Archive for the ‘Running a VA Business’ Category

Running a VA Business: Setting a Price for Services

Sunday, January 11th, 2009

One of the things that you are going to find is that, when you are running a VA business (especially when you’re just getting started), setting a price for your services is often one of the most challenging tasks that you’ll face. After all, you don’t want to come into the field charging too much, but you’re going to find that, when you are running a VA business, setting a price that is too low is not a good idea either.

When you set the prices for the services that you offer while running a VA business, you are going to want to make sure that you understand the value of the services that you offer. You’re going to need to be sure that you are earning a sustainable income – and you’re going to want to be sure that you are able to pay the bills that your business has as well.

By making an effort to connect with other virtual assistants while you are running your business, you will find that it is a lot easier to learn more about setting your price, billing your clients and even the dangers of not charging rates that are high enough while you’re running your VA business.

Running a VA Business: Drawing in Clients

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

When you’re looking into running a VA business, one of the first things that you’re going to want to know is that it’s possible to attract those clients that will help you to grow your business. Of course, when you’re first looking into running a VA business, one of the things that you are going to discover pretty quickly is that drawing in clients can be a bit challenging – especially if it’s not something that you’ve ever had to do before.

So, how will you rise to the challenge of attracting clients to the virtual assistant business that you’re going to be running? Sure, you’ll find that it’s a good idea to look at conventional marketing techniques – things like printing out business cards, letterhead and flyers and making a connection with other business professionals in your area. You’ll also want to make sure that you are taking a closure look at marketing your business online.

In both cases, what you are going to discover is that you’re in a better position to market and run your VA business when you have the training that comes from working with a mentor – someone who has been there and been in a position to figure it out for themselves. The more that you’re able to learn about attracting clients from those who have done it, the easier that it will be to grow and run your business.

Running a VA Business: Building Relationships

Monday, January 5th, 2009

When you are running a VA business, it may seem as though you are exclusively on your own. In other words, just because you’re going to be looking at running a VA business – possibly from home – doesn’t mean that you aren’t just going to be working on your own.

Building relationships is a key element of running a VA business. Whether you’re looking at building a relationship by networking with other virtual assistants so that you can be sure that you’re able to get support when you need it or you’re looking into building long term relationships with your clients so that you can be sure that you’re business keeps running smoothly, the relationships that you build are going to have a dramatic impact.

If you are focused on building relationships while running your VA business, you’re going to find that you are in a great position to market your company. You’ll find that you are able to keep your best clients – and make sure that you are able to attract additional clients like them – and that you’re able to receive as well as give support. This combination of elements – all the result of knowing that you are making a connection with others – is going to have a dramatic impact on the VA business that you’re running.

Running a VA Business: Making Your Company Stand Out

Saturday, January 3rd, 2009

When you are running a VA business, one of the things that you are going to want to keep in mind is that you aren’t the only one out there offering a given set of services to clients. As a result, in order to make sure that you are growing your business as a virtual assistant, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re doing what you can to market your business effectively so that your VA business stands out.

When it comes to making sure that your virtual assistant business stands out from the crowd, one of the things that you are going to want to do is simple: you’re going to want to be sure that you have a clear message and that you know whom to express that message to.

Running a VA business, after all, is about making sure that you are reaching the right prospects with the right message at the right time. Making yourself stand out is often going to be about making sure that you’re able to communicate as well as possible – after all, the right message is going to let your prospects and clients show that you are anticipating their needs.

Running a VA Business? Invest in Yourself

Friday, January 2nd, 2009

If you are running a VA business, one of the most important things that you can do is going to be to focus on those things that you can do that will help you to grow your business and ensure that it’s everything you want it to be. In other words, you’re going to want to be sure that you are investing in your virtual assistant business.

On one hand, investing in the VA business you are running is all about making sure that you have the tools that you need to get the job done – never underestimate the value of the right computer, software that will help you to save time and a desk that you’re comfortable working from. On the other hand, running a VA business and investing in it means looking into VA training classes that will be able to push your business forward.

In other words, what you are going to find is that making an investment in running your VA business is all about making sure that you are going to have the tools that you need to get the job done – the tools that are going to help you to grow as a virtual assistant and that will help you to grow your VA business.

Running a VA Business: Making Things Go Smoothly

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

When you are running a VA business, one of the things that you are going to find is that it is common to promote your services saying that you are able to do more to streamline business for your (would-be) clients. So, in the spirit of that, you are going to want to be sure that you are thinking about smoothing out the way that you run your own business.

So what can you do to make things go smoothly when you’re running a VA business?

First, you are going to want to make sure that you are thinking about the training that will help you to develop the business skills that you need to keep your business going smoothly. Then you are going to want to be sure that you know where to turn.

When you have a mentor and there is a network of people who you can turn to when you’re running a VA business, you will find that when there are questions, you’ll be able to get answers. That way, you will be able to figure out the best way to proceed, even before the minor challenges that you’re facing in your business turn into something much bigger.

Running a VA Business: A Focus on Marketing

Sunday, December 28th, 2008

When you start running a VA business, one of the first things that you’re going to find is that there’s a great sense of freedom that comes with not having to head into the office each and every day. Of course, you’re also going to discover that, if you don’t start to get a handle on marketing your business right away, you’re going to find that there are a number of challenges that might come with running a VA business.

In order to avoid the challenges that come from not marketing your business well, you’re going to want to be sure that you’re looking at those tools that will help you to get the word out about all that you have to offer.

In order to market the VA business that you’re running, you’re going to want to be sure that you’re looking into those tools that will help you to get the word out about your services. Whether you’re looking for more information that will help you to get the word out online or in print, the right tools will get you to where you want to be – and the right marketing tools are going to ensure that you’re able to keep running (and growing) your VA business.

Running a VA Business: Taking Time for Yourself During the Holidays

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008

When you are running a VA business, often you’re going to find that you are pulled in one of two directions. Either you’re going to find yourself thinking about taking off more time than you probably should or you are going to find yourself thinking about work into the wee hours of the morning wondering what it is that you forgot to add to your to do list. During the holiday season, one of the things that you are going to discover is that the pull in each direction seems to get a little bit stronger.

So what are you going to do about it?

When you’re running a VA business, you’re going to want to be sure that you’ve gone beyond time management 101 and have mastered fitting everything that needs to be done into your schedule (including leaving some “extra” time for those things that will invariably come up. Similarly, you’re going to want to make sure that, when you are running a VA business, you’re willing to schedule some time off for yourself – especially during the holidays when you’ll have time to spend recharging with family and friends.

Running a VA business, of course, is something that you can control – at least to some extent. By making sure that you focus on taking the time that you need for yourself (at least every once in a while) you’re going to find that you’re in a great position to love running a VA business.

Finding Support While Running a VA Business

Sunday, December 21st, 2008

When you are running a VA business, one of the things that you’re going to want to be sure that you are keeping in mind is simple: when you need support that will help you to get through any rough patches that you are struggling with, you’re going to want to know that you have a place to turn. By making sure that you have the support that you need while running a VA business, in other words, you will be able to know that you are well on your way to the success that you are looking for.

Getting the support that you need while you’re running a VA business is about knowing that, if you’re looking into help with marketing your business, you’ll be able to get it. Support for your VA business means that you’re going to be able to get advice about marketing your business, being there for your clients and for the directions that you should go in when you have no idea which way is forward.

Running a VA business can be challenging, however, you’re going to find that when you have connected with other virtual assistants you are able to get through it all without a hitch.

Running a VA Business: Should You Offer Services to Your Friends?

Friday, December 19th, 2008

When you are running a VA business, one of the things that you are likely to find is that, from time to time, some of your friends are going to be looking for services like the ones that you have to offer. The challenge, of course, is that while you are going to want to help them out and while you’re going to know that there are suggestions that you could make that would get them through their rough patches, it doesn’t benefit your business.

That’s going to leave you with three options:

  1. You can focus on running a VA business and only offer your services if your friend is willing to pay a reasonable rate for them.
  2. You can open the door and say that you’re willing to help get them started and to point them in the direction of things that will help them without making a significant time and energy commitment to helping them out.
  3. You can make the choice to just help out your friends because, hey, they’re your friends.

When you’re running a VA business, you’re going to find that it’s a good idea to separate your working relationships and your personal relationships. While you may want to help, be sure that you are not taking on so much that your clients are feeling neglected or you are unable to meet the obligations that you have to your business.