In Readers’ Digest, there’s an article called, “Best Quick Cash-Amazing Ways to Make Extra Money.” The article isn’t bad, really, but my biggest beef with it is the category it’s under. Being a virtual assistant is a good way to make cash, but to do it right, I wouldn’t say that it’s a way to make quick cash–not if you want to be in business for the long term.
The most successful virtual assistance businesses have solid foundations, solid marketing efforts, stellar ethics, ties to professional associations, and much more. They are not just looking for quick cash…they are building strong ties with their clients and constantly striving to learn more and do better.
And, I’m not sure where Readers Digest got their figures from, but in my experience, $35 per hour for basic transcription sounds a little on the high side.
I was happy to see that two groups I’m a member of were listed in the article: IVAA and the Virtual Assistant Networking Association.
I do wish I could have had more say in the title of the article. I was just so thrilled when I responded to a media lead from a national magazine on working part-time and businesses that you could make money from home, that they called for a interview. I then discovered it was Reader’s Digest and after a long interview, they seemed to accept the article and what I had to say. I couldn’t agree more with what you are saying that starting a VA business is far from easy cash that anyone can do. We are all such dedicated professionals and very passionate in our Industry. I do believe that some can start this on a part-time basis and many have and then have gone on to full-time businesses. That’s the point I was trying to make for the article.
I’m glad you like the article itself. I was also so grateful that they put in the associations that I mentioned. I wish they would have gotten the link to my book right, but at least we got additional recognition for the VA Industry. I did provide those figures for the article on pricing. I had recently done research again for a book and that’s what I had found. The VAs that I know who do transcription that is what they are charging. But I do know it varies. When you interview for a magazine, you give 1/2 hour or more worth of information and as you can see, it ended up only being two to three paragraphs. I truly did try and do my best and represent the Industry in a positive light.
Thanks for writing about the article and all you do for our Industry — Diana Ennen
Diana,
Thanks for your response. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize it was in moderation until now–2 months later!
I know the media doesn’t always get things exactly right, and I’m very sorry they didn’t get the link to your book right! But hopefully people were just able to google the book title and get there anyway.
It’s very exciting to see the recent media exposure the virtual assistance industry is getting. Your article, Karen Reddick getting on The Today Show, and I’m sure it’s just the beginning.
The VA is growing in Leaps and Bounds. The IVAACast, of which I’m the Managing Editor, now has a circulation of just over 7,200. In October of 2006, it was about 4300. The membership of IVAA is growing quickly too. It’s very exciting.
Thanks for all YOU do for our industry, too, Diana!
Well we do try to have solid foundations. :} We wouldn’t stay in business long if we didn’t. :}