Starting a Virtual Assistant Business during a Recession

There's a rumor going around that it's a bad time to be a small business owner. To that, I say… please keep your rumor mongering to yourself. This could be the perfect time to start a virtual assistant business.

I've been working as a virtual assistant since 2004, almost 5 years, and this month I'm bringing in my biggest monthly paycheque yet.

I'm not the only one experiencing this phenomenon either. As business owners have to find ways to get more done with less money, many more of them are turning to virtual assistants to help them out.

If you're considering starting a virtual assistant business, don't let the media reports put you off. Instead, do your own research. Talk to other VAs. Research your market. Discover what services you could offer that would make their lives a lot easier right now. Then make your own decision about whether or not this is a good time to start a virtual assistant business.

Even though it's a good time to start a virtual assistant business, it's not a good time to waste your time and money figuring out how to do so. If you want to cover all your bases, and get your Virtual Assistant business going quickly, I would recommend you find a mentor to get you on the right track, and keep you there. Otherwise you could make a lot of costly mistakes.

Another affordable alternative is to purchase a virtual assistant training program, like the Virtual Business Startup System. This program walks you through all the steps of researching your market, writing your business plan, and even getting your first clients. It's the same system I used when I started my business, and I still follow the principles I learned from the program, so you know it really works.

Best of luck on making your virtual business a reality!

The Best Investment for Your Virtual Business - YOU!

Did you happen to read my interview with Laurie Neumann yesterday? I told you she had asked about my average working day... Ha! I'm still waiting for one.

She also asked what advice I had for those who want to begin working from home too. My response was something like, "Don't be afraid to spend real money on your business."

Many new online business owners I meet are looking for free resources and free advice. You can find some good stuff for free, I'm not denying that.

But if you want REAL success, you're going to have to pay for it.

At the beginning of 2008, I decided to stop playing around with my business, and take it seriously. For me, that meant spending some serious money. As a result, WAHM Articles has grown immensely this year - beyond even what I anticipated when I first made my plans.

I didn't spend money on fads and gimmicks. Not on fly-by-night designers.

Instead I invested in:

• a training program designed by someone who has credibility in my industry, and whom I trust.
• coaching with the best business coach I could find for my needs
• a professional-looking logo for WAHM Articles, designed by someone with a good reputation, that many of my online friends recommended
  
• outsourcing jobs that took a lot of time away from my core business, to people who could handle them better than I

Yes, I spent a lot of money. But I also have a lot to show for it - including an income that can pay for those investments.

Before others will take your business seriously, you have to take it seriously. And, often, that means seriously investing in your training and growth.

I'm Almost Certified! Why VA Training Might Be Worth It.

I've been one of those who say you don't need Virtual Assistant training to be a Virtual Assistant. And I'm holding to that. You can have exactly what you need to be an awesome VA, without any training at all.

But a few weeks ago I enrolled in an Article Marketing Training Course for Virtual Assistants. I did it kind of on a whim... I just thought it would be nice to have some sort of official certification listed on my virtual "resume."

Now that I'm halfway through the course, though, I can say that taking this training has definitely been one of wisest business decisions I've made. (Right up there with buying the Virtual Business Startup System, which still ranks as my #1 best choice!)

I'm not even done the course yet, but my pending certification is already increasing my credibility (and my income) with clients and potential clients.

Better yet, I'm gaining the expertise and knowledge that goes along with that credibility. Experience is a good teacher, but you might miss some things along the way.

Do you need some Virtual Assistant Training? Maybe not. Then again, maybe. Perhaps it could boost your business in a way you hadn't expected.

If you're thinking of taking some training, there are lots of programs to choose from. It depends on what skills you want to learn, where you are in your business development, and how you learn best.

If you're just starting out, I highly recommend the Virtual Business Startup System. It's a training package you can do on your own, in your own time.

If you're looking to specialize, you could consider:

VA Classroom offers an Internet Marketing VA Course.

You can train to become a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant.

Here are some other training programs that might interest you:

Virtual Assistant Training

AssistU

VirtualAssistanceU

Whichever way you decide to go, remember to do your research and talk to others who have gone through the training program you're considering.

Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Virtual Assistant?

So, you’ve been on the administrative track for several years and you’re ready to accept the challenge of owning your own business.

Good for you!

But before you dive into the choppy waters of entrepreneurship, let me ask you this.

Are you sure you have what it takes to be a highly successful Virtual Assistant?

To many people, becoming a Virtual Assistant seems an easy thing to do: You post a quickie website, hand out your business cards, and wait for your new business line to light up. What else is there?

Aspiring Virtual Assistants (often called VAs) who take that approach to their new venture are bound to fail. They’re looking at virtual assistance as a job, not as a small business that needs to be developed, grown, and managed.

If you hope to be a successful VA, here are some of the qualifications you should have on hand before you start. If you don’t have them right now, don’t feel discouraged. These are all skills that can be learned and developed over time.

1. Business Acumen. You need to have keen understanding of and insight into business matters. As a Virtual Assistant, you’re the sales and marketing department, customer service desk, accounting, and production department. You have to hold it all together, and look great doing it!

If you don’t have strong knowledge of business matters, start reading business books to learn what you need to know. You may find a Virtual Assistant training program helpful as well. There are several good VA training classes that teach how to build and market a sustainable VA business, from the ground up.

If you prefer to learn independently, a possible training option is the Virtual Business Startup System created by Tawnya Sutherland. This 30-day program gives aspiring VAs daily steps to take and valuable resources to create and manage a prosperous virtual business.

2. Computer Savvy. Since you will be supporting your clients virtually, you need to know how to properly use the equipment that helps you do your job.

Computer skills will be probably be taught in a VA training program. You can also take computer classes to ramp up your knowledge in certain areas. Until you have strong computer skills, you can hire a contractor or another VA to help you out.

3. Expertise. As a Virtual Assistant, you’re not limited to providing administrative services – although many VAs choose to do so. Use your own unique experience and background to shape your business. Take what you know and develop your expertise in that particular field.

Whatever services you decide to offer, though, you need to provide them at an expert level. You clients are paying for expertise, and anything less will damage your credibility.

If your skills aren’t quite up to snuff, develop them now, before you launch your VA business. You can take classes to improve your knowledge of any programs you’ll need to use, like Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access or Photoshop. Or, depending on what services you want to provide, you could take business writing, organization, or life coaching classes.

4. Determination. This is the most necessary quality of all. Without determination, none of the above even matters. Determination and perseverance are what will get you through the rough spots of owning your own business and keep you moving when it looks like you aren’t getting anywhere.

If you have trouble getting motivated, think about your "why-" the specific reasons why you want to be a Virtual Assistant.

• Do you need flexibility in your schedule?
• To further develop your skills and talents?
• More time with your family?

Whatever it is that motivates you, write it down in big letters on a sheet of paper and hang it where you can see it everyday. Whenever you find yourself feeling unmotivated and ready to quit, look at your "why" and let it push you to keep going.

Valuable Upgrades to the Virtual Business Startup System

I've written about Tawnya Sutherland's Virtual Business Startup System before. That was the magic ingredient that finally got my virtual assistant off and running, quickly and easily, a few years ago. I highly recommend it for any virtual assistant, or virtual business owner, who wants to start a successful business as quickly and easily as possible.

Tawnya Sutherland recently upgraded the system, so now you can get an even better deal. The new VBBS Deluxe System includes everything in the Basic VBSS version that you already own plus the following features/benefits as well:

Access to all VA Seminars ($97)
Access to all Newsletter Archives ($27)
Banner Advertising Upgrade at VA Search Engine Directory ($50)
VAinsider 1 year Membership ($249)
Access to VAnetworking.com's Job Board for RFPs (priceless)
Entrepreneurial Freedom book ($19.95)
Multi-VA ebook by Michelle Jamieson ($29.95)
VAdala, the official wearable symbol of Virtual Assistants ($29.95)

That's over $500+ extra value!

Here's the link if you want to take a look for yourself

Free Virtual Assistant Training - Be a Virtual Assistant Intern

No need to spend a small fortune on learning all the skills you need to be a successful virtual assistant. Angela Wills over at Internet Profit Planning has a much better idea. She's looking for a virtual assistant intern to learn a smörgåsbord of internet marketing techniques, beginning in January.

This could be an amazing opportunity for the right person, and it's also a reminder of how valuable virtual assistants really are. Even virtual assistants need virtual assistants!

It also sounds like there's only one intern position available, so in case you're not the winner, consider asking another VA you respect if you could intern for her. She may welcome the opportunity for some free assistance, and it's probably the best VA training there is.

Win Free Virtual Assistant Training

VANetworking.com recently announced a new contest for virtual assistants, and the winner will receive will receive a full scholarship to VAU, http://virtualassistanceu.com, that totals $1 500.

Learn about the contest and how to enter. It's easy!

Volunteer for Virtual Success

by Denise Willms

Think you might enjoy being a virtual assistant, but can't afford to leave your current job to find out? Maybe you want to know if you have the right skills to be a successful VA. Or, perhaps you're a new VA wondering where to find those all-important references and testimonials. If you want to test the virtual waters and lay the groundwork for your VA business with minimal risk, volunteering may be your answer.

As a professional, a virtual assistant shouldn't offer free services to anyone to let them "try you out." But volunteering for an organization or cause that is meaningful to you is a different matter altogether. Many virtual assistants who volunteer early in their careers find it so rewarding that they continue volunteering long after their VA practices are established. After Hurricane Katrina, at least one VA volunteered her time to help hurricane victims contact their family members. Many successful VAs regularly donate time to their favorite charities, churches, and other organizations.

You won’t be mailing out invoices, but the rewards you’ll receive as a volunteer may be more valuable and longer lasting than a cheque for your services. Besides the satisfaction you’ll get from helping others, here are some of the rewards you can expect when you volunteer as a virtual assistant:

1. Perfect your presentation Being able to sell yourself and your abilities is an essential quality of a successful VA. Many entrepreneurs fail to get their new businesses off the ground due to a lack of confidence and preparation when presenting their ideas. Volunteering as a virtual assistant can give you an opportunity to practice your presentation in a business setting with minimal risk: if the presentation doesn’t go well, you haven’t lost a potential contract. Once you’ve chosen the organization you want to help, schedule a meeting (in person or on the phone) with the appropriate person to present your abilities and ideas. Feedback from this meeting can help you refine your presentation, and you'll be more confident and prepared the next time you present to a potential client.

2. Network with potential clients Everyone knows someone else. Many successful VAs have gained their best clients from connections they made early in their careers - people they once worked with who later referred a colleague or a friend. While you're volunteering, you're meeting people who know people, who know more people, who know…. you get the picture.

3. Learn new skills Completing real projects for a real organization can help show you if you have the right skills to succeed as a VA. Many nonprofit organizations have the same business needs as your future clients and this is your chance to take an up-close look at what those needs are. Want to learn something new? Most nonprofit organizations are open to letting their volunteers try something they haven't done before, or that they're still learning. Just let your organization know about your lack of experience beforehand so they're not disappointed if you experience a setback.

4. References and testimonials These can serve you well in establishing your credibility with potential clients. If you've done a consistently good job as a volunteer, you'll have ready-made references and testimonials when you open your VA business.

5. Confidence Confidence is a defining characteristic of an entrepreneur. How do you get it? By remembering your past successes. Knowing that you have worked successfully as a volunteer VA will give you added confidence when you meet with your future clients and when you experience setbacks and failures – as all entrepreneurs do.

Ready to experience all the rewards of being a volunteer VA? Just call your favorite nonprofit organization and get started! If you need ideas for places you can volunteer, type “virtual volunteer” into your favorite search engine to find links to virtual volunteer opportunities.



Denise Willms,a homeschooling mother of two, helps work-at-home-moms get targeted traffic to their websites through copywriting, article writing, and press releases. Subscribe to her newsletter, WAHM-Articles Ezine, and receive 105 Power Tips to Get Your Online Business Noticed and Profiting.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

I Want to Become a Virtual Assistant. What Kind of Services Should I Offer?

by Sara Dahlman

There are many facets to being a virtual assistant (VA). We are a unique group of individuals offering a variety of services. One VA may specialize in secretarial services while another focuses more on bookkeeping. There are VAs that do only data entry while others encompass the entire scope of an office manager’s duties. It really depends on what skills you have and what you want to include in your services.

A good place to start when deciding what services you will offer is to look at your work experience. If you were a secretary you may want to offer off site telephone support, data entry and possibly even a reminder service. If you were in the accounting department you may want to focus your services on bookkeeping and payroll. Sales associates may want to offer marketing and sales advice. Think about what computer programs you used: email, word processing, spreadsheet creation, accounting programs. Add those to your services offer as well.

Next examine your education and the skills you acquired there. Did you take an Excel or Word course? Do you have a secretarial diploma or certificate? What programs did you learn with? Make a list and you will find more services you can offer. Another option is to upgrade your skills now. Maybe it has been a while since your last course and you need a refresher. There are many courses that can be taken in the evenings and on the weekends. Some can even be completed via correspondence and web classes. Go to the website of your local university or college and see what they offer. Check on distance courses at other institutions. You can easily find a course to fit your needs. And thus you can add a new service to your business.

Whatever services you offer, make sure you represent your skills properly. Do not take on creating a complicated spreadsheet if you are a beginner at Excel. Your services should only include those tasks you can do and do well. Your reputation will be determined by the work you present back to your client. And try to offer services that you enjoy doing. If you do not like typing, then do not accept a 100 page typing project. The more you like what you do the better the final outcome will be. And the more you will enjoy your virtual assistant business.



Sara Dahlman is the owner of Small Business Office Solutions, a virtual assistant business. Please visit her website at www.smbusinessofficesolutions.com for more information.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com