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6 months. I made it!
I thought I would share a few things that I have learned and what I have done over the last 6 months. Hopefully this will give you a good idea of what I can achieve and what I have achieved on behalf of my clients.
The last 6 months has given me an idea of what I enjoy doing, what I'm good at doing, how to be more efficient, new ways of doing things, and of course investigating and trialling loads of different software and tools which you can find in other blogs that I've written previously. I have worked with large, medium and small businesses, either closely with or on the leadership team with these business owners which has given me a good insight into how busy people operate and what I can do to support them as well as get what I need from them to complete the tasks we have agreed - sometimes the trickiest bit.
I’m trying to think back over the last 6 months, of all the things I've worked on, so much has happened! Probably the most unexpected one was being asked to deliver a workshop to small businesses. I now have an established client base, with a good level of trust and I don't feel as though I work alone, but work with them, as part of a team.
I have supported a client with opening a brand new restaurant which has included everything from the decor, obtaining quotes for projects, recruiting staff, from crafting and posting job ads and descriptions to telephone interviews and arranging face to face interviews, signage, project managing the website, project managing and content management of social media, setting the tone of voice, and working with other VAs, web agencies, printers and seeking other suppliers to make it all happen. This project has been very exciting, it's even included briefing designers and generating a logo building the identity just everything from scratch. The restaurant is now open and it doesn’t all end there, but it’s been really special to be part of it from the start, helping to build the foundation and now watching the success story unfold. Currently I am in the middle of putting together a photography brief to gather imagery for social media, marketing and more.
I have worked with another client to project manage a new website, a new part of this company getting off the ground in the accommodation sector. This has included market research feasibility work, presentation and marketing documentation, writing copy, sourcing and working with a website agency, overseeing the digital work including logo and creative from Google my business social media refused and liaising with suppliers and their behalf. There will be so much more to come, this is almost ready to launch!
I have helped another client set up a paid Facebook group community, I regularly make website content updates, we now have regular blog postings, I share ideas for content, posting into Facebook groups with crafted imagery and copy, marketing planning and tactics, transcription (which I love!), and just general office admin to help keep everything moving along. I am currently working on planning a photoshoot, sourcing locations, suppliers, and assisting on the day to keep things moving.
Another client regularly asks me to source materials and products, which then create quotes and invoices once the work has been completed. I manage social media posting, researching and writing blogs and website content updates. I request photographs and send ideas of what the client can capture whilst working which I can use to get the attention of existing clients and potentials.
I continue to work on content managing Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram accounts for clients much to the reluctance of my poor mobile phone! This can include sourcing imagery, captuing basic imagery, writing copy, hashtag research, scheduling and posting, stories, layout options, slideshows and making use of video, looking at collaboration options, blogs and microblogs, briefing on photography and working with group content.
One of the most common requests I have from clients has been to help get their website and social media up-to-date, where these might have been at a standstill for some time. Whether it is the whole site or just a section, one particular feed, or all of them. Small business owners who just haven't had the time to update it or to make changes, or where their business has outgrown the website which means significant changes to imagery, blogging, events, news pages or refreshing copy. I've sourced external help to support with web development, SEO, creative, photography, print and more.
I am sure there is much more to tell and more client projects to talk about... there are, but that's enough for now. You get the picture!
But for anyone who wants to know what a Virtual Assistant can do to help you and your business, this blog might help a little, but every VA is different, different skill set, different industry specialisms.
So like any good milestone, it should be marked with a celebration, but it’s a Monday night during the school holidays, so instead I will share some love online. I would like to say massive thank yous to my fellow starter upperers, my clients who I am so lucky to have on board and my inspirational self-employed friends for their advice, support and sharing this crazy new business journey, I now know it's not as easy as people make it look, but it definitely isn't as scary as I expected. Everyone in my network has been very encouraging and complimentary, thank you for helping me to get this far.
And to all the people I haven‘t Whats App’d as much as I used to, I’m sorry, but I don’t get paid for skiving off at my desk anymore! Time is money!
Cheers to the next 6 months!
About Virtual Executive Services MK
Virtual Executive Services MK is a Virtual Assistant service based in Milton Keynes, supporting clients across the UK. Specialising in admin, marketing and social media support for small businesses, start ups and entrepreneurs. Find out more.