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Many new Virtual Assistants provide their new clients with a “welcome kit” which introduces the client to their business. It is not difficult to put together a welcome kit and will be well worth the time, effort and minimal costs to start building your credibility from day one.

What is a Virtual Assistant Welcome kit and should I have one?

Virtual Assistants can send a welcome kit for to their new clients as a way of introducing them to their business and highlighting important information.  If you have not created one yet, don’t worry because it is never too late.

A virtual assistant welcome kit is a convenient way to present information and important business forms to your client in a professional way. Your kit can be packaged in an inexpensive folder or created in an electronic format to be emailed. How you send your welcome kit is not important, yet this simple step can be an easy way to establish credibility and build your reputation as a serious business owner and not simply a home typist. You can choose whichever method you prefer or use both methods depending on the needs of a particular client. 

What’s included in a Virtual Assistant Welcome Kit?

Everyone’s virtual assistant business is unique and their kit will be unique as well in regards to factors as the services the Virtual Assistant provides, where their clients live and what their target market is. Although everyone is different, a typical virtual assistant welcome kit includes similar items.

Here are some common elements of the typical Welcome Kit:

• An Introduction letter printed on your letterhead
  Business cards - include some extra cards for referrals
• Your brochure if you have created one
• Important Business Forms: work contract, confidentiality agreement
• United States Virtual Assistants can include a W-9 Form with your company information filled out for the client’s convenience if needed later for tax purposes.
• Any promotional material you may have: articles that have been written about your business or that you have written, press releases, testimonials etc.</ul>

 Optional Items you may want to include:

What should I write in my welcome letter?

Start by expressing your appreciation for their business and then write a brief introduction of your business and services. You can use this letter as an opportunity to outline your basic policies and work procedures. Even though you will have your policies stated in your contract, you can also highlight any important information you want your client to be aware of in your introduction letter.  Perhaps include your working hours, best times and methods for contacting you and your turn around times.

If you are mailing your welcome kit, you may include extra brochures and business cards for your client to hand out to any potential clients they may know.

Keep in mind how powerful referrals are for building your business.  People prefer doing business with those they know and a referral from a satisfied client will be your best advertisement. Always have a policy for an incentive for your clients to refer others to your business and make sure your clients are aware of this incentive.

The little time, effort and expense you will incur by putting together a professional virtual assistant welcome kit will more than pay for itself. You will make a great first impression with your new client and be off to a great start.

Learn more about a Welcome Kits and becoming a Virtual Assistant visit www.VirtualAssistantsGuide.com.

Jan Harris is a veteran administrative professional with over 20 years of experience and currently works at home as a Virtual Assistant. To learn more about starting your own virtual assistant business visit http://www.VirtualAssistantsGuide.com

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Have you always dreamed of work from home typing jobs that would allow you to make a good living from your own home?  There are many options available.  This type of job doesn’t necessarily mean you have to type for employers online!

There are many different methods you can use to make money on the internet that involve typing.  Of course, you can find employers that need virtual assistants and other administrative workers, but those are difficult to get.  There are usually long waiting lists for these types of jobs.  So, what are your options?

You can become a freelance writer.  Writers are in high demand on the internet.  Small business owners and webmasters need people to writer articles, web content, blogs and other information for them.  The best thing about this type of work is that you don’t have to have a degree or experience, just good spelling and grammar skills.  The pay is fantastic!

Other work from home typing jobs you might want to consider are data entry, affiliate marketing and blogging.  You may not consider these the traditional kinds of typing jobs, but if you know anything about these options you know that all require a considerable amount of typing.  Articles, web content and blog posts must be written for these types of businesses to succeed.

The truth is, just about anything you do online requires a large amount of typing.  Your best option if all you really want to do is type is to become a freelance or ghost writer.  It isn’t hard to do, and you can be in business within a day or two.

If you want to work for an employer online, good luck.  It may take you months or even years to get access to one of these positions.  I would suggest you consider some of the other work from home typing jobs mentioned here.  You really can make a great living from home!

To YOUR Success,

Tess Tackett
Simply Make Money from Home - Become a Freelance Writer
More articles with information about work from home typing jobs

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A home-based-business is something that many individuals hope to pursue. While there are a variety of home-based-businesses that you can launch; one of the most in-demand professions is a Virtual Assistant business. The Virtual Assistant industry is a profession that is growing more in popularity every year. Although the Virtual Assistant industry is highly recognized today; some individuals are still unaware of this profession. In fact, there a variety of questions that is often asked about the Virtual Assistant industry. The answers to many of these questions will be reviewed here in order to provide a better understanding of the Virtual Assistant field.

1. What is a Virtual Assistant?

A Virtual Assistant, or “VA”, is a highly skilled independent entrepreneur who utilizes state of the art technology and provides administrative support and other specialized services to businesses, via the Internet, email, fax, and phone, in order to support the growing needs of organizations worldwide.

A Virtual Assistant is a lot like a traditional assistant. The main distinction, however, is that a Virtual Assistant provides their services from their home office. While businesses hire a traditional assistant to work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week; a VA is hired to work on an “as needed” basis. For example, businesses will hire a VA for overflow projects, taking on monthly tasks, or simply to become an extension of their office.

2. What services do Virtual Assistant’s provide?

A Virtual Assistant can provide a wide variety of services, including:

Word processing
Data Entry
Database Management
Desktop Publishing
Email Management
Bookkeeping
Marketing
Web Design & Maintenance
Transcription (General, Medical, and/or Legal)
Event Planning
Internet Research
And much more

Services provided by a Virtual Assistant, however, are dependent on one’s experience and skills. For example, if you have experience and do well in word processing and data entry then you should offer these services. Do NOT offer services in which you have no experience.

If you are interested in other services but are not skilled in those areas, it does not mean that you cannot add them to your list at a later date. You can always get the training needed in order to provide more services to your clients. The main thing to remember, however, is that you want to excel in the areas of services that you offer. When you excel in even one area of service and provide excellent results, your client will be willing to offer you more work at a later date, and even refer other clients to you. So remember when you first start out, be true to yourself and start with what you know.

3. How much would I make as a Virtual Assistant?

Rates charged by Virtual Assistant’s range from $25 - $100/hour based on experience and skills. Some services require a lot more work and, therefore, the rate is higher. For example, a VA who offers word processing would not charge as much per hour as a VA who offers web design and maintenance. It basically comes down to the complexity of the service.

In addition to the standard hourly rate, VA’s also offer monthly retainer plans. A monthly retainer plan is a set number of hours per month offered at a discounted rate. Clients may purchase monthly retainer plans in advance or you may choose to invoice them on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

4. Do you have to be in the same area as your clients?

VA’s are not required to work in the same area as their clients. In fact, most VA’s clients are in different cities, states, and sometimes countries. Some clients, however, like to work with local VA’s so that they can meet with them. Clients who are just learning about the VA industry, for example, may feel a little more secure when they can meet with the VA face-to-face. So even though VA’s provide their services virtually, don’t forget about local marketing. You never know where your clients may be.

5. Do I need experience?

Many individuals who start Virtual Assistant businesses today often have previous work experience in the services that they offer. In fact, many organizations feel that you should have at least 5 years experience in the corporate world (non-virtual world). If this is not the case for you, don’t give up hope. There are many places you can get the training needed to start your own VA business. There are a variety of online training courses specifically for VA’s. Also, if you need to improve your computer skills you can always take classes at your local community college to get the experience needed in order to learn the variety of programs required for VA’s as well as how to build a website. Many community colleges even offer online courses for those who are unable to attend campus classes.

6. Why would businesses hire a VA?

Businesses today are looking for someone who can provide the assistance they need to help keep their business running smoothly. While businesses can hire an employee; a Virtual Assistant can provide the same services while saving the company time and money. For example, because VA’s are independent contractor’s companies are not required to pay benefits or overhead expenses such as: payroll tax, medical and dental insurance, retirement plans, office space, equipment, office supplies, and much more. In addition, companies who hire VA’s are only required to pay for the time spent on a project, therefore, saving even more money.

VA’s also help companies save time, allowing them to focus on other important aspects of their business, such as, increasing their revenue and building on their client base. Any business who can save time and money will grow a more profitable and successful organization. It is up to each VA, however, to show their potential clients how their services will help the clients business succeed.

7. Do I need to invest any money?

The best thing about owning your own business is that any money you spend you are spending on your business. So, the answer to this question depends on whether you are already set up to run a VA business or whether you need to purchase equipment, programs, office furniture, office supplies, and anything else you may need to get started. Just remember that the money you spend is an investment in your business, yourself, and your future.

If after reviewing the questions above you feel that you may want to pursue a Virtual Assistant business, take a look at the following tips before beginning.

• Research: The number one thing you want to do before starting any business is to do your research. Research the term Virtual Assistant (Assistance) online to find out all of the information you can possibly get. There are a number of websites that can help you answer any question that you may have. One website I highly recommend is VAnetworking. In addition, there are a variety of Virtual Assistant books that you can purchase. Two books I highly recommend are “Virtual Assistant – The Series” by Diana Ennen and Kelly Poelker as well as the book “The Virtual Assistant’s Guide to Marketing” by Michelle Jamison.
• Services: Know what services you want to offer before you begin. Remember, it is best to start with what you know, even if you are just offering 1 or 2 services.
• Rates: Make sure you set a rate that is appropriate for the services that you are offering. If you are just starting out, have no previous work experience, but have had the training needed to start a VA business, then you may want to charge a lower rate than someone who is more experienced and has worked in the corporate world. Do not charge a rate so low, however, that clients wonder if you are experienced enough to do the work that they require. One way to determine your rate would be to visit other VA’s websites to see what services they offer, what rates they charge, as well as what experiences they have. Based on this information you should be able to compare your services and experiences with that of other VA’s and come up with a base price.
• Office: Set up an office in your home where you will have some privacy. You will also want to make sure that your workstation is ergonomically correct. You want to be comfortable because this is where you will be working every day.
• Computer: You should have a fast, reliable computer as well as fast internet connection.
• Software: You will need to purchase any software that you do not have in order to provide services to your clients. Some of the software that is often used by Virtual Assistant’s is Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Publisher), QuickBooks, Peachtree, Dreamweaver, Adobe (Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat), etc. It basically comes down to what services you offer to determine what software you will need.
• Website: As a Virtual Assistant it is best that you have a website. After all, you are not just an assistant; you are a “Virtual” Assistant.
• Domain Name: You will want to purchase a domain name. This is your business and you want to be taken seriously.

One final thought: Starting a home-based-business is a big step for anyone. It is something that takes a lot of discipline, dedication, patience, and persistence. If you want to start your own business and you feel that the Virtual Assistant industry is right for you, then you should take the next step and start your research. Though owning your own business, even a home-based-business, can be challenging, there is nothing like the feeling of being your own boss. It is a great opportunity, but one that should not be taken lightly.

Michelle Colvin is the President of the online virtual assistance company, MLC Business Solutions, as well as the owner of the virtual assistant site, Virtual Assistants Info Center. Michelle has over 6 years experience in the administrative field and provides professional and affordable virtual office assistance to businesses that are in need of administrative support. For more information visit
http://www.MLCBusinessSolutions.com. To find out more information on the Virtual Assistant industry as well as how to get a Virtual Assistant business started visit
http://www.VirtualAssistantsInfoCenter.com.

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