Results Of Virtual Assistants Holiday Gift Survey
THE RESULTS ARE IN
FOR THE VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS HOLIDAY GIFT SURVEY!
I received 17 responses, and each and every one was thoughtful and helpful for any Virtual Assistant who is debating whether or not to give gifts to their clients and anyone deciding upon whether to become a Virtual Assistant. Although the spirit of the season is to give, as with any business owner, a Virtual Assistant needs to determine if gift-giving will be part of their marketing plan and/or budget.
How many of the responders are solo VAs, and how many are Multi-VAs?
Out of the 17 responses, 13 are solo Virtual Assistants and 4 are Multi-VA businesses.
How long have the responders been in business as a Virtual Assistant?
The length of time in business was more varied:
Less Than 1 Year: 4 VAs: 2 are Solo VA businesses, and 2 are Multi-VA businesses.
One To Three Years: 10 VAs: 8 are Solo VA businesses, and 2 are Multi-VA businesses.
Three To Five Years: 2 VAs, both of whom are Solo VA businesses.
Over Five Years: 1 VA who is a Solo VA business.
How many of the responders sent gifts to some or all of their clients, how many wish they could send gifts, and how many don't believe in sending gifts?
As with the length of time in business, the answers as to whether or not these Virtual Assistants sent gifts to their clients this Christmas was more varied:
| TO GIFT OR NOT TO GIFT | Solo Less Than 1 Year |
Multi Less Than 1 Year |
Solo 1-3 Years |
Multi 1-3 Years |
Solo 3-5 Years |
Solo Over 5 Years |
| Yes, Sent Gifts To ALL Clients. | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Yes, Sent Gifts To SOME Clients. | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wish I Could, Maybe Next Year! | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| No, I Don't Believe In Sending Gifts. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTALS | 2 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
There is no column for Multi-VAs in business 3-5 years, as there were no responses from that group.
There is no column for Multi-VAs in business over 5 Years as there was only one response in that category, and the Virtual Assistant is a Solo VA Business.
What are the best gifts the responders ever received themselves as a Virtual Assistant?
- Out of the 17 responders, 3 chose not to answer this question, and 4 have not received any gifts as of yet.
- One received a new home with dedicated office space, a lovely gift from family who evidently support their efforts, which in itself is a great gift any time of the year!
- One Multi-VA business owner enjoyed receiving an "easy" button, which helps her to relieve stress...and less stress is always a great gift!
- A VA in business for 3-5 years stated that paying her/him on time is gift enough.
- A VA in business 3-5 years who has received many gifts appreciates a Thank You and Merry Christmas the most.
- Additional gifts received by the Virtual Assistant responders were a Staples gift certificate, a digital camera, a $50 check, a wine basket with local wines, an external hard drive, and Amazon gift cards and gift certificates.
All of the gifts received and gifts not received show the varied nature of our clients also. I know that all of the responders, and Virtual Assistants in general, are very thankful to receive just a Thank You, Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, and to be paid on time or be paid period, as several Virtual Assistants stated. All of the other wonderful gifts are just gravy.
What are the WORST gifts the responders ever received themselves as a Virtual Assistant?
- Out of the 17 responders, 4 chose not to answer this question, and again, 4 have not received any gifts as of yet.
- Two VAs said they received bad candy. The author loves candy and assumes it must have been pretty bad!
- One VA stated none off hand are remembered as bad, although some gifts were better than others.
- One VA stated a picture rotator that sits on the shelf, although it is unclear whether it was digital or not.
- One VA said that a house full of company while trying to catch up for the holidays was the worst present she/he ever received.
- One VA doesn't think there is such a thing as a bad gift, and two stated they have never received any bad gifts at all!
- One VA received pens as their worst gift, and the author can only assume they were "company" pens, and not the fancy writing implements we would all love to have.
What holiday gift ideas did the responders share?
There were some very good and useful gift ideas provided by the responders, and these gifts can be applied to any other holiday, celebration, and event. I've separated the gift ideas into two categories: gifts related to the Virtual Assistant's business, and other gifts.
GIFTS RELATED TO VA BUSINESS
OTHER GIFT IDEAS
1 Hour Free Work (or as many as you are willing to give)
Gift Certificate for a Massage
Homemade Holiday Breads and Cakes
Networking/Association Subscriptions
Homemade Cookies and Other Treats
South N France Bon Bons
Welcome to the New Year/Thanks For
Your Business Card or EmailWine Of The Month Membership
Discount on Next Invoice (can be included
in the card or email)Books and E-Books
E-Books the VA has written
Wine, Fruit or Candy Baskets
Original Poetry
Miscellaneous Treat Baskets
Homemade Treat Basket
Gift Cards to Out Of The Ordinary Places
Homemade Basket with Miscellaneous Office Supplies
Smart Pen
Calendar with your Business Logo
All-In-One Printer and Paper
(Calendar can include Handy Tips each Month)
FairyTale Brownies
Software
Williams-Sonoma Peppermint Bark
Coffee Plant
Enstrom's Toffee
Again, thanks to all the Virtual Assistants who responded! It warms the heart of the author, a Virtual Assistant herself, who is new to blogging.
If anyone has additional gift ideas, or would like to add something about best and worst business gifts they have received, please feel free to leave a comment.
About the Author:
Claire Zimmerman is a Virtual Assistant, and the owner/operator of CM Office Support. Claire's mission is to help individuals, small businesses, entrepreneurs, professionals, and solopreneurs not only meet but surpass their goals. How does she do this? CM Office Support accomplishes tasks and projects her clients would normally spend their precious time doing, but don't need to, affording them more time to concentrate on the bigger picture. Claire also offers proactive, viable, and cost-effective solutions for streamlining work flow, organizing, and planning.
Categories: holidays,Virtual Assistants,Surveys
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Neat survey, interesting results to be sure. Thanks for sharing the details with us! Great blog post
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