How do you start a business as a virtual assistant?

Question

I want to target real estate agents and help them with administrative work. I want to be certified as a virtual assistant, but wondered how necessary it would be to obtain that right away. I have an Associates degree and a Bachelor degree. I also have about 7 years experience working as an Administrative Assistant (or similar). I work full time right now, so I wanted to do work primarily online and part time. How do you get it off the ground? Where are some good places to market yourself, cheaply?

Answer 1

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:
* Virtual Assistant, The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA by Diana Ennen, Kelly Poelker
* Start Your Own Business Support Service (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up) by Entrepreneur Press
* The 2-Second Commute: Join the Exploding Ranks of Freelance Virtual Assistants by Christine Durst
* The Virtual Office Survival Handbook: What Telecommuters and Entrepreneurs Need to Succeed in Today's Nontraditional Workplace by Alice Bredin

* 301 Do-It-Yourself Marketing Ideas: From America's Most Innovative Small Companies by Sam Decker
* Off The Wall Marketing Ideas: Jumpstart Your Sales without Busting Your Budget by Nancy Michaels, Debbi J. Karpowicz
* Guerrilla Marketing for Free: Dozens of No-Cost Tactics to Promote Your Business and Energize Your Profits by Jay Conrad Levinson
* Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide: Over 1500 Great Marketing Tricks That Will Drive Your Business Through the Roof by James Stephenson

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

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 http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,316200,00.html
How to Start Your Own Virtual Assistant Business http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol40/virtual.htm
Tips on Winning a Virtual Assistant Position http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol132/virtual.htm
Start your own virtual assistant business http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/tightrope/2001-03-07-tightrope-howtova.htm

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...

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

- 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)

Answer 3

Best way is to cold call nearby real estate firms and try and sell your services...also advertising on websites targeting real estate industry professionals is not a bad idea...like the local board of realtors and so forth......

You might also try and convert your current employer into a client. Present a cost/benefit analysis to him/her e.g. as a client, they do not have to pay your insuarnce and other benefits that would otherwise be an additional expense. an dyet the level of work remains the same if not better...

Answer 4

I work for Coldwell Banker. We have a manager and we have a meeting twice a month. Call a manager and ask to make a presentation at a meeting and bring a flyer to drop in the office mailboxes. They will let you stand up and say a little something about what you are offering. Introduce yourself etc.

Answer 5

First, subject every word you post on the internet to spell- and grammar-checking. It's "research in the field", not "research in the filed". Some people actually read your site, and won't hire a sloppy person. You just got a free "Virtual Assistant Training" lesson.