Starting a virtual assistant business is just one of many ways to work from home. You can earn a decent income as a freelance virtual assistant.
Virtual Assistant Business
If you have experience in the administrative field or can offer virtual services to business clients, then you are a prime candidate for having a successful virtual assistant business.
Getting started as a freelance virtual assistant requires a few simple steps.
There is no formal credential process to become a virtual assistant, but there are several companies that offer training and their own credentialing. This is not absolutely necessary to be a successful virtual assistant, but it can be helpful in obtaining jobs as a newcomer.
Before you sign up for any program or course, do your due diligence and investigate the company. Get recommendations from other successful virtual assistants and consider finding a mentor who can help you get started.
Legally, you’ll need a business license in order to become an independent contractor. By obtaining a business license you’ll be able to open up a business bank account and keep your business and personal finances separately.
Once you’ve set up your home office, you’ll need to establish your virtual office.
Online Presence
On the Internet, you will use a website to advertise yourself as a virtual assistant.
Having a website is essential to establishing your presence.
If web design is not in your skillset, find someone who can create a website for you.
Try to contact other virtual assistants and see if you can barter for the design. This is important especially if it’s something that you cannot afford to begin with.
On your website you should, at minimum, list your services and who you are.
You can also include an hourly rate, although many virtual assistants like to charge by the project instead of by the hour.
Starting a YouTube channel to showcase your skills, passion, and interest is also a great way to establish an online presence.
Service Offering
As far as services go, do not offer services that you do not like to do.
If you can make spreadsheets but don’t like to do it, then don’t offer that service.
If you have a background in a specific field, for example, law, then list this as a specialty.
You can also specialize in the type of work that you offer.
Many virtual assistants limit their business to writing and editing, web design, data management, or planning. Nonetheless, some offer a mixture of all types of services.
Remember, this is your business and you can choose what tasks you want to perform.
Networking
The best way to get virtual assistant jobs, to begin with, is to start networking.
Your best leads will come through people that you already know, whether they are online or in your hometown.
Let people know what you are offering and promote your website address so people can see who you are and what you are doing.
Make sure to include up-to-date contact information on your web page, including a phone number.
Interacting With Clients
When you get your first client, it’s important to have a contract set in place before you start working on a project.
You can get many sample contracts online that you can adapt to your needs.
Make sure you and the client are both on the same page about the type of work that you will be doing.
That way there are no surprises when you deliver the project and your bill.
After you have a few projects under your belt, you’ll begin to build a reputation.
Then your virtual assistant business will grow naturally to include repeat clients and new projects.
When you consistently do good work, your reputation will precede you and you may have more projects that you know what to do within a short period of time.
Make sure not to overbook yourself, and collect a network of other virtual assistants who are willing to take overflows for you if the need arises.
Getting your virtual assistant business off on the right foot is simple when you follow the basic steps mentioned above.
Being a freelance virtual assistant is a good way to earn extra income.
