Frequently asked questions

Q. How much work will I get?  
We cannot guarantee how much work you will get and membership of our network doesn't only include job referrals. See member benefits for the full list.  We do get job requests regularly, almost every day of the week, from many parts of the world, and often several requests per day. Whilst we do have a number of VAs on our team, they don't all have the same skillset, experience, Some Virtual Assistants work only a few hours a week, others fulltime - it's their choice.  Consequently responses to job referrals are usually fairly low in number and clients are given the opportunity to decide who they would like to work with. 

Membership of “OGVA” will give you increased exposure to clients - you will have your own web page so clients may contact you direct if they wish and often do.  Any contact made in this office by a client through email or phone is channeled to members to respond to, providing they have the experience and availability required by the client.  Some clients do require onsite support and others don't, consequently your location isn't always a necessary requirement for the work to be done. Whilst a large number of job requests are Ghanaian based we are getting increasing requests from other countries, including the US, UK, France, Germany, Asia and other countries.  We will also help you market your business and promote yourself, and many members do separate advertising and then refer back to the team any work they cannot handle personally.  So you benefit from the collective advertising of all members.

Q. What kind of experience or education do I need to be successful in this business?
We have found at “OGVA” that the more services you can offer, in the beginning, the more money you can make. Basic typing should be the first thing on your list. As you go along, you will add services to your list. For example: you may want to add bookkeeping, desk top publishing or legal/medical transcribing. Some Virtual Assistants will bring these skills home from their previous positions or from attending college or business school. Many Vas pick up skills from hands-on experience.

Q. Should I quit my current job to work my home-based business?
No. It can take years to establish regular clientele. And there are things you must do before you can expect to go at it full time (i.e. register your business name if you have one, print up your business cards, prepare a portfolio (samples of your work), etc.). Even if you are not working now, you may need to take on a part-time job, or register with a Temporal Agency, to help with your income. Others may prefer to start full-time.

Q. Will I need my own equipment?
Yes, as you'll be providing a service from your own home office. The minimum required is: modern computer and current software, such as Microsoft Office, deskjet or laser printer, internet connection (cable would be preferable to dialup - but if it's not available, then whatever you can get), phone and answer machine, decent furniture as you'll be sitting a lot of hours at your desk.

Q. How do I get referrals?
After we receive your application which tells us what services you would like to offer, we add you to our members' list and refer clients to you. Sometimes a potential client will ask for a specific VA specializing perhaps, in a service such as bookkeeping, or desk top publishing. Locality isn't always a requirement and you could be servicing clients in regional areas, interstate or overseas.

Q. Do I owe “OGVA” any money after the membership fee is paid?
No. When you take on a job, you do the work, collect and keep the money. Plus, if the customer is happy with your work, they'll probably come back to you over and over again... and you will not have to send us any of the money from that work, other than our regular membership fee.  Membership fees are renewed annually.

Q. How much money can I expect to make?
Everyone will make a different amount, because each will have different abilities and services available. Some who are just starting out may not make a profit for the first couple of years because they will be investing in equipment. VAs who do have the desire and will to stick with it, can make good incomes within the first five years in business. The more skills you have, the more you can make.

Remember too, even if you should join ‘OGVA' or place your own Yellow Pages advertising, your telephone is not going to ring every day from a new client. You may only receive one call now and then; however, just one call can turn into a regular customer bringing in thousands of dollars in work in the time that follows.

Q. Why should I join “OGVA” and not just go at it on my own?
At “OGVA”, we recommend that each VA place his/her own advertising. Our advertising isn't the only way that you will get work.  Those who are advertising often refer business back into the group. You are tapped into that advertising as well!  You'll get many more ideas about promoting your business via the group chat forum.

Q. I've seen a number of Virtual Assistant Networks online. Is it worth joining any of them?
All of the VA associations have benefits that make it worthwhile joining them. And yes, you do need to look at the benefits each offer and weigh up what's best for you.

It's important to remember that belonging to one or more of these networks is just the same as belonging to a professional association in any other industry - some will help you develop yourself and your business more, others will help expose you to prospective clients. Some will give you the opportunity to mix and mingle with your peers (albeit virtually) and others have different resources available to you. Whatever the benefits they have, if there is a cost involved (and there is for many of the networks) the cost should be considered as part of either your advertising budget, or your professional development budget, or even both. Membership subscriptions are a taxable expense.

If you were an accountant, lawyer, builder or another industry or trade, you would be expected to make the most of your industry association, and pay the dues that relate to that association. As much as the moderators/owners/founders of the associations love the industry they represent and would like to offer free resources to all in that industry, it's just not possible - there is time, skills, facilities, resources at play that also cost and needs to be distributed evenly amongst those who make use of that which is made available to them. If you are running your VA practice as a business, then you can claim the membership fee as a tax deduction.

Q. Should I allow the public to come into my home?
Addresses of members are kept strictly confidential. We do not give addresses out to clients or to the other members on the team. We only give out first names, telephone numbers and general locations. It is up to each member to decide whether or not to give out their address. Further information on this is sent to you on joining.

Q. What kind of clients can I expect to hear from?
Most of our referrals are from small business people (management consultants, trade advisors, speakers, church groups, clubs, membership-based associations, etc.) however, many larger businesses and organizations also use VA services

Q. How do I work out my rates?
We assist with this once you are a member. Part of your membership pack includes a formula designed to help you work out rates that are right for you. A sample rates guide used by the Principal is also included in this pack.

Q. How Should I Accept Payment?
Generally, payment should be made to either by cash or cheque. It would be wise to ask new clients to pay on completion of work, but as you get to know the client, you could choose to invoice them at the end of each month, particularly if they become regular clients. On joining, we will give you information regarding merchant accounts.