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getting started as a virtual assistant

Get Your First, or Next, VA Client

Good clients are NOT hard to find. Whether you have lots of clients, or are still looking for that elusive first one, it is important that you find GOOD clients. The backbone of any business is clients. Without clients you have no revenue … you have no business. And frankly, life is too short to work with clients that you don’t like or who stress you out. Look at your client list right now. Do you love each person you work with? What do you like about them? Is it the work you do for them? Their personality? The rate they pay you? Be honest with yourself and really determine what makes a GREAT client for you. It may not be… Read More »Get Your First, or Next, VA Client

Being Your Own Boss is So Great!

This week I hosted a free information session for Virtual Assistants. One of the first things I ask anyone when they are thinking of starting out: why they want to start their own business. I have heard a variety of answers to this question, but many times the answer is ‘to be my own boss’. When I start to work with someone as their coach, I ask them to look deeper into that statement. Why do you want to be your own boss? There are always more underlying reasons that simply because you want to. And we often talk about needed to understand WHY you want to be in business for yourself. Because some days are hard, and some decisions… Read More »Being Your Own Boss is So Great!

Accepting Payments For Your VA Services

Accepting Payments You can accept payments in advance, in portions, as recurring payments (ie multi pays) or as ongoing payments for a specific period of time. Depending on what your business is will determine how your payment structures are set up. Coaches accept payments in advance. Graphic artists or project consultants may get paid with a deposit, a mid project payment and then balance on completion. Some people may get paid for completed work only. It really depends on how your business is set up. There are many ways you can accept payments for your services. Cheque or money order (certified cheque) – you have to wait for the money to be received, but once it is the services begin.… Read More »Accepting Payments For Your VA Services

15 Services You Can Offer As a VA

The Virtual Assistant industry has really broken out of its shell over the last several years. I remember when I first started out as a VA, there were only a few places to find really good information about getting started in the business. I am happy to be able to share some of my knowledge with you! As various industries have begun to embrace the idea of hiring off-site administrative help, people are beginning to realize all the tasks that a VA can provide for them, that maybe they didn’t think of before. Once you get started, you can decide which services you want to provide, and you can even get some specialized training, but it’s easy to get started… Read More »15 Services You Can Offer As a VA

Hosted Blog Or Self Hosted Blog – Which is Better For Your VA Business?

There are two ways that you can get your blog online, and there are definite pros and cons to both choices. Here are some things to consider when you are trying to make this decision for your Virtual Assistant business. Hosted Blogs A hosted blog simply means that your blog is set up on someone else’s server. Free Hosted Blogs There are free services for this, such as WordPress.com, Typepad.com and Blogger.com. These services make it easy to get your blog started immediately, because you just select a template, name your blog and you are live. Benefits of a free hosted blog are: * it’s free * it’s easy and quick to set up * it’s always up to date… Read More »Hosted Blog Or Self Hosted Blog – Which is Better For Your VA Business?

What Does it Take to Be a Virtual Assistant?

So, you think you want to be a virtual assistant? Good for you! It’s a wonderful profession that, if you work at it, can be very profitable and rewarding. Yes, that’s what I said … if you work at it. You should know that working from home is not the same as being at home on the weekends. When you decide to become a virtual assistant (VA), you become a business owner … an entrepreneur. It is so important to realize this when you are starting out, and it is frightening how many people do not realize it at all. When I tell people that I work from home, I am often greeted with the squeal of, “Oh, I’d love… Read More »What Does it Take to Be a Virtual Assistant?