It’s getting that time of year when many start looking at what they will do in the New Year. One of those things often means planning a change in jobs, or even branching out to run your own business.
If you have good computer skills, with a background in admin or office support based work, then you could well become a Virtual Assistant.
How do you get started? Well, you can simply set up at home and start to promote that’s what you are doing, but chances are you’re going to feel you’re not sure how to find clients, how to promote, what to charge, are you doing the right thing, what are others doing, etc, etc.
Enter the Virtual Assistant Networks and forums that are available to give you a helping hand. It is important to note that becoming a Virtual Assistant does mean you are no longer an employee – but rather self-employed. This means you are billing the clients direct (if someone else is doing this for you and you only get a percentage of the invoice, then reality is you are not self-employed), responsible for all your own taxation and insurances and you have direct contact with your clients. It might sound scary but it is pretty straightforward, once you do get started.
It’s also important you make sure you have the right support resources too – a good Accountant, a bookkeeper if you’re not going to do your own, IT support for your computer and other equipment, however you don’t have to have all that in place straight away. Much better if you join a forum and start chatting with the other VAs to see what they do and who they go to, and so on.
So, are you ready to join our industry and make a start for the new year? Great! Then I encourage you to join “A Clayton’s Secretary” to get started. And if you feel you need training to get you on track, then I encourage you to look at VATrainer.com – there is a Christmas special on right now!
By the way! “A Clayton’s Secretary” VA Directory has been operating since 1996 – the second oldest VA Network in the world. The founder, Kathie Thomas, has been in business since March 1994.
Quality Virtual Assistant says
Just wanted to drop a comment and say I am new to your blog and really like what I am reading. Thanks for the great content. Look forward to coming back for more.
onlinevirtualassistant says
Hi. I am a virtual assistant myself. I used to be just a plain housewife attending to my kids and husband. But now that the kids are older and can tend to themselves, I found myself bored. I met a mother who got into the virtual assistance world and I got interested. I am now self-employed, earning while at home.