How
To Start Your Own Virtual Assistant Business
by
Liz Folger
Thanks
to the Internet there's a new way to make money with your
computer. You might be surprised at all the different services
you could offer with this new home business. Most people
have become familiar with word processors, which usually
consists of typing manuscripts, letters, transcription and
writing resumes, but the new virtual assistant is like word
processing on steroids.
Diana
Ennen has been a home-based word processor now for about
15 years. She started to educate herself about all the possibilities
a person has when starting a virtual assistant business.
Diana Ennen along with Kelly Poelker, a certified Master
Virtual Assistant, just finished writing an ebook called,
"A Bizy 's Guide: How To Start Your Own Home-Based Virtual
Assistant's Business."
So What
Exactly Is A Virtual Assistant?
Diana
Ennen explains, "A virtual assistant, or VA, is a highly
skilled professional who provides administrative support
and other specialized services to businesses, entrepreneurs,
executives, and others who have more work to do than time
to do it.
Many
VAs work as independent contractors from their own home.
VAs use leading edge technology to communicate work assignments
via the Internet, e-mail, disk transfer or such traditional
methods as regular mail, overnight shipping and even pick-up
and delivery in local areas. A VAs services typically include
word processing, medical or legal transcription, database
management, Internet research, e-mail handling, reminder
service, bulk mailings, information processing, and any
other tasks typically given to the office secretary. Many
VAs also provide web development, design and maintenance,
desktop publishing, meeting and event planning, bookkeeping,
and business start-up consultations. The services are endless
depending upon your knowledge and skills."
Tisha
Silvers explains her virtual assistant business as, "One
who assists another from literally anywhere in the world.
I don't limit it to just business support functions. And
I consider the person a few miles down the street to be
just as virtual if you don 't meet regularly or at all.
I have a few of those kinds of clients myself."
How
Can You Market This Business?
Showing
clients how much you can help them as their VA isn't as
hard as you think. Julie McMann explains, "Using a virtual
assistant allows clients to outsource any projects that
can be done from a remote location. It allows them to accomplish
more with less time. Since time is so precious to business
owners, anything that frees up time and keeps the business
moving ahead is extremely valuable. It's also convenient
to be able to hire and utilize a virtual assistant whenever
you need them. One month you may have more projects than
another. It's much less expensive than hiring a full-time
employee who doesn't get used to their full potential. Clients
also benefit by not having to worry about providing employee
benefits such as insurance, 401K, vacations, etc. Finally,
office space and equipment are provided at the expense of
the virtual assistant, which again saves the client money."
Do You
Have What It Takes To Become A Successful VA?
Here
are some questions to ask yourself when you think about
starting your own virtual assistant business:
- Do
you have excellent typing and proofing skills?
- Do
you enjoy helping people?
- Are
you familiar with the Internet and enjoy learning new
things about it?
- Do
you already know several people who could utilize your
services?
- Are
you capable of making a great income and will stop at
nothing to make it happen?
SKILLS
NEEDED
Diana
and Kelly explain, "Every virtual assistant has their own
unique skills and experience that enables them to start
their business. The right skills are those that you have
perfected and can perform well. As you further develop your
skills, you can expand your service offering. Skills range
from the basics such as typing to highly specialized areas
like web design, graphic arts, technical writing, and more.
A professional VA will be proficient in the Internet, computers,
software, word processing and spreadsheet applications,
etc. In addition to the technical skills, a professional
VA will have good business management skills as well as
knowledge of marketing, advertising, and public relations.
Business management skills not only help you in operating
your own business, but allows you to aid your clients in
running theirs.
VAs
must be motivated. You can 't get discouraged when you experience
minor set-backs. Start fresh each day. If the phone didn't
ring yesterday, make it ring today. Failure is not an option.
You need to know that you 're going to make it and will
stop at nothing short."
How
Much Can You Make?
"Our
research shows most pricing is centered around a base price
of $25 per hour. However, the rate does depend on the services
you provide and also how long you've been in business. Another
consideration is the area in which you live. In some areas
you will receive more than in others. For example, in south
Florida you can charge a better rate in Miami, than say
a smaller town like Pompano Beach.
There
are different ways in which you can charge for services.
By the hour, by the project, by the page, or for something
like event planning you could charge a certain percentage
of the total event cost. Many VAs offer reduced rates for
a monthly retainer option. With a monthly retainer your
client commits to a certain number of hours per month at
a predetermined rate. If you work less than the committed
number of hours you are still paid the same. If you work
over the committed number of hours then you would bill the
client for the additional hours at that same rate or whatever
is agreed upon," says Diana and Kelly.
For
More Information On How You Can Become A Virtual Assistant
You can purchase Diana and Kelly's ebook, A Bizy 's Guide:
How To Start Your Own Home-Based Virtual Assistant 's Business
at: http://www.bizymoms.com
Liz
Folger is Work-at-Home Mom Expert and author of "The Stay-at-Home
Mom's Guide To making Money From Home." Her book is available
at your favorite bookstore or by calling 800-632-8676. Liz
has also created a resource site for work-at-home moms at:
http://www.bizymoms.com.
When you visit, don't forget to sign up for the free e-newsletter.
| How
to Become a Virtual Assistant
|
 |
Virtual
Assistance is a rapidly growing industry.
A
Virtual Assistant provides administrative support
to local and long-distance clients via the Internet,
telephone, fax, and email.
This book will give you a roadmap to start your Virtual
Assistant Practice.
Click
here for details.
|
|
How
to Start a Secretarial Business |
 |
If
you have typing skills and want to type from home,
check out the Secretarial Business-In-A-Box, a start
up kit that makes it easy to start a secretarial business.
Click here for details.Click
here for details.
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