| Even successful virtual assistants shouldn't put all | | | | create a booming business for myself. I would |
| of their revenue eggs in one basket. Having | | | | recommend it to clients even if I didn't get a |
| multiple streams of income is a very smart move | | | | commission on the cards sold or residual income if |
| especially in this tight economy. Clients come and | | | | they decide to sign up as a distributor. |
| go, having another income source provides | | | | But, what I found, at least with Send Out Cards, |
| protection against the dry spells that even the | | | | being part of an MLM model does have some |
| most successful virtual assistant practices face | | | | advantages because MLM creates a culture (and |
| from time to time. | | | | financial incentives) for support. When you join, |
| That being said, you want to stay focused and | | | | you get a mentor. The mentor (called upline in |
| have your additional revenue streams tightly | | | | MLM lingo) has a financial stake in you doing as |
| integrated into your overall business focus. That | | | | well or better than they have done. They will do |
| way you don't feel like you are spinning plates all | | | | everything in their power to help you succeed. |
| the time. (OK, I admit, I always feel like I am | | | | Your upline's sponsor will help you too. Everyone is |
| spinning plates, but at least with a semi-focused | | | | very invested in your success and will help you if |
| business, I'm not spinning as many!). Finally, you | | | | you ask for help. |
| want to make sure that your income streams | | | | If you don't want to recommend to your clients |
| encompass some residual income. Residual income | | | | to get their own accounts, you can always create |
| is basically commission that you get over and | | | | and send cards for them from your account and |
| over again without having to directly work for it | | | | charge them for each card sent. You need to be |
| each time (like royalties...). | | | | more careful managing contacts - since their |
| Here are some ways that you can use Send Out | | | | contacts will be in your database. Still, it isn't a bad |
| Cards to generate some extra revenue for your | | | | way to introduce a client to the system. |
| business. | | | | Create And Sell Cards |
| Become a Distributor | | | | If you are a good graphic artist or photographer |
| You don't need to be a distributor to offer | | | | (and I find that many virtual assistants have |
| account management services to your clients - | | | | some talent in this area!), you can sell your cards |
| but it makes sense to think about it. As a | | | | through the card shop. This provides a really easy |
| distributor, you make a profit every time any of | | | | way to profit from your designs without having |
| your customers sends a card. You also get a | | | | to print the custom cards, mail them out, worry |
| bonus when customers sign up as wholesale | | | | about quality, etc. It also allows your customers |
| members (higher upfront fee - but lower per card | | | | to create a personalized card using your design at |
| cost) or as a distributor. | | | | a reasonable price. |
| Most of my clients are also my customers. It was | | | | Offer Ad-Hoc Offline Event Promotion Services |
| easy to convince them to join because I could | | | | Another additional revenue source is to offer |
| explain how I could make the system work for | | | | non-clients a simple event promotion service. For |
| them. As part of my VA work, I manage their | | | | a flat fee (or fee per contact), you can create |
| accounts for them. Since I introduced them to | | | | and send cards to their list to promote their |
| system, I gave them their initial training and could | | | | events. |
| customize it to them (since I already know about | | | | The above are just a few examples of how you |
| them and their businesses). | | | | can use the system to create an additional |
| Yes, Send Out Cards is an MLM company. I never | | | | revenue stream for your business. I'm sure that |
| thought I would get involved with an MLM - I had | | | | with some creativity (and hard work), you will be |
| a fear of boxes and boxes of detergent landing | | | | well on your way to creating a new source of |
| on my doorstep! But, the thing is, that Send Out | | | | income and added security in these tough |
| Cards is a terrific product and has helped me to | | | | economic times. |