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How to Start a Virtual Assistant Business
Written by: Sue BarrettArticle Overview: Do you want to become a Virtual Assistant or start your own VA business? We'll show you where to get training and certification, what equipment you'll need, how to find clients and what rates to charge.
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How to Start a Virtual Assistant Business
A virtual assistant (VA) provides administrative, technical or marketing assistance to clients remotely, usually a home office. Communication with clients is primarily by phone, fax or internet. In fact, sometimes a VA may never even meet the client.
Before you become a virtual assistant, you want to have several years of administrative experience under your belt. In addition, if you decide to start a VA business, you want to have your own website where potential clients can get information about your company.
When meeting potential clients for the first time, you always want to act professional. Demonstrate that you are trustworthy, can complete tasks in a timely manner and follow through on agreements as expected. Put together a clear outline of the VA services that you provide, explaining how you work with your clients.
What Equipment Do I Need?
The basics include a computer, fax machine (or online fax capability), printer/scanner/copier, a back up hard drive, phone and high speed internet connection. Ring Central has a low-cost online service where you can get phone and fax services through your computer without having purchase equipment. If you do need to purchase equipment, take a look at refurbished products. You can often get great deals on quality products.
You'll want software to create word documents, an email program too and software for other services that you decide to provide for your clients.
Do I Need Virtual Assistant Training?
Certification is not required to run a virtual assistant business. However, a VA certificate demonstrates your knowledge, skills and professionalism and can help you gain more clients. You can even get certified as a Social Media Marketing Specialist or Virtual Event Specialist. VA Classroom and Assist U both offer good virtual assistant training programs online
How do Virtual Assistants Find Clients and Jobs?
Virtual assistants have several work options. First decide whether you want to work part-time or full time. Do you want to work for large firms, smaller companies or provide virtual assistance to individuals?
When it comes to setting your service rates, take into account (1) your experience (2) what you need to earn per hour to remainprofitable and (3) the competing VA rates in your area. According to the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce, virtual assistants charge between $35 and $70 per hour for their services. If you are unsure of what to charge, check what competitors in your area are charging.
Some online sources for virtual assistant jobs and finding clients:
1. Virtual Assistants has an online database of jobs for virtual assistants and other home-based administrative positions.
2. The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce offers an online directory. Through membership, virtual assistants can post their business contact information and connect with potential clients.
3. Flex Jobs lists information on telecommuting jobs, including freelance and full time work options.
A virtual assistant business can be a convenient home-based business that fits into your lifestyle. Want more information?
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Article Tags: administrative, become a virtual assistant, secretarial, start a home business, start a virtual business, virtual assistant business, virtual assistant work, work at home
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Related Forum Posts
Why should I hire a virtual assistant for SEO purposes?
- Do you find it hard to find time for rest because of promoting your business or your website all by yourself? Well, perhaps it is the right time for you to hire the services of an SEO virtual assistant.
Virtual assistants for SEO services will help you on the process of improving your rankings within search engine results to achieve an increase in natural traffic. The higher your site in the search engine results page, the more traffic and sales conversions you will obtain.
Using the services of virtual assistants (VAs) certainly is the best method to move in order immediate results and in reduced operational charges. This provides a great answer especially for a small business owner whoever company is actually considerably expanding, and the jobs have normally doubled.
Here are some of the services that a virtual assistant can do for you:
Traffic Geyser
Main Street Marketing
Data Entry
Web Research
Market Samurai
Managing Facebook
Managing Twitter
SEO
Local Business Listing Robot
Traffic Revolution
Infusionsoft
Senuke
Angelas Banklink
Linkjuicer
Blogging
SMM
Virtual Assistant
Personal Assistant
Article Writing
Spinning Article
Press release
Email Response Handling
Online Order Processing
Word Processing
Forum/Comment Posting
Social Bookmarking
Video Editor
Internet Marketing
Email Marketing
Link Building
Powerpoint Presentations
Web Development
Other Administrative Support
Outsource your work?
- Hi BinaryGuy - do you really need someone 4 days a week to do accounting work? If you bring someone more experienced on you won't have to take them around with you and you can spend the time building your business.
There are a number of people who you can outsource the work to - either a Virtual Assistant or a bookkeeper - have you thought about these options and not having someone actually come into the office?
The Little Man Introduction
- Good Morning,
This is John Hoover from Little Man Consulting. Our company has been floating along as a after thought for a few years. This year we decided to make a go of it. So far we are doing great.
We are Virtual Administrators, Web Developers, Database Designers, and Software instructors. Basically, if you have someone in your office to do it, we can do it virtually. Our company was created to "Provide Big Business Resources to the Small Business".
Wish me luck, I plan on revolutionizing the small business world with this!
Re: Is This The Answer For A Busy Entrepreneur??
- [quote="litekepr":396nnmxn]Have any people on the forum had experiences with virtual assistants?? Did it work for you?? If not, what kind of problems did you have?? Did you find a way to resolve these problems??
Shri[/quote:396nnmxn]
I tried to get a job as a virtual assistant - I would have loved to do it... - but the job fell through. I don't think my prospective employer realized how much it would have cost for me to be doing the work she wanted... and after a prelimary 10 hours just to see how it'd work, she figured it would be cheaper to do it all herself!
And I've got to agree!
Unless the "boss" is some big shot who thinks the Virtual Assistant is a status symbol and is willing to pay for it, most VAs won't last long....
Hello from Nova Scotia, Canada
- Hello all!
I'm a Virtual Assistant and just started my business this past summer. I specialize in freeing up time and saving money for my clients by taking care of the time consuming, yet necessary, tasks that keep them from working on the revenue generating aspect of the business. At present my clients are from one end of Canada to the other - Prince Edward Island, British Columbia and here in Nova Scotia. I do a variety of tasks for them; client contact management, newsletters, website and blog updating; social network support and maintenance, and admin support within the financial services industry to name a few.
I joined this forum because I feel it would be valuable to connect with those outside the VA world. I'm looking to get a different perspective on business from the varied entrepreneurs here and be able to give something back as well.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
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