A Virtual Assistant is a home based secretary or administrative support person. A virtual assistant can provide a range of skills from basic secretarial skills to more complex executive assistant skills, working remotely for the business they are supporting. Often the client is a small business, an independent consultant or a professional, who does not need a full time administrative person, and/or who do not have the premises for them to work from.
Some of the services a virtual assistant might provide are:
- bookkeeping
- database setup and management
- desktop publishing
- editing/formatting documents
- email and fax
- flyers
- invitations
- mail merges
- newsletters/enewsletters
- presentations
- proofreading/copyediting
- repetitive letters
- reports
- spreadsheets
- submissions
- transcription services; tape, digital and shorthand
- web conferencing
- word processing
How do you become a virtual assistant?
If you have the basic skills i.e. any or all of the above, you will also need a computer, the relevant software, email and a phone.
Getting your clients is the hardest part, but there are quite a few agencies out there for virtual assistants. Some examples are:
A Clayton's secretary: www.asecretary.com.au
Executive Stress Office Support (www.execstress.com)
International Association of Virtual Office Assistants (IAVOA)
Virtually Yours: www.virtuallyyours.com.au
Australian Virtual Business Network: www.avbn.com.au
As a virtual assistant, you register your details on these websites, and clients can access the listing and contact you directly. Some charge a subscription fee to be listed on the website.
Some of the listings literally have contact details and a list of the skills the virtual assistant provides. Other virtual assistants include a link to their own website which provides more details, including references and examples of work completed.
The skeptic in me wants to know how many virtual assistants actually find subscribing to the websites pays off, so I will be doing a little digging to find out more.
Having said that, the creator of Virtually Yours was nominated for the Telstra Women's Business Awards and was a finalist in the Home Based Business Awards in 2006 and 2007, so she must be doing something right.
AVBN also has an award winning founder, recognised in both the specific field of virtual assistants and as a Business Achievers Award winner in 2007.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Work in children's activities
I have just got myself a little job, starting Saturday morning. I am going to be teaching a class called 'Ready Steady Go', which is a fun, high quality sports and exercise class for children from 2 1/2 to 5.
It's just 3 hours, but it fits with the other half being home to look after the children, and it uses my previous child care experience and qualification. Potentially there might be other classes I could teach during the week, and they are all done in the morning, starting at 9:30, so it fits perfectly with school and pre-school.
This is one area us mums can definitely work in. There are lots of classes for pre-school children out there, each requiring teachers, and for the majority you don't have to have a formal qualification, just experience.
You too could design your own class for children, or for mums and babies, based on your own skills and experience. Could you teach a kiddies art class, or music, or dance? Could you teach yoga for mums and hire a carer to look after the babies, or have a mums and bubs class?
Let me know your experience...
For more information on Ready Steady Go, see their website: http://www.readysteadygo.net.au/
It's just 3 hours, but it fits with the other half being home to look after the children, and it uses my previous child care experience and qualification. Potentially there might be other classes I could teach during the week, and they are all done in the morning, starting at 9:30, so it fits perfectly with school and pre-school.
This is one area us mums can definitely work in. There are lots of classes for pre-school children out there, each requiring teachers, and for the majority you don't have to have a formal qualification, just experience.
You too could design your own class for children, or for mums and babies, based on your own skills and experience. Could you teach a kiddies art class, or music, or dance? Could you teach yoga for mums and hire a carer to look after the babies, or have a mums and bubs class?
Let me know your experience...
For more information on Ready Steady Go, see their website: http://www.readysteadygo.net.au/
Monday, May 25, 2009
Work from Home as a Web Designer
Almost all businesses would benefit from a web site. I was looking for a local restaurant in the yellow pages the other day. It's fairly new, and it wasn't listed, and a quick look on the web didn't find it either. If they'd had a web page, I could have found a phone number, checked opening hours, perhaps looked at a menu, and seen whether there was a take away option. As it was, without that information, it meant either a trip there to check it out, or resorting to an old favourite and the new restaurant missed out.
A lot of individuals also have their own web sites, or maybe a blog (web log), but not many of them have the skills to build them from scratch.
If you have skills in web design, or you are technical and creative and can learn those skills, then this could be work you could do from home.
As with a lot of these working at home options, you can do it for someone else, who already has the infrastructure set up to support the business and just needs workers to actual do the web development. Or you could set up your own business.
Hours of work
Unless you have a fairly standard product you can demonstrate over the internet or by phone, then you will probably need some face to face meetings with your clients. Initially to determine exactly what it is they are after and to agree your deliveries, and at the end to hand over the finished article and to go through training with them on how to use and maintain it. If it is a large project, progress meetings will also be required to ensure you are on track.
However, other than these meetings, the work itself can be scheduled to fit around your family life and commitments, allowing you to work while the kids are at school or in the evenings.
Income from web design
If you, and your customer are clear about exactly what you are going to deliver, then you can agree a fixed rate for the project. This should be backed up with a clear contract that states that any additions or amendments to the original requirements will need to be paid for.
This is advantageous for the customer as they know exactly what they will be paying, as opposed to paying by the hour. And for you, you do not need to keep a detailed record of hours spent, which will make life easier if you are grabbing the odd hour in between family duties to make some progress.
Also, you may be able to re-use code from previous projects and save some time, and therefore make more money per project as you get established.
Marketing yourself as a web designer
One of the hardest things with any business is getting established. Obvious ways of marketing yourself are adverts in the local paper or local free publications, on your own web site, in the yellow pages or through word of mouth.
Perhaps offer to help set up the web site for your playgroup or pre-school, or school. Make sure your name or business name is listed on the site, and get agreement that you can you it as an example of your work to show other clients.
If this is something you think you could do , but you need more training, there are plenty of courses, including distance education and evening classes that could help you build the skills you need. Have a look at the Training and Education page on my website for more details.
A lot of individuals also have their own web sites, or maybe a blog (web log), but not many of them have the skills to build them from scratch.
If you have skills in web design, or you are technical and creative and can learn those skills, then this could be work you could do from home.
As with a lot of these working at home options, you can do it for someone else, who already has the infrastructure set up to support the business and just needs workers to actual do the web development. Or you could set up your own business.
Hours of work
Unless you have a fairly standard product you can demonstrate over the internet or by phone, then you will probably need some face to face meetings with your clients. Initially to determine exactly what it is they are after and to agree your deliveries, and at the end to hand over the finished article and to go through training with them on how to use and maintain it. If it is a large project, progress meetings will also be required to ensure you are on track.
However, other than these meetings, the work itself can be scheduled to fit around your family life and commitments, allowing you to work while the kids are at school or in the evenings.
Income from web design
If you, and your customer are clear about exactly what you are going to deliver, then you can agree a fixed rate for the project. This should be backed up with a clear contract that states that any additions or amendments to the original requirements will need to be paid for.
This is advantageous for the customer as they know exactly what they will be paying, as opposed to paying by the hour. And for you, you do not need to keep a detailed record of hours spent, which will make life easier if you are grabbing the odd hour in between family duties to make some progress.
Also, you may be able to re-use code from previous projects and save some time, and therefore make more money per project as you get established.
Marketing yourself as a web designer
One of the hardest things with any business is getting established. Obvious ways of marketing yourself are adverts in the local paper or local free publications, on your own web site, in the yellow pages or through word of mouth.
Perhaps offer to help set up the web site for your playgroup or pre-school, or school. Make sure your name or business name is listed on the site, and get agreement that you can you it as an example of your work to show other clients.
If this is something you think you could do , but you need more training, there are plenty of courses, including distance education and evening classes that could help you build the skills you need. Have a look at the Training and Education page on my website for more details.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Work from Home in Voiceovers
Have you ever thought you'd sound good on the radio? Do you like the sound of your own voice?? Well, maybe you could earn some money in voiceovers.
Voiceovers are used in a range of different areas:
- advertising
- podcasts
- training
- business presentations
- websites
- for phone systems and voicemail
- commercials
- promotions
- audiobooks
- video games
- TV shows
- documentaries
- movie trailers and more...
Some require acting talent, others are just after the 'right' voice to represent their company.
With technology as it is today, you don't necessarily need a studio and full on sound equipment to complete a recording, and that's where it can be done from home.
There are websites out there where you can register your details, including examples of your voice and any voiceover work you have done, and customers can search for the right talent for their job. For example, they might require a female voice with an English accent, to sound clear and professional. Or they might require a more seductive voice or someone who's able to imitate a specific character.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Training to work in Voiceovers
There are training courses you can do to improve your voice skills before you get started.
One I have found in Sydney is with a company called Voicebusiness, based in North Sydney.
They offer a voiceover course that 'is designed to give you an overall understanding of how to be a voiceover artist or broadcaster. During the course you will learn how to use your voice skilfully to deliver a variety of retail and corporate “reads” for radio and TV (including assorted straight and character voices), to develop the ability to “sight-read”, turning written words into “spoken” English and to conduct yourself confidently and professionally in a recording session. The final session will focus on developing a draft demo CD and a list of contacts in preparation for your launch into the recording world.'
They offer private sessions covering the following:
- How to optimise the sound of your voice and speak like a star.
- How to sound convincing, authoritative and persuasive-great for corporate narrations.
- How to read off-the-cuff and make sense of what you're communicating.
- How to deliver retail, hard sell, soft sell and all sorts of commercial "reads".
- How to do "funny" voices and accents.
- How to market yourself to the studios and to clients.
- Breathing techniques to help you keep in control of what comes out of your mouth.
- How to speed up or slow down, and how to use inflections and pauses to make what you say more interesting.
- How to improve your diction and pronunciation.
- How to deliver a clear message and get the results the client wants.
If anyone has used this company or has a recommendation, please let me know at contact@athomemums.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registering to work in Voiceovers
So where can you resister? Two companies I have found are:
www.voice123.com
www.voices.com
To register you need to pay a monthly subscription fee of between US$30 and US$40 for voices.com, so you need to be serious about doing this.
As usual with any web based business, I wonder how many jobs you get for your subscription and whether it is worth it. I need a volunteer to give it a go and let us know!
Voiceovers are used in a range of different areas:
- advertising
- podcasts
- training
- business presentations
- websites
- for phone systems and voicemail
- commercials
- promotions
- audiobooks
- video games
- TV shows
- documentaries
- movie trailers and more...
Some require acting talent, others are just after the 'right' voice to represent their company.
With technology as it is today, you don't necessarily need a studio and full on sound equipment to complete a recording, and that's where it can be done from home.
There are websites out there where you can register your details, including examples of your voice and any voiceover work you have done, and customers can search for the right talent for their job. For example, they might require a female voice with an English accent, to sound clear and professional. Or they might require a more seductive voice or someone who's able to imitate a specific character.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Training to work in Voiceovers
There are training courses you can do to improve your voice skills before you get started.
One I have found in Sydney is with a company called Voicebusiness, based in North Sydney.
They offer a voiceover course that 'is designed to give you an overall understanding of how to be a voiceover artist or broadcaster. During the course you will learn how to use your voice skilfully to deliver a variety of retail and corporate “reads” for radio and TV (including assorted straight and character voices), to develop the ability to “sight-read”, turning written words into “spoken” English and to conduct yourself confidently and professionally in a recording session. The final session will focus on developing a draft demo CD and a list of contacts in preparation for your launch into the recording world.'
They offer private sessions covering the following:
- How to optimise the sound of your voice and speak like a star.
- How to sound convincing, authoritative and persuasive-great for corporate narrations.
- How to read off-the-cuff and make sense of what you're communicating.
- How to deliver retail, hard sell, soft sell and all sorts of commercial "reads".
- How to do "funny" voices and accents.
- How to market yourself to the studios and to clients.
- Breathing techniques to help you keep in control of what comes out of your mouth.
- How to speed up or slow down, and how to use inflections and pauses to make what you say more interesting.
- How to improve your diction and pronunciation.
- How to deliver a clear message and get the results the client wants.
If anyone has used this company or has a recommendation, please let me know at contact@athomemums.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registering to work in Voiceovers
So where can you resister? Two companies I have found are:
www.voice123.com
www.voices.com
To register you need to pay a monthly subscription fee of between US$30 and US$40 for voices.com, so you need to be serious about doing this.
As usual with any web based business, I wonder how many jobs you get for your subscription and whether it is worth it. I need a volunteer to give it a go and let us know!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Work from Home in Technical Support
If you have a background in IT, Engineering or Telecommunications, it is possible to work from home in Technical Support.
This can be a demanding area to work in, as you need to know the technical details of what you're dealing with, and you also need to be able to communicate well with customers experiencing a problem.
First and second level support can be done from home, and requires knowledge specific to the business you are working for, and equipment similar to a standard customer service job. i.e. a dedicated phone line and quiet area to work from.
As with some of the other work from home options, there are more technical support jobs working from home in the US than in Australia. I have found forums with people telling you how they work from home in technical support, but I have found very few jobs advertised.
I will do some more research and keep you posted.
If anyone knows of jobs in this area, please let me know at contact@athomemums.com
This can be a demanding area to work in, as you need to know the technical details of what you're dealing with, and you also need to be able to communicate well with customers experiencing a problem.
First and second level support can be done from home, and requires knowledge specific to the business you are working for, and equipment similar to a standard customer service job. i.e. a dedicated phone line and quiet area to work from.
As with some of the other work from home options, there are more technical support jobs working from home in the US than in Australia. I have found forums with people telling you how they work from home in technical support, but I have found very few jobs advertised.
I will do some more research and keep you posted.
If anyone knows of jobs in this area, please let me know at contact@athomemums.com
Monday, May 18, 2009
Work from Home as a Mystery Shopper
Mystery Shoppers or Mystery Customers visit specific stores and businesses anonymously for the purpose of observing and reporting on the quality of customer service delivered. The answers submitted by the mystery shoppers enable clients to make employment decisions, reward staff for excellent performance, redirect staff who perform poorly and evaluate adherence to company service standards.
There are a number of agencies that provide Mystery Customer Services to organisations, and often they have an ongoing contract which involves regular visits by mystery customers to their organisation over a period of time. Mystery Shopping provides the organisation with an independent opinion of their customer service standards, staff performance and overall perception of the business from the customers’ perspective. Without "pointing the finger" the information gathered can often uncover poor employee performance and allow business to reshape that performance in a cost-effective manner. In the process, businesses can discover, identify and correct weaknesses, act on them, re-measure for improvement and gain a competitive advantage over their competitors.
Mystery Shoppers can register with a Mystery Shopping organisation and will be sent assignments when they come up in their area.
Pay/reward varies, and can be monetary or a gift voucher, depending on the organisation you work for.
There are a number of agencies that provide Mystery Customer Services to organisations, and often they have an ongoing contract which involves regular visits by mystery customers to their organisation over a period of time. Mystery Shopping provides the organisation with an independent opinion of their customer service standards, staff performance and overall perception of the business from the customers’ perspective. Without "pointing the finger" the information gathered can often uncover poor employee performance and allow business to reshape that performance in a cost-effective manner. In the process, businesses can discover, identify and correct weaknesses, act on them, re-measure for improvement and gain a competitive advantage over their competitors.
Mystery Shoppers can register with a Mystery Shopping organisation and will be sent assignments when they come up in their area.
Pay/reward varies, and can be monetary or a gift voucher, depending on the organisation you work for.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Work from Home as a Pet Minder
Set up your own business or work for someone else.
Pet minding involves looking after other people's pets while they are away on holiday. For the pet owner, it is an alternative to a cattery or a kennels, which means the animal is able to stay in their own home and get some individual attention.
A pet minder will arrange to visit the family home once or twice a day to feed the animals, clean out any used bowls, change the litter in a litter tray and give them some attention for 30 minutes or so. There may be some other small duties, like bringing in the mail, watering plants or putting out the bins on rubbish collection day.
This works well for cats, especially the outdoor kind with a cat flap. They are able to stay in familiar territory and still be fed and get some attention while their owners are away. It saves a lot of stress for the animal and means they still have their space to roam around in, rather than being kept in a cage for an extended period.
For dogs, the duties may vary. It might include dog walking duty or some supervised outdoor time in their garden. This could be something that is done not just when the owners are away, but also on a regular basis if they work long hours.
Requirements for pet minding
Obviously you need to enjoy looking after animals. You also need to be trustworthy and reliable, as you will have access to someone else's home. Building up your credibility will be important. Perhaps start with family and friends, looking after their pets while they are away. You should be able to get a series of good references, and it is perhaps useful to have a police check to hand so you can prove you are a good upstanding citizen.
Getting known at the local vets would also be useful as they will be able to confirm that you live in the area and you're honest and reliable.
A professional brochure and website describing your services would be useful, and you need to put together a contract to cover yourself in the event of a mishap. After all, if you are looking after cats with indoor and outdoor access, you cannot be responsible for them wandering while you aren't there.
You also need to know that if something happens to the animal and they require a visit to the vet, that you can take them and costs will be covered.
Look at some contracts from existing pet minding businesses if you don't know where to start with this.
Hours of work in pet minding
Usually home visits are once or twice a day and can be 30 minutes or an hour. It may not be possible to do all your visits during school hours, as the agreement might be morning and later afternoon, but this is one job that your children can do too, and will probably love!
Pet minding involves looking after other people's pets while they are away on holiday. For the pet owner, it is an alternative to a cattery or a kennels, which means the animal is able to stay in their own home and get some individual attention.
A pet minder will arrange to visit the family home once or twice a day to feed the animals, clean out any used bowls, change the litter in a litter tray and give them some attention for 30 minutes or so. There may be some other small duties, like bringing in the mail, watering plants or putting out the bins on rubbish collection day.
This works well for cats, especially the outdoor kind with a cat flap. They are able to stay in familiar territory and still be fed and get some attention while their owners are away. It saves a lot of stress for the animal and means they still have their space to roam around in, rather than being kept in a cage for an extended period.
For dogs, the duties may vary. It might include dog walking duty or some supervised outdoor time in their garden. This could be something that is done not just when the owners are away, but also on a regular basis if they work long hours.
Requirements for pet minding
Obviously you need to enjoy looking after animals. You also need to be trustworthy and reliable, as you will have access to someone else's home. Building up your credibility will be important. Perhaps start with family and friends, looking after their pets while they are away. You should be able to get a series of good references, and it is perhaps useful to have a police check to hand so you can prove you are a good upstanding citizen.
Getting known at the local vets would also be useful as they will be able to confirm that you live in the area and you're honest and reliable.
A professional brochure and website describing your services would be useful, and you need to put together a contract to cover yourself in the event of a mishap. After all, if you are looking after cats with indoor and outdoor access, you cannot be responsible for them wandering while you aren't there.
You also need to know that if something happens to the animal and they require a visit to the vet, that you can take them and costs will be covered.
Look at some contracts from existing pet minding businesses if you don't know where to start with this.
Hours of work in pet minding
Usually home visits are once or twice a day and can be 30 minutes or an hour. It may not be possible to do all your visits during school hours, as the agreement might be morning and later afternoon, but this is one job that your children can do too, and will probably love!
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