| p>If you're scratching your head wondering what to | | | | 3. Your service offering and rates - decide what |
| put in your Virtual Assistant business plan, you've | | | | services you're going to offer now, and what services |
| come to the right place. There's nothing worse | | | | you're going to offer within a certain time frame. Also |
| sweating over a blank piece of paper or screen, not | | | | write down your hourly rates and retainer rates. |
| knowing where to start. You don't need convincing that | | | | 4. Office and equipment requirements - what |
| you need a business plan, as you already know that | | | | software, hardware and other office equipment do |
| you need to follow some kind of roadmap if your | | | | you need to invest in? Whereabouts will your office be |
| business is going to be successful. | | | | located in your home? |
| So, what should go into your business plan? Here are | | | | 5. Service agreements and policies - make a note of |
| the main elements of a Virtual Assistant Business plan: | | | | any service agreements or contracts that you've |
| 1. Your vision and goals - where do you want your | | | | drawn up in your plan. |
| business to be in one, two, even five years? How | | | | It's well worth investing time into a written business |
| much income do you want to make, how many clients | | | | plan, so you won't be carrying vague ideas around in |
| do you want to have, in what industries? This is a | | | | your head. You find it easier to stay focused and on |
| great starting point for your business plan because it's | | | | track. |
| a great motivator. | | | | However, don't get stuck on getting it perfect! It's not a |
| 2. Legal and financial requirements - in this section, | | | | 'set and forget' document that you shove into a |
| make a note of what legal structure your business is | | | | drawer, rather it's an evolving part of your business |
| operating under, your budget, insurances, business | | | | that you should consult at least quarterly, because it will |
| name, licenses you've obtained, your business bank | | | | change and evolve all the time. |
| account and bookkeeping method. | | | | |