What did you start your business off with ? - Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 11-24-2010

Not sure if I am going to explain this right : but what did you start off with when you started your VA business

Example: A Printer and a Computer Or Just a Computer or Maybe a Pen and a Piece of paper.

Like when someone says "I started my business with only $10.00?"

#2 (**permalink**) 11-24-2010

I already had a laptop and and printer, so when I started to offer VA services (part-time) years ago that's all I had. My computer already had all of the software I need to manage the types of services I was going to offer.

Even now, I'm pretty bare bones I have:

My laptop
External Backup Drive (1 Terabyte)
Docking Station which hooks up a keyboard and other items like my printer
A laser printer
An additional monitor
and a Netbook for when I travel or head to the coffee shop to write.

#3 (**permalink**) 11-24-2010

Unfortunately I do not have a printer at the moment. I would like to get an all in one printer ..I am hoping someone has some good sales for a printer on Black Friday, though I have to work so I am hoping I can find some thing on-line.

I have a Lap Top and a Desk Top ... I really do not have many programs any longer ( lost them ) In fact I have the basics with a computer. This is the problem I am having.... I do not have much money but I want to find a way to start up my VA business with out needing all that. This is why I am struggling with trying to figure out what I can offer with what I have.

#4 (**permalink**) 11-25-2010

Hi Kirsten,

Here are a few links to hopefully help a bit:

Forms and Contracts (every business needs them - contributed by generous members of VAF).

Free alternative to Microsoft Office Suite, OpenOffice.

Free pdf creator - this can come in very handy.

A list of many things for your business, most of which are free or very low cost: The Poor Entrepreneur’s Toolset: 100 Freebies for Bootstrappers (from this thread here on the forums).

As far as having a printer or not, I don't really print a lot of things from my home office because I save documents on my computer in folders dedicated to each client - we are, after all, "VIRTUAL" in the fullest sense of the word. Mostly all I print are invoices and timesheets for my use - and I probably wouldn't even need to do that.

So don't let not having a printer yet hold you back. It would be a good idea to get one as soon as you can afford it, though.

You like to type. Personally, I think this is a great service to offer. Do a Google search and you will come up with many businesses that offer this service. What do you like to type? What are your areas of expertise? What do you enjoy typing about? Do you have any hobbies that you have expertise in that could help you zero in on clients that may need your services?

How about Term/Thesis papers (never offer to type up from "scratch" so to speak - must have a handwritten or typed draft!), manuals, letters, reports, meeting minutes (the list could go on), from client provided drafts of these? How about handwritten documents that a client would like typed up and presented in a more professional manner?

Think about who might need these services, and depending on your background, you could offer your services to those that are in YOUR areas of experience (including your hobbies!

).

If you are going to offer typing as a service, it is vitally important to be aware of proper spelling (your vs you're, for example), punctuation, and grammar. Being a fast typist is fine, but being aware of spelling, etc. is much, much more important.

Gosh, I could write you a book.

Hopefully this will help you out a wee bit.

#5 (**permalink**) 11-25-2010

Jules, thank you for sharing that bootstrapper link! (And the other advice)

#6 (**permalink**) 11-25-2010

Wow - amazing resource list right there! Thanks!!

#7 (**permalink**) 11-25-2010

Carrie and Lisamarie - all the info in the links can be found right here on VAF, which you'll find out as you become more familiar with the forums (I know how overwhelming it all can be). All I did was gather a wee bit of it and posted it here.

The rest (my babbling, LOL) was information shared from my experiences so far as a VA.

and Happy Thanksgiving! Off to check my turkey...

#8 (**permalink**) 11-25-2010

Originally Posted by kirstylynn

Not sure if I am going to explain this right : but what did you start off with when you started your VA business

Example: A Printer and a Computer Or Just a Computer or Maybe a Pen and a Piece of paper.

Like when someone says "I started my business with only $10.00?"

And to answer this question: I had all I needed as far as office equipment, supplies, and software to get started, because I already had my home office for many years - even when working in corporate America.

A few things I added to my office:
*A Skype account for a business phone number (not free to get the phone number)
*A free (up to 2GB) Dropbox account for transferring and sharing larger files fast and easily (files that would take forever to email)
*Free Mozilla Sunbird for managing my appointments, although I have gone to a large notebook for this now
*Although not free, Timeless Time and Expense for time tracking (with a timer) and generating timesheets for clients (love this software!)

Now I better go check my turkey before it gets overdone (nice way to say "burned" LOL). Would NOT be good - literally!

and Happy Thanksgiving, Kirsten!

#9 (**permalink**) 11-26-2010

You have taken an important 1st step -- you are HERE at VAF where you will get fantastic support and lots of useful information. I have a computer and also have a scanner/printer. As I get more clients I will add to meet those needs (with the money I get from providing the services). I would like to get a laptop.

Re - typing I liked the idea of papers -- you can advertise at colleges etc. Get the most from emailing (not printing) as you are VIRTUAL

If you are going to do any transcription - I would definitely invest in a footpedal to make it easier (but can do that AFTER getting some money).

#10 (**permalink**) 11-26-2010

Forgot to mention -- MOST IMPORTANT -- you were concerned with what you can offer because of what you have in the way of equipment.... -- what you have are your SKILLS - that is what you offer.

It is just like fishing. Let people know what you offer (SKILLS) - that is the bait you are dangling. Nibbles will tell you what you will need. When you get that catch (CLIENT) - give them the best product possible (even if you have to go to library to print if necessary, or borrow printer if necessary - BUT email is the way to go and let them print it)

Whatever you need to do/use to get the best finished product = find a way -

How bad do you want it? That is how hard you will work to do it.... Put money you get back into your business to get necessary equipment

Hope this helps!!

#11 (**permalink**) 11-26-2010

I'm just begining and I'm starting out with a laptop and printer. My thinking is that if I take on a job that requires something I don't have - I'll go get it. That way the work is paying for my business to expand.

#12 (**permalink**) 11-26-2010

Originally Posted by debw241

Forgot to mention -- MOST IMPORTANT -- you were concerned with what you can offer because of what you have in the way of equipment.... -- what you have are your SKILLS - that is what you offer.

It is just like fishing. Let people know what you offer (SKILLS) - that is the bait you are dangling. Nibbles will tell you what you will need. When you get that catch (CLIENT) - give them the best product possible (even if you have to go to library to print if necessary, or borrow printer if necessary - BUT email is the way to go and let them print it)

Whatever you need to do/use to get the best finished product = find a way -

How bad do you want it? That is how hard you will work to do it.... Put money you get back into your business to get necessary equipment

Hope this helps!!

Great post

...........................

#13 (**permalink**) 11-26-2010

Why thank you Bridie! You all have a Blessed Thanksgiving holiday weekend!

#14 (**permalink**) 11-30-2010

A very useful post, thank you. I will integrate this with my business. I hadn't thought of which type of typing services to offer.

#15 (**permalink**) 12-02-2010

That boostrapper link is priceless, really...I have been scouring the interwebs to find this type of stuf and its hard to weed out whats really not free or not really useful. Thanks everyone!