hire virtual help, support, assistant Virtual assistant is still relatively new, and there are businesses and individuals alike are warming up to the idea and need for virtual assistants. The key is to educate them on what and how a virtual assistant can help them with the business. I'm currently working with a VA right now to update certain sections of our website.
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
If you wish to learn more about the business, 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/0,46...
How to Start Your Own Virtual Assistant Business http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol40/virtua...
Tips on Winning a Virtual Assistant Position http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol132/virtu...
Start your own virtual assistant business http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusin...
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) No. Never. Next question please. No, they hire real assistants!!! No. They rarely hire real assistants.
Time for a new career path, Buckwheat. How to get Started: Learn more about the industry by contacting the International Virtual Assistants Association (ivaa.org) and the Alliance for Virtual Business (allianceforvirtualbiz.com). Then check out guru.com and elance.com for freelance job listings. You can also join local business groups to network-- and don't be shy about contacting former employers! A lot of small businesses do not even know what a virtual assistant does LOL! It is kind of a new field but I believe it is one that will be experiencing major growth as the need grows.
Right now the people who hire virtual assistants are sales professionals, coaches, executives, CEO's and other service professionals.
I'm a personal growth coach, and though I don't need one yet, someday I will need your skills to keep things running smoothly! So hang in there and keep looking. Hope this helps :) Yes! Small businesses do hire Virtual Assistants. The profession wouldn't exist if they didn't, and it's been going strong for almost 10 years now.
Virtual Assistants don't replace in-house staff, but they definitely are the cost-effective, strategic outsourcing solution for business owners who don't have the time, space or budget for in-house staff.
A great number of industries utilize Virtual Assistants, and that number is increasing every day with the work of organizations such as mine, the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce. Our mission is to not only help Virtual Assistants learn how to create profitable, self-sustaining businesses and provide them with free resources, but also to advance awareness of the profession in the mainstream business community.
Membership is free and we offer an extensive amount of free resources and tools. We have compiled a history of the profession to help VAs understand the concept and where it came from, and we offer a definition of Virtual Assistance that VAs are free to use on their site.
I happen to think we've got one of the best places on the Internet for VAs to get started on the right track, but of course, I'm partial. However, you can determine that yourself by going to our site at http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.co...
Danielle
Founder
Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce
www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com |
