this said how to's and help me's so I figured this is where I go. I have posted my resume and hit every site I could trying to get started, the problem is, I really don't know how to get started. Can someone give me some suggestions? Do I just start joining companys or do I start my own website? Help?!!

Originally Posted by TREdwards1

this said how to's and help me's so I figured this is where I go. I have posted my resume and hit every site I could trying to get started, the problem is, I really don't know how to get started. Can someone give me some suggestions? Do I just start joining companys or do I start my own website? Help?!!

The first thing you need to do is get a book or DVD on starting a home business, then get a book or DVD on marketing. Or simply take the time to read through these threads. The information you need is here.

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Robin A. Holstein
Robin's Desktop Virtual Administrative Services
My Blog

First you need to make some decisions. Do you want to work from home or do you want to have your own business working from home? If you choose the first option then you should start looking for companies that hire work at home employees and send them your resume. If you choose the latter, then you need to nix the resume and start portraying yourself as a business looking for clients and not an employee looking for a job.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

I really need to start helping out in the home financially, if I want to do both would it be a good idea? I just reciently got laid off and with a new baby in the home and a child with medical issues I thought this might be the best way to start.

What type of services are you looking to provide? Knowing that might help in narrowing down a place to start looking. There are plenty of opportunities for both, work-at-home employment as well as for starting your own business. Although the WAH employment is harder to come by and generally pays less, because you are paid as an employee at whatever rate they are hiring at. You don't get to choose your rate as you would if you were self-employed.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

I think researching both (if you haven't already) is a good start because they are both totally different arenas. Yes, you may work at home doing either, BUT the outline and expectations of it all differs tremendously.

You can try the job boards for employers looking for people who will allow telecommuting. They ARE out there and many really ARE legit. Be prepared because you are "under their radar". Keep that in mind. They will most likely want you to be available certain tmes of the day.

You can also answer employment ads and offer the idea of completing these tasks for them off-site. Sometimes they don't even think about that or believe it can be done. You can help change their way of thinking and tell them the benefis of doing this! I would look at some of the ads (especially for p/t work) to see what they are looking for. You may be able to pick out some areas that can be rather flexible and pitch the idea to them.

Of course, ONLY send a resume if you are looking to be hired by someone. If you are going to do it under your own business, that is something entirely different.

Best of luck!!

Originally Posted by TREdwards1

this said how to's and help me's so I figured this is where I go. I have posted my resume and hit every site I could trying to get started, the problem is, I really don't know how to get started. Can someone give me some suggestions? Do I just start joining companys or do I start my own website? Help?!!

Congrats in taking the jump start to Work from Home. There are many work from home jobs out there that you can do. There are many places you can look for work. I know that pizza delivery companies and Food Delivery Companies such as Swiss Chalet, Pizza Pizza, KFC etc give you opportunities to work from home by taking phone orders and logging into there system. There is also VA sites that hire home workers and joining associations and responding to RFP's. This forum will give you so much information and will be a great asset for you. Depending what route you take you should have a website and if you can't afford to have one then go to freewebs.com and make up a free one. It is a start however having your own domain is much better and more professional looking.

Thanks, these are some great ideas. I was going to make up a website but wasnt quite sure what I should say on it. Like I said, I have worked in an office enviroment but how I would charge for things is my biggest thing. Right now I am still researching that and other questions but I'm not getting very far. Went to the book store today. Found a few books on VA but they didn't tell me how to charge for things.



Also, I need 25 post to answer private messages so if anyone wants answers to questions that they might send me private please send me another email to answer you. Thanks!

I would suggest going through about 10+ VA sites and seeing what they have on there site and write down what you like and don't like. Then take the points you like and turn them into your own words. In regards to rates we are not allowed to talk about them on the forum so take a look at any of our sites on the directory and go through the contact us page to send an email and ask for assistance and advice on starting a business. I am sure anyone and everyone are happy to help you including me

There is so much information on the web to help you. Go a google search on starting up a virtual assistant business etc. However having a mentor or coach really helps. Feel free to contact anyone of us on here.

Originally Posted by TREdwards1

Thanks, these are some great ideas. I was going to make up a website but wasnt quite sure what I should say on it. Like I said, I have worked in an office enviroment but how I would charge for things is my biggest thing. Right now I am still researching that and other questions but I'm not getting very far. Went to the book store today. Found a few books on VA but they didn't tell me how to charge for things. Also, I need 25 post to answer private messages so if anyone wants answers to questions that they might send me private please send me another email to answer you. Thanks!

Thanks for all the help so far it's really helping