What is a virtual assistant? A virtual assistant is basically an assistant who works from their home or virtually. The virtual assistant business is not widely known but it is a growing field. A virtual assistant uses the administrative skills they have obtained to assist with busy small business owners who may need assistance. The different types of administrative skills include typing, data entry, word processing, PowerPoint, website design, taking calls and orders, spreadsheets, and managing databases just to name a few. You don’t need experience or knowledge in all the areas to be a virtual assistant, but you need to be confident with the skills you do have to be a successful virtual assistant.
Virtual assistants are in business for themselves they do not work for the business owner, they work with the business owner helping the owner complete tasks that he or she may not be able to do own their own or may not have the time to complete. Companies that contract with a virtual assistant save money, lots of it, they save on equipment, insurance, taxes, and training to name a few of the many benefits to the business owner. The benefits for the virtual assistant are plenty as well. The virtual assistant saves money on expenses such as, travel, childcare, clothes, etc. The virtual assistant works from home, has flexibility, and chooses what tasks to take on and when they work.
However, in order for a virtual assistant to maintain their successful home business they need to have the self-discipline, motivation, responsibility and dependability it takes to run a successful home business. You will not be able to sit and watch television, do the laundry, or make a string of errands throughout the day and expect to complete your work. Some of the hesitancy with companies hiring home workers is that the work will not be done or that the worker will neglect the work. Virtual assistants need to be very professional and be able to present themselves in a professional manner. If you will be taking phone calls from the client’s customers or other clients, you need a quiet environment, no loud TV’s, music, noisy children or barking dogs.
Starting a virtual assistant business is fairly easy to do. You already have the skills necessary to do the work, and if you don’t you can always get some training on the various types of skills needed to do the work. There is no official licensing or certification required to become a virtual assistant. This is just my opinion, but since I have had a virtual assistant business since 1999 I think I can offer this piece of advice. There are virtual assistant schools or programs that offer “certification” but it is not necessary or a requirement. The most important thing a business owner or client will want is your ability to do the work efficiently, accurately, and on time.
Since the virtual assistant business is relatively new, not many business owners or clients will even be aware of certifications. There is no need to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to any virtual assistant program for them to “train” you to do anything. If they offer to coach you in your business that’s another story, but you don’t need to pay any money for so-called training. Yet, for some people showing affiliations and certifications may look impressive. Just don’t spend thousands doing it. I know plenty of virtual assistants who have no affiliations or certifications and have a very successful virtual assistant business.
Your biggest obstacle will be marketing – isn’t that usually the biggest obstacle when starting any business and it’s no different with a virtual assistant business.
There are a number of ways to market your business.
· Cold calling – call companies that have a small business and are usually very busy. For example, realtors, lawyers, florists, etc.
· Mail introductory letters on your letterhead with your business name.
· Purchase car decals or magnets to stick on your car or other places to advertise your services.
· Put an ad in business magazines and newspapers.
· Look in your classifieds (print and online) and call companies that are looking for administrative assistants, clerical, telemarketing reps, website designers, receptionist or data entry clerks. Whatever skill you have look for a company needing someone in that area.
· Word of mouth – Tell everyone you know about your business. The best marketing is word of mouth.
You will need to do a few things to get your virtual assistant business up and going.
· You will need to have the skills necessary to do the work.
· Get a business name and a business license, some areas it cost less than $10.00 but contact your county business license office to find out the fees.
· You will need a website – Since work will be done virtually this is a necessity. If you cannot design a website, there are many website companies that help you by offering pre-designed templates. A few places are www.godaddy.com, www.bravenet.com, www.freewebs.com, and yahoo. The cost for website hosting and purchasing a domain name can be as low as $15 and to maintain monthly hosting can be less than $10 a month.
· You will need some business cards, try www.vistaprint.com, and business invoices. And any other business forms or stationery you can think of. You may want to use a contact management software program or some sort of contact program that will help you keep track of your contacts and clients.
· Make sure you take out money to pay taxes or contact an accountant.
· Remember..insurance, equipment, and any other expense used in your business can be used as a deduction.
How much do you charge? The going rate most virtual assistants charge ranges from $15-$30 an hour depending on the task or the desired skill. For new clients you can ask for a small deposit before you begin any work. After the work is completed, you will send a billing invoice to your client.
A virtual assistant business can be a necessity for many small business owners who can’t afford to hire an employee. Don’t sell yourself short, you have the skills that small business owners need.