Web URL: http://www.transcribble.ca
In Business Since: 2009
Type of Business: Virtual assistance for business coaches and life coaches
Works: 100% virtually
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Twitter @Transcribble_VA
Ruth: Welcome to the blog, Lisa. I’m excited to introduce you to my readers. Tell us about Transcribble Virtual Assistance.
Lisa: I partner with motivated business coaches and life coaches who struggle with technology and finding enough time to market their businesses online in an effective way. I offer support in product launches, WordPress design and management, sales pages, social media management, 1ShoppingCart, Infusionsoft, email marketing, virtual events and transcription. I also train and coach medical transcriptionists who want to transition to a career as a virtual assistant.
Ruth: What led you to become a virtual professional?
Lisa: I started with medical transcription and then specialized in general transcription. I wasn’t happy with the income from medical transcription or the roller coaster income with general transcription. One day I came across the VA Virtuosos Online Summit [hosted by Vanetworking] that was starting the next day. I was intrigued and signed up, and after attending the webinars, I knew that was the right career choice for me. Once I decided I wanted to become a virtual assistant, I mentioned it on Facebook. One of my Facebook friends, who I also know in person, sent me an email and told me she had started her coaching business earlier that year and needed a VA. So she really helped me get started. Then I also worked with an online business manager for a short time and learned a lot from her before I started taking courses to further develop my skills.
Ruth: If you could share a nugget of insight for someone considering a virtual career such as yours what would that be?
Lisa: If you currently have a job, don’t just up and quit. Start building your VA business on the side and don’t give up. It takes time to grow your business and gain a reputation so that clients are coming to you instead of you feeling like you’re chasing clients. It’s not easy, but if you’re determined, you can do it. Be open to opportunities, and regularly reinvest a portion of your income into upgrading and learning new skills. Also, don’t undervalue yourself and undercut other VAs in the industry by charging a cheap rate. As a VA, you are not a minimum wage employee. You want clients to take you seriously as a business owner and value your time, and you also want to be able to pay your bills.
Ruth: What suggestions do you have for someone considering working with a virtual professional to support their coaching practice?
Lisa: If you’re a busy business coach or life coach looking for a virtual assistant, you likely don’t have the time to train somebody and you may not necessarily have the technical knowledge to do so. Not all VAs have the same skill set and experience. You want to look for a VA who is experienced in supporting you in the activities you are doing or want to do, so they can easily step in, save you time and help you grow your business. What may take you 3-4 hours (or longer) to accomplish, a VA can probably do in an hour. You could have spent those 4 hours working with a new client. Consider how much you could have made in those 4 hours versus the hour you would pay the VA.
Ruth: That’s a great example, Lisa. Any last thoughts to share with our readers?
Lisa: Whether you’re a coach or a VA, what’s most important is to focus on what you do best, what you enjoy the most and what brings in the most money. If what you’re doing doesn’t fall into at least one of those categories, you should not be doing it. If you’re a coach and that activity needs to be done but it isn’t your brilliance, have a VA do it and focus your efforts on what you do best.
Ruth: Lisa, it’s been a pleasure. Thank you.