If you want to start a business that has a low barrier to entry, but that can produce significant profit, using skills you may well already have, and equipment you probably already own, then you should definitely consider becoming a virtual assistant.

A virtual assistant (VA) is a person who performs services virtually (online) for another person or business. Often, a VA can be the backbone of a business and the right-hand person to the owner of the business.

Today we’re celebrating the launch of the new Start a Virtual Assistant Business resource kit. It includes a 27-page report on how to start your own business as a virtual assistant, plus a launch prep checklist, a promotion checklist, and a resource list. This week only, it’s on a pay-what-you-want sale (minimum $1) so do check it out. Not sure the VA life is for you? Read on to find out more.

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Industry Background

The VA industry has grown a LOT since it first emerged back in the 1990s. Fast internet speeds and advanced technology makes it easier to communicate online, share files, and work from remote locations. This has made it possible for the VA industry to grow to the point where millions of clients are using virtual assistants today.

Virtual Assistant Niches

There are many different VA niches. Some would argue that a VA mainly performs administrative duties. Others agree that a VA can do any service for their client from graphic design to content writing. It has become common for VAs to specialise in anything from social media management to email marketing. Truly, you can develop a VA business on your own terms, offering the services that suit you, and that your potential clients need.

If you’re adept at using social media and know about visual marketing and Facebook ads, you may be able to use those skills to become a social media manager. If you run your own WordPress site and are comfortable with the technical side of that, you may want to offer services specifically to WordPress bloggers and website owners.

You may want to choose the types of businesses you’d like to work with, so you can specialize in a particular niche, or you could put together a basket of services based on your skills and talents, and offer them to anyone who needs them.

If you are good with educational software such as Teachable or Udemy you might offer your services to organize your client’s lessons so that they look super professional to their students. You may choose to be a customer service VA or specialize in graphics, email marketing or general content marketing, depending on your skills. The sky is truly the limit when it comes to setting up a Virtual Assistant business.

The key to making money as a VA is to specialize. You can narrow down your ideal client to a specific niche (such as business or health coaches) and even choose to target only high figure earners within that niche. Many virtual assistants make six figures, often working less than 40 hours a week.  Are you getting excited about the idea of starting your virtual assistant business yet? That’s great, but let’s slow down a bit and think about the pros and cons of starting a VA business.

Pros and Cons of Starting a VA Business

Like most business ventures there are always some pros and cons. But, unlike most business ventures the cons are very few when it comes to starting a VA business. Mostly because you won’t have a huge investment or a lot to lose if it doesn’t work out. It’s likely you already have the basic tools you need, such as a computer, internet connection, email/Skype/Phone/FaceTime (you can set the guidelines yourself regarding how you prefer to communicate with clients). And there are plenty of free resources for VAs to help you get your virtual assistant business started.

If you already have the necessary tools and skills, and you really set your mind to it and get started on the right foot, it’s likely you will succeed. The truth is, most people who have relevant skills and really want to be a VA can start making money within the first month, especially if they also have some relevant contacts and/or marketing skills.

You Must Be a Self-Starter

If you want to start any type of home business the truth is, you must be able to motivate and organize yourself. If you can’t set a schedule for yourself with deadlines and stick to it, you will find it hard to be a VA. Someone else is counting on you to meet their deadlines, and if you aren’t meeting them they won’t keep you on.

You Need to Pick the Right Niche

Starting a VA business requires some self-reflection and knowledge of yourself. If you are not an early morning person, and you hate talking on the phone, don’t pick a niche that requires that from you. If your skills are written content rather than graphics and visuals, specialize in that area. If you know a lot about a particular niche or industry (perhaps because you’ve worked in it before) that may be a good niche for you.

You May Need to Learn Something New

If you pick a niche that requires you to learn a new software, then you need to take a course or dive in and learn it. Luckily you can find a lot of courses online, often at very affordable prices, and learn anything you want. Certification isn’t necessary, just the skills and knowledge to do something specific for your clients, and the ability to demonstrate that you can do it.

You Will Need to Market and Promote Your VA Business

There is no such thing as ‘build it and they will come”. When you start any business including a virtual assistant business, you need to know the right way to market and promote it so that you can get the word out. That means you’ll need a website, social media accounts, and more. But, it’s not hard when you know how.

The main thing you need to know about starting a virtual assistant business is that you can overcome almost any obstacle because most of them aren’t even real. They’re just your brain putting things in your way to make you afraid. You can pick a niche without that obstacle. You can learn something new and get to work right away. The only thing you really need is the time and dedication to start your virtual assistant business on the right foot using the right tools and information.

You can grab a downloadable list of totally FREE resources for VAs right here. And the Start a Virtual Assistant Business resource kit is on sale right now for less than $10! Check it out here.

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