Are You Really Prepared to Work From Home?

Now, more than ever, people are looking for a way to supplement the household income or create a thriving business using learned skills and core competencies. There has never been a better time to become part of the fast growing virtual assistance industry. But are you really ready?

These are some very important questions that you need to answer as you create your business model. Answering these honestly and without flinching will go a very long way in shortening the learning curve as you begin your entrepreneurial journey.

Why do you think you have the mindset and self-discipline to effectively work from your home?

How tech-savvy do you consider yourself?  On a scale of 1 to 10, how computer literate are you in regards to the following programs? Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Office Suite)?

Do you know just what type of services you want to offer? Have you analyzed your skills to determine where your niche market is and that your experience is fully up to the task?

Do you know if you want to work part time or full? Have you decided just how much energy and time you have to commit to your new business?

Do you know how to find your new clients, who they are, where they are and how to gain access to them?

How well do you handle rejection? Can you overcome objections?

How would you describe your work style? When working, do you approach things in a linear way, having a set timeline and way of doing things, or do you work in a more circular fashion, knowing the big picture and jumping around as needed?

Are you teachable? Becoming a successful online entrepreneur requires times, persistence and on-going education.

Becoming a highly successful virtual assistant requires that you have a good marketing strategy. Do you have one? Are you a social media marketing expert? If not, you will need to become one very quickly, for yourself and for your clients!

If you were your ideal client, why would you hire you?

Take the time to sit down and make a complete list of the programs and systems you can currently work in. Do you have experience in shopping carts or can manage email campaigns? Identifying your strengths and weaknesses will go a long way towards determining if you are ready to launch out on your own or if you should partner with a flourishing multi-VA firm to bring your skills up to speed. If you need help with this list, download the core competencies document that I created for myself when I took this career path. It needs to be updated, but will give you an idea of where you can start. I am willing to bet that you will find that you know much more than you think you do!

Is your home office adequately equipped with the equipment that you absolutely must have to effectively operate your home office based business? Is your home office perched on your breakfast counter or do you have a dedicated (and quiet!) office space?

• Computer (preferably with dual monitors)
• UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply). We recommend Belkin.
• DSL or other high speed internet access
• Shredder
• Telephone with caller ID, speaker and mute button
• Copier / Scanner / Printer
• Filing and other storage
• White Board
• Office supplies – postage, copier paper, etc.

Remember, we are always here to help. If you have any questions about the Virtual Assistance Industry you are very welcome to email them to me at info at virtualassistantindustry.com