Welcome Virtual Assistants - working or wanna-be's!!

[Debbi]

Hello Freelance Moms!

I am proud and excited to be a member of this group.

Briefly, I have been working from my home office since 1999, when I accidentally landed my first client. I say accidentally because I didn't make any outward attempt at reeling in this fish except for saying 'YES' when he suggested I go to work for him.

While I had wanted to operate my own business, I was moving at a turtle's pace. I did accept, got a signed contract, and the rest, as they say, is history.

My client base has steadily grown over the last 3 years, and I am now a profitable, self-supporting business. In fact, my husband recently graduated from a 2.5 year stint in Graduate School (with his MA in Physician Assistant Studies) during which time, I supported us and our 3 children.

While it hasn't always been easy, being able to stay at home with my children has made it worth all the stress (and extra wrinkles).

Allow me to brag a moment...my girls are 5 & 3 and can be seen here:
http://www.smarterva.com/images/girls.jpg

My son is 9, and his handsome picture is here:
http://www.smarterva.com/images/boy.jpg

Because I know the stress and frustration involved in this career, I want to let all of our Moms know that I am available to them at any time. For advice, a rant, or just to chat. I believe it is important to have a support system in place, because working at home can be quite isolating at times.

I am looking forward to meeting each and every one of you!

Welcome to Freelance Mom!

:D Debbi

[Lori]

Debbi --

Thanks for the pics of the kids - they are so CUTE! And the offer to listen to me rant? That's just swell! :lol:

Lori

[Holly]

I feel I could do "busy" work, data input, checking links and such....but, how do I get started? I am not bothered by the tedious and have lots of free time. Do I have to join an elance type site or are there other options?

I really think a move into a virtual office setting would be a good fit for me now.

Thanks ahead for the suggestions I hope will follow. :shock:

Holly

[Lori]

I feel I could do "busy" work, data input, checking links and such....but, how do I get started? I am not bothered by the tedious and have lots of free time. Do I have to join an elance type site or are there other options?

Great question!

I don't know what others will advise, but I personally wouldn't suggest getting an elance membership right away, unless you have some extra money. If you DO get an elance membership, here are a few pointers.

Don't get select. At least not to start. Get a feel for the enviornment, the types of jobs coming in and the bid amounts you will be competing with.

Really put some effort into your portfolio... and include quoted excerpts from your personal reccomendations from people. Show off!

Elance is terrific, in that they get a ton of jobs being posted there. But the competition for work is stiff - so you have to be prepared. Until you have completed a job for someone, you have no rating, and you are up against plenty of people with 5 stars next to their name.

That is not to discourage anyone though... Elance has been a catalyst to MANY freelancers careers, including my own.

Other ideas for finding work:

Do a search on Virtual Assistants on the web, write to them and submit your resume. Ask them if they would consider you for any overflow work.

Put up a website listing your skills and fees - Promote it!

Check out less pricey gig sites - there are a few listed here: http://www.freelancemom.com/gigs.htm

Advertise locally. Advertise, and use your current connections. Think about places you have worked and tasks they need done there that you know you could do from home. Approach them with confidence and professionalism.

Any other ideas out there?

Lori

[Debbi]

Hi Holly,

When the internet exploded and there were 1000s of people marketing and selling information, along came the need for virtual assistance. Couple that with the fact that many businesses are moving towards telecommuting, and you have a whole new career just waiting!

But unfortunately, it isn't that easy. :D

There are tons of sites out there that post jobs for freelancers. Elance is one of the biggest, and also one of the most expensive. It is typically around $30/month for just a basic membership, meaning you can bid only on the basic projects. These are often lesser costs projects, as well.

As strange as it sounds, the internet is a small community, relatively speaking, and it helps to know people who are already in the business. I believe FreelanceMom is planning on having a job posting area soon, which will help out those just starting out.

I'm in the process of composing an ebook dedicated to 'how to get started as a Virtual Assistant' and I will post when it is available.

If you haven't worked yet as a VA and want to check out Elance, I would suggest going month to month, rather than making a big committment. There are other sites you can check out, as well:

www.smarterwork.com
www.freelanceworkexchange.com

Also, you can do searches at places like www.jobs.com for telecommuniting.

A word of caution: STAY AWAY FROM ANY JOB THAT REQUESTS MONEY FROM YOU UP FRONT. These are almost always scams, and will not produce for you.

Best of luck, and I will let you know when my book becomes available!

Debbi

[Lori]

Recently I was asked on another forum exactly what a VA does. I thought the response would be helpful to include here:

In short -- EVERYTHING.

The role is known as 'Virtual Assistant' and is becoming very popular. Particularly with web-based companies but more and more employers are also seeing the benefits of embracing telecommuting - or part-time telecommuting.

Generally though, a Virtual Assistant is self-employed.

Some of the services they provide are:

data entry
website updating
bookkeeping
customer support - by phone, email and live chat
scheduling
research
writing copy for websites

Other skills are also in high demand. If you are a graphic artist, have some programming experience, project management etc... All of this can be done from home. It's done all the time.



If you want to work from home, and aren't selling your own product, this is a terrific route to take. I reccomend it over affiliate programs or direct selling, mlm ventures etc... Although all of these can achieve excellent results for you... Virtually Assisting clients is rewarding and doesn't involve sales or downlines which some people just aren't cut out for.

It's slow to start... that first client is sometimes very hard to get... but almost every VA I know ends up needing to find an assistant, and in some cases a team of assistants, to handle their overflow work.

Good luck

Lori

[Anonymous]

2MeetFreelancers.com - Post your projects for FREE
http://www.2meetfreelancers.com/
Find a php expert freelance programmer and designers at the prices you want to pay. Post your projects and programmers will place bids, you choose the price you want. Get programming done for your site in perl/cgi, php, java, asp, plus web design and so much more. buy, bid, sell

[Nellers]

Do you want to own a business or work at an "employee"? If you want a business then you should make a website and business plan and start marketing it. If you want to pick up a few clients without doing all of that then you could try looking at places like www.craigslist.org or freelance websites like www.guru.com :D

[Anonymous]

Hello Ladies.

I'm not sure how I got to freelance.com, but I'm sure glad I did. This seems like an awesome place to be.

I've been a legal assistant for the last 18 years. For years I've been trying to come up with a home-based business idea that I would enjoy doing - for some reason though, I was continually pushing aside the idea of any work that included a lot of typing.

About four months ago, while surfing the net, I was introduced to the VA industry. After doing much reading/research on this industry, I've decided to put my experience to use and start a VA business dedicated to the legal industry.

My goal is to begin my VA business on a part-time basis (I still work a full-time job), and eventually obtain enough clients to go full-time.

My problem though is getting in touch with the lawyers. I've recently sent out a slew of market research e-mails without receiving a single response. It dawned on me that perhaps the lawyers aren't opening my e-mails - - thinking they're junk mail.

Short of cold calls, I'm unsure how to reach my potential clients. I'm thinking of having some business cards/flyers printed and distributing them to the lawyers in the downtown area via snail mail.

What do you ladies think? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

That should have been "freelancemom.com" instead of "freelance.com".

Sorry about that.

[Lori]

Hi Tricia!

It's great to have you join us :D

It sounds like you have a terrific niche. I would definitely get a good marketing folder made and mail it - or better, go in person.

Even if you can only meet with a receptionist, you've made a human connection.

Please let us know how you proceed and how it goes Tricia. I'll be hoping for WAY more work then you can handle to come your way :D

Lori

Hello Ladies.

I'm not sure how I got to freelance.com, but I'm sure glad I did. This seems like an awesome place to be.

I've been a legal assistant for the last 18 years. For years I've been trying to come up with a home-based business idea that I would enjoy doing - for some reason though, I was continually pushing aside the idea of any work that included a lot of typing.

About four months ago, while surfing the net, I was introduced to the VA industry. After doing much reading/research on this industry, I've decided to put my experience to use and start a VA business dedicated to the legal industry.

My goal is to begin my VA business on a part-time basis (I still work a full-time job), and eventually obtain enough clients to go full-time.

My problem though is getting in touch with the lawyers. I've recently sent out a slew of market research e-mails without receiving a single response. It dawned on me that perhaps the lawyers aren't opening my e-mails - - thinking they're junk mail.

Short of cold calls, I'm unsure how to reach my potential clients. I'm thinking of having some business cards/flyers printed and distributing them to the lawyers in the downtown area via snail mail.

What do you ladies think? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Tricia]

Lori, thank you so much for the vote of confidence. I know that I will enjoy freelancemom.com- - seems like a nice group of ladies here providing support, assistance and information.

I must admit, however, that it was not too difficult selecting my niche - - legal is all I know, so why not make use of it?

Anyhow, I will definitely keep the ladies here posted as to my SUCCESS.

Thanks again Lori.

[sugatavon]

Hi!

Wow, I found this website by accident and boy am I glad I did!

I am looking into becoming a VA. How do I get started? Do I need a business license or any other legalities?

Thanks,
Sue