Wanda: Welcome everyone - we will switch in a moment to a moderated mode. In a meantime my friends, feel free to plug yourself and your business! It is your opportunity for visibility!

Greg: (blatant plug) My name is Greg Cryns I do webdesign and hosting...email: greg@rsg.org

Diane: says,"My name is Diane DeSa, ddesa@aol.com, and I have a virtual assistant business that I starting. My web page will be up soon.

Carolyn: says,"I am a virtual assistant and for those of you that have never met Stacy you are in for a wonderful treat, she is awesome!

Stacy Brice: LOL :) Thanks, Carolyn :)

Wanda: As perhaps you know my name is Wanda Loskot and I am your host - and virtual coach specializing in systematizing businesses fueled by referrals. Our guest today is Stacy Brice - founder and owner of virtual university which is an online training center for virtual assistants. Can't wait to learn more about this!

Stacy Brice: My company name, by the way, is AssistU :)

Wanda: We are now in the moderated mode - I ask for no interruptions with questions and comments - more about it in a second. If you want to leave the chat, please do it by CLOSING the browser window - this way we don't see your exit message....

Diane: Stacy, what kind of training do you offer for VAs?

Wanda: When we are in a moderated mode if want to ask a question - just type (?) ... and if you want to make a comment type (!) - no more exchanges of URLs or e-mail addresses. I also ask that when you signal that you have a comment - have that comment ready, so that the entire chat doesn't stop waiting for you typing (or worse: for collecting your thoughts).

As I mentioned, our guest today is Stacy Brice - founder and owner of VirtualU which is online training center for virtual assistants. Can't wait to learn more about this!

By the way - I am amazed how small the internet really is. I know Stacy from my favorite online publication CustomerEdge and it was fun to learn that she is behind the VirtualU once I got interested in it

Stacy Brice: Wanda -- just wanted to pop in and say that the name of my company is AssistU, not VirtualU -- although that might have been a great name as well! :D

Wanda: Sorry Stacy about that name thing - AssistU - very important name :-)

Stacy Brice: Not a problem Wanda!! :)

Wanda : Let's get started then! Stacy, for those who are new to the topic - what is virtual assistant?

Stacy Brice: What a virtual assistant, or VA is, depends on who's talking about it. At AssistU, we believe that a VA is an assistant who works in long-term partnerships with a very small number of clients, and does it all from her own home office. That's possible because technology makes it easy for people to work together without regard to geography.

Wanda: Now - beside the obvious geography issue, what are the advantages of having virtual assistant vs. hiring a local secretarial service?

Stacy Brice: First and foremost, the partnership aspect. A secretarial service really is involved in the business of task oriented work. AssistU trained virtual assistants are involved in a relationship that transcends task work, making the VA the client's partner for success. And that's a HUGE distinction.

Wanda: could you elaborate? perhaps some example?

Stacy Brice: Most small business owners need a right hand person. Someone to count on. Someone who can handle things in his/her absence. That's not piecework. Piecework: client needs a document formatted and typed. Most secretarial services would type it as they received it, only correcting grammar. And that's all they *can* really do, because, very often, they don't know enough about the client or his/her business to do anything else.

Because an AU trained VA is in a relationship with the client, she has the ability to say things like, "You know, Joe, in the third paragraph on the second page, I think you could make your position more powerful if you did X, Y and Z". And that kind of input -- that kind of partnering -- creates *immense* value in the lives of busy entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Wanda: How does the assistant communicate with clients? what is the standard? phone and e-mail? how often? How does it look in practice? More or less....

Stacy Brice: Communication -- constant communication is vital to the success of the relationship. And that can be by phone, email, fax, chat, ICQ/IRC/AIM.... whatever works for the two people in the relationship. But the key is that they have to be in touch. What's most important is for the two people to find the things that work for them. I don't think there's one size that fits all :)

Wanda: How do you determine when is the time to hire assistant?

Stacy Brice: Great question! :)) First, I want to make a clarification... clients don't *hire* VAs. They are both business owners, and choose to work together for the client's success. And as for when's the best time to start working with a VA? The truth is that by the time that most people do it, it's far too late. Don't wait till you're overwhelmed. Do it far sooner.

Wanda: Wow! This is very important clarification. Most people think that time is when they can afford it - the truth probably is different. It might be the trap, right? Once you're overwhelmed, you have to play catch-up. If you do it before that point, you can just focus on growth and the other things that are important to you in your life (like actually *having* a life!) Many people think they *can't* afford to have an assistant. The truth is that most can't afford NOT to have an assistant.

What are the things that we can expect assistant will do - and what will not?

Stacy Brice: In business, the most important thing to consider is opportunity costs. What are you missing out on while you're doing your own administrative work? Is it getting more clients? Is it working more closely with existing clients? Whatever it is, I guarantee you can make more money and have more time for your personal life if you give away to an assistant the stuff you don't do well and/or hate to do :)

Wanda: One of my clients hired one of your assistants on the spot (smart coaching - huh?). Others are getting ready...

Stacy Brice: In my opinion... it's not as important what your assistant can do, as what she can make happen. A terrific VA has more resources than you can imagine, and there's next to nothing she can't get handled for you. Certainly, most of them won't do things that are immoral or illegal, but past that, you're really only limited by your imagination and needs. And yes, it was great coaching,

Wanda!! In my opinion... it's not as important what your assistant can do, as what she can make happen. A terrific VA has more resources than you can imagine, and there's next to nothing she can't get handled for you. Certainly, most of them won't do things that are immoral or illegal, but past that, you're really only limited by your imagination and needs. And yes, it was great coaching, Wanda!!

Wanda: How assistant will help getting more clients? Or work closely with clients?

Stacy Brice: Wanda -- I'm not sure I understand your question -- can you ask it again a different way, please?

Wanda: You said - depending on your goals. Is it to get more clients... I say - how assistant will help in this? Now I read - I see what YOU mean. When we do our adm. work - we spend valuable time that could and should be spent other ways.

I think the major issue is choosing the right assistant. There might be a lot of fear involved because of not meeting people face to face. ...

Stacy Brice: Yes... but let me answer your other question, because I do have an answer for it :)) The more that a VA understands a client's work/life/goals, the more she can suggest ways to reach the client's potential customers, and even reach out to them herself (if that's something she loves to do).

When I was a VA (and to clarify, I no longer have my practice and focus solely on AU) I used to get clients speaking engagements, refer clients to them, point potential clients in their direction all the time. And yes, choosing the right assistant is important. The fit has to be there. If not, trust can't be built, and the relationship will fail.

Wanda: I think that it is very much about trust. High level of trust...

Stacy Brice: This isn't a traditional business paradigm, but it fits here wonderfully. If you choose fear, you'll never succeed. And that worry -- letting someone see into your life/business and worrying about being judged in some way, will simply keep a business owner stuck. So, it's a question of whether the business owner is ready to move *beyond* fear. If so, they get over it quickly. If not, they don't -- and, of course, stay stuck :( We actually don't try to convince anyone that working with a VA is right for them. Either people get it, or they don't. If they're ready, they move forward. If they're not, that's ok too :)

Wanda: So true, Stacy. I know it from my perspective as a coach - I see a lot of dirty laundry :-))) What is your prescription for finding the right assistant, getting someone with the complimenting temperament, philosophy etc The philosophy in any business should be the same - not convincing people to buy, but concentrating on service to those who are already convinced.

Stacy Brice: Wanda -- so glad we share the same business philosophy!! I, of course, recommend working with an AssistU trained VA. You can be sure that she's *capable* of the kind of relationship we've just discussed. To successfully get through our program, she'll have completed more than 300 hours of class time, independent study, and work in client experiences.

So, the question, then, really, is where you resonate with her. How does she *feel* to you as you talk with her. Is she passionate about your business? Can you imagine sharing your goals with her and having her work closely with you as you get to them? If so, she's probably the right one. If not, you should talk to others.

Greg: says,"?"

Wanda: The question of chosing the right assistant will enter many peoples mind... do you have any system for this that you could recommend?

Greg, go ahead - your question?

Greg :What specific tasks can I expect a VA to do as opposed to a secretarial service?

Stacy Brice: Great question, Greg :) And the answer completely depends on the person involved. What I might do in my practice may not be what Carolyn does in hers. But the reality is I bet that we can get anything at all handled. Secretarial services usually only do a certain range of work. And there's a price point for everything. VAs bill by the hour, or on retainer.

Wanda: I must add that I met during my tele-classes some of "your" assistants and I was VERY impressed by their level of knowledge, commitment and business philosophy. Very impressed!

Wanda: Thanks, Wanda! They'll be happy to hear that wonderful acknowledgment :)

Stacy Brice: Greg -- does that answer your question?

Greg : So, after meeting with the VA we discuss our mutual needs?

Wanda: Greg - it will have to do very much with different talents and different experience. Their role is to assist you in getting more success, you might find some who is extremely knowledgeable in graphic design - so I bet you will get this skill as well, am I right Stacy?

Stacy Brice: Greg - yes. And I'd suggest that you let the VA lead the conversation. She's the pro in this arena, and if you let her, she'll lead you on a journey of discovery about the things you could do together, and the things she could handle through other avenues.

Wanda: Reminder: our guest today is Stacy Brice - founder and owner of AssistU which is online training center for virtual assistants.

Stacy Brice: If having someone with that kind of background is important, then yes, you'd want to work with a VA who has that specific skill. But you need to ask yourself --- is that something you need from an assistant, or is that something you could have in someone else. It's going to be next to impossible to show up with a laundry list of things you'd want in an ideal assistant, and find her. VAs do what they do best, and what they love. And they arrange for everything else to happen. On the client side, it may be mostly seamless... .

Wanda: Stacy - obviously, everyone is interested in prices. What is the damage :-))) eeeeehhhhmmmmm ... investment?

Stacy Brice: Wanda -- that depends on the VA, her level of experience, her expertise, her training, the client successes she has under her belt, etc. AU trained VAs bill between $30 and $100/hour. I think I was the most highly paid VA in the world, but I was also deeply niched

Wanda: This is a very interesting point you mentioned. To let the VA lead the conversation when we start! Most of the entrepreneurs (me included) would start otherwise. Makes so much sense! We need to allow people help us. Give them permission to demonstrate what they can do.

Stacy Brice: Bingo, Wanda!!

Wanda: Stacy - give us some examples what some assistants do. Specifics on different "ends" will be very helpful. Same with prices.

Stacy Brice: Well, there aren't, per se, different prices for different things. As a VA grows in experience, and as she can help you get results faster, her fees increase. So, for me, billing at $100/hour, I was working with celebrities -- often best-selling authors and speakers. And for them, I ran their lives. Everything they needed, I did. I was their barrier to the world, I protected them from fans and people who wanted their time. I kept their schedules, did their travel, made doctor appointments, dinner reservations, arranged picnics and weddings, and parties and got them gigs.... well, you get the idea.

Stacy Brice: Most entrepreneurs don't *quite* need assistance at that level. Maybe travel, keeping a schedule, scheduling appointments, there are a gazillion things possible, and you can find a list of some of them on our website, here: http://www.assistu.com/va/vtp_faq.shtml.

Wanda: What are the limitations? For example - can assistant plan my schedule without seeing my Outlook 98?

Stacy Brice : Limitations -- there are road blocks everywhere. What's important is finding ways around them. And there are ways to share your schedule, yes :)

Wanda: For years I was endorsing the idea of assistants in real estate industry. My believe is that one should hire one WAAAAAY before one can "afford" it. I am extremely happy that now I can explore the opportunity for having assistant on the internet! Stacy, I will be one of your vigorous endorsers.

Stacy Brice: Thanks so much, Wanda!! :) I used to think that the only thing a VA couldn't do was paper filing. But I worked with a client who had ADD, and her filing hadn't been done in MONTHS! So I had her box it up and send it to me. I created a filing system, filed everything in hanging file folders, boxed it back up and sent it to her. She then just needed to move the file folders into her beautiful cherry lateral filing cabinets. Every month, she'd send me more stuff to file, I'd handle it and send it back. Since having that experience, I realized there's almost NOTHING that can't be worked around if the desire is there to find the way to do it.

Wanda: Holly cow! - Stacy, you mean the filing can be done too?!!! wow!

Stacy Brice: LOL :) Yes :) Even filing :)

Wanda: My client who hired one last week was extremely impressed with all few of those who got in touch with him. Please tell us what should be the first step in hiring assistant? Where to go. What to do?

Stacy Brice: I'd go to the AssistU website. We've made it very easy to understand what working with a VA is all about. And one there's that understanding, if someone wants to get a referral to a wonderfully trained VA, they have only to fill out our client request form in The Registry, and they'll be contacted within 2 business days by VAs who believe themselves to be great matches for the needs of the client. It's that simple :)And here's something to consider :)

I always suggest that prospective clients keep a pad of paper on their desks for a week. And on that pad, write nothing other than every single thing done that doesn't absolutely need the CLIENT'S attention. At the end of the week, the client will have a great idea of all the stuff he/she could give to a VA to handle... and an idea of how much more time he/she would have for other things :)

Wanda: You mentioned your fees - what would be the beginning assistant's fee. and what is the number of hours people need to allocate for a minimum assistant's help to make some sense? I know it will vary - but some idea :-)

Stacy Brice: AU trained VAs start at $35/hour for people who may just need a few hours/month. If they need more than 10 or so, the VAs often offers a retainer rate... a lower hourly rate X a certain number of hours to be purchased up front (in typical retainer fashion). Often, a small business owner or entrepreneur needs only five or six hours/month to start really making sense of things and moving forward in his/her business.

Wanda: Five hours sounds extremely affordable!

Stacy Brice : But what we most often find is that as they start to give stuff away, they give more and more and more -- because it's so freeing!!

Wanda: Can you believe - our hour is up? Thanks Stacy - eye opening chat!

Stacy Brice: Thanks for having me, Wanda :) If anyone has other questions, please feel free to contact me directly -- stacy@assistu.com