(Add to Favorites | View All Articles | Resource Directory)
|
|
|
Ever thought of starting a virtual assistant business?Starting a Virtual Assistant BusinessIf you're organized, smart, capable and willing to work with deadlines, you could start a virtual assistance business and cash in on your skills without having to commit to an employer (you'd be your own boss instead) or the "cube life". A VA (virtual assistant) is basically like an administrative assistant (or whatever duties need to be filled, such as writing, link building etc) that serves in a virtual capacity. What this means is that they are independent contractors, and not employees of individual companies. VA's get to set their own rates, their own hours and most importantly, get to pick and choose as to who they will and won't take as clients. They can choose what duties they are willing to perform and what duties are not in the repertoire. They can start their own VA firms or gain business through those already established. And with the boom of the Internet, virtual assistants are in becoming more and more utilized by companies around the globe. According to the Virtual Business Alliance, virtual assisting (of whom most are female) will be a 130 billion dollar industry before the year 2008. In fact, many women see the trend and are entering the field with high hopes of where they can be a few years from now. Christina Cole is the owner of www.virtualcontentandmore.com - a virtual assisting business who caters primarily to webmasters looking for content and link development services - and has found being a VA to be very rewarding. "I started my business by doing odd services for friends of mine who owned multiple websites and became overwhelmed due to too many things needing to be done and not enough time. I liked the work and before I knew it, those friends had referred me to friends and I had a full time booming business." While not all VA's have "formal" training, some of them elect to by attending VA courses like those offered through VirtualAssistanceU and AssistU.But, if a person has good business sense, marketing skills and a passion, like all entrepreneurs, it is doable with or without "formal training". But, beware of some pitfalls - many virtual assistants end up working long hours (as with any start up business) in the first few years and some continue to work odd and/or long hours well after their practice becomes successful. Be sure you are willing to put in the time to make your VA service a success. Try to find a niche to focus on - a way to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Have a proper home office in place and figure out what your rates will be - and remember to advertise, advertise, advertise - be it via paid efforts or by making a "brand" out of your name. Christina advises, "Don't think that because you've hung out your shingle or built your website that clients will begin to bang down your door. Contribute to the business communities, brand yourself, brand your agency and let people know what you can do for them. The ability to market your business and yourself is extremely important in this business." Audrey Hoffman is a successful entrepreneur who owns several businesses - including http://www.speedy-incorporation.com - a site that offers information about incorporating a business online as well as simple LLC formation in all 50 states.
MORE RESOURCES: News provided by Yahoo! News and Google News Small Biz Breakfast on Changing Technology Trends - HamletHub Pair launch equity crowdfunding platform for small-biz owners - Crain's Detroit Business Judge tells American Express it can't bully small biz - Crain's New York Business Fla. lawmakers propose small biz sales tax holiday - First Coast News Small Biz Sentiment Slips In January - Advertising Specialty Institute (press release) TD Bank Small Business Pulse Check Finds 70 Percent of New York City Businesses Optimistic about 2015 Opportunities Mayor makes another vow to cut small-biz red tape - Crain's New York Business (blog) Small Business Q&A: Peter Cosgrave, CPL Recruitment Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream Hosts Speed Coaching for Phoenix's Small Business Community GST burden killing small business |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Employee Relations Manual Sample Outline Most smart entrepreneurs and all large corporations have Employee Relations Manuals. Nearly all businesses with over five or more employees have some sort of employee manuals but not all have Employee Relations Manuals for their managers. 5 Steps To Success for Small Business Owners Everyone wants to succeed in life. Most people want to succeed in business. Knowledge is Power Why does research and education play an important part of the business relationship?Have you ever attended a business briefing or meeting without reading the materials ahead of time? I know I certainly have, and I also know that I felt like a fool when asked a question. It was up to me to be informed about the meeting and to read the information, and I neglected to do so. A Key to Success: Be Consistent Over the years I heard the best way to learn something is to to teach it. Well, this week's topic, practicing consistent behavior, is definitely something I need to learn and practice more effectively. Surviving in a tumultuous economy Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can survive a crazy economy by taking some proactive steps. Provide spectacular customer service -- every time. Self-Employment: Do you know the Difference between Rates and Wages The difference between rates and wages is not always clear to newly self-employed people and their wage-earning clients.Both look similar on the surface; both are expressed in dollars and cents per hour. Direct Mail - For Small Businesses We hear a lot of talk about junk mail nowadays. Many people will tell you that they dump it straight in the trash. Know your target audience before buying advertising time Most small businesses will not even try to advertise on television. It's too expensive and the audience is too broad. Getting around to doing the administrative work You've been meaning to tend to the administration part of your business, that is, the growing list of things to do that relates to your small business. You've shoved all other appointments aside and starts getting down to working on the nitty gritty details, you're ready to go all out and tick everything on the list off! But where in the world is the list?The Administration part of the small business may seem simple but unless one gets down to doing it and doing it right, nothing else will get done. A Lesson From "The Apprentice" That Can Make You A Master I have to admit, I was curious. When I saw previews of a new show called "The Apprentice," it made me want to at least watch the premiere to see what was going on. How to effectively manage your time Most small business owners are faced with so many responsibilities and an unbelievable workload throughout the day. Mainly because of the many different roles that we have to play. Speed Kills on the Web! I only have to point to the 555 plus failed .com companies (according to Web Mergers) as the poster children of the "speed at any cost" business mantra that clearly doesn't work. The More you GIVE the More you GET Why give freebies?We have all seen freebies at trade shows and we have all probably seen the person that goes from booth to booth collecting as much of it as possible. There is always someone that only goes to get the free stuff, but then again there are also people that go there to learn about new products or services. How to Handle Rejection When You Start an Office Cleaning Business "If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you."Thank goodness starting an office cleaning business isn't anything like skydiving! If you fall flat on your face, there's no chance that it's going to hurt that bad. Mobile Truck Washing, Case Study Most folks in the pressure washing business are happier to do business cleaning concrete or flat work, because it appears to be easy. Some do both fleet truck washing and concrete, which makes sense. Eight Key Steps to Selling Your Business and Cashing In This year, some 700,000 American businesses will be sold. Most will be small and mid-sized businesses like yours. Small Business Security No Passing Fad How careful are you with the data you collect from your customers? How about the handling of money in your business. And passwords? What controls have you put in place to protect computer data?We don't often think about the security of our businesses, but we should. Setting Up as an Electronic Repair Authorized Service Center If you plan to upgrade your workshop into an Authorized Service Center, this should guarantee plenty of work and a secure future. Setting up from scratch as an Authorized Service Center is not an easy job. Awning Cleaning Business Case Study: Entrepreneurship 101 It is most fascinating to study how entrepreneurs spot opportunity in the market place. "My name is Lance Winslow and I am a serial entrepreneur, I admit I am addicted and need help. If you have to do everything yourself, you're not doing it right The air in my client's office nearly crackled with her irritation. A scheduling snafu had left a client without important services.
|
| Home | Site Map | Privacy Statement | More Articles |
| © 2006 |