The virtual assistant world is enticing, ever-evolving and exceptionally fun!  It can be a lot of hard work, but the benefits will have you flying high. Because, being a virtual assistant gives you the opportunity to be your own boss, ditch that dreaded commute, celebrate casual “everyday” – not just Friday, and gives you the big F word that everybody wants… FREEDOM!

Now, we said it already – it’s not easy and can be overwhelming, but that’s what we’re here for.  We are your “mother hens” and we are here to help you hatch your dream virtual assistant business.

Here are some quick tips to get you started.

Virtual Assistant Business Startup

(all the legal/money stuff)

This is the “nitty-gritty” business side of your biz, you know, all the money and legal stuff. But it’s not scary, we promise.

⇒ Pick your business name, have fun with it, but also think about SEO!  And, be sure to check available website domains and trademarks too!

⇒ Set-up a new business bank account to keep your business and personal expenses separate. If you aren’t sure what type of account you’ll need, then make sure to check with your accountant.

⇒ Talk to an accountant, trust us, they’ll be your new biz bestie.

They can help you:
→ Determine if you should register as a sole-proprietor, LLC, partnership, social enterprise, etc.
→ Get a business license (if needed)
→ Plan for filing taxes

Building the Foundation of Your Virtual Assistant Business

(what to charge, what clients to work with & more)

Now that the legal/money stuff is sorted out, it’s time to think about how you’ll structure your business, the services you’ll offer, and who you want to work with. Make sure to take the time to really consider these things because having clients you love to work with makes a BIG difference!!

⇒ Who is your ideal customer?  Take a moment to think about your education, background, and all of the things that you are interested in. But don’t worry there are lots of niches – if you’re stuck, just chirp at us and we’ll help.

⇒ Make a list of all of the services you’ll offer. These may be things like email marketing, social media management, website design, or customer service.

Know Your Worth

⇒ What are you worth and what will you charge for your services?  Rates for virtual assistant’s vary based on experience, services offered, and even location plays a factor.  So think about asking some virtual assistant’s with similar experience to you what they charge. Facebook Groups are a great place to crowd source this data, and we’ll be sharing more on this in our Facebook Group as well.  

⇒ Once you determine your rates, how will you structure them?  Will you charge hourly, will you offer packages and discounts?  Think through all of this but be flexible too.

⇒ If you charge hourly, how will you track your time? There are some great free tools out there like Toggl and Timecamp, or you can even use your phone!

⇒ Get it in writing. It’s important to make sure to have a contract in place BEFORE you start working with any client. So, we always recommend using a site like RocketLawyer or work with a local lawyer to craft a rock-solid legal agreement.

⇒ Manage your tasks.  Being organized is a big key to your success so we always recommend using a project management system. There are tons of free ones and we share our faves in the Facebook Group.

Marketing Your Virtual Assistant Business

(how to get the word out)

You’re well on your way, chicky.  You’ve already handled the basics, so let’s have a little fun.  Now it’s time to think about how you want your virtual assistant business to be viewed in the world.  

So, let’s get crackin’!

⇒ Select your branding colors and font types. We likes to use Pinterest for inspiration.

⇒ Design a logo. You can mock-up one easily (and FREE!) using Canva or use a site like Fiverr and work with a designer.

⇒ Create new social media business accounts. Before creating accounts, consider what platforms your clients might use. We recommend having a Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest at a minimum.

Build Your Website

⇒ Simple is best.  If you’re a designer then you’ll want to use the site to showcase your expertise.  Otherwise, just keep it simple and don’t overthink it.

⇒ Claim your website domain and purchase website hosting. But, make sure to get owner privacy or telemarketers will be blowing up your phone!

⇒ Install WordPress. They have many free theme options.

⇒ Be sure to include a home, about, and services page (or put this all on one page) and then LAUNCH!

⇒ Craft Your 30-Second Intro. If you’re not sure what this is, then send us a chirp and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Finding Clients for Your Virtual Assistant Business

(landing your first or next client)

Woot! Woot! (or should we say “cluck, cluck” lol)

You’re really cracking on your virtual assistant business and you are ready to FLY! So that can only mean you’re ready to do one thing – MARKETING!

I know you’re excited to get started on client work, but all the things you can’t wait to do for your clients, you need to do them for your biz too. We know it can be overwhelming, so here’s where we recommend focusing first.

Local Marketing

⇒ Local marketing is the fastest way to your first client.  If you’ve never been a virtual assistant before, using your local network will find you a client faster than any free online marketing will. 

Here’s just a few ideas to get you started locally:

⇒ Reach out to your local business contacts and share how you’re services can help them save time and money – make sure to be specific!

⇒ Check out local businesses on social media and/or websites and share how you can help them improve. But be creative when reaching out so you stand out from everyone else.

⇒ Network at local events held by places like the Chamber of Commerce, SBA, and your local library!

⇒ Create a social media plan for your virtual assistant business, then watch it grow.  

Take Action

Start with this:

⇒ Determine where your ideal clients spend the most time. Do they hang out in certain Facebook Groups? Do they love Pinterest? Are they an insta-gal?

⇒ Focus on just 1 or 2 social media platforms to get started.

⇒ Post regularly on these platforms. Share information like: your expertise, blogs you write, content from others that are relevant to your services, success stories, tips and tricks, etc.

⇒ Network online.  Join Facebook Groups for products and services related to your niche.  For example, if you offer email marketing services, join Facebook User Groups for Infusionsoft, Kartra, MailChimp, etc.  Once you join, add to the conversation, answer questions that showcase your expertise and you’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll get noticed!  

We’re here to help

Great job, chicky!  If you’ve followed all the steps above, you’re well on your way to having a virtual assistant business that SOARS!  

But, don’t just wing it.  Because you can rely on us here at the v.a. chicks to always have your back.  We share our 20 years combined virtual assistant business experience with you here on this blog and in our Facebook Community too.

,So, shake a tail feather and join us for more tips, hacks, and lots of support to help you build your nest egg.