For any of us that have run businesses; both online or offline, we know the extreme value of a high quality administrative assistant. They can be the difference between not only a smooth running, stress-resistant work environment, and a chaotic mess, but the difference between the success or failure of a business.
It's Administrative Assistant's Day today, and they deserve a big thank you and show of appreciation for everything they've done to make our businesses a success.
Having said that, it's also worth looking at for an online business. With a variety of people not always being able to show up at a physical office, and their personal needs requiring flexibility, the idea of starting a virtual assistant business has been growing strongly for years. Many have taken the plunge and have been wildly successful at it.
While the virtual assistant industry definitely includes the typical services offered by adminstrative assistants in an office atmosphere, they have also went far beyond that to include almost any type of outsourcing a person can do from a distance.
Other virtual businesses include, but are not limited to, graphic design, web design, marketing, IT support, translations and call centers.
If you're good at practical detail, planning and are self-disciplined, this could definitely be the business for you.
Here are some virtual assistant business tips offered by the founder of Elite Office Support - Susan Totman - on starting a virtual assistant business:
1. Decide just what type of services you want to offer, and analyze your background to ensure you have adequate experience.
2. Determine your business niche-consider specializing in just two to three services.
3. Determine how much time and energy you have to commit to your venture. Do you want to work part or full time?
4. Conduct thorough industry research to determine a need for your services in your local area.
5. Outline who your clients are, where they are and how to access them.
6. Do a market analysis. Find out the needs for your niche and focus on how you'll apply that to your business.
7. Know your budgetary constraints-projected expenses, expected income and how long you can "float" until your business is running successfully.
8. Prepare a business plan and review it often to manage growth and change.
9. Examine your equipment, software and work space to ensure they meet client needs.
10. Wrap up all legal and financial aspects of startup before securing your first client.
11. Market your services 24/7. Just because you've built a Web site or placed an ad in the Yellow Pages doesn't mean clients will come knocking on your door.
Virtual Assistant Resources:
Virtual Assistance Training
Places for Bsuinesses and VA's to Get Together
A portal and searchable worldwide directory of virtual office assistants
» It's a Bad Day to Die - Happy Admin Assistant's Day! from ProductivityGoal
It's a bad day to die - for my computer that is... This is a bitter sweet day for me because, hey, it's my day - Admin Assistant's Day! However, lotsa happenings (my sick tools and co-workers) in my VA world... [Read More]
Tracked on: April 23, 2008 6:28 PM | Permalink to Trackback