How to Start a Virtual Assistant Business

Written by Lyn Toomey of Entrepreneur.com

In the past few years, the Virtual Assistant industry has increasingly been in the headlines: "Good Morning America's" Tory Johnson wrote on the flexibility of being a self-employed VA last September. The "Today Show" also featured the profession as a new way to work from home. The "Wall Street Journal," "US News & World Report" and numerous other publications have made it clear that the virtual assistant business is trendy and growing.

More and more virtual assistants are starting their businesses by ditching their corporate cubicle-wall environments and setting up home-based offices.

Successful VAs lead with their strengths to build a successful and growing client base. Some offer executive secretarial services; others are marketing managers, freelance writers, real estate assistants, Web designers, author assistants -- you name it, someone is doing it, and doing it virtually.

Getting Started

It's possible to start up with zero dollars if you already have a phone, an updated computer, a printer with scanner and Internet access. But if you want to be taken seriously, you'll need a well-designed Web site. You can hire a Web designer for about $600 to $1,200 for a small site, or you can use an inexpensive yet professional template design from a Web host for as little as $6 per month. Many VAs start with what they have and buy what they need as they acquire clients. Business cards and brochures are must-haves. Expect to pay $40 to $60 for 500 business cards. Brochures can be self-designed, traded out with other VAs or professionally made for around $350....