Start a home-based virtual assistant business with the help of Secretarial Business-In-A-Box. Includes advertising and marketing strategies, how-to forms, and strategies to start and grow your VA business.
Suggested topics to research: virtual assistant training, administrative assistant businesses, real estate virtual assistant
Starting a Virtual Assistance/Secretarial/Administrative Business
Keywords: how to start a VA business, secretarial service, small office, home office businessAdministrative, computer, and business-support services can encompass:
Web Design
Typing/Data Entry
Bookkeeping
Transcription
Resume Writing
Editing Services
Desktop Publishing
Proofreading
Answering Services
Being a virtual assistant (independent secretary), you're given the opportunity to work with a specific group of clients, such as small businesses, or more specifically accountants. Your client base could consist of walk-in clients that require basic word processing or Fortune 500 accounts that outsource in-depth research and marketing projects. As I mentioned, you can dictate the scope of your business ... period!
Have you thought about becoming a VA specialized for a specific industry, including
Real Estate Industry (VA for realtors)
Careers Industry (VA for career coaches and resume writers)
Tax/Insurance Industry (VA for financial planners, retirement experts, insurance carriers)
If you are foreign born, or have additional language skills, think about focusing your VA business towards a specific market or geographical location. Focusing on a niche can significantly increase your revenues and generate a prominent pool of clients that tap into your individualized skill set. Specializing also increases your overall value to select clients while reducing the competition for your target client audience as well.
Spinoffs of a VA service might include serving as a answering service, receptionist, live chat service representative, proofreader, concierge, and transcriber.
Here's another thought. ;) Informally, a VA can also serve as a muse to help guide new business owners through the challenges associated with starting and operating a business.
VIRTUAL ASSISTANT/SECRETARIAL ORGANIZATIONS
International Virtual Assistants Organization (IVAA)
American Business Support Services Information (ABSSI)
International Association of Virtual Office Assistants (IAVOA)
Executive Virtual Professionals Association (EVPA)
International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)
CERTIFICATIONS/EDUCATION
IVAA Certified Virtual Assistant (CVA) Exam
Virtual Assistant Training Program (available via Virtual Assistance U)STARTING A SECRETARIAL BUSINESS
Think back to determine how long you've wanted to start your own secretarial business. Where would you be at this point? You'd be working solo, reaping in the rewards that come along with setting your own schedule and dictating your set rates ... that's where you'd be!
Secretarial businesses come in many shapes and sizes. For example, you may wish to focus your energies on transcription or accounting process instead of taking on straight typing and desktop design tasks. One of the best variables constant with secretarial businesses is that you can set the "menu."
The Internet has opened an entirely new chapter for virtual assistants (individuals who work via the Internet with clients oftentimes scattered throughout; e.g. national and international.
Download: How to Start a Secretarial Business INTERVIEW: JULIE JESSEN, OWNER OF A1 SECRETARIAL SERVICE
Q: Describe the scope of your business.
A: My business, A1 Secretarial Service, provides administrative, bookkeeping, and editing services to clients. Administratively I work with my customer's clients, answer and make phone calls, draft letters, and perform general clerical duties. I also do some word processing and PDF creation. I perform data entry into various bookkeeping programs as well as basic accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliation, billing, and payroll functions. When it comes to editing, I edit resumes, letters, articles, books, web pages and other documents to ensure accuracy when it comes to spelling, grammar, and consistency.
Q: What made you choose this type of business?
A: I had been everything from a receptionist to an office manager and bookkeeper while working in the corporate world, and had done this for many years. Five years ago I became pregnant and decided I didn't want to work out of the home any longer. I wanted to stay home with my daughter. Since I was successful in my administrative roles in the corporate world, I knew I could be successful doing much of the same tasks in my own business.
Q: How much did it cost to start? Did you obtain a loan, grant, or use personal finances?
A: I was lucky. It actually didn't cost me any more than my time at first. I already had a computer, printer, fax line and fax machine and Internet access. I had the supplies needed on hand to begin with.
Q: Did you create a business plan for your business, or did you utilize the help of a business plan writer?
A: I created a business plan, but not until about two years after I started my business. I began by "winging it" and it's not a smart way to start. I'd have a project here and there to work on, but nothing consistent. When I sat down and wrote my business plan, I incorporated a lot of goals I had such as the number and type(s) of client, financial position after another 2 years, marketing, etc. It wasn't until after I wrote the plan did my business improve and become viable and consistent.
Q: Do you operate your business with a local client base, or do you work with clients solely online?
A: All my clients have been online. I started with two local clients, but they didn't work out. I have found much more success marketing to prospects all over the country. I have been with some clients for two or more years.
Q: During the start-up phase, what did you find particularly challenging?
A: #1 Obtaining clients; #2 Finding successful marketing strategies
Q: Did/do you work part-time, or have another income stream, during the initial stages of your new business?
A: I started my business at a time when I really didn't need to work. My husband is quite successful in his career; so yes, I had another income stream. However, I was determined that I was going to have my own business and it was going to be successful. That meant that I treated it as a business from the onset. I subtracted expenses from income to see my net value. There have been very few times when I dipped into the family finances to aid in my business venture.
Q: Have you reached the revenue level you expected?
A: Yes and I expect to reach greater revenue once my daughter begins school in the fall and I can devote more time to my business.
Q: What advice do you have for anyone interested in starting your type of business?
A: Try to have the tools you'll need prior to starting. Ensure you have a financial safety net because there will be "slow" times. Write that business plan or have one written for you. Most of all, keep at it. Most businesses fail because the owners don't try enough avenues to secure the revenue. Keep trying. Be persistent!
Q: What credentials and education do you possess? Do you feel your background has been pivotal to your success?
A: Believe it or not, I don't have any measurable credentials or education. I do, however, have my experience. I've been to school and have picked up good knowledge; however most of my learning has been on my own. Yes, my background has been pivotal. Without all the years and all the skills I learned over the years, I wouldn't be able to offer my clients a solution to just about all their problems.Other Businesses to Consider ...
Start a Gift Basket Business * Start a Bookkeeping Business * Start a Resume Business * How to Start a Home Inspection Service * How to Start a T-Shirt BusinessCopyright 2008 Teena Rose, All Rights Reserved
