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Discover the secrets to starting your own successful virtual assistant business |
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Alex Greer |
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2007-07-10 |
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Are you fed up with working 9-to-5? Bored of doing the same jobs every day? Not enough quality time with your family? There is a better way – it’s called being a virtual assistant.
As a virtual assistant you can choose to use your PA, secretarial, office or administrative skills to work with the clients that you choose, at hours to suit you, from your chosen location, in a way that fits in with your life. You can enjoy a better work/life balance and have the lifestyle you want.
There are many benefits to running your own VA business including:
• Set your own flexible working hours
• Enjoy your working day without a rush hour commute
• Achieve a high earning potential
• Discover the opportunity to expand your skill set
• Joining a rapidly growing industry
But many potential VAs make the crucial mistake of thinking that to be a VA all you need is a computer, a desk and an Internet connection. WRONG! It’s not about simply using your PA or administrative experience to provide VA services to a range of clients. You will need to be a business owner too and that requires another set of skills entirely. The ability to actually run your business will be key to your success.
So, ok, you have your years of experience in administration, or the like, and you have a computer or laptop at home, plus a broadband Internet connection. These are some of the key tools you will need as a VA. But where do you go from here?
You could do a bit of research on the Internet, maybe get some general business advice from your local business advisor, join an online network or just get going! Fine, if you are enterprising and have unlimited funds to subsidise your business until it really takes off. Or…..
…You could play it a little smarter and get yourself some training that is specifically aimed at becoming a virtual assistant, in terms of what services to offer, what fees to charge and how to find clients. Even better, look at courses that also show you how to be a business owner, so that you not only have a comprehensive VA business but you know how to run your VA business successfully and competently.
So if you are taking your first steps towards becoming a VA, you are a start-up VA or are even well-established, you should take a look the different training options available to you on how to structure, brand, market and sell your business and VA services to attract clients so that you become a successful and remarkable VA.
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Discover the secrets to starting your own successful virtual assistant business Keywords: |
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virtual assistant virtual assistants small business working from home how to work from home ideal career for working from home virtual assistant business career as a virtual assistant how to be a virtual assistant VA how to start a virtual Discover the secrets to starting your own successful virtual assistant business Other Business Business |
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Related Article:Discover the secrets to starting your own successful virtual assistant business |
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Yvonne Weld Weld |
2007-04-09 |
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Title: Seven Sure-Fire Ways to Make your Partnership with a Virtual Assistant a Success
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So you have taken a step towards truly growing your thriving business and hired a Virtual Assistant, here are seven ways to ensure your partnership will be a success:
1. Good Communication
Since your Virtual Assistant will not have a physical presence in your office, it will be important to establish and follow a good communication plan. Determine whether you would like your Virtual Assistant to contact you with updates daily, weekly, monthly or as needed. When providing your Virtual Assistant with instructions ensure they are always direct, precise and understandable. Also ensure your VA is aware of your preferred method of communication (telephone, e-mail, facsimile, etc.).
2. Be Open
First and foremost, in order to have a successful working relationship with your VA you must be open to the concept. Also, be open to any ideas or suggestions your VA may have and offer reasons why or why not you think the ideas are worthy of further consideration. Remember to give your VA time to answer your inquiries because although they may not have the answer, they do have the resources to find the answer for you.
3. Trust the Partnership
Just like any relationship, trust must be earned. When working with a VA it will be especially important to trust that when they say they are working for you they truly are. Try starting your relationship off slowly to “test the waters” and gradually work up to larger, more demanding assignments.
4. Have Patience
Remember to give your VA time to learn your business and your preferences. Provide your VA with the guidance they need and remember they may have a lot of questions as they learn how and why you and your business operate. The end result will definitely be worth all the time, patience and understanding you devote to making the partnership succeed.
5. Give Up Control
I know you have been wearing many of the hats for awhile, but don’t be afraid to hand over some “control” to your VA. Just remember by allowing your VA to handle your administrative headaches you gain the opportunity to focus your time and energies elsewhere. By giving up control you can “hand off” all those tasks you dread, knowing they are being handled professionally and accurately.
6. Be Respectful
Remember that your VA is likely to have boundaries you should be aware of. Be respectful of your VA’s office hours, turnaround time and how they wish to receive instructions. Through mutual respect and appreciation, your VA can become a vital part of the success and growth of your business.
7. Plan Ahead
Please try to remember that in most cases, your VA has other people they work for so keep that in mind when scheduling when you provide them with work. Don’t leave things until the last minute.
Now that your VA is handling your administrative headaches it is time to concentrate on the things that matter to growing your business. These are the things that attracted you to your business in the first place. By partnering with a VA, you gain the opportunity to spend more time on the things you enjoy doing. Spend more time with your family, wine and dine a new client or try a new marketing strategy. By partnering with a VA, you can concentrate on truly growing a thriving business.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Yvonne Weld is the owner of Canadian based ABLE Virtual Assistant Services specializing in providing administrative and bookkeeping support to busy entrepreneurs. She is also the author of The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Thriving Business which provides a step-by-step guide to documenting your business. For your free audio teleclass on the areas you should consider when documenting your business and for more information about The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Thriving Business, visit the Web site at http://www.thrivingbusinessmanual.com
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On Demand Virtual assistant |
2008-03-29 |
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Title: Employing a Virtual Assistant is a good business sense
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Virtual Assistants are rapidly becoming a popular industry. It is through learning that this fiend is starting to truly develop. Hopefully in the future people will be asking, “Who’s your Virtual Assistant?” instead of “Virtual Assistant, what is it?” Virtual Assistants are the way to letting the owners of small businesses to truly make a living. Before have to decide on working with a VA, there are questions that needs answers. Virtual Assistant, what is it? Firstly, you must know what the term really means. Just think of it this way, a Virtual Assistant is an owner of a business who are offering managerial support virtually. The International Virtual Assistant Association or the IVAA defines a VA as an independent entrepreneur giving managerial, creative and technical services. Making use of the advanced technological forms of communication and delivery of data, a qualified Virtual Assistant helps clients with his area of proficiency from his own place on a contractual basis. Why would I work with a VA? There are a lot of advantages. One, there are no secret costs. The VA handles his own expenses which includes office space, gadgets and all wage related expenses. A VA is not like other workers; in its place he becomes your team member and has a stake in the achievement of your business and company. If you do not succeed, so won’t he. Most VAs have years of experience and can take care of a variety of duties. Many works are outside of normal business hours to give flexibility. With a VA on your side, you have the opportunity to develop your business instead of just maintaining it. You can do all the things that you love to do at the same time the tasks on your to-do-list are being looked by your assistant. What can a Virtual Assistant help me with? They can help you with a lot of things from basic to specialized services like maintenance and website design, ghostwriting , marketing, bookkeeping and event planning. Every VA has their own skill services. A lot of them have made connections with other VAs and will deal out specialized job or direct you to other VA. How do I converse with a VA? The popular methods of communication are via email and phone. However, fax, postal service are frequently used. Most of the people who have worked with VAs have set up P.O. boxes that are accessed by the VA to make sure all of client correspondence is taken care directly by the assistant. Are there things that a VA can do for me? A VA can do any tasks that a home-based assistant can, except making you a coffee in the morning. Now that you are armed with this info, I’m sure you would able to see how making VA a partner will truly make a great business sense. It is a key move in creating a flourishing business. "Written by OnDemandVA.com , the best place to hire a virtual assistant. OnDemandVA.com is the global leader in providing Virtual Assistant Services to busy professionals and SMB. Visit www.ondemandva.com and Hire your Virtual Assistant straight away at the price which no one in the industry can touch. www.ondemandva.com Skype - ondemandva Email - Sales@ondemandva.com
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On Demand Virtual assistant |
2008-03-28 |
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Title: Reasons Why You Must Use a Virtual Assistant
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Many kinds of industry or business can get a help from the services offered by a virtual assistant. You can find great use of a virtual assistant even your business is a traditional or an online business. In any kind of business whether your business is small or big, you can increase your manpower without paying a fulltime employee. No benefits or taxes to be considered if getting a virtual assistant, same with your employee hired in your business virtual assistant is dependent on steady referrals and customers and will give you its loyalty. Let’s eliminate the need for outsourcing and temporary employees. Virtual assistant are reliable when you need their service and will give you the service you want and need with a reasonable price. Compared to a full time employee, a virtual assistant is less expensive and can help you assist your business with basic support needed for your office or in specialized tasks such as marketing, webpage design and many other fields depending on what particular skills you choose from a virtual assistant. Generally, a virtual assistant is skilled in the use of computer, reliable, hardworking and they have a huge range of skills. From data entry to tax preparation and bookkeeping, a virtual assistant can help your business complete any traditional tasks that a full time employee must handle. You don’t have to pay a salary or an hourly wage when you hired a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants are paid by the hours they worked at the time you need them or per job done. There are no expenses for benefits such as holiday pay, taxes or you don’t need an office space because virtual assistants are working on their own office and they are using their own equipment in their office. They are a perfect solution for the owner of a small business who needs an employee but cannot afford to hire an employee that is regular. Not only small businesses but large businesses too can also get benefits from a virtual assistant. Scanning, word processing, scheduling, and incoming phone calls can be assigned to the virtual assistant, saving a lot of money and time for the business. A virtual assistant can do many of the routine tasks that are usually done by a full time employee, but for a lower cost in performing the tasks that are done by the virtual assistant in her or his own office. Those qualified virtual assistants work independently or as a member of an organization that will match them with clients, it depends on the needs of the client and the needed skills of the virtual assistant. There are no taxes to be paid in hiring a virtual assistant and the business who will hire a virtual assistant will only pay for the actual hours spent for the work on the tasks given. Usually a virtual assistant is working in a high level administrative capacity and can be depended upon; they give top quality services at a very reasonable cost. "Written by OnDemandVA.com , the best place to hire a virtual assistant. OnDemandVA.com is the global leader in providing Virtual Assistant Services to busy professionals and SMB. Visit www.ondemandva.com and Hire your Virtual Assistant straight away at the price which no one in the industry can touch. www.ondemandva.com Skype - ondemandva Email - Sales@ondemandva.com"
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Roxanne Tidmore |
2006-11-28 |
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Title: Do You Know What To Look For When Hiring a Virtual Assistant?
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Do You Know What To Look For When Hiring a Virtual Assistant? As an entrepreneur you desire to be successful – you want to increase sales and productivity. Where can you find the resources and time to do this? Hiring a Virtual Assistant can be your solution. But how do I choose the right Virtual Assistant for me? Following is a checklist of finding the best Virtual Assistant for you! 1. What are your specific business needs? Are you a real estate agent that needs part time help with a new listing coordination? Do you need full time help with all of your office administrative needs? Does your business need a quick word processing or PowerPoint project completed while your regular staff is out temporarily? 2. Match up your specific business needs with those of the VA services you are searching for. Do a search for Virtual Assistant or a specific keyword search for the particular service you need. 3. Consultation. Obviously, your search will yield many results! Email or call the ones of interest to you. Most Virtual Assistants will give you a free consultation. Once you receive a response, here are few points to consider: Did the VA respond in a Timely manner? Did the VA respond in a Professional manner? Is the VA Prepared for the call? Is there Follow-through as promised? Do the Services match the ones you need? Do you have a very clear Understanding of processes and how they will blend in with your business? Do you feel the VA is Confident? Does the VA really Listen to what you need and not interrupt? Does the VA inquire about your business also? Do you have a good connection with the VA? 4. Experience A Virtual Assistant should have extensive background administrative or executive assistant experience. Now a VA can have obtained this experience from working outside of the home or while being a VA. So, some questions to ask are: What was your experience prior to being a VA? How many years of experience do you have? What is your skill level (for the particular need that you have? 5. Training As a business owner, you may not have time to learn new software. You need someone who is trained and very competent to take your project and run with it! Ask specific questions related to your project to ensure that the VA is competent in that specific aspect of the software. 6. Pricing The rates of a Virtual Assistant range between $25 - $80 per hour. This may seem high but when you take into account that your business is not paying for sick leave, vacation leave, Medicare, etc., you save in the long run. Also as a business owner you will not lower your prices for clients, would you? You want to deliver a superb product and you know those clients who expect that of you are willing to pay the price. No less should it be for VA services. In order to deliver that superb service, it does take money. To deliver an inferior product, does not require much money. I hope that these points have been helpful to those who are searching for the right Virtual Assistant to help make their business become more successful. If you take the time to look for quality and merit, it will become a positive investment in your business. Roxanne Tidmore is a virtual assistant. Her company, http://www.elitereva.com, is a virtual assisting practice devoted to helping small business owners handle administrative tasks so they can focus on growing their business and turning their productivity into profits and serving real estate agents to give them a virtual marketing edge. For more information, please click here => www.elitereva.com or email here => info@elitereva.com.
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Kelly Sims |
2008-05-04 |
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Title: Starting a New Business: 4 Ways a Virtual Assistant Can Help
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The start-up phase of any new small business is usually the most thrilling, but it's often the most demanding as well. With licenses and registrations to apply for, business and marketing plans to write, business cards, logos, pamphlets, and letterhead to create and much, much more, how can you find the time and money to get it all done? Delegating to an employee is most likely not yet an option, and you may not have the time or some of the skills necessary to complete the numerous tasks on your plate. A Virtual Assistant might just be the ideal solution. The following are some important reasons to consider hiring a Virtual Assistant to assist you with the start-up of your business: 1) Most new small businesses have a limited budget, and often hiring an Assistant, or any employees at all, is out of the question. Hiring a Virtual Assistant will allow you to delegate projects as needed. This means, instead of paying a bi-weekly salary as you would to an employee, you pay only for the hours worked on the projects that you have assigned. You can delegate as much or as little as your budget allows. 2) A Virtual Assistant is also a business owner. They have been through the start-up phase of their own business, and may be able to help you with some of the challenges you face. Often, you can rely on your VA to provide you with objective opinions and ideas about your business since they have been there before. They may even be able to let you know what strategies and ideas have worked best for them. 3) A Virtual Assistant can perform a great number of the duties on your to-do list. This is beneficial to you because it means you don't have to go to multiple sources for a variety of tasks. Most VAs offer a number of services ranging from pamphlet and business card creation, to bulk mailings and more. Some Virtual Assistants can even design a simple website for you. Delegating some of these duties will allow you more time for some of the other more crucial tasks that you must complete. 4) Even if you are one of the fortunate few who have the funds available to begin hiring employees, you may not yet have the office space or equipment that your employee(s) will require. A Virtual Assistant is fully equipped and ready to work from their own office. Getting your new business up and running is a challenging process, but one you don't have to experience alone. Don't let the lack of space or funds required to hire an employee hinder the start-up growth of your new business. Hiring a Virtual Assistant with administrative skills and entrepreneurial experience may be just what you need to help you get your business off to a great start.
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On Demand Virtual Assistant |
2008-03-28 |
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Title: Employing a Virtual Assistant is a good business sense
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Virtual Assistants are rapidly becoming a popular industry. It is through learning that this fiend is starting to truly develop. Hopefully in the future people will be asking, “Who’s your Virtual Assistant?” instead of “Virtual Assistant, what is it?” Virtual Assistants are the way to letting the owners of small businesses to truly make a living. Before have to decide on working with a VA, there are questions that needs answers.
Virtual Assistant, what is it?
Firstly, you must know what the term really means. Just think of it this way, a Virtual Assistant is an owner of a business who are offering managerial support virtually. The International Virtual Assistant Association or the IVAA defines a VA as an independent entrepreneur giving managerial, creative and technical services. Making use of the advanced technological forms of communication and delivery of data, a qualified Virtual Assistant helps clients with his area of proficiency from his own place on a contractual basis.
Why would I work with a VA?
There are a lot of advantages. One, there are no secret costs. The VA handles his own expenses which includes office space, gadgets and all wage related expenses. A VA is not like other workers; in its place he becomes your team member and has a stake in the achievement of your business and company. If you do not succeed, so won’t he.
Most VAs have years of experience and can take care of a variety of duties. Many works are outside of normal business hours to give flexibility. With a VA on your side, you have the opportunity to develop your business instead of just maintaining it. You can do all the things that you love to do at the same time the tasks on your to-do-list are being looked by your assistant.
What can a Virtual Assistant help me with?
They can help you with a lot of things from basic to specialized services like maintenance and website design, ghostwriting , marketing, bookkeeping and event planning. Every VA has their own skill services. A lot of them have made connections with other VAs and will deal out specialized job or direct you to other VA.
How do I converse with a VA?
The popular methods of communication are via email and phone. However, fax, postal service are frequently used. Most of the people who have worked with VAs have set up P.O. boxes that are accessed by the VA to make sure all of client correspondence is taken care directly by the assistant.
Are there things that a VA can do for me?
A VA can do any tasks that a home-based assistant can, except making you a coffee in the morning.
Now that you are armed with this info, I’m sure you would able to see how making VA a partner will truly make a great business sense. It is a key move in creating a flourishing business.
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2008-03-27 |
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Title: Successful Tips for Starting Your Own Virtual Assistant Business
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Virtual Assistants (VAs) are highly skilled professionals who provide administrative support and specialized services to businesses, entrepreneurs, executives, and others who have more work to do than time to do it. Examples of services a VA can do include publicity and marketing, web design and maintenance, word processing, meeting and event planning, desktop publishing, article and press release submissions, internet research, bookkeeping, business start-up consultations and so much more. This can be the perfect work-at-home opportunity for many with good computer and Internet skills.
Following are several Do's and Dont's to keep in mind for starting and operating your Virtual Assisting business.
DO -- Decide on a targeted market and initially focus your marketing efforts in that area. By developing a "niche" in your field, your reputation spreads quickly and soon you become a recognized expert. Several specialties include: publicity, medical, legal or business transcription, resume consulting, transaction coordination -- real estate industry, working with authors, academic typing, internet research, etc.
DO -- Be creative about where you can find business. The Internet offers a large variety of potential for clients just waiting for you to contact them. Actively network and don't limit your marketing to simply sending out one press release, placing a few ads in newspapers or the Yellow Pages, or posting on a board or two. You want to find where there might be a need- and go fill it.
DO -- Write a complete business plan and marketing plan. Too many leave out this vital step and waste valuable time unorganized and without a clear-cut goal and direction for their business. When starting a business you will have tons of ideas floating around. You need to materialize all these and put them into a workable plan of action.
DO -- Develop a website that looks sensational! Your website is often the first connection a potential client has with your services. It must immediately let them know that they are dealing with a professional. Your site must then have the POWER to draw them to you and contact you. Let them see that you value quality by the look and feel of it. Tell them why you are qualified to be their VA. Be sure to include points on why you stand out among the rest and are the BEST! For example, if you have been featured in articles, radio shows, etc., have them listed with the dates.
DO -- Learn everything you can about starting a business. Knowledge is power and the more you know, the greater your chances for success. Look to online services and message boards and chats to talk with other Virtual Assistants operating a business. Remember these are often run by pros who have been in business for years and are willing to share their experience.
DO -- Join associations that are targeted for our Industry. By connecting with these associations and being active, you learn from them what works and what doesn't and you are able to post your questions to associate members via list serves often getting answers to your questions within minutes.
DO -- Read, read, read. By frequently continuing to increase your skills and your knowledge of your profession, the end result is a more confident satisfied you. Every tip you get from a book can be a new tool in your business. I recommend highlighting areas from several books and adding them to your library. Keep in mind that you might not use that idea today, but it might apply to specialties you might add down the road.
DO - Enjoy. There is no greater feeling than that first client. Plus, wait until you get the opportunity to tell someone you own and operate your own virtual assisting business. It sure beats I'm a secretary at .... Plus, when you enjoy your business it shows. Your clients will sense your positive attitude and want to be a part of your team.
DON'T -- Underprice your services. The average virtual assistant today makes $25 to $100 an hour, depending on their skills, services offered, location, and years of experience. Don't make the mistake of assuming if you charge the lowest prices, you'll get the most work. You won't. Instead, you'll end up working outrageous hours for peanuts! Clients will pay more for professional services. When clients see a lower rate they often anticipate less quality of services as well.
DON'T -- Overextend yourself. One of the common mistakes many virtual assistants make is to accept too much work and then not be able to accurately complete it. Learn now to say no, or get a qualified subcontractor. Remember one of the most important ingredients for success is keeping your clients satisfied. If you are overextended, it can jeopardize your business.
DON'T -- Get discouraged. It takes time to get a business going. Plan ahead and have extra money. Don't buy items until you have found the best possible price and there is an absolute need. This advance planning takes the pressure off of having to make money NOW. If things are slow and the phone just isn't ringing ... MAKE IT RING!! There's more work than ever before with all the added publicity today, you just need to go out and get it.
Finally, the most important ingredient for success is your belief in yourself. If you believe in you, there's nothing stopping you. DREAMS DO COME TRUE. SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN.
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Kelly Sims |
2007-09-30 |
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Title: Starting a New Business: 4 Ways a Virtual Assistant Can Help
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The start-up phase of any new small business is usually the most thrilling, but it's often the most demanding as well. With licenses and registrations to apply for, business and marketing plans to write, business cards, logos, pamphlets, and letterhead to create and much, much more, how can you find the time and money to get it all done? Delegating to an employee is most likely not yet an option, and you may not have the time or some of the skills necessary to complete the numerous tasks on your plate. A Virtual Assistant might just be the ideal solution. The following are some important reasons to consider hiring a Virtual Assistant to assist you with the start-up of your business:
1) Most new small businesses have a limited budget, and often hiring an Assistant, or any employees at all, is out of the question. Hiring a Virtual Assistant will allow you to delegate projects as needed. This means, instead of paying a bi-weekly salary as you would to an employee, you pay only for the hours worked on the projects that you have assigned. You can delegate as much or as little as your budget allows.
2) A Virtual Assistant is also a business owner. They have been through the start-up phase of their own business, and may be able to help you with some of the challenges you face. Often, you can rely on your VA to provide you with objective opinions and ideas about your business since they have been there before. They may even be able to let you know what strategies and ideas have worked best for them.
3) A Virtual Assistant can perform a great number of the duties on your to-do list. This is beneficial to you because it means you don't have to go to multiple sources for a variety of tasks. Most VAs offer a number of services ranging from pamphlet and business card creation, to bulk mailings and more. Some Virtual Assistants can even design a simple website for you. Delegating some of these duties will allow you more time for some of the other more crucial tasks that you must complete.
4) Even if you are one of the fortunate few who have the funds available to begin hiring employees, you may not yet have the office space or equipment that your employee(s) will require. A Virtual Assistant is fully equipped and ready to work from their own office.
Getting your new business up and running is a challenging process, but one you don't have to experience alone. Don't let the lack of space or funds required to hire an employee hinder the start-up growth of your new business. Hiring a Virtual Assistant with administrative skills and entrepreneurial experience may be just what you need to help you get your business off to a great start.
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Melissa Brewer |
2007-12-11 |
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Title: Virtual Secretary Jobs: Should You Start Your Own Virtual Assisting Business?
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If you've been looking for a virtual secretary job or online data entry job, and haven't had any luck, you may have considered starting your own virtual assistant business. A virtual assistant works for themselves - and creates their own client base. If you want to work from home and have more control over the amount you earn, the types of projects you accept, and the number of hours you work, then starting a virtual assisting business may be the right work at home option for you.
In order to become a virtual assistant, you will need a computer with a reliable Internet connection, fax machine, dedicated phone line, and the ability to market your services effectively.
Vital Skills for Virtual Assistants
Virtual assistants provide services that traditional secretaries do not. These include technical writing, editing, desktop publishing, and web design. Even though you may not possess these skills, if you've worked as an administrative assistant or you have experience in business writing, marketing, public relations, event planning, or legal experience, you should be able to use these skills when promoting your business. Many of your virtual assisting clients may need your help with email inquiries and content management - basically, a person to handle their daily small tasks while they focus on their main jobs. A good dose of web-savvy is a great launching point for a virtual assistant business.
Traditional secretarial skills like typing, transcription, monitoring email, setting up meetings, updating calendars, and reviewing documents are also needed by those too busy to do this type of work themselves. Depending on your prior experiences, you may be able to offer a wide variety of services to prospective clients. Keep in mind that you can also learn new skills once your business is up and running - don't be afraid to ask your potential clients what daily web chores they could do without on a daily basis.
Finding and Retaining Virtual Assisting Clients
Virtual assistants market themselves in many different ways, and you'll want to find what works for you. Like most small businesses, marketing your services is important if you want to maintain a certain level of income. Using the Internet to conduct searches in online classifieds, joining social networking groups, freelance job sites, and contacting people you know are all ways to find work.
A great place to find prospective clients is LinkedIn.com - an online networking community for business professionals. You can give and receive recommendations and target businesses in your area of expertise by answering questions and participating in groups.
Offline promotions can offer just as much business as your online marketing campaign. This may mean taking out an ad in your local newspaper, networking with people you already know, going to conferences and other functions to meet people in need of your services, or making phone calls to companies you believe could benefit from your services.
Once you have a steady stream of clients, you should continue your marketing efforts by attending social functions, updating your website if you have one, and making phone calls to companies in your area who might need your services. Unlike other jobs you've had in the past, clients who use your services will come and go, so you need to be prepared to find new clients at any time.
Average Income and Terms of Payment for VA's
If you live in an urban area, you will probably earn more than someone who lives in a rural area because the need for virtual assistants is less. The average virtual assistant earns $20.00-$25.00 per hour and works at least 20-30 hours a week. You can choose to be paid weekly, bi-weekly, per project, or you can work with clients on a retainer. A retainer, commonly used in the legal profession, is paid by the client in order to secure your services. A monetary amount is agreed upon by the client and the business owner for a set number of hours during the month. If you work fewer hours, you get to keep the full retainer. If you work over the set amount, then you can invoice the client for any extra hours worked.
Because you are the owner of a small business, you will be responsible for health care, retirement funds, and other expenses that an employer usually pays their employees.
Becoming a virtual assistant may mean working long hours in the beginning until you have enough clients. You may also have to work occasionally in the evening, on weekends, and during holidays.
Virtual Assistance: The Future of Virtual Secretaries
Currently, there are 3,000 to 5,000 virtual assistants working worldwide. The number keeps getting bigger as more companies take advantage of the services offered by those who want to work from home.
If you want to start a virtual assisting business, creating a sound business plan, having enough in savings to pay for living costs until you begin earning a steady income and aggressively marketing your services to various industries are all important to your success. But once you establish yourself, there are many opportunities to be had in this profession.
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Kelly Sims |
2007-09-30 |
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Title: Starting a New Business: 4 Ways a Virtual Assistant Can Help
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The start-up phase of any new small business is usually the most thrilling, but it's often the most demanding as well. With licenses and registrations to apply for, business and marketing plans to write, business cards, logos, pamphlets, and letterhead to create and much, much more, how can you find the time and money to get it all done? Delegating to an employee is most likely not yet an option, and you may not have the time or some of the skills necessary to complete the numerous tasks on your plate. A Virtual Assistant might just be the ideal solution. The following are some important reasons to consider hiring a Virtual Assistant to assist you with the start-up of your business:
1) Most new small businesses have a limited budget, and often hiring an Assistant, or any employees at all, is out of the question. Hiring a Virtual Assistant will allow you to delegate projects as needed. This means, instead of paying a bi-weekly salary as you would to an employee, you pay only for the hours worked on the projects that you have assigned. You can delegate as much or as little as your budget allows.
2) A Virtual Assistant is also a business owner. They have been through the start-up phase of their own business, and may be able to help you with some of the challenges you face. Often, you can rely on your VA to provide you with objective opinions and ideas about your business since they have been there before. They may even be able to let you know what strategies and ideas have worked best for them.
3) A Virtual Assistant can perform a great number of the duties on your to-do list. This is beneficial to you because it means you don't have to go to multiple sources for a variety of tasks. Most VAs offer a number of services ranging from pamphlet and business card creation, to bulk mailings and more. Some Virtual Assistants can even design a simple website for you. Delegating some of these duties will allow you more time for some of the other more crucial tasks that you must complete.
4) Even if you are one of the fortunate few who have the funds available to begin hiring employees, you may not yet have the office space or equipment that your employee(s) will require. A Virtual Assistant is fully equipped and ready to work from their own office.
Getting your new business up and running is a challenging process, but one you don't have to experience alone. Don't let the lack of space or funds required to hire an employee hinder the start-up growth of your new business. Hiring a Virtual Assistant with administrative skills and entrepreneurial experience may be just what you need to help you get your business off to a great start.
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