Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

typing-services-dot-net · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010

I'd value some advice I've set up a website and bought a domain but not a name as I was told I didn't need to buy a name by business link. I'd really value some advice on what I've done so far I went with weebly as it was free and cost £30 for a domain for the year. I'm now wondering if I need to start again if this isn't fit for purpose?

I've planned to make my niche copy typing as that is what I enjoyed when I used to work in a typing pool, also worked as a PA and more recently do casework and have some management responsibilities. I really don't enjoy my job I work part-time and it's driving me mad. I dread going in every week. So I thought I'd give this a go and see if I could make enough to ditch the office job and work for myself eventually.

I feel a bit overwhelmed and wonder if I can make this work. I don't really want to start again from scratch with the website unless I have to as I've had business cards and postcards done and have already tried to get listed in as many places as possible which has taken a lot of time and research. I've never done anything like this before. I also don't want to throw a lot of money at this and see no return. Help!

Also if I offer to take calls and manage a diary how easy is this to do virtually? Do I need to purchase special software? Or are some sites better for this? Do you have calls forwarded to your mobile how does it work? Thanks for reading. I'd appreciate some feedback.

If you want to look at my web site it's www. then the address below my name in lower case.

marketingva · #2 (**permalink**) 10-12-2010

Hi!

Do you own your website and domain name or does Weebly? Do you have access to your own Cpanel? If not, then I HIGHLY recommend you purchase your own domain name and hosting.

Let us know if you have more questions.

Good luck

Steph

typing-services-dot-net · #3 (**permalink**) 10-13-2010

I bought the domain name through weebly but I think I must own it. I can edit the site myself if that is what you mean by Cpanel?

I've just had some creepy guy on skype wanting a ticket into this County he started off saying he wanted typing doing. I'm beginning to think I must be mad doing this.

marketingva · #4 (**permalink**) 10-13-2010

It sounds like you might want to get a VA book...I know Diana Ennen has a great one out that covers everything a VA needs to do for the success of their business.

I would setup a questionairre on your website and have potential clients answer those questions. You can create a free questionairre using Google Docs. This would help screen anyone that wants your services.

I would be careful where you post your website...especially if its a free place, and I highly recommend you stay away from Craigslist.com, that place is not where you're going to find your clients.

I hope this helps

typing-services-dot-net · #5 (**permalink**) 10-14-2010

Thanks Steph for the advice.

I have sent off for a book that was recommended on here. I went on a business link course today which was helpful and there was a fellow student who is a web designer on the course, he gave me some good advice. I'm also going to ask him to have a look at my website.

I'm going to see if I can get off the craiglist asap.

Thanks again.

Sarah

bridiej · #6 (**permalink**) 10-14-2010

Hi Sarah
Are you aware that you've got "its" instead of "it's" on your home page? (it's that simple)

Also one of the headings in your T&C isn't bolded....

Sorry, not meaning to be critical but typos on a typing site may put people off

Personally, I wouldn't be careful about where you post your website, the more places it's on the more chance of showing up in searches and clients finding you. I don't use craigslist, but there are heaps of other free directories you can list yourself on - Hotfrog is a good one as it shows up in Google searches if you use the right keywords and make sure you enter lots of products and services to bump up your listing.

As for wierdos, unfortunately it does happen, all you can do is try and ignore it and move on.

typing-services-dot-net · #7 (**permalink**) 10-15-2010

Thanks Bridie for the advice and I'm glad you spotted the typo's I will put them right. I agree it can put people off I've seen a few websites with bad spelling and I don't think it looks good.

I've found a networking group locally to where I live just got to get my confidence up and feel more sure of what I'm doing before I go and take the plunge. The good thing is they operate at the end of the week when I don't do my permanent job so I can make the meetings

I'm glad I found this forum there is so much good advice and it gives me hope that I can actually do this!

Thanks again x

RhondaHolscher · #8 (**permalink**) 10-15-2010

I answer calls for a couple of clients. In my case the clients have accounts with Ring Central and with Grasshopper. They just set it up so that I have my own extension and when the caller dials that extension it is forwards to the phone of my choice. I rarely use my cell phone for this, but I have used it and it works just the same. The nice thing about these programs is if I am away from the phone for a few minutes it goes to voicemail and I can just return the call once I return to my desk. I cannot however dial out using either of these services and with Ring Central is because of how the client has it set up and I don't think that Grasshopper allows it so I have to dial *67 to block my number when I return the call, but I know there are many programs out there that can be used for this purpose. Skype has a business account you can create and assign extensions and recieve voicemails and make calls out. I'm sure there are many great affordable solutions out there, but these are the only ones that I am familiar with.

typing-services-dot-net · #9 (**permalink**) 10-16-2010

Hi Ronda

Thanks for the reply I was wondering how it worked virtually. I have looked at Ring Central when I was looking into getting a fax number. In the end I went with Soho66 as they were much cheaper but only have an incoming fax line I have to buy credit to send but at least have the option if needed. I didn't want to get in to paying for expensive services and seeing no return if I didn't have any work.

Thanks again for the advice.

RhondaHolscher · #10 (**permalink**) 10-16-2010

You're welcome. If you look at my website under services. I put that I received calls on clients behalf, but it is via their service. That way they are paying for the service itself and you don't have to worry about that. If at sometime in the future you see that your need is growing and you cannot run all these copies of their services on your computer then you can put the monies for your own service so that you service multiple clients and just raise you rates to reflect what it will be costing you so that you don't have to bear the brunt of those fees.