Web URL: http://www.swiftofficeservices.com
In Business Since: 2004
Type of Business: Executive Assistance, Design & Marketing
Works: 100% virtually
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Twitter @yvonnemccoy
Ruth: Join me in extending a warm welcome to Yvonne McCoy of Swift Office Services. It’s a treat to have you join us today. Share with my readers about what you do at Swift Office Services and the types of clients you serve.
Yvonne: I work mainly for consultants who do not have in-house administrative support. My clients are successful and highly regarded in their own field. They are juggling revenue generating client work with the need to market and promote their own business. My business supports them in a couple of ways. Firstly, I help with some of the time-consuming aspects of their project work – things that are essential to the success of the project, but do not really require the consultant’s hands-on attention. A recent example of this was a project where large amounts of data had been collected from a variety of sources. I was able to reduce my client’s workload by collating and verifying the data, doing some initial data analysis and presenting the results in an easy to manipulate format, thus saving the consultant hours of work and enabling him to get a good handle on the results prior to report writing.
Being a successful consultant is a double edged sword as the busier they get, the less time there is to market themselves. My clients have great ideas, but often lack time and resources (and sometimes the know-how) to implement those ideas. I help them by implementing their marketing plans, either through traditional marketing channels or by using social media. I also offer graphic design services and am able to offer my clients custom graphics to illustrate the data they are presenting to their clients, as well as book covers, web banners and various other designs.
Ruth: Describe Swift Office Services’ beginnings. What led you to this career choice?
Yvonne: I live in the southern kettle moraine area of SE Wisconsin. It’s quite literally in the middle of nowhere. When my twins were young I wanted to return to the workforce, but was not interested in the two hour round-trip commute I previously had. I did some research as to what my job options might be, and came across the term Virtual Assistant. This immediately resonated with me, as my background is solidly administrative. I realized this was something I could do. Very early on I joined International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA) and the Virtual Assistant Networking Forum (VANF) where I learned to take my skills to a virtual level and how to run a successful business.
Ruth: Where have you found your encouragers and support along this journey?
Yvonne: The members of IVAA and VANF were an incredible source of information and support as I started the business. Having a solid administrative background is one thing, taking it virtual as a business owner is quite another. It has been great to learn from those who went before me, and even from newer members who share new ideas.
Ruth: What’s one thing that’s made a big difference in your success that you’d suggest to someone considering being a virtual professional?
Yvonne: OK, this sounds like one big advertisement for IVAA and VANF, but I would definitely count joining those two organizations as the best investment of time and money I made in my business in the early days. So my advice to new VAs would be to definitely join at least one of them. And then, don’t be a silent member. Ask, ask, and ask some more about anything VA related, you’ll be amazed at what a sharing, supportive community you’ve joined.
Ruth: LOL, that’s okay both are stellar organizations who give so much support and resources to the virtual assistant industry. I agree, start forming friendships with others in your industry and within your niche specialty. It truly makes a huge difference with affirming strategies or brainstorming or just knowing you’re never alone. There is always someone in the organization walking right where you are, someone ahead of you paving the way and someone following in your footsteps. Now tell me, what bits of advice would you give someone seeking a virtual professional such as yourself?
Yvonne: Prospective clients looking for a VA need to initially know what their pain points are, what is eating into their time, and what tasks they are willing to delegate. Once they have found a VA that can help them in those areas, and as trust builds they will more than likely discover that their VA has other talents and skills that can be used to help them even further in their business. When looking for a VA, things a client might want to consider are: whether they want to form a working relationship with one resourceful VA to help them in their business or do they need a team of VAs to provide a wider variety of services. Does the VA have experience working with clients in a similar field to them? Look at the VA’s website, does it speak to their needs? Do they have testimonials? Select a few to talk with, find one that has the required skills and with whom a good rapport can be established.
Ruth: Any last thoughts you would like to share with our readers?
Yvonne: Running Swift Office Services has been hands down the most rewarding career move I have made. As my clients businesses have grown, so has mine, and in ways I never would have imagined at the outset. Just as an example, I did not start out as a designer. However, as I had requests to design this graphic, or that book cover I decided I wanted to be the best designer I could be and so I went back to school part-time. Doing so enabled me thoroughly learn the principles of design and how to use the correct design tools for each particular job.
Ruth: It’s been a pleasure, Yvonne.
Don’t delay in connecting with Swift Office Services. Having a talented designer and executive assistant as part of your go-to support team is essential in this visually stimulated online world.