Looking for tips to start your own Virtual assistant Business? Becoming a V.A is one of the best decisions i ever made, the flexibility and satisfaction i get is from being a remote virtual assistant is way better than how i felt when i was working in my earlier corporate job .
Before i started my Virtual assistant job i was a freelancer writer then my customers started asking me to do for them some admin jobs like typing,proof reading and Boom..I got the idea to concentrate on it and gain more skills. Three years now am happier and of course making money from my growing clientele.
Who is a Virtual Assistant?
A virtual assistant covers a wide range of services, specialties and niches. It can range from administrative duties, marketing,project management,app creation. If there is a need then there is a way for you to make money!
A virtual assistant is someone who offers services that businesses need .They become remote personal assistants and offer tasks remotely. The main reason why V.A has become famous globally is the fact that there is reduction of hiring cost .
Virtual agencies main aim is to lower overhead cost for companies while working flexible hours.
How Do I Start a Virtual Assistant Business?
1.Choose a Name for your Business
Most people prefer to use a business name and not their name. In this case use a name that is catchy and not difficult to pronounce or write down. When researching for a name it is good to find out if the name is available in social platforms too. You can check availability at namechk.com
2. Decide on the Niche or Services you want to provide and Charges.
What are you good at,what skills do you have and you think they can be of help to someone else? Any specific skills that you would prefer to offer?
When i began i used to mainly offer admin tasks then i learnt skills on social media management and marketing which pays better .so you can start to be a virtual assistant with the skills you have then grow new skills as your business grows.
Most V.A charge between $10 and $15 per hour, i would advise you add about $10 margin to be able to cater for overheads like electricity and internet.
As your business grows and you have repeat customers then you can agree on a monthly bill.
Here is a list of some of the most common services offered by virtual assistants:
- Email Management
- Calendar Management
- Customer Service (email or phone)
- Content Creation (blog posts)
- Facebook Ads
- Email Newsletters
- Internet Research
- Sales Funnels
- Custom Sales Page Creation
- Graphic Design
- Web Design
- Proofreading
- Social Media Management
- Community Management
- SEO Services
- Webinar Setup and Assistance
- Video Editing
- Editing
- Transcription and data entry
- Billing and/or Processes
- Internet Research
- PR / Press Releases
- Maintaining an Editorial Calendar
- Ghostwriting
- Social Media Graphics
- Ebook Content and Design
- Accounting and/or Bookkeeping
- Blog comments management
- Branding Services
3. Make your Business Legal
Depending on your country or county law, you may need an operating license, a registration certificate to start your virtual assistant business. Be sure to find out all the legal papers you need.
4.Come up with a Business Plan
A business plan does not have to be long and boring, just come up with a few points on the services you offer, the contract you will share with your customers, the charges and what is it you will offer to put you on a competitive edge above other V.As.
5. Develop the best and most convinient marketing strategies
You need to find a way of letting people know you exist, do you want to use social media or email marketing. You can start with free methods. Open a LinkedIn in account, facebook,instagram page, twitter and a website.Be active in your sites and offer value to your visitors, with time you will convert them into paying customers.
Don’t forget to create a “Hire Me” page or even a portfolio of work that you’ve done, so people can message you or book a call to hire you.
6. Use your Network
Reach out to your network, they may not need a service but could know someone who does.
7. Advertise your Business
Use your social media and website to look for customers, you can also serch for opportunities in job sites, some of the sites you can find paying customers include upwork.com, fiverr,freelancer.com,click earners etc
8. Offer Gold to your customers
To keep your customers coming back and refering you, exceed their expectation. Finish your tasks on time,you can offer a bonus once in a while, communicate clearly with them and also let them know if you are running rate. They will feel you value their business and will coming back for more.
9. Ask for Testimonials and Referrals
Don’t be shy to ask your customers to leave a review in your page or refer other people to you, networking is one of the best ways to grow your virtual assistant business.
What are the Benefits of being a Virtual Assistant?
Flexibility
You can work at any agreed time with your customer, it’s not like any other 8 to 5 job.
2. Remote
You can work from a restaurant, your house,in the beach as long as you remain proffessional.
3. You can serve many customers
You can serve more than one customer long as you deliver on time.
4. Virtual Assistants set their own rates
You are the one to decide how much you want to charge. As your business grow you will hike rates,,demand and supply rule. Your experience and skills will be higher too.
The Cons of Starting your own Virtual Assistant Business
Loneliness.
It may get lonely working remotely ,in a job set up you have colleagues who make it more lively, therefore loneliness could be a challenge, however it is important for you to take a break and go out.
Getting customers
It may be challenging to get your first customer to your virtual assistant agency, keep pressing,share great content and soon you will land your first customer.
No. Employers benefits
You are your own boss, you will therefore not benefit from packages like medical covers. You need to be keen on the rates you charge customers so that you can be able to cater for all your costs.
Taxes
Since there is no employer to cover you, you will be paying for your own taxes.
SUMMARY
There you have it, starting your own Virtual assistant business is easy, you do not have to be a degree holder, no office, all you need is a skill,internet connection,a laptop or computer and you are good to get started.