March 2005

Got Questions? We've Got Answers

by Sharon Williams

Often times, virtual assistants ask questions on list servs that go to the heart of business planning and marketing strategies. Many virtual assistants willingly respond as well as offer encouragement to the questioner. Some questions, however, go to the foundation of sound business development and decisions that should be made after thorough research, thoughtful contemplation and evaluation.

The Alliance for Virtual Businesses commissioned a comprehensive study of the VA industry that was released in late 2004. This report contains documented research and survey responses from hundreds of VAs that can assist with developing business and marketing strategies. The Special Report also documents and benchmarks the industry.

Find Answers to Questions Like:

• What is a good target market?
• What are the most effective ways to get clients?
• How do you determine what to charge for a particular service?
• What are the top 10 niche services offered by virtual assistants?
• Should I charge a retainer rate instead of by the project and why?
• What are the highest income-generating services offered by virtual assistants?

Business Building and Marketing Assistance:

Emerging and experienced VAs use the demographics, statistics and technological references to assist in determining niche and pricing scenarios. In addition, the Report provides detailed, in-depth summations and conclusions about industry trends.

For instance, one questioner asked:  Who are your clients (by industry) and what services do you provide? Typical responses included:

Authors:  manuscripts, cover letters, news alerts, summaries, outlines, bios, mailings, page layout, design, editing, proofreading, transcription, wordprocessing, website design and maintenance, itinerary, research.

Another response:

Custom Promotional Items Company:  admin, websites, DTP, graphic design, pre-press.

 A third response:

Electrical Contractor:  covering phones, account receivables, accounts payable, payroll, Internet research, bid placing, website design and maintenance, hosting, graphics and logo creation, search engine optimization.

More than 400 industries and services are described in the publication. A Virtual Assistant can literally identify a niche, basic service offerings and income potential, just from these lists alone.

Need help convincing your potential client to work with you? The Comprehensive Report also contains useful suggestions, provided by experienced VAs, that respond to many concerns and hesitations.

The publication has 270 information-packed pages of material useful to a VA practitioner.

We Need Your Support

Fifty-percent of the proceeds generated by the sale of the Comprehensive Study are donated to the Alliance in support of its continuing efforts to promote the virtual assisting industry. Please show your support by ordering your copy. It is a great resource that can help propel your business to the next level.  A pdf or hardback copy of The Special Report can be ordered at the Alliance website.