Do you have good computer skills and want to work at home?
Great, you've come to the right place!
 Hi! Thanks for dropping by.
So you'd like to work at home? When I first wanted to work at home I didn't know how I was going to go about it. I knew what I wanted to do - work at home - but what kind of services was I going to provide, and for whom? What rates should I be charging and how long would it take to complete a job? Will I really make a living working at home?
There were a million and one questions I had and no-one to ask!
Why? Because I started doing this before the Internet was a part of the business world and before homebased businesses became popular. But the internet has been around for a while now, and with it several new industries have developed. One of those being Virtual Assistants, like a personal assistant, but you work on your computer at home instead of on a computer in someone else's office. Does this sound like what you would like to do?
I completed in 2004 the finishing touches on a new 32 page e-book "How to Become a Virtual Assistant" and you can buy it now!
How much is it? Just $17.77USD or $19.95AUD! Not a big investment for starting your own business but it is a big start to head in the right direction! For your copy of the ebook "How To Become A Virtual Assistant", click below.
To pay by Clickbank, click here (Processed in USD)
To pay by credit card secure server, click here. (Processed in AUD)
My name is Kathie Thomas and I've been operating as a successful Virtual Assistant for 12 years. And yes, it has been full-time during that time and you can do it too! So I want to share with you my knowledge and experience but things today are very different to how they were when I first started, and the things that I take for granted are things you will want to know.
That is why I sought the advice of people like you in writing this book. After interviewing 69 people, the questions were sorted into sections and combined if similar in content. The end result are the 46 questions below.
If you have questions that aren't asked here I would love to hear from you. Questions like these:
Not sure if this book will have the answers you're seeking?
Section One – How do I start?
1. How do I become a VA?
2. Where do I start? How do I tell what is a scam and what isn't?
3. I am interested in getting started as a VA and need to know about who is looking for this service and the best way to 'get my foot in the door'.
4. I am a retired executive secretary and looking for a virtual secretary vacancy.
5. I am living in Israel, would it be possible to be a virtual assistant from here?
6. There is plenty on the Internet about prospective clients requiring a "virtual assistant" but very little obvious information as to how you go about actually becoming a virtual assistant I hope that your new book helps people like me out.
Section 2: A job or self-employment?
7. Are these jobs real and available in my area without having to pay an arm and a leg to start?
8. Does applying for a telecommuting job always require paying a fee? Can't this be free or can I pay later when I already got paid for a job?
9. Do I have to go into debt to become a virtual assistant?
10. Are there any people or companies who find work for telecommuters?
11. Are there any resources that do not ask for a fee to find employers looking for a virtual assistant type position?
12. Who needs an assistant that isn't in the office 40hrs a week?
13. Do I have to start up my own business as a virtual assistant?
14. Can I sub-contract work - i.e. are there companies that act as "middle-woman" for VA's and if so, how do I find them?
15. Do I have to join any of the associations or networks that are out there or can I go it alone?
Section 3: Skills and Services
16. Is certification necessary to become a VA or can you start a successful business as a VA with using your years of experience as the main focal point?
17. What services should I offer?
18. What specialisations are there as virtual assistants?
19. My field of interest is in research and organizing information, is there a specialization field for a virtual assistant?
20. Do you believe that it's better to promote only 1 or 2 of your skills? Wouldn't that limit your growth and ability to attract new clients?
21. What kind of experience do I have to have?
22. What kind of experience do I need to have and what are the working hours required?
23. What qualifications do I need?
Section 4: What to charge and where are the clients?
24. How much should I charge?
25. How much do VAs make on average and how long did it take them to get to that point?
26. I am not sure what kind of rates and valuable work I could offer. What is the market trend out there?
27. How can I be sure I will get paid?
28. Where would my clients come from?
29. Would my clients need to be local to where I live?
30. How do I get the work and where will I find the clients?
31. How do you manage your time at home with work and home responsibilities?
32. What kind of hours can I expect to work?
Section 5: Tools, Promotion and Other Things
33. What tools are used to communicate with clients and how is the work transferred?
34. How do you send the work that you have done to the clients? Do you send everything via the computer or do you send it by courier. Also, how do they get their information to you?
35. How do I promote my business as a virtual assistant?
36. How do you promote your business with no or little funds?
37. How do you present yourself to potential clients to receive the most successful business partnerships?
38. How will I put together a presentation package for marketing purposes?
39. I am skilful in the following computer programs: Photoshop QuarkXpress and of course all Microsoft Office Products Question: Is there a need for people knowledgeable in Photoshop and QuarkXpress?
40. My biggest question (apart from obviously sourcing clients) is the type
41. My biggest question would have to be, of course, the money making potential. But, another question I have is, will I need an additional phone line? I already have two (regular and fax).
42. Other than knowing MS Office Pro, is there any specific hardware, software that is necessary? I already have a fax, scanner and two computers in case one goes south.
43. How do you go about creating a web site for your virtual assistant business and what would the cost be?
44. Should I set up my own web page, or should I go through a designer. I also don’t know how I would register my website, and how much information should be put onto it.
45. There are so many different services a VA can offer, and so many VAs! How can I find my niche and make my offering stand out from the rest?
46. No matter what I do, I can't get clients. I have tried everything! My question is: Is it worth continuing (been doing this for 9 months), or just call it a day?
These questions and their answers have been compiled into the e-book called "How to Become a Virtual Assistant" and you can buy it now! |
Thank you to those who submitted questions towards making this the best How To Become A Virtual Assistant book possible.
Hi Kathie.
Just read your book. Wow! You've answered all the big questions lurking in my mind and given me some GREAT ideas.
Congratulations on a job very well done!
With Respect & Best Wishes,
Dena Rak
Canada |
I did get the opportunity to read it and it does have a lot of very valuable information in there for VAs. I particularly like how you addressed the scams. And the marketing section is excellent too.
I wish you the very best of luck with it!
Diana Ennen
Virtual Word Publishing, Inc |
| I went for your book as I wanted to give this book to my wife to help her decide a career in VA / VBO. You won't believe how motivated we both are today and would like to keep this going...I was visioning the potential after I had gone through your material yesterday and believe me we are going to make this happen. So much ideas coming, UNBELIEVABLE!!
Thanks for motivating us.
Santosh Vasudevan |
For your copy of the ebook "How To Become A Virtual Assistant", choose your preferred mode of payment below. Please note that your credit card statement will have either Clickbank or Paypal listed against the payment.
Click below to purchase
If you prefer, you may post a cheque in AUD, to A Clayton's Secretary, PO Box 2918, Cheltenham, Vic, Aust, 3192
Still not convinced? What about if I throw in an extra ebook called "10 Sure Fire Steps to Make More Money From Your VA Business"? A short but simple book with practical ideas. Currently selling for $5.00USD. This book gives a list of ways to promote your business without it costing the earth!
After that you will be directed to a page where you can download the PDF files to receive your copies of the books.
If you haven't clicked on the link by now to purchase, what is stopping you?
Perhaps you're worried this is a scam? I recently received an email from someone who answered my question on what was stopping her. Open another browser window right now and do 3 searches on Google that should convince you.
1. Search on 'Virtual Assistants' - you'll find thousands of references - this is a real industry.
2. Search on my name 'Kathie M Thomas'. You'll find hundreds of references relating to my connection to this industry as a senior VA. I'm a real person and my contact details are easily found.
3. Search on my business name 'A Clayton's Secretary'. Again, you'll find hundreds of references as my business has been around for almost 13 years and online since April 1996.
I know that lots of people visit this page but not everyone buys the book. So what is stopping you now you've done those searches? Please let me know by emailing me here and I will send you the 10 Sure Fire Steps anyway as a thank you gift for your time.
Sincerely,
Kathie M. Thomas, MVA, ASO, AFAIOP
Principal, "A Clayton's Secretary"®
Member, International Coaching Federation
* MVA = Master Virtual Assistant
* ASO = Accredited Secretary Online
* AFAIOP = Associate Fellow Australian Institute of Office Professionals
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