| al Assistant Businesses are the backbone of the Web | | | | the type of structure for your business. |
| 2.0 industry. Many “virtual” businesses | | | | 3. Register your Business |
| without a central office cannot live without the | | | | Register your business name and secure all necessary |
| assistance of a few virtual administrative helpers | | | | business licenses and compliance requirements.. |
| every now and then to help out with list building and | | | | 4. Obtain Insurance |
| prospect building. VA's contribute to an online | | | | Obtain and purchase insurance for your business, if |
| business’s core strength; provides | | | | necessary by local laws. |
| independence to overworked business owners | | | | 5. Purchase Office Supplies / Equipment |
| suddenly flooded with more business than they | | | | Basic office equipments like a computer, fax, printer, |
| normally handle, and help business get organized after | | | | stationary supplies, and business cards are necessary |
| an overflow period by getting their records back in | | | | for a professional VA – and pretty much |
| order. | | | | required to be taken seriously by your potential clients. |
| As a home business owner, nothing has more | | | | 6. Schedule Your Day |
| advantages than a Virtual Assistant Business. You | | | | Even if you don't have clients yet, good habits start |
| have low (or almost nothing) overhead costs, no travel | | | | early. Choose specific times of the day to open your |
| time and great flexibility in balancing time for your work | | | | email and do your marketing so when you d get busy, |
| and family. Today’s high-tech communication | | | | these tasks won't ever overwhelm you. |
| systems infrastructure makes working from home a | | | | 7. Publish and Update Your Website Regularly |
| sensible and practical option for both your clients and | | | | Virtual Assistant Businesses have no choice but to |
| yourself. | | | | have a website and a clear domain name, and it |
| However, like any other type of business, Virtual | | | | needs to be organized clearly. Make sure you easily list |
| Assistant Businesses also require a good deal of | | | | how to be contacted and what services you offer. |
| organization, preparation, start-up details, registration | | | | 8. Be Organized |
| and marketing. | | | | Keep receipts for all of your office expenses and |
| Virtual Assistant Businesses also require better time | | | | make sure that you are able to keep track of your |
| management skills because their time is their own and | | | | invoices and projects without having to scramble for |
| have to be very attentive with operational, legal, | | | | information if a client calls on the phone. |
| financial and marketing concerns. | | | | 9. Organize Your Marketing Materials |
| Starting a Virtual Assistant Business is difficult if you do | | | | If you send out printed materials such as brochures, |
| not do your homework and prepare yourself. The | | | | letters, or other material, make sure it is always on |
| following checklist covers the essential points you need | | | | hand so you can easily access it. |
| to bear in mind to help you stay focused so that you | | | | 10. Always Persevere |
| can set up your own Virtual Assistant Business. | | | | Owning your own business requires you to be able to |
| 1. Develop a Business Plan | | | | think on your own feet and be able to take a few |
| A business plan contains your mission statement and | | | | knocks along the way as you learn what works best |
| goals you hope to achieve. It is your road map | | | | for you and your clients. Don't let the knocks smart to |
| towards success. | | | | long – what doesn't close your virtual doors, |
| 2. Choose the Right Business Structure | | | | makes you stronger. Always learn from your mistakes |
| Sole Proprietorship, Partnership or a Corporation? One | | | | – acknowledge them, work to fix them, and |
| of the first decisions you have to make is to decide on | | | | continue to work to make your business grow. |