Hi everyone!

I am a stay-at-home mom looking to make some $$$ while my babies are sleeping. Looking for part-time since they won't sleep long enough for me to do it full-time! (I need sleep too)

Just starting and looking for info - which seems abundant here!

Just curious... aren't there any virtual assistant job-post websites? I'm not sure that I want to get into doing this as my own business or not. I think I might need to get my feet wet first.

Anyway, wish me luck!

Michelle

Hi Michelle,
We do post RFPs submitted by potential clients here (if you scroll down the main page a bit you'll see the section - it's available to members after 25 posts) but I will say that clients (and VAs who subcontract to other VAs) are generally looking to work with service providers who are at least somewhat established - it just lends itself to professionalism and credibility. Being a VA isn't really a part time job at all - it's one business partnering with another business for success. If you're looking for data entry type work you can always check the freelance sites, but you're bidding against global competition there; providers who bid as low as three dollars per hour.

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Okay, thanks. That is the kind of information that I am looking for.

I am feeling like quite the LEPER since no one welcomed me to the forum. I guess some things are just looked down upon???

I'm just nervous about jumping in... that's why I joined the forum, to get the facts. I want all of my ducks in a row before I jump and begin marketing for clients. Everyone has had to start this somehow - that's why I am here.

Michelle

On another note, I am not looking for data entry. I have worked successfully in the business world doing HR, bookkeeping, payroll, technical support, real estate, etc...

I recently became a stay-at-home mom and am looking for something to utilize my background knowledge and to make some money at the same time.

I appreciate the candid advice - I need to know what I am getting into.

Regards,
Michelle

Hi Michelle,

I understand about not being really sure if you want to do this as your own business. It does take a lot of research and time especially in the beginning and since you have little ones at home they do need your attention now. Here at the forum though there is plenty of information and when your ready we will be here offering our advice, tips etc. Let me say too that you can also post if you want to contribute your tips, thoughts, etc being as you are knowledgeable on so many things like HR, Real estate so on and so forth. Anyways, welcome to the forum! Good luck.

Leilani

Hi Michelle to the forum. I haven't been on the boards in a while so I haven't wished many welcome this last couple of weeks.

Anyway don't be nervous, just trawl around and if you need to ask questions then please don't be afraid to ask.

Sharen x

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Sharen Crane
http://www.virtualassistantservices.co.uk/

My husband owns his own business so I help him with all of the HR / Payroll and business related things as well. So I know how running your own business can be a full-time job and that it can be much more work than one realizes - especially in the beginning as you get everything started up. I guess that's what brings on my hesitation. I do think there is a niche out there for this. especially with the layoffs happening.

Sorry you didn't feel welcomed! ALL folks are gladly accepted on this forum and it is a great way to get a feel for what is involved in being a VA! If you are looking for part-time work and fairly immediate income, I would suggest checking some of the Work-at-home-mom forums and maybe searching Craigs List for some work-from-home opportunities that mesh with your background.

If you DO decide to go VA, be aware that because it is a business, you would need to put in long hours to get it up and running and that finding clients generally takes a while (6 mo+). I have been in business for 16 months and only have 4 clients which total 7 hours/month of billable work.

Whichever you decide, good luck and welcome!

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

Hi Michelle

I feel your pain! I am a new VA in Perth Western Australia - still trying to get my Member intro done!!
I absolutely love VA forums as I, like you, have gone from 'yes, great idea' to 'gosh - can I do this'. Well the other day I decided that if I wanted to continue with the lifestyle choice that I had made for myself (I work three mornings a week with horses) then I had to do something constructive.

I sat down and decided that the worse that could happen if I approached someone was that they would say that they didn't need my services - their loss! My solution: I have contacted a number of people that I have known through my admin career in the last two years and asked them if I could have half an hour of their time and was honest about why - I told them I had started my own business and whilst I was still in the planning stages I needed help to refine my client presentation - I have two meetings next week and my enthusiasm has skyrocketed.

My aim is to go and listen to what they have to say and take on board the ideas that gel with me until I have a presentation of my skills and services that I am happy and comfortable with in order to broach lesser known individuals.

Stay with it, from what I have seen the VA world is very friendly and extremely helpful with people only too keen to offer support as opposed to industries that keep their secrets close to their chests.

Good luck

Debie

Originally Posted by mkunkel70

Okay, thanks. That is the kind of information that I am looking for. I am feeling like quite the LEPER since no one welcomed me to the forum. I guess some things are just looked down upon??? I'm just nervous about jumping in... that's why I joined the forum, to get the facts. I want all of my ducks in a row before I jump and begin marketing for clients. Everyone has had to start this somehow - that's why I am here. Michelle

Hi Michelle,

Please don't feel that way!! It's hard when you just start out and sometimes the information can be overwhelming! I would recommend asking yourself some questions as to what you really want to do. Meaning, are you looking just to make some part-time money or do you want to be a business owner.

If you are looking to make extra money, there are companies out there that you can either bid for jobs or sign up at where they match your skills. For bidding on jobs, Elance, Guru and Sologig are ones that I know of. As Tess mentioned, you are competing in a global marketplace and bids can go quote low, as cost of living and global economies differ than what we have here. There are other sites that you can sign up at that match your skills.

If you truly want to be a business owner, there is lots of planning involved and I would recommend reading the getting started topics as there is wealth of information here. Let us know what your thoughts are and we can get you pointed in the right direction!

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Doreen R. Patrick, MVA, ACS, CIVA
www.virtualbusinesspartners.net