Virtual Assisting. Or, What to Offer?

Not entirely sure how to go about becoming a virtual assistant. There's a lot of information out there - if I'm to succeed, I really want to do it right! It's definitely not a get-money-in-quickly sort of thing. Of course, I don't think there is anything out there that is. Maybe if you're a scammer. Or a Nigerian Prince. Yes, that was sarcasm. Sorry, but that font is missing from my font list. That was sarcasm too.

My largest issue is what to offer. If someone needs an office assistant, well, that's what I do. I'm good at it. But doing it remotely is what's throwing me off. I don't know how to offer basic office skills remotely. I guess filing could be done via a scanner - make the files search-able. Typing and answering email? Don't most people do that themselves? Hmmm, what about going through email & deleting the junk mail? Setting up parameters so that mail gets filed into folders. Don't people do that themselves though? Especially if they are at all technical? Maybe not. Well, see? There's like three things that I can do!

Let's see. Typing reports, general proof-reading (boy is THAT one needed). NOT answering phones. Sorry, no. Ok, not sorry. It's my business, and if I don't want to, I don't have to! Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable. Neither are my favorite, but both are definitely doable. Maybe especially remotely. Travel arrangements? Don't know much about them. Transcription? I think it's harder than I think it is! I'm a pretty decent listener, so maybe not.

How about minor tech support for Mom & Dad. Grandma? Things that drive you crazy because they always ask. This is what you do when you move the start bar from the bottom of the screen. (Yes, it happens). Lessons on basic email. How to attach a picture. Hmmm, I think I'm seeing future blog posts here.... What else do non-computer people need? Locking down their wi-fi? Hmm, that one is a bit more advanced. So, how to forward an email. How to forward an attachment. Shortcuts. How to set a home page. How to listen to the radio/music on the internet. Basics. How to make sure a website is secure. Using a credit card on a web page. Basic internet security - free is always good. Security updates and maybe even remote log-ins to do them. How to send a basic email that says "I'm thinking of you" instead of being forwarded everything that comes over their email. Oh, wouldn't that be wonderful! How to not click on banners and spam sites.

Brainstorming is fun! Makes me feel better about the whole thing. Some things are feasible, some not. And, actually, I really like brainstorming. I wonder if that's something that could translate...

Phones and Judging People

They (the very mysterious and elusive they) say that we make a decision about people in the first 30 seconds of seeing them. (Ok, so they really probably are experts, and have the studies to say so. (Cue dramatic voice) This time). But what about on the phone? I've spoken to people where I'm pretty sure they were lucky to graduate high school - they just weren't very smart sounding. Snap judgement? Oh yeah. Accurate? Usually. Once in a while it's a new person who's just learning their job, but usually? Yeah.
I spend a lot of time on hold for tech support with our cell phones at work. I make snap judgements about the people I talk to all the time. On the other hand, I'm sure they make judgements about me too! I can tell the minute they think I'm going to be a bitch - which sometimes I am - their voices get harder, and they get less co-operative. But if I'm nice - polite, keep my voice pleasant, and be encouraging (not encouraging, but show my willingness to do what they need done (tech support remember) and tell them thank you for their help, and I appreciate their hard work) - they will do their best to get my problem solved. Somehow, I think the not-so-nice people tend to be the predominate calls. And, after all, what does it hurt to tell someone that they've done a great job & thank you for helping?
The moral of the story is, I guess, to just be nice. And at least try to use your brain.

A Short Story. Or, What to Write About When You Can't Think of Anything

Long ago, I used to tell the best little kid stories. They'd be mash-ups of whatever I could think of. 101 Dalmations and Goldilocks? I could spin it! Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast? Ok, give me a minute to think.
Somewhere, I lost the child-like wonder that I had and replaced it with cynicism. And while it serves me well, and I'm rarely surprised, I miss that innocence and imagination. That not knowing where the story was going to turn back on itself, loop around, and careen off into the distance.
As an adult I rarely get to tell stories. I don't often use my imagination. I'm not sure if I could tell a little kid story at all anymore. I miss that. I remember telling my younger brother stories on the way home from long trips - and my parents turning down the radio so they could listen too. I wrote a story in 6th grade that my teacher read aloud, and then asked if he could keep it.
I love to read stories that take me unexpected places, and can't always find them. There's a lovely mix of fantasy and romance, and fairy tale, in Robin McKinley's books. Jim Hines writes interesting twists. Mercedes Lackey has some beautiful elements in her Elementals and 500 Kingdom series. I've read lots of others, and there's a few that are on my must-read-author list. But there aren't enough.
Maybe I should try again. Beware!

Thought for the Day...or Life

You are responsible for your happiness. You are the only one responsible for your happiness. You are not responsible for someone else's happiness.

Because living my life is hard enough without taking on someone else's as well.

Ramblings of an Irritated Mind

DB and I got into an argument the other day. I've been grumpy since, so he asked me if it was related to that. Nope! Welcome to the week-before-my-period. I may be depressed, exceedingly irritable, have absolutely no energy and have a feeling of doom headed my way...but it has nothing to do with him! Now, I keep track of my cycle, and after so many years would think that he would have at least a little idea of it, but no.
I give others too much credit in reading my mind. I try to speak "man" for him, but being a female for much longer than I've been trying to do that, it's not an easy thing to do! Of course, that follows into getting help around the house, taking care of the animals, and all the myriad other things that you have to take care of with a family. Sometimes you just have to give in and ask for help. Even if you think it should just happen! It doesn't.
 I remember from when I was growing up - my mom used to tell my younger brother to "use your words". We'd try to interpret his "uh" and point. Usually it would work! Then we all grew up and got complicated.

Yep! Rambling!

All Life is an experiment. Or, How I decided that I wanted to Blog.

"Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. What if they are a little course, and you may get your coat soiled or torn? What if you do fail, and get fairly rolled in the dirt once or twice. Up again, you shall never be so afraid of a tumble."
  --  Ralph Waldo Emerson

I read this quote the other day. I have one of those emails that sends a quote of the day. Sometimes they are funny, sometimes they are dumb, sometimes they just get glanced at and deleted. You know.
Anyway, I've been thinking about my life - I'm in my mid 30's, and am once again trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. Sounds like fun, no? No. Not really. I find the older I get, the less inclined I am to take chances. I'm feeling like a stick-in-the-mud. So I decided that I would use this quote as my kick in the ass to do things. These things may not be very exciting, but since my idea of exciting is going out to dinner & a movie (Check! Pirates 3 and Chinese) this really doesn't bother me. 
So, back to chances, and life, and experimenting. I'm an introvert by nature and nurture both. Putting my thoughts and ideas out on the web is scary. Heck, they don't usually even get written down! Here's my start. Let's see what happens. I have no real purpose to this besides entertaining myself, so it will be random. Full of things that I like, do, have discovered, or find thought-provoking.