The Virtual Assistant Handbook by Nadine Hill is the only guide for Virtual Assistants (VAs) in the UK. I’m not just saying that as a compliment, it really is the only one! Fortunately, it’s an excellent book.
If you’re not sure what a VA is, here’s a quick introduction. A VA works remotely on tasks like administration, bookkeeping, event organisation, telephone answering and personal assistance. Small businesses who need admin support but don’t want an employee can hire a VA by the hour. VAs usually work from their own home and many never meet their clients face-to-face.
Being a VA appeals to lots of mums because many have administration experience, but self employment is far more flexible than being employed. Sounds great so far? Not surprisingly, there are a few snags along the way, but this book deals with all of them in turn.
First of all, Nadine explains that being a VA is not for you if you want to be handed work and to then quietly get on with it. A client will be looking for a self-starter, someone with their own ideas who isn’t afraid to ‘manage’ them. You will also need to get out there and look for work (not always easy if you’re used to getting things done behind-the-scenes). The VA handbook gives you plenty of useful advice on how to do this, even if you know nothing about marketing.
Nadine talks about her own experience of starting a VA business throughout and shares the challenges she encountered and the lessons she has learned. Finding clients (online, networking, PR and more), getting started, setting a price, selling extra services and future development are all covered in a clear, honest and practical way.
If you’re thinking of starting out as a virtual assistant in the UK, this is essential reading.
Reviewed by our guest reviewer Helen Lindop of Business Plus Baby, her blog about Getting Started as a Mumpreneur
Thank you Helen for that lovely review!
I always get a buzz when a VA tells me that the book has been useful to them in some way – whether it is because it has highlighted something that they had not considered, or whether it is because the book just re-affirmed what they already knew!
It was written by a VA for VAs because we are a unique, new industry and when I am asked about my inspiration for writing the book, I just say it is the book I wish I could have read when I was starting out!
As a profession, it is indeed a very popular choice for mothers in particular, given the high degree of flexibility it offers, so thank you to ‘Mums The Boss’ for hosting this review on your blog!!
Nadine Hill,
Author of The Virtual Assistant Handbook.
Hi,
You have a nice blog. We are UK based team of quality virtual assistants providing online marketing and business support to coaches, consultants and trainers. Please visit us at ukvirtualassistant.co.uk. We would like hear your feedback.
It’s a great blog and i want to thank to Nadine for providing such books…i really enjoyed reading those books..i just want to add some info about a virtual assistant..
Additional info: At times and in special cases, however, Virtual Assistant can do more than your everyday technical work for you. They can also be very good in being creative most especially in coming up with ideas, solutions and recommendations to improve your current set-up. In handling with your valued time plus the overcoming number of tasks you have to do, they are your silent partner in taking care of the details you need to have a hand on a daily basis and your best weapon to take on the world.