Setting up a virtual assistant business does not need to be a frustrating or overwhelming process. Asking yourself the following questions will help you not only set up your virtual assistant business but also give you a solid foundation on which to build your new career.
What Services Will I Offer?
The services you can offer are truly endless. You may want to begin with services that pair well with your current skills, such as:
- Administrative services like email management, customer support, and calendar management.
- Digital or Technological services such as website design and maintenance, e-commerce management, and email marketing management.
- Writing services like blog posts, web content, and email newsletters.
- Any other services that would be helpful to business owners.
How Will I Find Clients?
You can begin by making a list of people or businesses you know that may be in need of your specific services. For example, if your expertise is administration, local real estate agencies may be in need of your services. If you specialize in digital or tech services, some businesses could possibly use a new website or an updated email marketing plan.
You can also make a list of people you know who can refer others to you, as well as possible markets and industries that could benefit from your skills and expertise.
How Will I Run My Business?
The next step in this process is to create a business plan; a roadmap for how you plan to run your business. Do not let this step overwhelm you. Begin with the basics such as:
- Income goal – weekly, monthly, yearly
- Pricing for your services – hourly, packages, or both
- Number of hours you need to work or are able to work each week
- Business name
- Website and blog
As you build and expand your services, your business plan will also naturally evolve. Having a basic roadmap in place will give you a solid place to begin.
Next week we will take a look at the last 2 questions you need to ask yourself when setting up your virtual assistant business: 1) How will I handle the accounting for my business, and 2) What marketing strategy will I use?