Things You'll Need:
- Motivation
- Ability to handle rejection well
-
Step 1
Becoming a virtual assistant is easy enough. Trying to get your business services across to people who have never heard of a virtual assistant is a little tougher. The first thing you're going to need is a tough outer shell, motivation even when you feel discouraged and the ability to stick it out when people dismiss what you do as wasteful (which they will). When people do not understand a concept they laugh at it, reject it or resist trying it because it's human nature to resist change but keep your momentum going even when it seems no one is listening because ironically that is exactly when they are listening the most. People who use VA's know the value so don't let people who have never had one make you feel insecure about what you do. They just need to be convinced that's all.
-
Step 2
Keep your list of services short and sweet. You can always have your own private list of things you will do if someone asks you but on your website if you have 40 different options listed people may get overwhelmed thinking that they need them all which in turn convinces them that they cannot possibly afford you. Make a column with the services you offer that you are the best at and at the bottom put a small paragraph explaining that if they need a service not listed to please email or call.
-
Step 3
Attend chamber of commerce meetings, networking events and even local fundraisers. Just getting your name out there will create some buzz and most people when they meet you at such places will ask you what you do. Have an elevator speech ready (a quip less than 30 seconds explaining what you do). Have a business card ready and just flip it out to them as you talk. Once you've done that reciprocate and ask them what they do. You never know who you're talking to so always have your speech and business card ready even if you're in the supermarket. You could have just bumped into a small business owner that needs assistance and if you don't have your info ready then your opportunity is lost.
-
Step 4
Don't get caught up in fancy office furniture, business suits, expensive trade shows or expensive electronics. If you don't have a customer then none of those things will matter. Spend your money on ads in a local business paper. Create lots of online networking pages and ads and keep them updated. Offer your first hour free so people can see what you do. Help out at fundraisers or local food banks so people will see that not only do you care about your business but you care about your community as well. That's a huge plus.
-
Step 5
Make a video. Explain what you do, give some pricing info and do something in the video that's memorable. Be funny (not offensive) smile a lot and show why you'd make a great assistant. Always be where people can see you online and in person. Never disappear from peoples minds. Always be doing something and always have your logo and name in the forefront.
-
Step 6
Keep it local. Virtual assistants get most of their business locally so trying to advertise across the country usually won't work. Try to reach those in your area so that your potential client can see you face to face if they need to. Sometimes you may need to pickup work you've been offered such as mailers so it's important to be available online but also in person to be considered reliable and trustworthy. With all the online scams out there let people see you're legitimate by offering to meet them in person at their office or in a local conference center.
-
Step 7
Last but not least, charge your clients fairly meaning profitable for both of you. There's no sense in you making just enough to break even while breaking your back doing VA work. Charge enough to make a small profit but also not too much to be deemed a rip off. Do some research on other VA's and see what they charge. The higher your expertise the higher you can charge but always remain fair. Don't be the cheapest but don't be the most expensive either. You will work harder than you ever did in a normal 9-5 office so make sure you're being compensated for it. If you charge too little or too much your business will fail. Determine your break even point (use an Ehow article to do this) and you'll see how much you have to charge just to pay the bills. This will help determine your profitable price.
