Hi Everyone!

I have a couple of questions for all of you.

1. How much was your start-up cost?
2. How long before you started with your 1st client?

I want to be realistic with my goals and expenditure. All your inputs will be appreciated.

Many Thanks,

Pixie

How long is a piece of string?

Kind of depends on a number of things for both questions. Re start up costs, if you already have the computer, printer you need and the software you want to use for providing services, then additional things would be stationery, a website, web hosting (don't use any of those free websites that have banners, etc on them), and so on. If you don't have a computer, phone, desk, printer, etc then obviously the costs are going to be much higher.

How long it took to get started with my first client? I had him lined up before I even opened my doors for business - I put out feelers before I got started and kept networking and talking to people. I still do today, over 14 years later.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Kathie!

I already have the computer, printer, phone, internet connection.As for software, I have MS Office, Adobe, Outlook. I'm still assessing what services I'd offer and then I'll add the additional software that's needed. As for webhosting, I'm planning on going with Yahoo Small Business.

Where did you send your feelers? Locally or virtually or both? I want to do just the same but I don't know where to start.

Pixie

Originally Posted by PixieinNy

Thanks Kathie! I already have the computer, printer, phone, internet connection.As for software, I have MS Office, Adobe, Outlook. I'm still assessing what services I'd offer and then I'll add the additional software that's needed. As for webhosting, I'm planning on going with Yahoo Small Business. Where did you send your feelers? Locally or virtually or both? I want to do just the same but I don't know where to start. Pixie

Feelers? You mean for clients? I started before the internet so definitely locally but I still recommend that even today. Until you've gained confidence in what you're doing and how to sell your services, then often it's easier picking up new clients on a face-to-face basis. And if others know how good you are at what you do, they could also be recommending you. People such as family, friends, former work colleagues, etc.

Hi Pixie,

I just started by VA practice on April 23, 2008 and just as Kathie stated it just depends. There are alot of variables that just depend on your specific business needs.

My start up costs were roughly $500 within the month I started. But I already had the computer and software. So I had to purchase everything else.

So between April and May I roughly had costs around $900. Again, this will be different for each VA based on certain business decisions each of us make about our businesses.

As for my 1st client, I just got one the another both in this month. And Again, I agree with Kathie I do a tone of networking locally and just under a ton online.

I'm still feeling my around the online marketing thing. There is alot to it. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

I spent a lot when I started up. I bought a new computer because my laptop was 4 years old and slow and I also bought a colour laser printer. I thought that would be useful for marketing and doing brochures, etc. I probably spent $2K starting up (including $300 to join the Chamber of Commerce). I got my first client within a month.

My biggest expense was a brand new laptop I bought myself. I filed my DBA in March and am still working on my first client. My expenses right now are minimal monthly expenses for directories, web hosting and things like that. Hope that helps!

I started mine up for next to nothing. I paid $7 to register my domain, $10 a month for webhosting (I have 3 websites...otherwise even that would have been cheaper). My phone and fax will be $10 a month but I got the first month free. I spent about $18 on business cards, postcards and other print items. Found a nice desk at a thrift store for $20, bought some office supplies for $40.

I spent a few months researching the VA business, finally decided to go for it on June 1st, gave myself 30 days to get set up and on July 1st I officially opened for business. Two weeks later I already have one retainer client.

Thank you for all the replies! You were all helpful.

Pixie

Within those cost you should indeed consider marketing. Are you producing and printing brochures. How much will it cost to register your company with the state/city? Are you anticipating joining any organizations. Those are all things that should also be considered.

Also need to figure in reference materials. Depending on your skill set, you may want to purchase books in your field.

Personally, I am marketing my proofreading/editing/ghostwriting services, so I purchased books such as:

2009 Writer's Market
The Law (In Plain English) for Writers
How to Write Fast (While Writing Well)
Humorous Quotations
Rotten Reviews and Rejections

I have others that are geared toward the VA industry specifically, but if you plan on highlighting one or two services you offer, you will want to stay abreast of the current information available.

I initially was thinking that I would need between $3,000 and $4,000 to start up because I need...

A new laptop
Software for new laptop (MSOffice 2007, QB, Adobe, etc.)
Office supplies
Initial marketing expenses
Website/Domain
Legal startup costs (DBA, business licenses, etc.)
Some initial online tools such as Basecamp and such.

Now, I'm hoping that I can start with the basics and then spend the additional money when I really need to. I have a desktop PC that went kaput on me. I have the knowhow and could probably get it up and running for much less than what I would spend on a new laptop (especially since I know me and I couldn't bear to just get a basic one). Also, I decided the only software that I absolutely, positively need at start-up is MS Office Professional 2007. I don't want to wait too long before I get QB because I would like to offer bookkeeping as one of my services, but I can start without it.

So, I'm hoping by making some choices as far as what I absolutely need at start up (as opposed to everything on my start-up "wish list"), I can get what I need and even start my business sooner than I was planning.

Good questions, and good answers here. Stephanie, you should definitely get started. You've thoroughly researched, and I believe you're ready. Take a deep breath and do it!

__________________
Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

I just started with what I had.

Fortunately, my husband had his own business 3 years ago. So I inherited all the equipment to get me going.

I only had to pay to register the business with the local authorities and print my business cards. And I still need to register my domain and pay for the hosting.

So, in my situation, the start up cost is minimal. I worked for a large corporate company and sent my details to all my friends there, and also know a couple of business owners.

I started in June 2008 and I already have 3 retainer customers and 1 PAYG.

Originally Posted by JuliaW

I spent a lot when I started up. I bought a new computer because my laptop was 4 years old and slow and I also bought a colour laser printer. I thought that would be useful for marketing and doing brochures, etc. I probably spent $2K starting up (including $300 to join the Chamber of Commerce). I got my first client within a month.

Hi Julia,
When using the laser printer for your marketing and brochures, did you find it to be cheaper or more expensive than going to a outside vendor?

Originally Posted by tamikarjohnson

Within those cost you should indeed consider marketing. Are you producing and printing brochures. How much will it cost to register your company with the state/city? Are you anticipating joining any organizations. Those are all things that should also be considered.

Good point. I had not thought about that. Your website is very impressive. If you don't mind me asking, how do you charge clients for graphic design? As a newbie, I am having a difficult time trying to figure out how I should charge clients. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.

Thanks you so much. No I don't mind asking, and I'm still struggling with a consistent way of charging. Some clients scope is a bit different and I feel comfortable charging by the project. Some you can feel out and see that they are going to be a pain with multiple multiple changes and for those indecisive ones, I charge by the hours. In either case, I only allow 3 changes once the final layout, product has been approved by them. The hourly rate can be a bit intimidating to some people so I think with design projects I'm going to end up charging by the project. I am also working to develop a complete graphic design package for start up businesses that would include logo design, a brochure, letterhead, business card, for a set price. I am struggling as to what that price should be...lol.. I would love to add web design to that package, but I need to find a few designers to partner with before I can do that. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Originally Posted by Sheena

Hi Julia, When using the laser printer for your marketing and brochures, did you find it to be cheaper or more expensive than going to a outside vendor?

It may not be a lot cheaper, but I was able to do small runs of documents which is nice and if I wanted to personalize stuff, I could. For example, when I was in BNI, I did a booklet to hand out to other members which was much easier to do myself than have it printed (I only needed 20) and when I wanted to revise it for a trade show and take out the BNI-specific stuff, I could do another run. I have since discovered Vista print which is nice for doing small runs, but it's nice to know that I can do it myself if necessary.

It also is great for doing letters, I didn't want to lay out hundreds of dollars for letterhead.

It's also a nice thing to have for clients, especially when they are running on a deadline and haven't got time to have a proposal colour copied at a copy shop. That happened last February when a client was on a deadline and she didn't have time to send it out, I was able to print it for her and meet her at Staples to have it cerloxed.

As far as cost goes, I think a colour laser is a lot more economical than an ink jet printer and the output looks so much better.

I print brochures, etc. under a qty of 10 on my own printer. Anything over a qty of 10 I have copied at the local Kinkos. This saves wear and tear on my color printer but I can still change/personalize as I go...

If you already have the computer, you can begin your business ($1,000) but that does not include a website and advertising efforts. Here are what to consider:

- VoIP $51 / Vonage with toll free number, main number and fax
- Office Equipment Multi Purpose Printer $169 with fax Brother
- Office Supplies $200
- Software investment $400

Know where to shop too. Use Ebay and you will save a tone.