Ethical behavior, as defined by in the Free Dictionary is “action taken in accordance with principles of conduct that are considered correct, and conforming to accepted standards of social or professional behavior”.
Today, I received a request for quote from a potential client. She wrote:
“I need someone to pass a typing test that can type at least 65 wpm with 90% accuracy.”
Because I was confused, I contacted the individual for clarification and asked if she wanted us to take the test, using her name, and represent ourselves as her. The person responded “YES“. After getting pass my amazement that an individual would request such services, I responded…
My Reply
“We consider completing a test using another person’s name and on their behalf to be totally unethical and something we would NOT do under any circumstances.” Needless to say, I have not heard back from this individual.
A New Trend?
Is this the beginning of a new trend? Do prospects believe virtual assistants will do anything for a dollar? Has the industry’s brand been degraded to the point where some are “comfortable” in asking for these types of services?
I’m amazed! To ask a company (especially a company you are unfamiliar with) to pass themselves off as the individual taking a test (which I assume is for employment or school) is beyond my imagination. If a person will ask a professional to perform such an unethical act, can you trust the requester to act ethically in other dealings?
What do you think?
I’m not naive by any means, but this is truly a “first” for me, and I am perplexed that someone would visit The 24 Hour Secretary (and potentially other VA sites) and feel comfortable enough to ask for a quote for what I perceive to be an unethical act. I don’t believe (at least hope) that our site portrays an image that encourages this type of request.
Has anyone else received a similar inquiry? Is this a fluke or a new trend? Please share your thoughts and experiences.
During the months of April and May, I conducted a blog hopping and podcast tour to promote the recently concluded Online International Virtual Assistants Convention (OIVAC).
I was asked several thought-provoking questions during the tour and I’ve chosen to share a few here on the Smart Business Marketing Blog.
Today’s question was asked by Tawnya Sutherland, of VANetworking.com
Is the downturn in the economy affecting the VA industry?
Yes! The downturn has had positive and negative effects. I’m sure VAs without a written business plan and concise marketing strategy are experiencing difficulty, because they haven’t “planned” for situations such as client loss or slowdown.
Also, many entrepreneurs are “price shopping” resulting in “cheap” being the major determining factor when choosing a virtual assistant, instead of “value-add” which takes into consideration an individual’s knowledge, skills, experience, abilities and potential to contribute to the continued growth of the business.
In addition, many VAs “discount” services, believing this will attract and retain customers. However, they fail to realize that by under pricing services they are actually digging a deeper hole for themselves, because while volume may initially increase, when the economy takes an upswing, it will be very difficult to raise rates proportionately for low paying clients.
Also, discounting rates may impact the VAs income potential, lifestyle and eventually health because they may be required to work longer hours or assume a more difficult workload to earn the same income as prior to the downswing.
Foresight and Flexibility
On the other hand, VAs with foresight, flexibility, a targeted customer base, sensible marketing plan, and appreciable skills, will continue, at a minimum, to sustain their business and in many instances increase profits.
Why and How?
Savvy business owners are looking for ways to reduce costs, develop alternative resources, and continue providing valuable-add services to their clients, and VAs (if positioned properly) can fulfill these demands.
If a VA’s income is decreasing because of the economic downturn, I recommend the following:
*Evaluate the situation, conduct research and identify services clients are seeking.
*Confer with current clients, to identify new responsibilities you can assume.
*Become efficient (even an expert) in sought-after skills.
*Develop a marketing strategy for your new target audience, to pull those customers into your business funnel.
*Become a valuable asset to the client.
The state of the economy won’t matter if the VA possess marketable skills, know their ideal clients’ NEEDS and wants, and positions themselves as THE value-add; and a viable contributing member of the team.
What do you think?
Share your thoughts on how the economic downturn is affecting your business and steps you have taken to sustain your income.
A popular, proven strategy that builds brand identity, increases recognition as an expert amongst peers, and helps label you as an influential source in your target market is article writing. However, if you are unsure of the topics that would resonate with your potential customers, or are unaware of resources to help develop an article marketing campaign, I have identified 5 proven strategies that can aid in creating an article writing funnel that can consistently generate topics of interest specifically for your target audience.
1. Surveys: Hidden Source of Story Ideas
3 or 5 question surveys can garner a wealth of information useful in developing new products and services, marketing opportunities, good will and feedback from current and prospective customers. Responses can be used to develop story ideas, providing relevant subject-matter information that can be used in article, service and product creation.
2. Blog Hopping
Develop ideas from other sites’ content. Frequently visit your favorite or the most popular blogs and see what people are talking about. Is it controversial? Can you offer a different perspective? Can you create an article around the topic? Once you develop your article, link back to the originating site. Don’t forget to leave a comment on the site’s blog and let the owner know you stopped by and have expanded the conversation on the topic. You will drive more traffic to your site and increase readership.
3. Analyze Your Blog
Review your own blog and determine which postings receive the most views and reader comments/feedback. Develop a short series on the topic(s) to entice return visits. Use your social media outlets/networks to promote the series and increase blog signups. By giving readers want they want, you will develop loyal readership and capture those all important email addresses.
4. Article Directory Goldmine
Running out of ideas? Visit article directories and read articles written specifically for your target audience. Develop a new “take” on the article’s theme or select an important point, and write about it from your perspective. Article directories are excellent sources for staying abreast of popular topics and you can use them as a starting point to express your opinion and share insights with your ideal audience.
5. Web 2.0: Social Media Opens Doors
Social media venues such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, etc., offer unfettered access to topics, opinions and experts on literally any conceivable topic. Search these sites for resources and various comments that stimulate your creative writing processes. Create a swipe file of ideas, so you will an ongoing repository of new potential subject matter.
It may take a few months of article writing to really benefit from these tactics, and you may be too busy to implement all of them at once. However, the more options you choose, the greater opportunity to increased visibility and nurture brand creation. As more readers visit your site or interact via social media connections, the greater your opportunity to increase traffic, leads and profits.
The 24 Hour Secretary leads a team of 100 Virtual Assistants to help voter registration and Election Day run smoothly.
Baltimore, MD, November 20, 2008 – September 17, 2008, marked the beginning of one of the largest projects undertaken by a team of Virtual Assistants. InfoVoter Technologies, a voter access, voter protection and election administration technologies and services company contracted The 24 Hour Secretary (http://www.the24hoursecretary.com) for a 45-day marathon transcribing voter registration requests and complaints from more than 45,000 respondents during the nationwide election. Read more
Pretty soon, the Online International Virtual Assistants Convention (OIVAC) will kick-off. This year, 40 presenters are set to speak about technology, marketing, public relations, working with coaches, real estate, speakers, article promotions, and so much more useful information to support a Virtual Assistant’s practice.
We will also conduct another blog hopping and podcast tour and hold a brand new series of activities(Introducing the Virtual Assistant Industry) to reach more industries and individuals, and educate them about the VA industry.
It’s going to be fun, and I can’t wait.
I’ll keep you posted and I hope to see you May 15-17, 2008 at OIVAC. ???? ?????? ???????? ?????
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