Is Scotland ready for Virtual Assistance?

[a okadmin]

Hi,

I have been in business for over three years. So far I have worked with clients mainly in Canada, London and the South East of England. Those I have had from Scotland are usually one-off jobs or people who are not quite ready to really embrace virtual working.

In order to develop my business I would like to target local/Scottish clients. I have tried networking but find there is not much happening in the Renfrewshire area. I've also tried a few letters and emails but without much success.

I would love to hear your thoughts on whether Scotland is ready for virtual working and what you think are the most effective ways of reaching potential clients.

Thanks.

 

[Former Member 1]

Well, in all honesty, I'm looking at your website and wondering what it is you're actually selling... The text for CV services lies RIGHT beneath the picture of the girl... Which visually ties it in with that service... And my first impression was that yours is a business that writes CVs! Certainly there seems to be a lot of emphasis on that particular service.... The rest I'm unclear about.

Now; were I to hire a clerical/secretarial worker the FIRST thing I'd want them to do was provide a presence for the business... i.e. answer the phones, forward emails, make sure invoices and reminders got out on time etc etc... All things you do (I think?) , and I'm sure you do them exceptionally well. But that's not what I'm having explained to me from your webpage. IF I already new what a virtual assistant could do for my business then perhaps I'd call. But I'm not actually sure many people do know what's possible....

I think there is HUGE potential in Scotland. But just have a think about where else you're not getting vast amounts of business from... The areas you've described are places where people are already up to speed on the potential of this type of service. And the challenge as I see it would be to educate people as to the potential benefits of your service.

 

[stugster]

Clare,

I'd be happy to put together a quick template site FOC for you if you want. Have a peek at Open Source Web Design - Download free web design templates. and see if you like any of those templates.

I think one of the most important things nowadays is having a website that sells your services. I mean no offence by this, but I don't think your one is doing you or your business justice.

 

[a okadmin]

Thanks for the feedback so far.

I do provide CV services as well. Maybe I need to think about how I promote two different services individually rather than having them both together.

 

[Scottish Business Owner]

Hi Clare,

I also use a va service at present for one of my other businesses. They answer calls during working hours and email me the notes along with the information I have requested. They also arrnage meetings etc for me using a shared google calendar which means we can both see it real time all the time.

I'm with Matt on this people do need to be educated to a certain degree. I think the other thing that is relevant here is people's unwillingness to delegate which is also a major challenge. I would take up Stu's offer and also look at how you position the business.

 

[abs]

Hi Clare

I don't think Virtual Assistance is a concept that is well known in Scotland yet. It's much more popular in the States (as you already know) and in England. I do believe once people get used to the concept, that business will pick up.

The only advice I can give is get out there and network! Renfrew is not too far away from Glasgow and there should be plenty of networking opportunities there. I travel from Forfar to Dundee or Perth for networking events. So far the majority of my clients have been through contacts rather than through advertising.

Business is quiet just know but I am quite happy as I am studying and doing some part time teaching to help pay the bills.

Good luck with the business and the networking!

Theresia

 

[a okadmin]

Hi Theresia,

Nice to meet you here. In my experience, things are usually a little slow just after Christmas and usually start to pick up around March. My feeling is the same as yours that virtual assistance is still in its infancy here and once people start to appreciate the benefits of it then we will be in a great position.

I just want to make the most of this quieter time by improving my marketing and getting out and networking. I would also be interested to know how people think we can raise awareness of virtual assistance in Scotland.

 

[Adventurelife]

Hi Claire

Well works for me as you know as I have used your services in the past. On the average year I get virtual support from individuals based in Scotland and also all around the world.

I really do not know how I would get half my projects done without it to be honest.

Depending on the project requirement I look for the virtual individual with the required skills and ability and reputation.

I am sure others will catch on to this soon.

Peter

 

[a okadmin]

I think it's going to be a case of fine tuning my marketing combined with networking as much as I can to try and spread the word a-ok admin - Home.

Stuart is very kindly helping me to get off to a great start with a new look for my website. It's still under development but please feel free to let me know any comments, particularly on the wording i.e. what I should say to really sell me and my services.

 

[Former Member 1]

I think it's going to be a case of fine tuning my marketing combined with networking as much as I can to try and spread the word a-ok admin - Home.

Stuart is very kindly helping me to get off to a great start with a new look for my website. It's still under development but please feel free to let me know any comments, particularly on the wording i.e. what I should say to really sell me and my services.

Good news that Stu's on the case with the website. FWIW I'd lose the clipart/stock photos and go for a more personal/custom look. Get some good photos taken of yourself and your team working away. I think that will better build up trust and confidence in potential clients; the fact that there's a REAL, serious person behind the service and not just a random ready-salted 'clipart babe' [sic] will carry more weight..

As for Scotland; I think there's HUGE potential for this sort of service. Especially as our geography lends itself so well to home based businesses that might still need a 'corporate' presence.

 

[stugster]

random ready-salted 'clipart babe'[sic]

Easy PC Scotland - Contact Us
http://www.equiphase.net/uploads/images/2009-offer.jpg


I love my clipart babes! :drool:

 

[Former Member 1]

Easy PC Scotland - Contact Us
http://www.equiphase.net/uploads/images/2009-offer.jpg


I love my clipart babes! :drool:

I noticed Stu :001_tt2:

Mind you I can talk... I'm having a life-size cardboard cut-out Audrey Hepburn made for a project... :001_rolleyes:

 

[stugster]

Yes Matt... "Made for a project"

 

[Gutsy]

Hi Clare,

I specialise in transcription and also do some typing, particularly CVs so I'm in a VERY similar field to you. I'm from South Africa and I did find that I had to do some educating of people, not so much with the virtual services thing but with the technology they were using.

I would certainly think that Scotland is more than ready for virtual services. The thing to do is to make sure you are being seen. Network everywhere you go - if you have kids, network at their schools, pin up a notice at your local library, and sell your services to people you happen to speak to.

An effective website is an absolute must - this means getting it seen. Once you've redeveloped it, list it in non reciprocal link business directories, go for online classifieds - Gumtree is very very effective here and I'm sure it operates there too. Google Gumtree Glasgow?

 

[stugster]

Clare,

I'd be happy to put together a quick template site FOC for you if you want.

a-ok admin - Virtual Assistance and CV Services

What do we think people?

 

[abs]

I'm no expert on websites, but I found it clean, to the point and professional looking. I think it is very good. Better go and tidy mine up now!

Well done!

Theresia

 

[a okadmin]

I would just like to say a big thank you to Stu for all his help with the improvements to my website. I would happily recommend him to anyone who needs hosting services or PC support. :thumbup: