If you are looking for a way to work from home or supplement your current income, you may want to consider becoming a Virtual Assistant. The Virtual Assistant (VA) is a person who handles various office tasks for clients from their home instead of working in the traditional 9 to 5 office building. The income potential varies depending on the services offered a client, but a VA can charge anywhere between $10 to $50 per hour, depending on their specialty.
Basic computer skills and office skills are good to have before considering becoming a Virtual Assistant. If you have knowledge in a specialized field, you may be able to fill a certain client's needs and charge on the higher end of the pay scale. But, just about every type of service is in demand online, including customer support. As with any small business, you will have some start up costs to consider, but they are minimal. The purchase of a good computer, printer, and desk are, of course, the essential items that you'll need. Just to get you started, we've listed a few tips.
What Services Will You Offer: It's important to know what services you can offer, and how you will offer those services, before you begin. Are you a good typist? Do you feel comfortable speaking on the phone with others? Are you good at making event and travel arrangements for others? Do you have web development skills? These are some of the services that a Virtual Assistant can offer the clients that hire them.
Business Plan: As a Virtual Assistant, your business plan is important in order to map out your marketing plan, your financial goals, as well as putting together an overview of your business with your mission in mind. Once you've decided on your services, you can start writing your business plan with help from the resource at the end of this article.
Setting Up Your Home Office: Make sure you have a separate work area, free from background noise, with adequate space to keep your client information secure and organized. You'll eventually want to invest in a good desk, a separate telephone line with answering machine, and a reliable computer and printer. As your business grows, you may want to expand your office to include a scanner, copier and fax, depending on the type of work you're doing for clients.
Computer Software: When you decide which services to offer your clients, you will need the software programs required to perform those services. There are many software programs available to you at various price ranges to fit any budget. Be sure to purchase only well-known, reliable software programs. You will be upgrading your computer as necessary - as your business needs expand and grow. You'll find that other VAs are your best information source for finding the latest and best software and support networks available.
Marketing Yourself Professionally: Having professionally-made address labels, business cards, and stationery is important to presenting yourself as a professional. You'll also want a website or blog as a means to introducing yourself to the public and as a way to maintain contact with your clients. Be sure your website includes a list of the services you offer, your contact information, and, once you get established with a few clients, some testimonials. As a beginner, offering free services to certain clients will build rapport and your portfolio at the same time. You want your clients talking you up!
You can make money from the comfort of your own home. I know I just threw a lot of information at you but, in all honesty, there are many successful Virtual Assistants who run booming businesses with less than the items we've listed. There are shortcuts to each step, so don't struggle alone. Others have paved the way for you and you have only to believe that you can do it and to get started. Take the first step.
Basic computer skills and office skills are good to have before considering becoming a Virtual Assistant. If you have knowledge in a specialized field, you may be able to fill a certain client's needs and charge on the higher end of the pay scale. But, just about every type of service is in demand online, including customer support. As with any small business, you will have some start up costs to consider, but they are minimal. The purchase of a good computer, printer, and desk are, of course, the essential items that you'll need. Just to get you started, we've listed a few tips.
What Services Will You Offer: It's important to know what services you can offer, and how you will offer those services, before you begin. Are you a good typist? Do you feel comfortable speaking on the phone with others? Are you good at making event and travel arrangements for others? Do you have web development skills? These are some of the services that a Virtual Assistant can offer the clients that hire them.
Business Plan: As a Virtual Assistant, your business plan is important in order to map out your marketing plan, your financial goals, as well as putting together an overview of your business with your mission in mind. Once you've decided on your services, you can start writing your business plan with help from the resource at the end of this article.
Setting Up Your Home Office: Make sure you have a separate work area, free from background noise, with adequate space to keep your client information secure and organized. You'll eventually want to invest in a good desk, a separate telephone line with answering machine, and a reliable computer and printer. As your business grows, you may want to expand your office to include a scanner, copier and fax, depending on the type of work you're doing for clients.
Computer Software: When you decide which services to offer your clients, you will need the software programs required to perform those services. There are many software programs available to you at various price ranges to fit any budget. Be sure to purchase only well-known, reliable software programs. You will be upgrading your computer as necessary - as your business needs expand and grow. You'll find that other VAs are your best information source for finding the latest and best software and support networks available.
Marketing Yourself Professionally: Having professionally-made address labels, business cards, and stationery is important to presenting yourself as a professional. You'll also want a website or blog as a means to introducing yourself to the public and as a way to maintain contact with your clients. Be sure your website includes a list of the services you offer, your contact information, and, once you get established with a few clients, some testimonials. As a beginner, offering free services to certain clients will build rapport and your portfolio at the same time. You want your clients talking you up!
You can make money from the comfort of your own home. I know I just threw a lot of information at you but, in all honesty, there are many successful Virtual Assistants who run booming businesses with less than the items we've listed. There are shortcuts to each step, so don't struggle alone. Others have paved the way for you and you have only to believe that you can do it and to get started. Take the first step.
About the Author:
A Virtual Assistant Business is a fun way to start making money online with a minimum of money and equipment. Get step-by-step help by grabbing the Guide to Making Money with a Virtual Assistant Home Business.
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