VA Secrets Revealed: An insider’s guide to being a successful virtual assistant by Alyssa Gregory is full of firsthand tips to help guide VAs on their journey to running a flourishing business. Gregory covers the biggest mistakes VAs make. A few examples are drastically cutting your rates in an attempt to jump-start your business and questioning yourself and your abilities. All of the mistakes she mentions can, over time, break a new business. Gregory not only explains why those situations are so detrimental to the health of your business but also tells you how to get past those obstacles.

Gregory also offers a reality check that all new business owners need before plunging head first into the unknown. She talks about discovering your passion, honing in on your marketable skills, and deciding whether or not to get certified, to name a few topics of conversation.

Another chapter covers the all-important task of finding and keeping clients. The author walks you through a series of questions to help reveal your ideal client and gives some suggestions on where to find clients and how to start (and maintain) a good business relationship with them.

In a section called “Skinny Marketing,” Gregory gives an overview of marketing tips to help you get started. This chapter lists a number of free marketing techniques and touches on how to create a functional website.

VA Secrets Revealed also provides the author’s own top 20 secrets for starting and running a successful business. In addition, the appendix includes a dozen pages of helpful resources and checklists to help any new VA get off on the right foot.

In a nutshell, this book is a short but sweet guide that covers the basics of business ownership in an easy-to-read manner. This title is perfect "weekend reading" for busy VAs who want quick answers to their getting-started questions.

This paperback book was published in 2008, contains 76 pages, and can be purchased on Amazon.com for $14.95.

Click here to buy the book!

Do you have any thoughts, queries, or feedback on VA Secrets Revealed? Share your comments or questions by replying directly to this thread!

__________________
Tammi Metzler ~ The Write Associate
Free call: "How to Write Email Subject Lines That Grab Attention!"

Thanks for another great review Tammi
I liked Alyssa's book for the same reasons you mentioned here - quick, light fare to help new or aspiring VAs quickly hone in on core points for successful startup. I think there are a lot of books out there that add 'filler' in order to seem longer or more robust but when you actually distill the information down it's just the same key points.

__________________

As a new VA this book would be just awesome to have.

__________________
Joanne Matheson
JEM Office Solutions

Thanks for the resource Tammi! I have already ordered the book from Amazon.

Really helpful. I will make sure to read it.
thanks for this.!

Thanks for this book review. This is one I most certainly need and intend to buy. This forum is full of good advice. Thanks.
VirtualRachel

After reading the review here on the forum, I ordered this book from Amazon on Monday. I received notification that it had shipped yesterday and I can't wait to read it.

Again, thanks to everyone on the forum for freely sharing such great information.

__________________
Marsha Willis
Alternate Office Solution

I will be purchasing this book! Thanks so much for the review. I am glad to know that it is an easy read without all the fluff I work full-time so I need something that gets straight to the point.

__________________
Cathryn Branch, MPA 'We will either find a way, or make one.' Hannibal

Thanks for the review. I have it wishlisted on Amazon but it helps to find an honest review!

__________________
Marya Mesa

Hi

Thanks for the review. I have found a few books on Amazon that I have found incredibly insightful, so I look forward to my order being sent to me, so I to can read all the secrets needed to get my VA Business off the ground