Virtual assistant is one of the best home-based businesses right now, and many businesses and individuals alike are warming up to the idea and need for virtual assistants.
Here are some resources I suggest to help you learn more about becoming a virtual assistant
- Starting a Virtual Assistant Business
- How to Start Your Own Virtual Assistant Business
- Tips on Winning a Virtual Assistant Position
- Start your own virtual assistant business
However, the market is relatively new. As virtual assistant, a key part of your marketing strategy will be educating potential clients how your service can help them.
As such, networking and word of mouth are extremely effective strategies in marketing a VA business. I interviewed a VA and she said that one of the best ways for her to get clients is by attending local networking events. She is very active in the organizations that she participates in, and that has helped her raise her profile in the community and for potential clients to know what she is doing. She also networks online in forums and other online communities. You can read her story here http://www.womenhomebusiness.com/startup/kmann2.htm
You can also hook up with other VAs; they may be able to give you some contracts and assignments. Here are some associations and networking groups that you may consider joining
International Virtual Assistants Association http://www.ivaa.org/
International Association of Virtual Office Assistants http://www.iavoa.com/
Alliance for Virtual Businesses http://www.allianceforvirtualbiz.com/
International Association of Administrative Professionals http://www.iaap-hq.org/
Virtual Assistant Networking Forum (VANF) http://www.vanetworking.com/
Virtual Business Group http://www.virtualbizgroup.com/
Virtual-Professionals.com http://www.virtual-professionals.com/
For in-depth information about becoming a VA, I suggest you read any of the following books http://www.powerhomebiz.com/bookstore/va.htm:
– Virtual Assistant, The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA (Author: Diana Ennen)
– The 2-Second Commute: Join the Exploding Ranks of Freelance Virtual Assistants (Author: Christine Durst)
– Up Close & Virtual: A Practical Guide to Starting Your Own Virtual Assistant Business, Second Edition (Author: Diana Ennen, Kelly Poelker)
– The Virtual Assistant’s Guide to Marketing (Author: Michelle Jamison)
I went to tons of links before this, what was I thinking?
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Kaylee
http://www.craigslistpostingonline.info
Hi there, I love your list of Virtual Assistant resources. And I’m very glad you included VAnetworking.com in your list. They offer amazing resources for anyone considering starting a virtual assistant business. In the forum, you’ll find several successful virtual assistants who are willing to answer all kinds of newbie questions and point you in the right direction.
I am contacting you through this contact form as there was no email address available. We would be interested in purchasing advertising on your blog http://www.powerhomebiz.com/blog/2006/08/business-idea-starting-virtual.html
. Please get back to me using the email address I have entered if you would be interested in discussing this further.
I like this article. I am a VA and you added some very good ideas in it for newbies to this field. Thank you
Vicky