| The idea of a home based business sounds wonderful, | | | | to provide these services. You can specialize in one |
| doesn't it? Being able to work in your pajamas, having | | | | area or provide a host of services for businesses. The |
| a 10 second commute, not having to deal with office | | | | ones most in demand are customer service, data |
| politics or cranky bosses, it can really seem like an | | | | entry, traffic generation, marketing, web design & |
| ideal situation. The reality, however, is that is can also | | | | maintenance, and bookkeeping. |
| be quite challenging - particularly if you have young | | | | A virtual assistant business is similar to freelance |
| children at home demanding your attention. | | | | writing in that most of your work can be done at any |
| The key to success is to take into account the time | | | | time, though there may be some, like customer service, |
| you have to devote to your business, the way you'll | | | | that require set hours. There is also usually more of a |
| have to structure your day, and find a business that will | | | | stable income as your clients tend to have projects |
| accommodate these factors. Here are 3 in demand | | | | each month for you to manage. In fact many VA's |
| businesses that are particularly well suited for stay at | | | | don't work with clients unless they sign up for a set |
| home moms. | | | | number of hours each month. As with writing, you |
| Freelance Writer: Content rules the web, and | | | | need to be prepared to invest the necessary time and |
| businesses have an ongoing need for this type of | | | | effort to make your business a success. Most VA's |
| service. Blog posts, reports, e-books, articles, forum | | | | start with a low hourly rate but are able to increase it |
| postings...it can be an enormous amount of work for a | | | | after a year or two. |
| business, and most choose to outsource these types | | | | Marketing Consultant: Many offline business owners |
| of projects. Sites like and have a huge marketplace | | | | have realized the need to get their company online but |
| where you can bid on writing jobs and start building | | | | have no idea how to accomplish this. By offering your |
| your portfolio. | | | | services to help them manage their online marketing, |
| This type of business is perfect for stay at home | | | | you can make a substantial profit, and still work from |
| moms because you can work at any time, and in little | | | | home. This usually requires some telephone contact |
| spurts throughout the day. There is rarely any | | | | with the owners, though the work can be done at any |
| telephone contact, and you can structure your | | | | time. It also generates a much higher income, for less |
| workload to be as little, or as much, as you care to | | | | work, since you're being paid for your knowledge as |
| handle. | | | | much as your service. This is great for stay at home |
| Be aware, when just getting started, you might have | | | | moms since your time is very limited. You can quickly |
| to offer lower prices to attract clients. Also, many jobs | | | | make a full time income working part time in this field. |
| will end up taking you longer than expected causing | | | | Another plus is that there are actually whole systems |
| your hourly rate to drop even further. You need to | | | | you can invest in, for a minimal amount, which will show |
| make sure you understand the time and effort | | | | you, step by step, exactly how to do this type of work, |
| involved in this business, especially in the beginning, for | | | | and even provide all the marketing necessary. |
| what can sometimes seem like very little reward. If | | | | Making the transition from stay at home mom to work |
| you stick with it though, you can eventually create a | | | | at home mom can be both exciting and challenging. By |
| very lucrative business for yourself. | | | | focusing on businesses that provide flexibility, and a |
| Virtual Assistant: Businesses are finding that it's more | | | | work style that meshes with your hectic schedule, |
| cost effective to outsource their workload rather than | | | | you'll be able to create a profitable business in no time. |
| to hire employees. Virtual assistants have stepped in | | | | |