Thought it was a little bit easier and faster, but there are so many things to take care of...type of services, agreements and forms, website, software, welcome kit....
And sometimes I have these thoughts: what if I cannot meet my client's requirements? Oh God.....I can't wait to get my first client and see what happens!
Did some of you have the same thoughts?

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Silvia

Silvia,

Yes we have all been there. It is just opening jitters and if you schedule your time use properly you will have not problem. Just make sure that you leave time for your business in your schedule along with your clients.

Best of luck to you.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Thank you Lee!

By the way.....I'm gonna read your interview for some inspiration! The ad is right on my right side! :-)

Silvia - I am feeling the same way you are. I have been doing this unofficially for a company for more then 4 years. However, going into this as a business I will be promoting brought on so many more feelings, can I do this? Should I get out now? Gonna persevere and make this work. There are a lot of details, but you can't rush this.

Good luck to you.

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Deena M. Strine
Coastal Biz Solutions

Hi Silvia,
Don't worry I am in the same boat as you
I have been thinking about starting my VA business for about a year but only really started preparing a few months ago... on and off unfortunately but I'm getting there.
I thought it would be so easy but it has been hard work! There are so many things to think about and consider before starting and I'd hate to rock up at my first clients looking unprepared and unprofessional!!
But in the back of my mind I know I'm good at what I do and once I get the ball rolling I'm positive it will all fall into place
Good luck !!

Have you checked out the Master List threads on VAF? This is a great way to organize your thoughts/paperwork from the get-go. There are a couple of threads here and here. I think there may be an actual list in the docs library, as well.

You will find that the more 'together' your paperwork and setup has become, the more confident you will become in your ability to do this and do it well.

We all had second (and third ) thoughts about being a VA. The biggest questions are: am I willing and able to do what it takes? Is it worth having the (freedom, flexiblity, money, whatever got you started down this road in the first place).

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

I am laying the ground work to start up. I have produced graphic design and provided copy for projects as well worked in an administrative/secretarial capacity for years I know how it works in an office working for someone else. Logistically, can anyone tell me how it works when getting a project from a client? Do they e-mail you with what they need accomplished? Do they tell you verbally, provide notes? And how quick do they usually expect turn around?

Right now I need to share the computer with my husband who is working from home - so I would have to work around that to complete a project.

Originally Posted by Gravics

Logistically, can anyone tell me how it works when getting a project from a client? Do they e-mail you with what they need accomplished? Do they tell you verbally, provide notes? And how quick do they usually expect turn around?

All of this depends on your client preferences, type of work, and location. As a bookkeeper, I receive the bulk of my work through email, some postal mail, and, for local clients, an occasional paperwork drop-off.

I prefer to correspond via email and always send a follow-up email following a telephone call re-iterating the conversation; this verifies that the client and I are both on the same page and understand the information discussed in the same way. It also gives me backup should the client say "that's not what I meant" or "that's not what I said" and helps prevent confusion and allow clarity of the work discussed, as well as providing ME with a reminder of what work should be done, in what order, and in what time frame.

Turn around, again, depends on type of work. A small project will, obviously, take less time than a big project! The best judge of time is your personal experience of what is involved, how long it should take, and then add 20% more time. It is better to bring in a project early than late.

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

Silvia, that is a really good question and one I was wondering as well. With all of the forms, contracts, website design, etc, etc, it's taking me a little more time than I initially thought it would. Thanks for asking this question

I feel the same way even though I am helping some agents in my office already. But actually going out and getting business from people I don't know scares me!

It is scary getting new clients but I keep getting them via word of mouth. I have 4 international clients right now they are awesome and pay the day I send them an invoice. WOOOO!!!!

Now just need to make my USA clients do the same. lol

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Dani Mage
http://www.magecreates.com

Hi. It seems that there are two different threads here. If are new, new, I might suggest finding someone who is willing to be your mentor. I know that the person who is helping me has been invaluable. All those little questions, I just send a quick email or skype and I have an answer. As far as communication, It may be email or verbal depending on what you are doing and how detailed it is, but make sure you communicate clearly so there are no misunderstandings.

Hang in there everyone! I've been doing this five years and still have those feelings now and then. Also good to keep in mind that this is an ever changing business. You will establish all of t hose things in the beginning but you will also evolve and change them over the years. I just revamped my list of services and made some changes to my website too. It it well worth the effort in the end.

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Administrative Support Group
Jenifer D

It is so nice to see Im not alone in my fears! I also am trying to set this up and I sometimes feel so overwhelmed by it all! But finding this forum site has been a great boost!

I have had a lot of jitters being new. I already have a few local clients two small business and one small nonprofit, and so the pressure to rush feels upon me, but they are patient with everything and I've been doing projects for a while it will be nice to official have a business complete for myself and my clients. I've tried to set up my services and rates based on the small business owner and nonprofit. I'm on the website development part and working on a starter business website..I'd like to remodel it up later.. and I'm finishing up for now a pdf welcome kit.

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