It’s no surprise to hear us say that Virtual Assistants must provide SOLUTIONS to their clients. If you don’t provide your clients with solutions via your support and services, then you’re not doing your ‘job’.

So when I came across Tina’s blog post (yes, I do check out her blog frequently!) and saw the post about “Providing Solutions, Not Just Options”, I thought it would a great one to share.

This post was written for Online Business Managers, however I believe the message in it will demonstrate just one more way of telling our clients “what they don’t know” (if you haven’t heard the story about this phrase, let me know and I’ll share it in a future issue of the V-Scoop.)

Our clients are busy. They know their expertise. In most cases, they know very little about the technology and the steps that WE take to implement and complete a project. The onus is on us, as Virtual Assistants, to provide, research and demonstrate as much as we can, without making them work too hard.

So, check out this post and ask yourself … are you providing solutions? Are you making your client(s) work too hard? Are you demonstrating your expertise, mindset and initiative?

>> Read the blog post “Providing Solutions, Not Just Options”

Let’s cut to the chase on this topic. Most of us know that responding to RFPs (Request for Proposals) via various industry networks can be a great way to connect with clients. But it can be a bit intimidating… common concerns include:

• how much information should I include?
• how long should my response be?
• should I tell them my rate?
• should I include my resume?
• do I tell them about my experience before I became a VA?

Think about this way… your response to a RFP is your first (and potentially only) opportunity to leave a lasting impression. So what do you want the business owner to remember about you? What do you want them to think as they read your response? What can you say that will make them want to talk with you … versus deleting your email?

We’ve been on the ‘client side’ of an RFP several times. As business owners ourselves and on behalf of clients we’ve sent RPFs that include specific expertise needed, questions we would like answered and general details about the opportunity.

Some of the responses are great, but sad to say that most responses aren’t very good.
This leaves us shaking our heads because (1) we know the VA is capable of much more than what they provided in their response and (2) the response did not represent the expertise of the Virtual Assistant industry as a whole.

We have also spoken with other business owners about the kind of response they have received from their RFP. In almost every situation, there are just a few responses that stand out… the others shouldn’t have bothered to responded.

We’re working on a full guide for responding to RFPs but in the meantime … here’s a quick list of the top 10
essentials you need to remember when responding to a RFP.

>>> Download the “Top 10 Essentials to Remember When Responding to a RFP”

As you may know, earlier this year we made some changes to our virtual assistant service at MultipleStreamsTeam.com. Since 2005 we had been providing top-notch support services to business owners creating their own multiple streams based business, as based on the model originally taught by Andrea J. Lee in her book Multiple Streams of Coaching Income.

After taking a look at the changes in the marketplace and how we ourselves could do our best work in this industry, this past spring we decided to close the Multiple Streams Team in order to be able to pursue other projects (such as this very ezine!)

But the thing is - after years of talking about the Multiple Streams Team and promoting it via various channels and partners, we still have LOTS of traffic coming to this site - business owners looking for help - and since we are no longer offering these services ourselves all of this traffic is essentially going to waste.

Now you know us… when we see an opportunity like this we have to ask ourselves -

“What can we do here to connect these business owners the help they need?”

The answer was quite simple really…

We’ve decided to revise the MultipleStreamsTeam.com site and are in the process of updating it to become a simple ‘job posting’ system. We are creating a new request for proposal (RFP) system for business owners to post their needs, which we will then be sent out to our list of fabulous VAs who are looking for clients.

Care to join our list and get sent real hiring
opportunities as they arise?

This is a free service for both business owners and virtual assistants - there is no cost to join. We simply want to provide a way to connect you with the business owners that are coming to the site looking for support.

>> Click here to join the VA job notification list… and spread the word to other VAs who may want to join.

Note that as of the time of sending you won’t see these changes reflected yet on the homepage at www.multiplestreamsteam.com. We are working on revising the site and expect to officially ‘go live’ next week… but in the meantime we wanted to give you a sneak peek and the opportunity to get on the VA list early.

Musings from Cindy Greenway

If you’ve been on any teleclasses or training with us, you’ll know that we talk a LOT about Mindset …. Marketing Mindset and Business Mindset. Well today I’d like to share something with you that somewhat empowered me over the last few weeks …. a different kind of mindset.

I’m sharing this with you because I hope it will impact you as positively as it impacted me and it also somewhat relates to this week’s ‘Future of Virtual Assistance’ topic. Remember, I too have my own VA business supporting clients and I love to share the things that I find helpful for me and my business.

Something ‘clicked’ for me this week. I’ve been taking things ‘easy’ over the summer months - working a little here and there - but focusing mostly on having fun in the sun.

Anyways, I listened in on a teleclass recently, hosted by one of my clients,
Katrina Sawa. While listening to the call I found myself super motivated by the discussion, and started writing down all the goals I wanted to accomplish this year and into next year.

I *think* what prompted this for me was the discussion around the qualities that 6, 7, and 8-figure business owners have in common. Here’s what they were:

• Ability to make decisions - swiftly and confidently
• Take big leaps of faith - having faith that everything will fall into place and be ok
• Invest in ourselves - attend training, conferences, networking events
• Believe in ourselves - the belief that everything will work out

This sparked something for me and gave me the kick-in-the-behind I needed! Turn on my ‘thinking big’ mindset and really got me excited.

Do you have these qualities?

Do you believe in your business?

Share with us below …. what are your goals for your business — for the remainder of 2009 and also into 2010?

A Word from our Sponsor

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The costs associated with preparing, editing and distributing the Virtually Successful Scoop ezine are covered 100% by our sponsors.  If you’re curious about becoming a sponsor and reaching 1500+ virtual professionals send an email to sponsor@virtuallysuccessful.com.

Just in Time Learning for VAs - the skills you need when you need them!

• Your client just asked you to help setup a membership site - but you don’t know where to start!
• Your client REALLY wants to do video or possibly a podcast and wants your help.
• You are tired of having to rely on someone else to do simple website updates for your client - and wish you could do it yourself.

Get instant access to these skills (and many more) when you need them with our new self-study training!

Since October 2007, Hot Skills VA Training has offered a variety of training programs designed to help Virtual Assistants get the ‘hot skills’ that we know clients are eager to pay for. Until now all of our programs have been offered ‘live’ - so if you missed the date, you would need to wait for the next program to start!

No need to wait anymore… the following Hot Skills VA Training programs are now available in self-study format!

Self-Study Specialty Skills Training

• Website and Blog Specialist
• Podcasting and Video Specialist
• Membership Specialist

Self-Study Business Building Programs

• 3 Clients in 30 Days Challenge
• Managing Multiple Clients

As soon as you register for any of these programs you will receive instant access to the exclusive member only training area and can dive into your training right away!

Get started now - remember, you have until the end of August to claim your savings.

>> Check it out — www.HotSkillsVATraining.com

We’re having a blast with your comments on all of the “VAs Do It On Their Laptops” items.

We recently heard from Ana Lucia Novak - she purchased a few of the “VAs Do It On Their Laptops” items - namely the clock and journal — and she loved them! So we asked her if she would share a picture with us - we were curious to see how it all looked!

Seeing the big smile on Ana Lucia’s face with these items put a big smile on our faces too! How fun but yet so great for our profession at the same time!

There’s still time for you to get your own items - Check out the full store!

What do you really think of the “VAs Do It On Their Laptops”? Comment below.

"VAs Do It On Their Laptops" Receives Great Response!

In the last issue of the V-Scoop we revealed the new "Virtual Assistants Do It On Their Laptops" slogan and fun products in the brand new store. It was so great to see so many of you enjoy and get a few of the items!

Here’s what Kate Bradbury shared on the VirtuallySuccessful.com blog:

LOVE IT! "Virtual Assistants Do it on Their Laptops"!!!!!!

and Patricia Hartfield wrote:

THIS IS FANTASTIC LADIES! I already placed an order. I was looking for some products that has a Virtual Assistant on it. And, you guys did a great job. … Lets tell the WORLD who we are!!!

We will be looking at adding additional items (thanks for your suggestions!) and promise to keep you posted. Currently there are t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, hats, clocks, journals, mugs - travel and coffee, water bottle, magnets, buttons and stickers.

Here’s a quick pic of some of the items.

Check out the full store!

Remember, done tastefully, attention-getting publicity and promotion can be a way to really broaden the reach of your business too. Click to comment here.

Question of the Week

What Are You Doing to Help Grow Your Client’s Business?

Tina recently posted this on her blog and we thought it would be a great topic to get you thinking about the work you do with your clients.

I’ve included a link to the full blog post below but here’s a snippet that I’d like to share here with you:

With all the bumps in the economy these days, I’m hearing some buzz among online support folks (virtual assistants, online business managers and the like) along the lines of "If my client’s business is struggling - doesn’t that mean they’ll have to let me go?"

Au contraire! Your services are needed more than ever because of these challenges…

We need to always be focused on how we are helping to grow our client’s business. If you find yourself in fear of ‘losing your clients’ or are seeing some of your clients struggling I want to ask you: What are you doing to help grow your client’s business?

Read the ideas Tina shares on her blog …. you’ll be surprised at how effective these points are no matter who you work with! Take a few minutes to leave your comments about what you ARE doing to help your clients build their business.

And if you’re a Virtual Assistant looking for help in how to really impact your client’s business and build your own at the same time, check out the customized VA coaching packages available to you.

Communication …. the KEY To a Successful Virtual Relationship

We all know it - even subconsciously. Communication is the key to any relationship - virtual or not.

Ironically … although we know the importance of communication, it’s one of the main reasons behind a VA/Client break-up.

Why?

Because we often avoid discussing topics that we believe to be unimportant or slightly uncomfortable to discuss. Instead we literally wave our hand and say "it will all work out."

When it comes to a Client/VA relationship - it’s really up to us Virtual Assistants to ensure great communication with our clients.

This goes beyond a phone discussion every once in a while or emails back and forth throughout the week or instant messages throughout the day. These forms of communication are great and convenient but when it comes to creating, building and solidifying relationships with our clients, we need more than the casual connection.

Perhaps you can relate to these scenarios:

• you receive an email from your client asking you to complete a task immediately ….. you were out of the office for a few hours and it’s now ‘too’ late
• your client has expectations that are well beyond what was originally discussed….. you sense and feel frustration from the exchange of emails and feel irrate, annoyed and uneasy about the issue. How do you deal with it now?
• your client is busy and possibly difficult to connect with… in an attempt to ‘not bother them’ you don’t connect at all or perhaps send the odd email to check in yet they seems annoyed or frustrated with you

Any of these ring a bell?

One of the practices that we all (Andrea, Tina and Cindy) firmly believe in is connecting with clients every week - even for just 20 minutes at a time. The voice-to-voice connection has proved to be invaluable. By coming prepared to the meeting, ready to discuss upcoming deadlines, priorities and goals, the time is well-spent and more efficient than sending countless emails (which may be intrepreted differently) on the same topics.

After seeing the struggles that VAs and clients have faced due to ‘bad’ communication, we came up with a checklist on "How to Communicate With Your Client". This was first written a couple of years ago and recently updated to include even more information. Let us know if you have anything we can add!

Use this tool to help you effectively communicate with your prospective and current clients. Will you make any changes on how connect? Enjoy! Click here for PDF.

Think back to growing your own business … ever wish there was a tool or resource created to help you? Let us know … we’ll be happy to create something to help all Virtual Assistants. Just hit reply to put in your request.

© 2009 Virtually Successful.com. Reproduction permitted with full attribution.

Could you use a little boost in the right direction? Would you like VA specific support for YOUR own questions and YOUR own circumstance?

After much encouragement from us, and many requests from Virtual Assistants, Cindy Greenway is now offering 1-1 personal coaching support services.

I started working with Cindy over two and a half years ago. The mentoring I’ve received from her is invaluable as I continue to work as a Virtual Assistant and build my business. She has helped me tremendously with focusing on having a ‘Business Mindset’ with my clients. She’s really encouraged me to be proactive in moving forward instead of ‘waiting’ to see what I can help my clients with. She has a great way of pushing me in a positive way so I can achive my goals. Thanks for all your help, Cindy! ~ Rhonda Embry, Virtual Assistant

For years Cindy has supported Virtual Assistants learning new skills and technology,finding new clients and retaining clients. If you’ve been on any calls with Cindy, you’ll know that she is passionate about the VA industry and anything that is associated to it.

Starting July 2nd, Cindy is making more room in her schedule to support a small number of Virtual Assistants who really want to not just reach, but surpass their goals. Want more clients? Looking to explore your business growth options? Wondering if you should specialize or create a multi-va business?

Her no-nonsense approach will help you accountable to your priorities and the growth of your VA business, while managing better balance, all at the same time.

Ready to take your business up a notch (and then some)?

Cindy is offering a 60-minute ‘anything goes’ Business Boosting Session for the very special rate of $97 (regular price for these sessions is $197). She has room for only 9 sessions in her calendar this month - and after those are booked this special offer will be complete.

>> Click here to Claim your Spot

If you want to learn more about Cindy’s monthly programs, click here.