A vast number of people have exchanged their daily commute to the office for the convenience of working from home. One way to slide comfortably into the role of home-business owner is to become a virtual assistant.
Why Would Someone Hire a Virtual Assistant?
Virtual Assistants offer a series of services to businesses large and small who cannot afford to hire a full-time employee to do the job. These tasks include but are not limited to;
- Data Entry
- Accounting
- Email Management
- Event Planning
- Call Management
Companies are happy to outsource these duties because it means they only pay for the hours worked, as opposed to shouldering the expense of a full time employee, which may include health care and other benefits.
What are the Steps to Starting up as a Virtual Assistant?
Find a Niche
Because it is possible to outsource almost any function with the right technology, the virtual assistant must define the list of services in advance to give a clear idea of what is on offer. A decision could be made to offer a wide range of support services to a select group of companies, or alternatively the business could focus on only two or three functions and deal with a broader base of client companies. Both strategies have merit, but it is important to have a vision before launching the business or risk a false start because client companies are not sold on the mission of the business.
Research the Pricing Strategies of Other VAs
Pricing is one of the hardest areas in the virtual assistant industry, primarily because companies may want tasks tailored to their needs so every job may be different. It is important to research competitors and compare their price packages to ensure the business is in a position of strength. This does not mean that price competition is the way to go, on the contrary, it is vital to find a unique selling point so that the business can be set apart from others in the industry.
Create a Website
A virtual assistant can hardly be considered ‘virtual’ without a web presence. Not only is the website a means of advertising the company 24 hours a day, it can also be a platform to communicate with clients and exchange information.
Market, Market, Market
The next step is to advertise the business. Tell friends and family, use Google AdSense or canvas the local business community in person. There are several ways to effectively spread the word, but probably the most important is to offer great service.
Focus on Service; the VA Business Depends on it
Deliver high quality work on time. This is the hallmark of success in support services and any business wishing to gain market share should make service a priority.
Build a Portfolio
Keep a record of the work done over time and then revisit companies and ask for testimonials. These can be used on business cards, or on the company website. Testimonials are a powerful source of winning new business because they come from people that have had actual experience with the company.
Many experienced individuals that find themselves out of work have stumbled upon the virtual assistant industry in an attempt to find work. This is a great opportunity to be the boss, work a flexible schedule and make a decent income. Start planning today!
Natalia Jones - Natalia Jones is a full time freelance writer. She has an Advanced Diploma in Financial Management (ACCA) and she has previously worked in ...
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