I just secured a 3" x 5.5" PO Box at my local post office for my new VA biz. I didn't pick up the keys yet - I'm wondering if I should get a bigger one?

If I have to upgrade to a larger box, I get a new box #. That means I'd have to change EVERYTHING: biz cards, web site, other marketing stuff.

For those of you with PO Boxes, what size do you rec? I'm a Paralegal/general office VA, btw. Not sure if that matters but thought I'd mention it.

You guys are the greatest!

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Joy Wilder
Wilder Office Approach

I have the smallest box. Most of my client documentation comes via email or fax so a larger box hasn't been necessary for me. IF your box gets too full, they will put a card in the box to collect your mail at the front desk; if that happens too often, they will request you get a larger box. I've had mine for over 2 years and it hasn't overflowed yet and I only pick up mail once/week.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

I only have a small one, which has worked out just fine. As Lily mentioned, the PO will leave a card for deliveries which will not fit in the small box. That has never happened in the year or so since I have had the small box. I think the larger boxes are for those who just get a lot of regular mail. I see the larger boxes are mostly empty anyway. Most folks I meet at the PO when I pick up mail use the small ones.

Janine

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WRITE FAB RFP PROPOSALS & land THE VA job. WinningRFP unveils soon! SignUp www.WinningRFP.com

Small one here as well. I actually share mine with my husband's business too.

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Dawn Riley
A Virtual Assistant in Paradise
Our business is about making yours better

Likewise...I have a small one, too. It works just fine and I only check mine once a week or every other week. You'll find it to be just fine to start with...or even going forward!

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Kathya Kalinine
http://www.emeraldvirtual.com

Thanks so much for your replies. I'm going to keep my small box. I just thought about what a nightmare it would be to change my address on everything...in other words? Second guessed myself haha

Thanks Again!

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Joy Wilder
Wilder Office Approach

I was thinking about a PO box 'cuz I live 45 minutes away from Portland, OR, but want to be in the Portland Business Directory, and be able to be found if someone googles "Virtual Assistant Portland Oregon" (no one is going to google a VA for Rainier OR) I realize that I can be global, but am trying to think local right now to get my first customer - does anyone else have the problem of being in a small town far away from bigger cities? How did you work that out?

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~ Norma Guerin
DSA Virtual Assistant Services

Just picked up my keys to my PO BOX!!! So excited. This is really starting to happen.



Yes, I am easily amused.

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Joy Wilder
Wilder Office Approach

Norma,

I'm not sure if I'd want to drive 45 minutes just to see if I have mail - but that's me!

Since I'm a newcomer, I don't have much advice to offer. However, the first thing that comes to mind is Marketing, with a capital M.

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Joy Wilder
Wilder Office Approach

That dang "M" word. I was thinking about having a forwarding service for the PO Box in Portland to my town, not sure what the cost is, just thinking about all of it. I have been devouring the marketing books that I can get my hands on and hoping that something sinks into my brain. The one item I am stuck on right now is the address of my business. I live in Rainier and I think that more of my clients will be coming from Portland. I think that they will not be googling "virtual assistant, Rainier, Oregon" LOL.

As for the 45 minute drive, I do not mind it, I did it for eight years and at least the drive is scenic.

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~ Norma Guerin
DSA Virtual Assistant Services