems to be very patient. Thank you, Sharyn.

All in all, it's a great experience.

I'm Apprenticing as a VA!

Good morning! It's one of those infamous dreary, wet, cold Midwestern mornings that marks Ohio winters. However, it is not getting me down. I'm actually excited. I'm also nervous and a tad scared. I have been assigned to an Internet marketer as an apprentice for this month. I have no idea what to expect. Hopefully, just more of what I've been doing for homework. This will be a great transition in my life. I'm still homeschooling my daughter and will need to add being a VA to the mix without shortchanging her or my husband.

Being a Virtual Assistant is an up and coming thing. Right now when I mention it to people they raise their eyebrows in speculation. Can it be a real career? I guess time will tell for them. It makes perfect sense to me - to be somewhat of an office manager for people doing business online. I think more and more opportunities like this will develop as time goes by.

So, I'll post from time to time on the progress I'm making. Let me know what you think.

Moving into the world of Technology

I admit it. I'm technologically impaired. Each step I take is eons behind the times. However, give me credit for at least taking steps. Over the last several weeks I've been taking a class to become a Virtual Assistant (an online office manager of sorts). During this class, I have learned the differences in word processing programs, I've renewed my familiarity with Excel from years gone by, I've learned that you can schedule conferences online, talk on the phone - online, blog, use Documents in your computer as a filing cabinet (now this alone was HUGE!)... and etc. I've learned about Google AdSense, how to use EBay. Boy, I had no idea! I've been having the time of my life. Some of it makes me nervous, but I'm doing it. Better late than never!

If you're so inclined, check out EducatingForSuccess.com. Great stuff.