What is Virtual Assistant Business?
Ever thinking you could start a virtual assistance business and cash in on your skills without having to commit to an employer (you'd be your own boss instead) or the "cube life". A VA (virtual assistant) is basically like an administrative assistant (or whatever duties need to be filled, such as writing, link building etc) that serves in a virtual capacity. What this means is that they are independent contractors, and not employees of individual companies.
VA's get to set their own rates, their own hours and most importantly, get to pick and choose as to who they will and won't take as clients. They can choose what duties they are willing to perform and what duties are not in the repertoire. They can start their own VA firms or gain business through those already established. And with the boom of the Internet, virtual assistants are in becoming more and more utilized by companies around the globe.
According to the Virtual Business Alliance, virtual assisting (of whom most are work at home Mom) will be a 130 billion dollar industry before the year 2008. In fact, many people see the trend and are entering the field with high hopes of where they can be a few years from now.
*Introduction By:Audrey
How To Make Money With Your Own Virtual Assistant Business
By Liz Folger, Work-at-Home Mom Expert
So,How to have your own virtual assistant business. I assume you are thinking to start your own VA business not only to own your own business, but also to make money.More and more businesses are outsourcing and paying VA’s(Virtual Assistant Business), and there is no reason why you can’t be one of them.
You’ve got your business name, all the office equipment you need, and you’ve got the determination to make your business a success. So now the big question is, how do you go about finding clients?
What Type of Services Will You Provide?
We all have certain areas where our talents and interests lie. You have so many choices as to what areas you want to special in. There’s a good chance you already have experience in some of the specialty areas.Maybe you don’t even realize all of the areas VA’s are working in.
Here’s some sampling of the services you could offer:
Administration
Writing services (technical or creative)
Proofreading and editing, research (online or traditional)
Scheduling
Bill paying
Simple website design
Newsletter distribution
Reminder services
Event planning
Concierge services
Research
Data processing/data management
Desktop publishing
Transcription services
Mail and email services
Telephone/fax services
Internet services
Accounting
Purchasing services
Marketing services
Personal services
Once you know the types of services you are going to offer, it’s time to find you some clients.
What to Charge
It isn’t too hard to figure out what to charge. Start by contacting local support service businesses in your area. Ask them if they can send you a price list. Get several of these to learn what everyone else is charging. You don’t want to charge too much and you don’t want to under price yourself so you look like you don’t do great work. Find the happy medium and go with that amount. Prices are not set in stone. If you have to change your prices down the road, so be it.
Get Some Business Cards
If you want to look professional, make sure you get your business cards right away. You never know when you might meet someone who needs the services you’re offering. When that time comes, all you need to do is pull out your card and hand it to them. Never be without your business cards!Here are some great sites where you can get business cards .
(FREE business cards)http://www.overnightprints.com/(Try them out for free)
Let Your Circle of Friends and Family knows About Your Business
Since you already have a relationship with your family and friends, don’t forget to tell them about your new VA business. While your brother might not need your services, there’s a good chance that he might know someone who does. You can start networking right away with those you already know.
Think about designing a letter or oversize postcard about your service and send it to everyone you know. Maybe even include a picture of yourself, the name of your business, the services you offer and ask that if they can’t use your service, to please recommend your business to others who might.If you send a letter, include a couple of your business cards for passing on to your possible clients.
Send Out Press Releases
A press release is a great way to start your business off with a bang. I want to mention here though that a press release is not something you just send out when you open your business. I’ll talk more about this a little later.
Here are some great places to find press release tips and templates:
http://www.press-release-writing.com/press-release-template.htm
http://www.marketingsource.com/pressrelease/releaseformat.html
Where to send your press releases:
Local Newspapers
Local Business Publications
Local Radio Talk Shows
Local TV News Stations
Online sites to send your press release for free:
http://www.prweb.com/aboutg.php .PrWeb is free and you can pick what area you want your press release to be distributed to.
Other reasons to send out a press release:
You’re offering a new service
Launching a website for your business
You’ve won a high profile client account or contract
You’ve had an unusual challenge or adversity and overcome it; especially when others thought it couldn’t be done.
You participate in a fundraising event or you are to serve in a charitable organization.
You’re offering or sponsoring a workshop, seminar, or conference
If you’re changing the company name, location, web address, or product name
I’m The Answer to Your Problem
Convincing your future clients that they should hire you might seem a little scary at first. But once you build more clients, and they start telling you what a godsend you are, your confidence level is going to soar.
Here are some convincing ideas to consider…
Tell your future client why they need you. Maybe you work odd hours, or you have very reasonable rates. Go over the services you offer and why you are so good at what you do.Explain to the client what skills you possess, your background, and your education.
You can help your client catch-up on a backlog of work that other employees aren’t able to get to.
You offer reduced costs and expenses for your client. They don’t have to pay you benefits or sick time.
You will help their business grow with your marketing techniques.
Thanks to the technology that is currently available, using your services will save the client money. Explain that you reduce overhead. They only pay you for work completed. They aren’t paying someone if there is no work to do. Plus your client doesn’t have to pay for sick or holiday time, or for health benefits.
It won’t be long until you’re confidence, strong and bright, shines through. You won’t have any problems explaining to a future client that you are the right person for the job, or that you are the solution to their problems.
Making money in a virtual assistant business can be done. Full time VA’s are making about $38.000 a year. This year, why can’t that VA be you?
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