| Virtual assisting is a growing trend that is quickly | | | | business. |
| becoming popular with people who are looking to work | | | | 3) Present Yourself as a Professional |
| independently at home. If you have administrative | | | | When you're an employee you get used to seeing |
| assistant skills, then this opportunity may be right for | | | | yourself as someone who works for someone else. |
| you. | | | | As a self-employed virtual assistant, you are now |
| There are some things you need to consider first | | | | considered a professional independent contractor. This |
| before setting up your own virtual assistant business. | | | | is a concept that you must fully embrace in order to |
| Keep in mind that there's a big difference between | | | | make yourself appealing to potential clients. |
| working a job and working for yourself. You will be | | | | You'll need a professional looking website (with a dot |
| taking on all the responsibility of setting up your | | | | com URL), business cards and possibly some |
| business, marketing it, and getting paying clients. | | | | brochures to hand out. You should also look into joining |
| Here are a few tips to help you get started: | | | | professional virtual assistant organizations and your |
| 1) Create a Business Plan | | | | local chamber of commerce. |
| Okay, I can hear you groaning. Nobody likes the | | | | 4) Get Comfortable with Promoting Your Business |
| thought of writing out a long, detailed plan, but you do | | | | As an employee, you never have to worry about |
| need something in writing that gives you an idea of | | | | where your work is coming from - it's just always |
| what your business is all about. | | | | there. |
| The good news is that you can sketch out a short | | | | As a business owner, you'll have to seek out clients |
| roadmap of your business in a few paragraphs. Just | | | | and let them know how your service can help them. |
| answer these questions: | | | | Your success solely depends on how much effort you |
| What is the name of your business? | | | | put into promoting and marketing your service |
| Why are you going into this business? | | | | business. |
| What is your business going to do for people? | | | | You are in this business to assist individuals and |
| What equipment and supplies do you need to start? | | | | businesses with jobs that they are too busy to do |
| How much are you going to charge for your services? | | | | themselves. Let them know how much time and |
| How do you plan to get paid? | | | | money you'll save them. Once you have them |
| How many hours/days are you planning to work? | | | | interested - always ask if they have a project in mind |
| How are you going to market your business? | | | | that you can help them with. |
| 2) Do a Skills Assessment | | | | 5) Charge What You're Worth |
| Take out a notepad and write down all of your skills. | | | | Remember that you are in business to make a profit - |
| List the strongest skills that you've acquired over the | | | | not to work for peanuts. The average virtual assistant |
| years as an administrative assistant. Like most people, | | | | earns $25-70 per hour. Think about where you fall |
| you're probably better at some things than others. | | | | within this range. Never undercharge, thinking you'll get |
| Your strong skills are what you should focus on doing | | | | more clients by being the cheapest. Clients expect to |
| the most. Keep in mind that you don't need any special | | | | pay higher rates for top quality service. If you're good, |
| virtual assistant training school or certification to go into | | | | they'll gladly pay your rate. |