Blog – Page 3 – Virtual Assistant Success Strategies

Wil Hart on June 7, 2013

4 Steps To Create Your Future

The success or failure of your business is not left up to chance. It is not a huge mystery as to whether you will accomplish your goals or not. This leads to an important question that you need to personally address: ‘What type of person are you?’

At the time you are reading this article, you are one of two types. You are either a dreamer or a doer. A dreamer is a person who says, “I would like to have my own VA business.” The doer, on the other hand says, “I am going to succeed as a Virtual Assistant!” The doer sees the future of their business and then makes it come to reality. She follows 4 important steps and so can you.

Action Step 1: See Your Future Clearly

Define your version of success. When you think about having a successful Virtual Assistance business, what does that look like? This is where you have the freedom to be creative and to get excited about your business. Does success mean having a specific income, a certain number of clients, freedom to choose how you use your time? Does success mean creating a business so that you can care for an aging parent or an ill family member? It is vital that you have a clear picture in mind. Your future has to be so vivid that you can spell out each detail.

Action Step 2: Spell Out The Details Of Your Future

Here are a few examples of details that may be important to your business future:

My business will support X number of clients.
My business will generate X amount of income.
My business will allow me to work X number hours per week.
My business will … (finish your own list of details)

What details are important to YOU personally? How will you build your business?

Action Step 3: Plan How You Will Create Your Future

The treasure that you seek is good for motivation. It starts your engine and builds excitement. You can see the future of your business and it is compelling enough to pull you forward. Now, a plan is needed. The road map to your success has to be created so that you can know exactly what actions you need to take and when.

At this point, you will manifest whether you are a dreamer or a doer! Actions speak louder than words. If you need help with planning how you will create your future that is fine. Be okay with that. There are many resources available to you, both free and paid. How badly do you want to create your own future? The steps you take will tell what type of person you are. Take a look at just a few examples of how you can create your road map:

Decide what skills your clients will pay you to use.
Set up and legalize your business.
Put systems in place so that you can accept payments and support your clients well.
Enroll your next client by telling people about how your business solves problems.
Determine what technology you need.
Choose a target market and learn how to highlight your solutions to their problems.
Learn how to talk about what you do in a way that compels others to want to know more.
Build a system around prospecting and closing new business.

(This list is not exhaustive. You need to view your current situation and build from there.)

Action Step 4: Work Your Plan

You have defined the future of your business. You have mapped the steps. Now, you have to go to work! At this juncture, fear normally creeps in. Fear is paralyzing and might scare you into inactivity. But remember, you have to decide what type of person you are. A dreamer will complete the first three action steps we have discussed. The doer, however, will work her plan despite her fears!

The future of your business and your life are sure to come. Will you determine the future or let it come upon you haphazardly and misdirected? The choice truly is yours. Would you be happier and more fulfilled if you decide what that future will be and then make it a reality? If you need help with mapping out the steps to creating your Virtual Assistance business, contact us at Support@EAtoVA.com. We are delighted to answer any questions that come to your mind.

Wil Hart on May 25, 2013

Your Next Client Might Be In Your Back Yard

finding clients You say that you want more clients. Is that really true? Examine your marketing efforts over the past six weeks. What have you done to actually enroll new clients? Perhaps you sent a few emails out. Maybe you made a few new connections on LinkedIn. What have you really done? I want to challenge you to take a different look at getting new clients.

Peruse your contact files of the people you have known for quite some time. Is there anyone in your personal network that does not fully understand what you do in your business? Notice that I didn’t say ‘Is there anyone who does not know you are in business’. That is important. If people know that you have a business but do not clearly understand what you do and whom you serve, they will not be able to help you build your business.

Again, look in your personal network and examine the people that you know well. Would your family and friends be able to explain to a prospective customer who your target market is and how you help solve their problems? Make that part of your marketing strategy. Educate your warm market, or people who know you well about your Virtual Assistance company. Educate them in a way so that they will be able to help you find your next client. You will be surprised at the number of referrals that come your way after you take this very important action. Here is a challenge for you to enroll your next client.

If you repeat the following steps as a part of your marketing plan, you will reap several amazing benefits.

7 Step Marketing Strategy

Step 1: Choose 5 people from your network. (Do more if you are really ambitious.)
Step 2: Invite them individually to learn about your VA business. Set up a coffee, lunch or phone date.
Step 3: Teach about the following things:

Your target market and the problems they face.
How you solve the problems of your target market and the benefits your clients receive from working with you.
How you improve the lives of your clients with the work you do.
How people in your network can make introductions for you.

Step 4: Ask your contact if they have any questions. Clarify any misunderstandings.
Step 5: Ask your contact if they could explain what you do to someone else. (If not, help them to do so.)
Step 6: Ask your contact if they know anyone who is facing the same struggles from Step 3.
Step 7: Make arrangements for your contact to make an introduction for you.

Do you think that you can follow this easy formula for acquiring new clients? If you want to grow your business, you would do well to tap into the network of people that you already know. A warm lead may be easily found in your warm market. One of your personal contacts may need your services or they may be able to quickly introduce you to someone who does. Make sure that the people who are close to you are able to articulate what you do in business. It is an intelligent way of building a free sales force of people who know you and want you to succeed!

Wil Hart on May 10, 2013

Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Register

If you have not yet heard, we are hosting a free training that will show you exactly how you can use your administrative background to start your own Virtual Assistance business. This special training is a direct response to the many inquiries that we receive on a daily basis: ‘How do I get started? What is a VA? How do I get clients? How do I approach people? How do I get the courage to be my own boss?’ You will get the answers to these and many other questions. If you are not registered, click the link below.

Here are the top three reasons why you should register and join us for this training.

Reason #1 – Learn How To Become Your Own Boss

Picture yourself at your desk in your corporate job. You are the Executive Assistant to a C-Level manager and you have been for years. Your employer probably travels the world to handle business deals and you are helping him (or her) every step of the way. It is your objective to manage travel, produce and finalize presentations, connect with clients in different parts of the world, while at the same time holding the fort down in the home office. You are truly an asset in make multi-million dollar deals a success.

But, you don’t receive a fraction of the credit that you deserve. The skills that you have developed over the years can be your ticket to becoming your own boss. There are millions of small business owners who need the exact same assistance that your C-Level employer requires of you. The only difference is that you would now become the CEO of your own company. There is no one to tell you what time to punch the time clock. There is no one who will tell you how much you are getting paid. No more! You have just recognized that you have the ability to create the life you want with the talent and expertise that you already possess.

Reason #2 – Learn How To Establish Your Fees

We will teach you how to set up a fee structure that will enable you to support your lifestyle from the comfort of your own home. If a large corporation has paid you for your skills you can certainly make the same money when you become an entrepreneur. How can you do this? You need to make solid plans when you decide to become a Virtual Assistant. Fee structure is important because you will have to replace the income that you once had when you were employed.

Determine how much money you need to make. This should include estimates for taxes, insurances and other expenses that you have in your household. We have a simple formula that will help you to do this quickly and without getting a headache.

Reason #3 – Learn How To Market Yourself

As a Virtual Assistant, you are in the business of solving problems for your customers and turning a profit for your company. Implementing a good marketing strategy is imperative for you to stay in business. Are you apprehensive about showcasing your skills to the world? It’s ok! Many people are and with a little training and practice, you can become adept at marketing your much-needed services.

Let me give you a preview of some simple tactics that you can implement as soon as possible. Remember that your prospects have problems. You, as a virtual assistant provide solutions. Your clients receive big benefits from partnering with you. Always remember to look at your business from the perspective of Problem – Solution – Benefits. Shifting your paradigm to this way of thinking will remove stress and motivate you to help people get the relief they seek. You are an oasis in the desert for your clients.

There is so much more to share! We look forward to working with you during the free training session that is quickly approaching. Register. Mark your calendar. Have fun and learn!

Wil Hart on May 8, 2013

It’s ALL about YOU (… or is it?)

You can become a very successful Virtual Assistant if you focus on the right things at the right time. For example, if you are interested in becoming a virtual assistant but have not yet started your business, that is the perfect time to focus on YOU. Here are some things that you want to consider.

You Focus

Do you have: Continue Reading>>

Wil Hart on April 26, 2013

Hire Yourself, Fire Your Boss

I have no doubt that you are an amazing administrative professional. The skills that you currently possess may be enough for you to get starting in your new career as a Virtual Assistant. Although you will need to acquire new skills (as normal), the base knowledge and skillset that you possess could put you on the road to becoming an entrepreneur. What do I mean by that?

You Have The Needed Skills

The work that you are doing right now as an Executive or Administrative Assistant is currently paying your bills, correct? Great! It doesn’t matter if your in a law firm, an investment company or in the healthcare industry, your skillset is a wonderful asset to you. Think of the many activities that you engage on a daily basis. You are probably experienced in some or all of the following: Continue Reading>>

Wil Hart on April 23, 2013

Is Virtual Assistance A Real Business?

Many people are fed up and are looking for another way to support themselves financially. Does this sound familiar to you? It is possible that you have reached your limit of dealing with office politics, feeling unappreciated by your superiors, or just tired of the monotonous grind that you have experienced ever day for a number of years.

One of the points previously mentioned may have driven you to this blog. You may have heard a little bit about the Virtual Assistance industry. Perhaps the grapevine of communication has heightened your curiosity about how you can use your administrative skills to build a business of your own. Is it possible to replace or even exceed the income that you currently have? What really is a Virtual Assistant and is it a real business?

Continue Reading>>

Wil Hart on April 18, 2013

How To Start A Virtual Assistance Business

Wil Hart on April 12, 2013

How Can You Eat An Elephant

Running a business has been compared to eating an elephant! That is a weighty thought when you consider that an elephant may not be able to fit into your home, let alone on your dinner plate. Similarly, thinking about starting a business (or keeping up with the one you have) may seem daunting.

Is the goal of running a successful Virtual Assistance business elephantine in your mind? Believe me, it’s totally okay if that is how you feel at this time. Many people want to become a Virtual Assistant because they have been laid off from their job. Many others feel that they have hit the glass ceiling of compensation and thus feel under-appreciated and under paid. Some want to be home when their children arrive home from school. Still, others are caring for ill relatives and need to earn a living on their own time. These various situations motivate individuals to look for another vehicle that will enable them to create their lifestyle. What is your reason? Continue Reading>>

Wil Hart on April 10, 2013

The VA Success Cafe: Episode 14

In your Virtual Assistance business you will need basic tools to re-create the environment you once had when you were employed. What are some of the tools that you need? A good place to start is to take stock of technology that you already own before begin making purchases.

Wil Hart on April 3, 2013

The VA Success Cafe: Episode 13

In this audio you will learn the importance of increasing your knowledge of technology. Doing so will increase your efficiency, reduce your effort and save you money. At the same time, you will learn why it is necessary to consider the taking in the right type of knowledge so that you will improve work and personal life.

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