|
|
Return to articles
about virtual assistant work.
|
|
Starting a Virtual Assistant Business
By Audrey Hoffman
If 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."
About the author:
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.
|
