Originally Posted by tamikarjohnson

Within those cost you should indeed consider marketing. Are you producing and printing brochures. How much will it cost to register your company with the state/city? Are you anticipating joining any organizations. Those are all things that should also be considered.

Good point. I had not thought about that. Your website is very impressive. If you don't mind me asking, how do you charge clients for graphic design? As a newbie, I am having a difficult time trying to figure out how I should charge clients. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.

Thanks you so much. No I don't mind asking, and I'm still struggling with a consistent way of charging. Some clients scope is a bit different and I feel comfortable charging by the project. Some you can feel out and see that they are going to be a pain with multiple multiple changes and for those indecisive ones, I charge by the hours. In either case, I only allow 3 changes once the final layout, product has been approved by them. The hourly rate can be a bit intimidating to some people so I think with design projects I'm going to end up charging by the project. I am also working to develop a complete graphic design package for start up businesses that would include logo design, a brochure, letterhead, business card, for a set price. I am struggling as to what that price should be...lol.. I would love to add web design to that package, but I need to find a few designers to partner with before I can do that. Let me know if you have any other questions.

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Tamika R. Johnson, MBA, Principal
administrative partners, llc
www.administrativepartners.net | http://adminpartners.blogspot.com

Originally Posted by Sheena

Hi Julia, When using the laser printer for your marketing and brochures, did you find it to be cheaper or more expensive than going to a outside vendor?

It may not be a lot cheaper, but I was able to do small runs of documents which is nice and if I wanted to personalize stuff, I could. For example, when I was in BNI, I did a booklet to hand out to other members which was much easier to do myself than have it printed (I only needed 20) and when I wanted to revise it for a trade show and take out the BNI-specific stuff, I could do another run. I have since discovered Vista print which is nice for doing small runs, but it's nice to know that I can do it myself if necessary.

It also is great for doing letters, I didn't want to lay out hundreds of dollars for letterhead.

It's also a nice thing to have for clients, especially when they are running on a deadline and haven't got time to have a proposal colour copied at a copy shop. That happened last February when a client was on a deadline and she didn't have time to send it out, I was able to print it for her and meet her at Staples to have it cerloxed.

As far as cost goes, I think a colour laser is a lot more economical than an ink jet printer and the output looks so much better.

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Julia

I print brochures, etc. under a qty of 10 on my own printer. Anything over a qty of 10 I have copied at the local Kinkos. This saves wear and tear on my color printer but I can still change/personalize as I go...

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

If you already have the computer, you can begin your business ($1,000) but that does not include a website and advertising efforts. Here are what to consider:

- VoIP $51 / Vonage with toll free number, main number and fax
- Office Equipment Multi Purpose Printer $169 with fax Brother
- Office Supplies $200
- Software investment $400

Know where to shop too. Use Ebay and you will save a tone.

I'm still in the research phase and already spend quite a lot. I have signed up for two VA programmes (one is the VBSS and the VAClassroom) and bought lots of books on the topics. I bought software to design my website, I registered with a Women business association, will soon sign up with the Chamber of Commerce, the incorporation cost me $150 here in New Zealand and then there's the web hosting. I also have to get businesscards done, get brochures for the networking meetings and adverts in the local paper to get some local clients to start off with.

Hi

I too agree it depends on your specialty if you have the basics. I can remember when I started, I had to watch every penny so I really budgeted and bought things when I could. One thing I still do today is to watch for sales on items I need. Like, I used to send out portfolios to clients in a two-pocker folders. At most stores now for Back to School savings you can get them free or for a nickle, so I stock up. You can really save a lot of money by doing this.

I also found some stores would honor other stores coupons. I can remember getting some computer equipment I needed at a huge discount.

Thanks!

Diana Ennen

KiwiVA, I'm sitting here wondering why you invested in the groups you did so soon in your start-up process. In my opinion, that is getting the "cart before the horse". You should concentrate more on building your brand with a website or if not affordable at this time a blog, your business cards and such then pursue the network groups and virtual programs. After all, you don't want to attend a network meeting without having business cards to pass out, a 60 second brag piece to promote your services, and some type of marketing piece to hand out. This also applies if you are connecting virtually, People will want to know what you do, how you do it, and what you charge.

Just my thoughts...

Dhess,

you are right about that. I have parts of the website only as it's a big learning curve to use that new programme. So it takes a little while. I took a MS Publisher type brochure to the first networking meeting, but am now reworking it now.

I went to the networking meeting to see if there's a demand for a PA/VA service in our area (I'm in New Zealand). The thing is that the service is quite uncommon here and I don't want to plunge into something when it's not working out. There are some high paying Executive Assistant jobs in reputable companies going at the moment and I'm a bit anxious that I let those opportunities go for stubbornly trying to make a little business work. I feel a bit guilty towards my husband as we have just moved into a new and more expensive house and I'm sitting at home researching and trying to set up a business while he's busy working to pay the mortgage. I feel selfish for trying that as the EA position pay really good money. The only problem with one of those positions is that I'll be bored senseless again because I need a bit more stimulation.

Keep your head up! I've worked in the virtual industry for a decade now, yes back when websites were only written in html code and our first computer was a 386. It has been an uphill climb and one that my husband has supported. I worked part-time for the first three years and decided to go for it all in 2003. No looking back!

So` is it worth it? YES! It isn't a business for the weak though. You must be committed and READ quality books on not only running a home based business but how to work on a budget.

This is great information, because as an aspiring VA, I was curious about the start up costs also. I am trying to budget how much I would need to get started. As a Working mother right now, spending too much too fast can become an issue, so I am budgeting it all right now.

I had the office software, but had to buy a laptop (had to - at least that is what I told my hubby...) and my biggest expense after that was the memberships and a link to marketing assasins to get SEO advice. All in all I have spent around $1,500 and have no clients to show for it yet!!

I spent some time with SCORE today and got some good marketing advice and I have spent time on getting an intro letter and am working on post cards. Next week is all my face to face time - I am beating the pavement in my county starting on Tuesday since I am thinking that Mondays will be too hectic to most business owners.

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~ Norma Guerin
DSA Virtual Assistant Services

In some ways, I think I'm in fairly good shape as to equipment because I've run a home business in the past and I just could not live without my computer! So, I have a scanner/print/photo printer (although the photo part isn't playing nice with me right now), PC and Macbook. I've got the software that I will need (I think, I hope), including fax, Skype, and other IM programs at the ready. I'm looking into a business phone number, still haven't been sold on one particular company for that yet. So now I'm up to designing my website and logo. Baby steps.

I have all of the basics as far as office equipment. I have to set up my website as well. I am really glad we have this site which gives us access to great resources!

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Alicia ~
Soaking it all in!

The most expensivet thing for me in starting up would have to be the marketing costs. Pretty much everything else I needed I had to start with.

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Trish Donmall
http://conorsadmin.co.za