How and when to fire a client (and then how to replace them!)

When I first started working for myself, it never once occurred to me that I could or should fire a client. I’d worked as an employee for years and employees are the ones who get fired not the other way around – plus I was new at freelancing and thought it was important to take all the work I was offered. Rookie mistake…

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How Virtual Assistants track client work

If you’re a Virtual Assistant who charges by the hour then you’ll need a way of recording your time. Clients need to know they’re paying solely for the time you spend on their task, and it kinda helps if you know how much to bill them for! If you charge by the project then you probably won’t need a time tracker, but if you charge an hourly rate then you will.

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Tips for managing emails and multiple email accounts

Effectively and efficiently managing email accounts is a vital skill for any Virtual Assistant. From the multitude of emails you receive to the ones for and from your clients, if you know how to control all your different accounts and emails, you’ll be a better Virtual Assistant, and your clients will adore you.

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Interview with traditional PA, Rachel Brown

This is a Virtual Assistant case study and interview with Rachel Brown from Secretary Outsource. Rachel lives on the south coast in Peacehaven, East Sussex, her business operates locally from Newhaven Enterprise Centre, and she started trading in October 2007 when she was “the wrong side of 45!”.

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