Frequently Asked Questions
What is a virtual assistant (VA)?
A virtual assistant is a skilled independent contractor who works from home, offers specific (or niched) remote services, and has years of work experience as an administrative assistant or office manager. VAs use a combination of online applications to complete their work and collaborate with their clients.
What is an editor?
An editor is a person who helps prepare an author’s manuscript (or business document) for publication. Editors usually have prior writing or editing experience, come equipped with multiple reference materials and style guides, and can work from anywhere.
Which industries do you offer services to?
Atwood LLC offers virtual assistant services to the business consulting industry (who work within the manufacturing, transportation, and construction sectors) and authors.
Are you willing to work outside of your preferred industry?
Yes. I have always been interested in emergency services (law enforcement, fire and rescue, and emergency management), transportation (aviation, maritime transportation system, and freight rail), and the manufacturing industries (primary metals, machinery, and transportation equipment).
I also seeking the latest information on other industries, such as psychology, philosophy, astronomy, archeology, geography, law, and technical education.
Are there any services you do not provide?
Although open to most tasks, I do not supply the following services:
- Web & Mobile Design/Redesign (coming soon)
- Accounting
- Technical troubleshooting (outside of general updating)
- Event Planning
- Travel arrangements
How do I collaborate with you?
Collaboration is the cornerstone of my working relationship with clients. So, I have accounts with the following online software tools:
- Project Management: Asana, Trello, Wrike, Todoist, Chanty, Monday, and Google Tasks
- File-Sharing: Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, and Zoho Docs
- Video Conferencing: Google Meet, Zoho Meeting, Flock, Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, Chanty, and Slack
I also have a client portal on the website for loading and downloading business documents and manuscript materials.
If there are other tools a client prefers to use, I am happy to accommodate them.
Who is your ideal client?
My ideal virtual assistant and editing clients are:
- Folks who are eager to collaborate with someone dedicated to helping them achieve their business and editing goals.
- Individuals who want to hear and consider alternative points of view, even if they disagree.
- Professional, yet knows how to have a good laugh occasionally.
- Someone who has a driving desire to expand their company using innovative techniques.
- Someone who is open to all editing feedback and takes the time to consider the information, even if rejected.
- Understands that running a small business is hard but worth the effort.
What kind of partnership do you expect to have with your clients?
Helping clients achieve their dreams contributes to my aspirations as a small business owner. The more I help clients, the more I learn, which happens to be something I excel at doing. Applying these lessons to my everyday work and collaborating with new clients adds to my satisfaction at the end of the day.
I am looking for a longer-term relationship that allows me to learn the client’s business and grow with it. Quick projects are always important, but the longer ones (the ones that change how a company does its job and, therefore, provide higher benefits to everyone involved) are the clients I prefer to do business with.
