| id #CCCCCC; background-color: #ffffff;" /> | | | | works and what doesn’t in starting a |
| Virtual Assistants (VAs) are highly skilled | | | | business and staying successful, so my |
| professionals who provide administrative support | | | | experience can prove beneficial. |
| and specialized services to businesses, | | | | DO -- Join associations that are targeted for our |
| entrepreneurs, executives, and others who have | | | | Industry. A few of the more popular ones are |
| more work to do than time to do it. Examples of | | | | and IVAA.com, but there are many others. By |
| services a VA can do include web design and | | | | connecting with these associations and being |
| maintenance, word processing, meeting and event | | | | active, you learn from them what works and |
| planning, desktop publishing, internet research, | | | | what doesn’t and you are able to post |
| e-mail coordination, business start-up consultations | | | | your questions to associate members via list |
| and so much more. This can be the perfect | | | | serves often getting answers to your questions |
| work-at-home opportunity for many with good | | | | within minutes. |
| computer and Internet skills. Following are several | | | | DO -- Read, read, read. By frequently continuing |
| Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind | | | | to increase your skills and your knowledge of |
| for starting and operating your Virtual Assisting | | | | your profession, the end result is a more |
| business. | | | | confident satisfied you. Every tip you get from a |
| DO -- Decide on a targeted market and initially | | | | book can be a new tool in your business. I |
| focus your marketing efforts in that area. By | | | | recommend highlighting areas from several books |
| developing a “niche” in your field, | | | | and adding them to your library. Keep in mind that |
| your reputation spreads quickly and soon you | | | | you might not use that idea today, but it might |
| become a recognized expert. Several specialties | | | | apply to specialties you might add down the road. |
| include: medical, legal or business transcription, | | | | DO -- Enjoy!! There’s no greater feeling |
| resume consulting, transaction coordination -- real | | | | than landing that first client or finishing your first |
| estate industry, desktop publishing, manuscript | | | | big project. Plus, wait until you get the opportunity |
| preparing, academic typing, e-mail support, | | | | to tell someone you own and operate your own |
| internet research, etc. | | | | virtual assisting business. It sure beats I’m |
| DO -- Be creative about where you can find | | | | a secretary at .... Plus, when you enjoy your |
| business. The Internet offers a large variety of | | | | business it shows. Your clients will sense your |
| potential for clients just waiting for you to contact | | | | positive attitude and want to be a part of your |
| them. Actively network and don’t limit | | | | team. |
| your marketing to simply placing a few ads in | | | | DON'T – Under price your services. The |
| newspapers or the Yellow Pages. You want to | | | | average virtual assistant today makes $25 to $70 |
| find where there might be a need—and go | | | | an hour, depending on their skills, services offered, |
| fill it! | | | | location, and years of experience. Don’t |
| DO -- Write a complete business plan and | | | | make the mistake of assuming if you charge the |
| marketing plan. Too many leave out this vital step | | | | lowest prices, you’ll get the most work. |
| and waste valuable time unorganized and without | | | | You won’t. Instead, you’ll end up |
| a clear-cut goal and direction for their business. | | | | working outrageous hours for peanuts! Clients will |
| When starting a business you will have tons of | | | | pay more for professional services. When a |
| ideas floating around. You need to materialize all | | | | potential client discovers you’re charging a |
| these and put them into a workable plan of action. | | | | lower rate than standard, they often feel they will |
| DO -- Develop a website that looks sensational! | | | | receive a quality of services that is also lower. |
| Your website is often the first connection a | | | | DON'T -- Overextend yourself. One of the |
| potential client has with your services. It must | | | | common mistakes many virtual assistants make |
| immediately let them know that they are dealing | | | | is to accept too much work and then not be able |
| with a professional. Your site must then have the | | | | to accurately complete it. Learn to say no or |
| POWER to draw them to you and contact you. | | | | have a back-up helper who can assist you with |
| Let them see that you value quality by the look | | | | any overflow work. Remember one of the most |
| and feel of it. Additional tips include letting them | | | | important ingredients for success is keeping your |
| know what services you offer and why you are | | | | clients satisfied. If you overextend yourself and |
| qualified to offer those services by mentioning | | | | make a lot of errors, it will jeopardize your |
| your experience and education. Be sure to include | | | | business. |
| points on why you stand out among the rest and | | | | DON'T -- Get discouraged. It takes time to get a |
| are the BEST! For example, if you have been | | | | business going. Plan ahead and have money saved |
| featured in articles, radio shows, etc., have them | | | | in reserve. Don’t buy items until you have |
| listed with the dates. (See my example on | | | | found the best possible price and there is an |
| DO -- Learn everything you can about starting a | | | | absolute need. This advance planning takes the |
| business. Knowledge is power and the more you | | | | pressure off of having to make money NOW. If |
| know, the greater your chances for success. | | | | things are slow and the phone just isn’t |
| Look to online services and message boards and | | | | ringing ... MAKE IT RING!! There’s plenty of |
| chats to talk with other Virtual Assistants | | | | work out there, you just need to aggressively |
| operating a business. Remember these are often | | | | pursue it. |
| run by pros who have been in business for years | | | | Finally, the most important ingredient for success |
| and are willing to share their experience. For | | | | is your belief in yourself. If you believe that with |
| example, I mentor and manage virtual assisting | | | | your skills and experience, you can own your own |
| boards on HBWM.com, Bizymoms.com, and With | | | | business, then there’s nothing stopping |
| 20 year’s experience, I often know what | | | | you. |