Are you new to the world of professional Virtual Assistants? This slide show provides important steps you don't want to miss when starting your business and filling your client list. Focused on Virtual Assistants but can be applied to any entrepreneur starting their online business.

2.  What’s your business structure?
 Is it fully optimized for success?
 Consider the following:
 What’s your ideal client
 How many hours do you want to work
 How much money do you wish to earn
 Creating your ideal conditions will attract
your ideal client

3.  Specialize
 Virtual assistant specializing in Social Media
 Graphic designer specializing in web graphics
 Copywriter specializing in blog writing
 Choose the task(s) that you enjoy most, that
energize you
 Make a list
 Things you love vs things you hate

4.  Analyze your list
 What tasks can you outsource?
 What services can you eliminate?
 What services can you promote?
▪ Specialize in THESE services!
 Is there a need for your specialized services?
 Conduct polls & other market research
 Setup your ideal business first to attract ideal
clients

5.  Check out your competitors’ prices
 Check sites like Upwork, and VA Networking
Look for networks where higher pay goes to
established freelancers
 Create special introductory offers
 Then upsell client to other, regular-priced services
 Beware…some clients expect the low prices
forever

6.  Introductory Offers
 May not attract your ideal client
 Always set a limit
▪ How long the offer will remain in effect
▪ How many units a new client can purchase
▪ On amount of time offered
 Always post your limits within the ad copy
 Always call it an introductory offer

7.  Your website, forms, brochures & business
cards should be professional
 This will attract professional clients
 Be aware of what image your photographs
portray
 If you’re in a suit, you’ll attract formal clients
 If you’re wearing jeans, you’ll attract informal
client

8.  Create a strong project management system
& communications protocol
 Create contracts & project management
spreadsheets
 Be very clear about your expectations & what
services you will provide

10.  Let clients know when you’ll be available
 Let clients know about any rush charges for
same day service
 Ask for their preferred method of contact
 Keep a simple, one-page chart for each client

11.  Create packages that suit you but delight your
clients
 Packages should provide high-value service
options
 One-time setup packages
 Recurring monthly packages
 Add a shopping cart button
 TELL your client what you want them to do with a
call to action

12.  Track your time
 Client work time
 When you stop for lunch or phone calls
 This can help find where you’re wasting time
& how to work more efficiently
 Be clear & focused about how you want to
spend your time

13.  Your professional website
 Should LOOK like a website, not a blog
 Use WordPress & create a static home page
 Choose a catchy name
 Highlight your specialty
 Featured Content boxes allow client interactivity
 Video gives a sample of your personality

15.  Prominent sign up web form with incentive
 Share buttons & RSS feed button
 Call to action
 Client testimonials
 Relevant header graphic
 Professional colors
 White space to keep client focused on
message
 Helpful menu tabs

16.  Create a Client Kit folder & keep it on your
desktop for easy access
 Create a backup or master file & store elsewhere
in case of a computer crash
 Your kit should include:
 Email templates outlining packages
 Price list
 Client questionnaire

17.  Should tell you everything you need to know
about a project
 Should help your client think about the
different aspects of the projects clearly
 Should prequalify your client
 Eliminates the ‘mindreader’ factor
 Will help determine pricing
 Create 2 versions:
 1 for exploratory, 1 for when client commits

18.  Include a Client Profile sheet for when they
commit
 Create other forms or handouts that will be
helpful to your client
 Always brand your forms with your company
name, logo & simple contact details

19.  Join local networking groups
 Carry business cards and/of brochures
 Volunteer to hold a workshop
 Have a six-second mission statement ready
 Concisely describe what you do, then offer an
extra business card to pass along

20.  Check LinkedIn daily
 Word of mouth recommendations
 Refine your web content to target your ideal
client
 Advertise
 Facebook ads, other online ads
 Target your competitors

21.  Use specialized job boards
 Example: Problogger
 Get to know the more general job boards &
directories
 Example: Upwork.com
 Create a special offer for membership forums

22.  Fiverr
 Great for posting introductory offers
 Everything is $5 so plan carefully
 Be very specific about the scope of your offer

23.  How many clients do you need & want?
 Avoid relying on one big client
 You never know when that client’s needs will
change & if they leave you won’t have any clients
 Diversify
 Take on at least 3 clients
 If one client leaves, you can get more work from
the other 2 or start looking for another client

24.  Plan to grow your business from the start
 How many people do you want to employ?
 How many departments will you need as you
expand?
 Plan a time frame for growth & expansion

25.  Become a full-fledged company with
employees & physical office space
 Grow then sell your business
 Run the business yourself
 Run the business yourself but expand by
outsourcing
 Plan the outsourcing from the beginning
 What type of work will you outsource?
 What type of contractors will you need?

26.  Your fee formula should be based on:
 Expenses
 Competitor pricing
 What the market will bear
 Your unique mix
 The added value you bring to your services
 Your unique experiences & skills

27.  Create digital products & resources
 You can reach a different segment of your
target market
 Your products can work for you & generate
passive income
 Install Paypal payment buttons on your
services & products pages

28.  Very often a client who purchases a product
will contact you about your premium services
 Your product acted as a sampler
 It was branded with your contact info
 This creates trust & goodwill
 Even if your customer never returns, you still
made money on the products

29.  The product you give away when someone
signs up for your list
 Make it highly-focused
 It should supply their most immediate need
 Brand with you logo & contact information
 A subscriber list allows you to keep in touch
with potential customers & build
relationships

30. 1. Research ideal client
2. Determine what fees the market will bear
3. Determine how much your ideal client is used
to paying
4. Research your competitors & their fees
5. Setup a well-optimized website
6. Create special offers for membership forums
7. Advertise, as your budget allows
8. Join local networking groups

31. 9. Create workshops
10. Volunteer
11. Check social media daily
12. Advertise on job boards or directories
13. Create a sign up incentive
14. Create a client resource section
15. Create a digital product
16. Referred the ‘wrong’ client to a more
appropriate professional

32. 1. Ask for referrals on your website
2. Bribe visitors to spread the word
3. Hand out business cards everywhere
4. Update your website quarterly & tell your
list
5. Ask clients for referrals when they thank you
for a job well done
6. Ask for recommendations on whatever
social media sites the client uses regularly

33.  Managing clients & turning them into repeat
customers can be tricky
 Don’t become too comfortable in your
business
 Build your reputation
 Generate consistent positive
recommendations
 Remain visible in your field
 Grow with technology

34.  Keep your Client Kit easily accessible
 Price services competitively
 Research your ideal client
 Fine tune your services
 Optimize your website
 Develop a 6-second mission statement
 Advertise (if necessary)
 Keep up to date on job boards
 Create appealing client packages

35.  Do what you promised!
 Delivering mistake-free, top quality product
 Meet your deadline
 Make sure you work well with your client’s
team or employees
 You never know if one of these employees will
recommend you to some one else

36. 1. Separate the delivery from the message
 Don’t be tempted to yell back but do understand
the source of the complaint
 If the yelling continues, warn the client that you’ll
be hanging up but would be happy to continue the
conversation at another time
 Try not to engage in this argument

37. 2. Apologize to the client
 Keep it simple
 Don’t offer an explanation unless asked for
 Don’t apologize if the client is being abusive or
yelling – wait until the client is calmer
3. Nasty emails
 Don’t react
 Fix the problem
 Keep emotional language out of the response

38. 4. Keeping the client or cutting them loose
 There’s no right or wrong answer
 Only you know if you can handle their personality
& demands
 Never accept abusive language or behavior
 Don’t burn bridges
 Offer the names of other service providers to the
client
 Don’t keep clients who cost you time & money

39.  Be aware of changes in your client’s business
 Don’t be afraid to ask questions as changes
occur
 Don’t assume your client will tell you about
every change
 Tell clients about added services as your
business changes
 Talk to your client about their goals
 Always deliver high quality

40. HIT Virtual Assistants work with entrepreneurs and business
owners from a variety of. I started the company in 2007. Today,
nine years later, I have realized my goals of owning a successful
business and having the freedom to live the lifestyle I desire. I
became VACertified shortly after I started my business. Working
as a Virtual Assistant has allowed me to achieve my dream
lifestyle.
If this is your goal, I have a limited
number of consultation packages
for those wanted to start the
VA journey. If you’re interested
contact me at
Karen@HITVirtual.com

41. HITVirtual.com
Facebook.com/hitvirtual
Twitter: @HITVirtual
LinkedIn.com/in/hitvirtual