Hello all. My name is Brenda and I am new to this forum. Does anyone have any useful tips & tricks of the trade they don't mind sharing with me? That sure would be nice. I have been trying to obtain a VA position (job) for quite a few years now but with no luck. Not even with business cards. Well...any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and do any of you know of any really good VA employment sites? Let me know if you do. And thanks.

Hello Brenda,

Welcome!
You say you've been trying for years, that's persistent! What type of skills do you have and do you have a website?

Let us know what you are interested in doing as a VA and what you've tried, and we'll try to help you figure out a strategy to get your business off the ground.

Regards,
Deirdre

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Deirdre's Virtual Office

Hi Brenda and welcome to the forums,

You have come to the right place to find information and gain support for your VA aspirations!

Are you looking to become an independent VA business owner, or do you want to work within someone else's Practice? This site is full of VA Business owners and through all of the hard work of launching our own businesses, the rewards of doing so far outweighs the work in starting up.

I suggest you read through the threads and get all of the valuable information about launching your own VA business.

Brenda,

Besides business cards how do you market yourself? and what is your niche (specialty?)

I am just starting out too (as of last week.) I have put together a website, registered my name, and ordered business cards. I have also decided to specialize in small business administration and marketing and am working on a folder to mail out about what I do and why you should hire a VA. I plan on mailing the folder to small businesses (including insurance companies since I currently work in that field) and following up with a phone call. For those peope who are interested but not sure if they want to get started I will follow up with something else (probably a book like "Goals" or "The Four Hour Work Week")
It's going to cost a little money on the front end but I hope to get some great clients this way.

Hi Brenda, welcome`
I'm wondering if the place you're getting stuck isn't the very idea that what you're looking for is a 'job' when what you really want to find are clients. As a business owner your whole mentality and approach to work life and income will shift from that of an employee.
It may seem like mincing words but the distinction is very important and could very well make all the difference in the results you get from the time you're spending looking for a 'job' or a 'VA employment site' (to my knowledge no such thing exists!)

There are certainly forums, like this one, where potential client's will post RFPs and as a qualified VA you could respond to those in anticipation of a contract.

Perhaps focusing on your marketing efforts and revamping your approach there would begin to bring potential clients to your door.

I don't know if you have a website, or what you've already tried - but we have a great marketing section as well as an entire couple of sections devoted to websites, so be sure to take the time to check out the conversations on the boards.

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I can help you turn up the volume on your VA business...
Let's talk!

Hello Brenda,

It's nice meeting you and having you as a member of this VA community - welcome aboard!

We are more than happy to help you with your VA business - all you need to do is ask and we will be right here to help you along.

I am curious - since you said you haven't been getting any luck in attracting some clients - could you please share with us what you've done so far in marketing? Sharing with us what you have done so far would help us figure out some ideas that could help you.

We are a supportive community where we provide of encouragement, support, and helpful ideas to our fellow members to help them when they are stuck in certain area of their business. So please feel free to share what's troubling you and we will be there to help.

Best of luck

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Brenda A. Jones
www.brevos.com

Hi Brenda,

You have found a great forum for VAs! I am new too, and I found that starting with the "Getting Started" thread has been a good place to start. Throughout the entire forum you will find great advice and tips. Good luck!

Hello Brenda - Welcome to the VAF.. I hope you enjoy your networking stay here..

Welcome!

You'll find a lot of information here to get you started as the VA you'd like to be! I myself have not even started my business yet, but I have found so much from taking my time and just reading through all the forums. Very helpful

Good Luck!!
Amy