The Virtual Assistant industry has really broken out of its shell over the last several years.
I remember when I first started out as a VA, there were only a few places to find really good information about getting started in the business. I am happy to be able to share some of my knowledge with you!
As various industries have begun to embrace the idea of hiring off-site administrative help, people are beginning to realize all the tasks that a VA can provide for them, that maybe they didn’t think of before.
Once you get started, you can decide which services you want to provide, and you can even get some specialized training, but it’s easy to get started as a VA with the skills you already have, if you are currently working as an administrative assistant.
But remember … I always advise … make sure you really do know how to do something before offering it as a service!
Here is a list of 15 services that you can provide as a Generalist Virtual Assistant:
1. Business correspondence: the client can email or fax you their handwritten notes or recorded notes, which you then type, proofread, format and send back via email (or mail out directly for the client).
2. Bulk mailings: the client can send documents via email and you can get the copies made, collate, and mail out on behalf of the client. You can even send greeting cards or invitations.
3. Spreadsheets: you can create and maintain client lists, sales data, expense reports and other information into spreadsheets for clients and provide the client with regular updates of this material.
4. Travel Planning: you can research travel plans online, provide the client with the best deal for their needs, and book online. You can even plan meetings f or them in their own city.
5. Calendar Management: you can use any number of online scheduling options to help keep the client’s personal or business calendar organized, and provide email reminders to them for important dates and appointments.
6. Client Management: you can run interference between your client and their customers, by fielding all correspondence, and providing a point of contact for their customers to free up their valuable time.
7. Online Research: you can do Internet research for office item purchases, gift ideas for clients, and any number of other things for your client. You can also do comparative reports for them for different online applications that might be useful for their business (like conference call services, email services, etc.)
8. Power Point Presentations: you can prepare the client’s presentations and reports and email them back for their meetings.
9. Contact Management: the client can fax you signup sheets from their events, or business cards they collect through networking, and you can enter those names into their contact management software to build their database. You can even send an introductory message to the new prospects on their behalf.
10. Transcription: the client provides digitally recorded audio files from meetings or conference calls and you can type out their meeting notes or minutes and send them back via email.
11. Email Management: you filter the client email from the client’s general email account (joeclient@gmail.com), and prioritize their replies so it makes their email easier to manage. You can follow up on routine inquiries by helping them develop standardized responses.
12. Call and Voicemail Management: you can handle all incoming client calls, or all client callbacks and follow up, or just pic k up client voicemail and email them the messages.
13. Newsletter Service: you can compile the client’s newsletter and send it out for them using their contact management software, or by mail.
14. Invoicing and Bookkeeping: you can handle invoicing for the client, or take care of their credit card processing of client fees, and provide summary reports for their accountant. You may even offer to do their bank reconciliations each month, or full service bookkeeping.
15. Writing and Editing: you can draft email responses, marketing materials, business correspondence, or articles and blog posts for you client to give them a head start on their writing. Alternately, you can proofread and edit their documents after they have written them.
There are many, many other things that you can do for clients virtually. Make a list of all of the things you know how to do, and then pare it down to the things you are REALLY good at, and the things you like to do. These are the services you should offer when you set up your VA business.
If you think this industry might be for you, pick up a copy of my FREE ebook Getting Started as a Virtual Assistant here!