Sample questions
Not sure if this book will have the answers you're seeking?
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 be very interested to hear them. My contact details are at the bottom of this page.
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 a 32 page e-book called "How to Become a Virtual Assistant" and you can buy it now!
How much is it? Just $17.77USD! Not a big investment for starting your own business but it is a big start to head in the right direction!
Because I've been doing this since before the industry became an Internet-based one, I sought the advice of people like you to write this book. To give all the answers to the questions asked.
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, |
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. Valued at $9.97USD. This book gives a list of ways to promote your business without it costing the earth!
For your copy of the ebook "How To Become A Virtual Assistant", click here where you will be directed to Clickbank to make your payment. Please note that your credit card statement will have Clickbank listed against the payment.
After that you will be directed to my thank you page where you can download the PDF files for both books.
Sincerely,
Principal, "A Clayton's Secretary"®