Microsoft Remote Assistance -- Very Cool Tool!

Not that "computer technician" falls into my category of specialties, I do have some experience with and knowledge of the more advanced features of Windows, and oftentimes my clients will come to me for advice on how to *fix* things. Usually, by asking a few questions and determining what might be causing any problems, I am able to provide a solution with a quick email. Sometimes, however, the issues are a little more complicated, and without actually sitting down in front of the computer, it's very difficult to determine the underlying problem. In cases such as this, the Remote Assistance program included with Windows can be a lifesaver. Just this morning, I helped out a client who was experiencing some issues with her Internet browser using this feature.

At first, I could not establish a connection when it was initiated by the client -- an error message saying that 'the program might have been closed' (on her end) was as far as we got. I was about to attempt to connect with an invitation initiated on my end, when I thought, "I wonder if Windows Firewall is preventing me from connecting?" ... I asked my client to set the firewall exceptions to allow the Remote Assistance program to run, and after executing the program again, it allowed me to gain full control of her computer. I was skeptical at first because she is running Windows XP, whereas I am *ugh* running Windows Vista, but for once the two operating systems had no difficulties communicating with one another.

While my client sat back in her chair and watched me click and drag my way around her desktop (which she later described as "creepy"), I was able to change a few settings in her Internet Options, perform a few Microsoft Updates and reset her security settings to help resolve the issues. Keep your fingers crossed, as she has not experienced any further glitches with the Internet.

And it's nice to know that my clients have enough trust in me to completely take over their computers once in awhile.

Searching For Albert Einstein

This morning, while watching the local weather channel, I briefly caught a quote by Albert Einstein about 'strange ideas' that was very intriguing for me. Because I had not had my morning coffee yet, I wasn't awake enough to imprint it in my memory, and I thought to myself, "I'll just google it later today -- if Einstein said it, it's on the Internet."

So here I sit in a sea of keyword searches, and I can tell you honestly that searching for "Einstein quote about ideas," brings back more hits than I care to mention. The premise of the quote was that if an idea does not sound crazy to begin with, nothing will come if it. But, for the life of me, I cannot pinpoint the exact wording.

If there is anyone out there that knows what this exact quote is, I would be very grateful if you could enlighten me.

Can You Make Money As A Virtual Assistant?

In a word, Yes. When people ask me what I do for a living, I used to respond with, “I’m a Virtual Assistant,” which usually garnered either a blank stare or a quizzical look, followed by the question, “what’s that?” Although the Virtual Assistance industry is a million – possibly even billion-dollar industry, it is still somewhat unknown, especially on the Canadian side of the border. After launching into my 15-second elevator speech on what a Virtual Assistant does, the “ahhhhh, I see – so you’re a secretary?” prompted me to change my approach. Now, when someone asks what I do, I respond with, “I work for myself from home doing database management and web development.” No longer do I receive blank stares, but it creates interest, and the question is now, “so how much do you make doing this?” I’m always amazed at this question – I don’t usually go around asking people what their annual salary is, but when you are self-employed, it seems as though you are free game. I have determined that most people dream of working for themselves from home, and often wonder if they could do the same thing. So, naturally, they wonder if they can sustain themselves on my salary. I quickly forgive them, and respond with “enough to make me happy.”

Working as a Virtual Assistant is not an easy ride. It is not a get rich quick venture. And it will not make you a millionaire. Starting a business is an expensive proposition, and being a VA is no different. I would estimate that I invested about $10,000 in the first year getting the business off the ground, and approximately the same amount every year just to keep it running. As a small business owner, you have expenses that range from the outlay of cash for computer hardware and software, to ongoing expenses such as Internet connection fees. A telephone is an absolute must, a website is a necessity, and advertising can eat up your profits more than one would think.

Being a Virtual Assistant is the same as owning your own business. Aside from all the work you perform for your clients, you also have to run the administrative side of the company. Just the accounting alone is mind-boggling, especially at tax time. For the first six months of operation, I may have put in 12-14 hour days, but only 3-4 hours of that might have ‘billable’ to clients. The rest was off the clock and out of my own pocket. In my first year of operation, I had only earned enough to barely pay for my expenses, and it was not a financially lucrative company.
However, after getting everything in place, setting up my website, and gathering a very loyal client base, in my second year, I actually made a *small* profit, which I put right back into the business. Since then, the income has remained at a sustainable level, and although it will be a few decades before I make my first million, it is enough to make me happy and continue doing what I do.