Much of the information in
Boot Camp for Virtual Assistants is the same as or similar to what you would find in other VA start-up books, but if you haven’t already read any beginner VA books, read on to see if this is the one that will help you get started. One of the differences with this title is that because it's an eBook, you can click provided links to immediately access more information on topics of interest. The author also includes several files that you can download, such as sample service agreements (along with a discussion on why such agreements are so important) and a list of services you could consider offering in your business.
The author discusses the importance of having your own work area free of distractions and provides an office checklist to help you determine the essentials of getting started. She goes on to provide useful suggestions of online resources for thrifty VAs who are seeking affordable office furniture. Another section of this eBook gets into defining your VA business and mentions pursuing continuing education to increase your skill set and, therefore, your service offerings. As a lifelong learner, I was pleasantly surprised to find a link to a site that offers a multitude of online business development classes for a mere $25 each – in my opinion, this was one of the most valuable resources in the book.
If you haven't completed a business plan yet because the thought is too intimidating (don't feel bad – it's not an uncommon feeling), the author provides you with a few basic questions to help you put together a very simple business plan. Other sections of this book include information on keeping accurate accounting records and marketing your business, including subsections on choosing a good business name, creating an effective website, utilizing search engine optimization, writing and submitting press releases, etc. There are a few interesting marketing techniques that I hadn’t thought of previously but am considering implementing in my own VA business.
I was dismayed to find several grammatical errors and typos, including one sentence that left a word out entirely, leaving the material difficult to follow at times. Also, I felt that the book contained an overabundance of advertising for the owner’s business; it's fine to include a section in the Appendix that lets readers know about the various services offered by her company that could be of use to readers, but I just felt that the blatant advertising that appeared throughout the book was a bit over the top. Finally, I felt that the price of the book was a bit steep considering the amount of information provided.
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