| There comes a point in your life when you need | | | | as they operate out of their own office, where |
| to decide to stop dreaming, and start doing. For | | | | clients don't have any responsibility or involvement |
| aspiring entrepreneurs with a solid business idea, | | | | in taxes or employee benefits such as insurance |
| this can be an exciting and scary time. Doubts | | | | etc. Communication is done through making use |
| creep in, the inevitable 'What if I fail' question | | | | of available technology such as the internet as |
| infests like a bad disease in your brain, and for | | | | well as through available telecommunication |
| many, these destructive thoughts are enough to | | | | providers. Work is done on a contractual basis, |
| shelve their dreams and return to the world of | | | | and reduced rates are usually given to long term |
| the sane! Some have thrown caution to the wind, | | | | clients. |
| and gone for the 'swim or drown' approach, a | | | | All types of businesses use VA services, from |
| method more suited for those more eccentric | | | | small businesses that don't have the time or |
| types. At the same time, for many, these | | | | resources to properly administer various essential |
| thoughts have lead to a more cautious approach | | | | business functions, to large corporations looking to |
| to starting a successful business in today's | | | | cut costs through outsourcing to smaller, |
| competitive market. | | | | specialized consultants. This frees up clients to |
| Once you've decided to dive in, the next question | | | | focus their time and energy on more pressing |
| is 'How do I get this started?'. There are a few | | | | matters. |
| steps that are essential when in this start-up | | | | Services provided are, but not limited to article |
| phase, which basically involves market research, | | | | writing, graphic design, IT Support, website design, |
| business plan development, capital investment, | | | | data entry, travel arrangements, marketing, blog |
| determining business structure and name, | | | | management, account management, accounting, |
| developing marketing collateral and obtaining | | | | event management, transcribing, project |
| necessary licenses and permits. More information | | | | management, research, assembling and mailing |
| on these topics can be found through trolling the | | | | promotional packages, managing mailing lists, |
| web on related topics. | | | | receptionist services, copy-writing etc |
| The keyword here is RESEARCH. Research | | | | The best bet for newbies into the Virtual |
| prevents the budding entrepreneur from running | | | | Assistant market is to find a niche market, and |
| blind in an environment riddled with obstacles. If | | | | attack it with everything you got, provided that |
| you were buying a house, you wouldn't just buy a | | | | thorough research on that niche has been carried |
| random house, in an unknown neighborhood that | | | | out. Identify what you're good at, what you can |
| you've never visited, with zero knowledge of the | | | | do with your eyes closed, find potential clients out |
| structural design, compound, previous owners, | | | | there looking for these services, and approach |
| neighbors etc. You would look at numerous | | | | them with your guarantee. This guarantee would |
| potential homes, before settling on one after | | | | have been identified in your business plan. It would |
| weighing the pro and cons, and listening to your | | | | vary across service providers, from quality |
| gut feeling. This same concept is needed when | | | | focused service providers to cost focused service |
| starting off your new business. Know what you're | | | | providers. |
| getting yourself into before making any sort of | | | | For a virtual assistant, the best and unrivaled |
| commitment. | | | | method of marketing would be through word of |
| For those entering the Virtual Assistant market, | | | | mouth. I cannot put enough emphasis on the |
| research will be your lifesaver, and your business | | | | importance of networking at this critical point in |
| plan will be your bible. | | | | your business career. Get in touch with past |
| For those unfamiliar with the term, a virtual | | | | business clients, work colleagues, uni classmates |
| assistant (VA), is an independent contractor who | | | | and spread the good gospel of your new business. |
| provides specialized administrative, creative, or | | | | Get your business cards done and get them out |
| technical assistance to clients from a home office. | | | | there. There is bound to be someone who knows |
| VA's are not employees, therefore do not need | | | | someone looking for just that service. |
| extra administrative equipment or an office space | | | | All the best! |