Here’s one specialty -- the Legal Transcription
Field
Legal transcription is by far is a
virtual assisting/word processors dream field. If you have legal
experience, you can easily get into this type of specialty and
quickly make your business profitable. And the best news is that you
only need just a couple of clients to establish a good client base.
With legal transcription what you
will be doing is typing legal documents up for clients. You can type
anything from a few letters, to an entire legal brief or extensive
court hearing. Often the secretaries at the attorneys’ offices get
so overwhelmed at the office, they can’t keep up with the workload
and don’t have the time to train a temp. You can be a vital part of
their legal practice.
To specifically market to
attorneys, in addition to directly targeting them with letters,
advertise in the legal publications in your area. Most cities have a
newspaper that attorneys subscribe to that relates directly to legal
issues. A section of this paper is usually devoted to freelance
secretaries. Also advertise in the college newspapers that have
law-related classes and be sure to place your flyer on their
bulletin boards.
In addition, visit local
attorneys’ offices in your area. You can drop off a portfolio or
your business card. If sending personalized letters, emphasize how
beneficial your services could be to help with the overflow of work
often encountered in a busy attorney’s office. Let them know if you
offer fax or pick up/drop off services. You might also want to
contact other legal transcription services in the Yellow Pages and
offer to help with their overload work.
Also, check out places online such
as Nolo.com and others to see if there are opportunites to
advertise. And network. Go to business functions put on by the
Chamber and other places that attorneys would frequent.
Networking
Networking allows you to let your
potential clients know who you are and that you have a business
that’s just ready to help them. It can be an integral part of your
business and a wonderful tool to use to get clients. There are so
many opportunities in your community, business get-togethers,
business happy hours, Chamber meetings, Woman’s Meetings, etc. Get
active. Get Involved. It’s fun. It’s a night out and a way to
promote your business. Have your business cards handy. A good 30
second speech prepared. A happy, confident relaxed you.
Plus, as parents we frequent PTA
meetings, baseball games, college classes, soccer games, church
groups, etc. Often we run into others who can utilize our services.
By having your cards handy, and perhaps maybe a WEB DECAL (www.webdecal.com)
on your car, or shirt with your business logo on it, they can see
what we do!
Making your name familiar to
prospective customers is the basis for successful networking. People
are more willing to work with a new service if they have heard about
you or have had the opportunity to meet you. They gain confidence
that you can help their business.
One way to network is to contact
other home-based virtual assistants in your area. You might be able
to work out an arrangement where you send each other work. For
example, often times I get too busy to take on a new client. I will
then send them over to another virtual assisting business in the
area. She will do the same for me when she gets too busy. So far
it’s been an ideal situation for the both of us. Plus, we are
finding solutions for our clients. It’s good to be able to send
clients to someone who can get the job done for them.
To locate seminars in your area,
look in your local newspaper. Most newspapers provide a “Bulletin
Board” of the social events of the week, usually in the section on
local news. You can also contact the Chamber of Commerce or SCORE
officials for their schedule of meetings.
Online networking is an extremely
effective way to network. Many VAs recommended this approach as an
effective way to spread the word about your services and to get
advice on operating your business successfully. Not only can it
provide you with a wealth of information, but also access to other
professionals and home-based businesses. You will discover there are
hundreds of other VAs that can help you get your business started
and keep it running successfully and who are eager to do so. You can
network through associations such as the IAVOA and the IVAA and all
the others that we have mentioned throughout the book. And don’t
forget the associations such as HBWM.com, Mompreneurs Online,
VANetworking, RYZE, Work-the-Web, and others.
As for marketing, you want to get
your site recognized. Have people link to your site. One trick is to
have them sign your guest book and then e-mail them and ask if they
would like to trade links. Trade banners and buttons. Learn
everything you can on Search Engine Optimization. If you don’t have
the time to understand it, pay someone who does. It’s worth it!
Frequent boards and utilize your
signature with your website and business name. Use the same boards
and be consistent so people get to know you. It’s a great way to
meet potential clients.
Word of Mouth Advertising
Word of mouth is ABSOLUTELY YOUR
BEST ADVERTISEMENT!! When people get professional, accurate, and
friendly service, they tell others. If you offer such exceptional
service, you can be assured that you will need to advertise only at
the onset to get your business started. From then on, your repeat
clients, and referrals from them, will keep your business thriving.
Word of mouth advertising occurs
when one person tells another what you do. If this person was
satisfied with your services, then he will provide a reference. If
he was REALLY satisfied with your services, then he will provide an
EXCELLENT reference. Always try to go the extra mile for your
clients. When clients leave your office and get more than what they
expected and paid for, they will tell others.
Create A Web Site
As a Virtual Assistant—It’s
critical that you have a website! It’s a must. And you need to keep
it updated. Free of errors. Listed with the major engines—and linked
where possible. Become familiar with Search Engine Optimization.
This definitely can be one of your
most important marketing tools. As such, you NEED to make it good!
In doing research for this book, I have found some outstanding
websites. Incredible ones with the way they have done their sound,
their features, and the entire look and feel of the site. I knew
right away it was someone I wanted to do business with.
Do your own research by doing a
Google or Yahoo search, and see what’s out there. Search for Word
Processors and Virtual Assistants. Write down the points that you
like and want for your site from reviewing these. Many web designers
will ask this of you in preparing your site-what sites do you like,
so they can get a feel for your tastes!
I don’t want you to write down
what everyone else has. You need to find the points that are what
you want for your business. No one out there will have that. DO NOT
copy the rest exactly. Remember businesses are often doing the same
thing you just did, researching websites. Yours needs to be unique
and not a boilerplate VA site.
Many web hosting and design
companies have templates that you can choose from in designing your
site. These can be beneficial as you can see what they look like and
get a feel for what your site will become in advance, and then
choose the style you prefer.
Here are some key points to
consider when designing your site. They should be:
Easy to Navigate: Needs to be
clear and easy to navigate without a lot of extras. Even those who
know little about the Internet should be able to cruise your site,
page by page, with ease.
Easy to Read: Many think more is
better and that is not always the case. Avoid lengthy paragraphs. Be
mindful of the background and graphics used. In many cases the color
contrasts make it difficult to read the text.
Easy to See What You Provide:
Clients should be able to find your services easily, without digging
for information. Your services, your specialty, and the benefits you
offer your client should be clear-cut.
Easy to Contact You: It’s
extremely important for those who stop by your site to be able to
contact you. Posting a contact number and a city and state, if you
don’t wish to include your full address, gives legitimacy to your
business.
Add Testimonials: Publishing your
client’s testimonials on your website increases your credibility to
new clients. When you receive a good reference from a client, ask
permission to publish it on your site. Offering them a link in
return is a great incentive.
Put contact information on every
page—make it easy for your customer to contact you. Color: Always
think of your client when deciding color and design.
Signature Lines
Use your signature line as a
marketing tool to draw people to your site and then let the site
SELL YOU! Not only is this effective with e-mails, but also think of
all the message boards and listserves that you are on. Become a
recognized figure.
Use a P.S. to announce your
services. Example!
Diana Ennen
Author: Virtual Assistant the Series & Words From Home
www.virtualwordpublishing.com
www.va-theseries.com
(954) 971-4025
Offer Your Services As A Prize
Offer blocks of time for your
services to be given away in contests, at networking events, in gift
baskets, (especially online) etc. Also, contact schools, businesses,
political parties, online groups, etc. You’d be amazed how quickly
your business recognition will spread when you give away some
freebies. How about home-based business associations or welcoming
centers in your area? How about your city counsel? See what I mean?
Create A Mailing List -- Send Postcards
You should create a mailing list
of all your clients and potential clients. As your repeat clients
are going to be your main bread and butter, you will want to keep
your name in front of them. Therefore, occasionally send them
updates on your business, any new services you perform, a
newsletter, a holiday greeting, a postcard, etc. Let them see that
you really value them as a client.
Write Articles
I highly recommend writing
articles in your area of expertise and sending them to all your
local papers, any local newsletters, online magazines, magazines for
our particular specialty, etc. Be aware of the hundreds of
e-magazines and newsletters available. You can easily become an
expert and gain a great reputation online. Go to my Publicity-VA.com
website and see the listing of article submission places we have.
You establish yourself as an expert and reach your targeted market.
Web Decals
Go to Webdecals.com and get a web decal for your
car. It’s a great selling tool.
Direct Mail
Take the time to compose a letter
that effectively conveys what your business can do for them. The
first sentence has to be POWERFUL AND INVITING. Think how many
letters you have thrown away after reading that one sentence. Don’t
just say -- let me introduce our services, say something like -- “We
are proud to ...” Let them see that confidence immediately. Avoid
the term unique and avoid bolding your own company name. Instead
bold areas of importance. Use bullets wherever possible. Keep your
letter short and to the point, leaving them eager to know more about
your services.
What does your business offer that
the others don’t? Tell them. Emphasize your dependability and the
quality of services you provide. Your business should be a cut above
the others. Let clients know that in this letter.
Samples of Advertising Letters
that produced clients for us and other virtual assistants can be
found in our book -- Words From Home: How To Start and Operate
a Home-Based Word Processing Business. These are also
included on our disk already typed -- You merely customize them to
your specialty.
Who To Target With Advertising Letters (In
Specialty Areas:
Attorneys’ offices respond well to
professionally prepared sales letters. For medical transcription
work, target individual medical practices and local hospitals.
Hospital Radiology Departments and various other departments
frequently require assistance in typing reports. Call first and find
out who is the head of the department and direct your correspondence
to that person. Don’t forget to target local chiropractors,
therapists, and testing facilities.
Send letters to
Secretarial/Personnel Agencies. Emphasize in the letters that you
specialize in resumes and computer tutoring (if you choose to).
Personnel Agencies can prove to be a substantial source of income
for your business as they continually refer new clients. You can
also refer any of your clients looking for jobs to them. Your
clients will like the fact that they have an “in” with someone in
the agency.
New businesses are also great
markets to target. These companies generally cannot afford a
full-time secretary yet. Obtain their address by looking in the
classified section of your local newspaper under Legal
Notices--Fictitious Names. This section lists each new company
complete with name and address. Also, your local legal publication
lists all companies who registered for county licenses. This is
found under their “Occupational License” section. You can also
obtain these new business listings through mailing list companies.
The following are businesses that respond well
to sales letters:
Attorneys New Businesses
Temporary Agencies/Secretarial Agencies Mortgage Companies
Chiropractors/Doctors/Specialists Real Estate Agents
Insurance Agents Florists
Hospitals Hotels/Motels
Schools (Colleges, High Schools) Condominiums
Court Reporting
The list goes on. Think of the
areas you would enjoy typing and specifically target those areas. I
sat down with the Yellow Pages one night and skimmed through the
entire book getting ideas of companies that could benefit from my
services.
********************************************
Dear <Type Recipient Name Here>:
Does the demands of your busy practice require the
assistance of a qualified legal Virtual Assistant to help with the
overflow of work on an “as needed” basis? <Company Name> specializes
in this, with over eighteen years experience serving the legal
community in <Name County>.
Our offices provide the latest in digital
equipment to assist you with all your transcription needs. We have
experience in labor law, medical malpractice, personal injury, and
years working with general pleadings. We are dedicated to making
sure that accuracy is our number one priority and meeting all the
time lines that are so critical in the legal profession.
Our state-of-the-art office will enable quick
retrieval of all documents and provide you with immediate support
for times when the demands of the office put you behind schedule and
an important pleading needs to be completed.
We would welcome the opportunity to set up an
appointment and explain our services in more detail or answer any
questions you might have. Please contact us at xxx-xxxx to set up a
convenient time. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
<Your Name>
<Your Title>
<Company Name>
********************************************
Personally Marketing Your Services
This type of advertising involves
personally visiting local businesses in your area. Plan your day and
map out your specific route in advance. Try to speak with the office
manager whenever possible. Inform him/her that you operate a
home-based word processing business and are available to help with
the overflow of work on an as needed basis. Know precisely what you
are going to say and quickly highlight your services. Sell yourself
well.
Look the part. You are a
professional entrepreneur who is operating a successful word
processing or virtual assisting business. Dress like it. I wish I
could tell you that image doesn’t make that much difference, but it
does. Potential clients have not had a chance to know you or your
work; their only impression is what they see right then.
COMMENT: Be courteous of the
offices that don’t allow solicitors. Find out the address and send a
letter. For example, most buildings close to the courthouse have
dozens of attorneys.
The following are businesses you
can personally visit:
Printing Companies: This continues
to be my gold mine! I have obtained several of my best full-time
clients from referrals from local printers. Go to all the local
printers in your area armed with business cards and a business card
holder. Inform them that you operate a word processing business in
the area and, since their customers often require typing done, you
would appreciate it if they would pass along your card.
Once a printer starts referring
clients to you, stop in occasionally. On holidays, I usually take
candy or a popcorn tin for the staff. This lets them know I
appreciate their referrals. They now look forward to seeing me (and
my goodies) around the holidays.
Attorneys/Doctors/Real Estate
Offices/Travel Agencies: These offices respond well to personal
marketing. You can either drop off your business cards or leave a
portfolio. Although it’s a little more expensive, I recommend the
portfolio. Rarely will you get to meet with the potential client
then. However, by leaving something tangible to look at, frequently
you will receive calls later asking to set up an appointment.
If you are planning to leave
business cards, consider purchasing business cards that insert
directly into the Rolodex. These professionals might not have an
immediate need, but could require your assistance later. They simply
put your card into their Rolodex and then when a need arises, they
contact you.
With real estate offices,
insurance agencies, and travel agencies, let them know that in
addition to business correspondence typing, you can be instrumental
in their marketing efforts. Emphasize that in addition to
maintaining their database, you can also create an impressive
marketing package that will get results!! Recently I have had great
success in marketing to real estate agents by emphasizing that I can
help make their business grow. I include samples of recent mailings
(flyers, brochures, 3-fold mailers, etc.) I’ve created and also
samples of a database list (done in Excel) and labels. They can then
see that I’m able to “take over their marketing” and thus, free them
to do what they do best -- SELLING!!
Yellow Page Advertising
Many virtual assistants claim that
this is their most effective advertising tool and some acknowledge
that it is their only required advertising. For example, Catherine
Maclean, owner of Catherine Types in Miramar, Florida, states,
“Advertising in the Yellow Pages brings forth most of my business. I
would recommend this advertising approach to anyone wanting to start
a business.”
TIP: Before placing your ad, look
in the Yellow Pages to get an idea how and where the other virtual
assistants are placing their ads.
To obtain a free listing in the
Yellow Pages, install a separate business telephone line. This
separate business line costs slightly more than a regular
residential line; however, you get a free listing in the Yellow
Pages under the section of your choice. This ad includes your
company name, address, and telephone number.
TIP: If you plan to advertise in
the Yellow Pages, call and find out their deadline. You would hate
to miss the deadline by a few weeks and have to wait an entire year.
Many communities have their own
community telephone directories. This can be an inexpensive means of
obtaining additional advertising. Also check to see if colleges in
your area have advertising available in their phone directories.
Advertising In Newspapers
Do your homework before you place
a single ad. Find out how much the ad costs, how they charge (by the
line, word, column inch, etc.), how long the ad runs, and how much
competition you have. My experience in advertising has proven that
some weeks there can be five or six individuals advertising for the
same type of business and then a week later, none. Many people run
their ad only once. Therefore, if I see that it is a popular week,
I’ll wait.
Newspapers: The good thing about
advertising in the newspapers is that generally you get an immediate
reply. One word processor I spoke with stated the first day her ad
appeared, she got three new full-time clients. From that point on,
she actually had to turn work away. That is rare, but it can happen,
especially if no one has advertised in that paper for quite some
time.
Go to your local newsstand,
bookstore, or street corner that carries newspapers and buy all of
them. Now compare their rates, ad size, amount of competition, and
how long their ad runs. Decide which newspaper would most
effectively serve your needs. One key that I’ve found to determining
whether I want to place an ad in a paper is consistency. If I notice
a company repeatedly places an ad in a paper, obviously they are
getting good results from it.
Local Weekly Paper: Most cities
have a local paper distributed throughout the community once a week,
which is generally free. One advantage to these papers is that you
can run your ad for longer periods of time because they offer lower
rates. Thus, you gain recognition. Also, check to see if they offer
business card postings. These usually catch more attention than a
regular line ad.
College Newspapers: You can also
advertise in the local college newspapers. Mention your years of
experience, dependability, editing experience, etc. Often there is a
great deal of competition in these papers. Therefore, word your ad
to be the one that students call first by emphasizing your
strengths.
Legal/Medical Publications: If you
offer specialty typing, such as legal dictation, advertise in your
local legal or medical publication. The price is slightly higher
than advertising in the daily newspapers, but you specifically
target the appropriate clients. (If you’re unsure if you have a
paper in your area such as this, contact a local attorneys office
and ask for information.)
Check to see if you have any
newspapers that target a specific group. For example, in my area we
have a newspaper called Employment Digest, which lists employment
opportunities. I get a great deal of resume clients and tutoring
clients from my ad.
Daily Newspapers: Finally, you can
advertise in your daily newspaper. These are generally more
expensive than the other choices. However, keep in mind that even if
you get a new client or two every week, the ad is paying for itself.
Once you establish your business, you rarely will have to advertise
again. Advertise in their Business Service Directory section if they
have one. It’s cheaper and the ad runs for a longer period of time.
TIP: Most of the newspapers list
their ads in alphabetical order by the first letter of the heading.
Compose your ad accordingly.
You need to know which ads are
working and which are not. Ask your clients where they saw your ad.
You can also place something in your ads that would designate a
particular paper. For example, you can put your name in some ads and
leave it out in others. If people call and ask for you by name, you
know where they saw your ad. By tracking your ads, you know where to
best invest your money.
A little research can go a long
way in saving you money in advertising. Find the most reasonable
rates, compose the most effective ads, and then test the ads to see
which ones produce the best results.
Magazines/E-zines
If you want to target your
business for writers, then you should advertise in the Writer’s
Digest or other literary magazines. The Writer’s Digest has a “We
Type Manuscripts” section. Many virtual assistants who advertise in
this magazine are sold on its advertising merits. E-zines are very
popular. You can advertise in them inexpensively.
Check to see if you have any local
magazines you can advertise in. In our area there are several
magazines targeted for tourists. Go to your local newsstand or
Chamber of Commerce and see what is available in your area.
Newsletters
Newsletters are an extremely
effective marketing tool. Many virtual assistants stated that they
prepare a monthly or bi-monthly newsletter for their clients and
prospective new clients and it substantially increases their
business. It’s not hard to do and only needs to be a page or two of
relevant information to the group you’re targeting. I highly
recommend this. Go to my site at www.virtualwordpublishing.com and
look to the work-at-home resources page. There you will see some
examples of tremendous newsletters that VAs have produced. I have
seen them go from being fairly successful to extremely successful
with this addition.
Your newsletters could include any
or all of the following: a personal message, any new services you
offer, computer updates, medical terminology or legal updates, a
humorous quotation or joke, a list of news reports, a collection of
valuable small business tips, any testimonials you have, and any
other pertinent information you feel would be of interest.
You should also check to see what
newsletters in your area are available to advertise in. For example,
if you offer medical dictation, there are several newsletters
targeted specifically for doctors that offer advertising for
freelance virtual assistants. For additional information, contact
medical professionals in your area and seek their assistance.
In my area, there is also a
newsletter put together by real estate agents. This quarterly
publication reaches every household in our community, the rates are
inexpensive, and it gets good results.
Press Releases
A press release is a direct and
inexpensive route to newspapers, magazines, newsletters, trade
journals, and other media connections and, unlike expensive
advertising, it's free. This advertising often produces more results
than a classified advertisement, as people don't consider a news
article advertising. Not only does your company gain credibility,
but you're considered an expert in your field. Although it requires
more effort on your part, the results are well worth it. Many
virtual assistants acknowledge that they effectively use press
releases to drum up business.
Tips: Always write in the 3rd
Person. Often times you can call the editor first to find out what
he wants in the press release.
The main prerequisite to an
effective press release is to make it "newsworthy." To become
newsworthy, you need something unique or different to say. If you
send your newspaper a press release simply advising that you run a
word processing business, they are going to dispose of it
immediately. What newspapers want is news or information that will
benefit their readers. I recommend going to www.prweb.com and
downloading their informational package on writing a press release.
It will provide you with very valuable information.
Here are some other tips:
1. If you're writing a press
release, you have to determine what it is about your event
(services) that makes it publishable. Use an angle that will catch
the editor's interest.
2. The first paragraph should
contain the most important information. It begins with the name of
your city, state: and then date. It should answer the questions WHO,
WHAT, WHY, WHERE, WHEN and HOW and also give a quick summary of what
the story is about.
3. Use short, common words, short
sentences and short paragraphs. Write in the present or future
tense. Include the telephone numbers where you can be reached during
the day and evening hours.
4. The ending paragraph needs to
have the “Call to Action.” Make sure to summarize your press release
and tell them how to get in touch with you or whomever the release
is about. This is important.
5. After the ending symbol, put
the contact information.
Find out whose attention to direct
your article or release to and personalize the letter. All you need
to do is call the paper and ask who handles that particular topic.
If they write regular articles for the paper, familiarize yourself
with their work. (Place your release on letterhead and use a nice
font such as Arial or Times New Roman.) Remember they need to write
stories so they often will need you! Also, becoming familiar with
them is a great help. Send releases often.
TIP: Another idea would be to send
a press release about National Medical Transcription Week or
Secretaries Week to be printed during those weeks. Highlight the
advantages of operating an office at home.
In the release, don't write about
yourself. The mere fact that you opened a business, isn't
newsworthy, yet. However, the fact that you opened a business and
are now filling a need is. Emphasize in your release how more
businesses are choosing home-based professionals to help them with
their work overload. Let them know, this is the future!!
Write copy in the third person as
though someone else had written it. Avoid first-person voice and
"me-centered" releases. Similar to any advertising efforts, you want
to word your press release to generate an immediate response from
clients. Therefore, include information on how clients can receive a
free brochure. Offer them a discount on their first typing
assignment if they respond within two weeks. Just make sure it
doesn't sound like an advertisement or it will never get past the
editor's desk.
Elements Of A Release
Following are typical items in
most releases:
The name and number of someone to
contact are standard inclusions. It will aid the editor when and if
he has questions. Many releases are thrown out because a contact
person is not included.
The second item is the headline.
While most editors will use their own headline, this will provide
the editor with a quick summarization of your release.
Next is your copy. After your copy
is the following symbol, centered on the page.
###
After this include contact information.
If there are additional pages, the
bottom of the page would have the following:
More
*****************
(This is from the Virtual
Assistant Solution Pack -- Word Perfect) Coming Soon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: <Name>
<Phone>
<Fax>
<E-mail address>
<Website>
The Virtual Assistant –
Revolutionizing The Way Businesses Work!
Pompano Beach, FL - July 5, 2004:
Have you heard about the new “kid on the block?” The one that is
empowering businesses to do better, and revolutionizing the way work
is being done today! Well, fasten your seatbelt and meet--The
Virtual Assistant! The business support and internet technology
gurus that are quickly becoming the answer to many entrepreneurs and
small business owners’ needs.
For years businesses have complained of needing more help in the
office to meet the ever increasing demands of running a business.
They needed more time to devote to marketing and product development
without the expense of hiring another employee. Now with the help of
qualified Virtual Assistants, they are able to do this and more!
Businesses are realizing the dynamics of what virtual assistants can
do and are reaping the benefits. For example, attorneys and doctors
are taking advantages of digital dictation, and the convenience that
brings with no longer having to drop off tapes. Real Estate Agents
are seeing their sales soar and their office running smoother
through the expert help of Transaction Coordinators. And finally,
small business owners now have the same Internet presence as the big
boys with the use of dedicated Virtual Assistants who not only
design their website, but get it recognized as well through search
engine optimization.
Virtual Assistants can be best
defined by Sharon Williams, founder of the Alliance for Virtual
Businesses™, (www.AllianceForVirtualBiz.com). She states, “Virtual
Assistants (VAs) are highly skilled professionals who provide
administrative support and other specialized services to businesses,
entrepreneurs, executives, and others who have more work to do than
time to do it. Globally they provide services such as web design and
maintenance, meeting and event planning, desktop publishing, word
processing, and business start-up consultations. Representing
countries from the United States to the UK, Canada to Australia,
they use skills and education to help entrepreneurs work smarter,
not harder.”
http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com/Diana Ennen’s Virtual Assistant
practice in Pompano Beach, Florida has been specializing in word
processing, legal transcription, resumes, and other specialties
since 1985. With the growth of the Virtual Industry, she was able to
take her business globally and add to her vast array of services.
She states, “The future has arrived, and with it a growing
partnership that’s sure to last – The Virtual Assistant and
Businesses Partnership.”
If you want your business to run
smoother, check out the many services that a Virtual Assistant can
provide. Our website at Virtual Word Publishing, (www.virtualwordpublishing.com),
has a complete directory of qualified Virtual Assistants that can
meet your every business need. Stop by and start experiencing the
difference a VA can make in your business today.
###
********
Diana Ennen has been a leader in the VA and Word Processing industry
since starting her business in 1985. She has written two books on
the topic including, Virtual Assistant ~ The Series: Become a Highly
Successful Sought After VA and Words From Home: How To Start and
Operate a Home-Based Word Processing Business. Contact her at Diana@virtualwordpublishing.com
or http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com/.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kelly Poelker
(618) 624-3080
kelly@va-theseries.com
Diana Ennen
(954) 782-0581
Diana@va-theseries.com
Virtual Assistants – A New Breed
of Work at Home Entrepreneurs
O’Fallon, IL – According to a 2004
study, the Center for Women’s Business Research reports there are an
estimated 10.6 million privately-held, 50% or more women-owned firms
in the U.S., accounting for nearly half (47.7%) of all
privately-held firms in the country. Astonishing, isn’t it?
It’s the dream of millions to
start their own business and utilize their computer to make money at
home. Now, with the help of Diana Ennen and Kelly Poelker’s latest
book, Virtual Assistant – The Series, 3rd Edition ($29.95, Another 8
Hours Publishing), it’s a reality! With the latest technologies, the
rapid growth of the Internet, and the business community recognizing
the benefits of partnering with a qualified virtual assistant, the
virtual revolution has begun. And there is no end in sight!
What started out in the 80’s as
home-based word processors has grown into what we are seeing today.
The local limitations are gone. The boundaries are erased. Modern
advancements and the sheer power of the Internet coupled with
enterprising, cutting edge entrepreneurs such as these authors have
skyrocketed this industry. They know the technology. They have the
resources. And they’ve written the book on it! A book so powerful
that it’s cited as the “bible” for the virtual assistant industry.
Virtual Assistant – The Series is currently used as training
material for VA courses including: Virtual Assistance U, an online
training center for virtual professionals; Red Deer College’s VA
Certification Program (in Canada); and other higher level learning
organizations and colleges who are recognizing the potential for
growth and continued education in the VA industry.
Priscilla Y. Huff, Author of 101
Best Home-Based Businesses for Women, 3rd. rev .ed, states, “It’s
more than just a startup manual, it is written by professional
virtual assistants (VAs) who combine their knowledge and experience
with practical tips from other successful VAs to help ensure your
own success in this exciting new venture. Virtual Assistant – The
Series is an essential tool for launching one of the most exciting
new entrepreneurial ventures–becoming a professional virtual
assistant.”
This book leaves no stone
unturned. Virtual Assistant – The Series is a complete guide to
starting and running a successful and PROFITABLE practice. It covers
the nuts and bolts that are the foundation of a successful practice
including business and financial planning, bookkeeping, marketing,
and setting up a business. Plus it offers information on domain
registration, creating a web site, and most importantly, how and
where to find clients.
Virtual Assistant – The Series:
Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA 3rd Edition Revised ISBN
# 0-9742790-5-6, 248 pages, August 2004, is available at
www.VA-TheSeries for $29.95 plus $5.00 shipping and handling. (First
and second editions published under the title Up Close and Virtual)
MY BEST ADVICE – BELIEVE IN
YOU!!!
The most important ingredient for
success is the belief in yourself that you can do it. There is no
room for self-doubt when you start your own business. It requires a
tremendous amount of courage and faith to walk up to your present
employer, quit your job, and then start out on your own. You need to
be confident in your decision that you WILL make it. Keep telling
yourself--YOU CAN DO IT!!
Master These Qualities
Professionalism: This is your key
to clinching those new clients. You need to convey that you’re not a
small-time operator working primarily from your kitchen table. You
are an ambitious entrepreneur with state-of-the-art equipment and
exceptional skills and knowledge. Convince them that they need your
expertise to make their business run smoother and more successfully.
Businesses want to deal with other
professionals. They don’t want to risk their work, and perhaps their
clients, on someone who is not. People hire people whom they trust
and can relate to. It’s absolutely imperative from day one to
maintain this professional image.
Confidence: When you meet clients,
you need to feel assured of yourself and your business; it has to
show. You need to convince them that you know you can make their
business better, as you have done for others in the past. Having
self-confidence is a matter of learning to trust in yourself and
your abilities. Do you believe that you’re the best? Do you believe
that you can make a difference in this client’s business? You
should.
The Right Attitude: Possess a
positive “I CAN DO IT” attitude. If you doubt yourself, it will
show. Susan Markin of Markin & Associates, a word processing firm in
California, advises, “If you have a positive attitude, you can win
at anything you decide to do.” I don’t know about you, but I LIKE
BEING A WINNER!!
Aggressiveness: To achieve almost
anything in life, you need to be aggressive. You have to get out
there and go for it. This isn’t the time to sit back passively and
hope for the best. Take charge. Let them see that you believe in
your business. Your clients will be telling you of their needs and
you will be convincing them that you can fill those needs. Let them
know they are making the right decision in seeking your company’s
assistance. Keep control of the conversation, but don’t appear pushy
or offensive.
Knowledge of Their Particular
Field: If you’ve done your homework, you can impress your potential
clients with your knowledge of their business. People love to talk
about their business. If you show them you already have an
understanding of their needs, they will gain the confidence that
throughout your relationship you will always be one step ahead.
Experience: Relaying your prior
experience gives clients confidence in your ability. One way to
present your expertise is to personalize your resume for individual
clients. For example, if you’re meeting with a personal injury
attorney, emphasize your legal strengths. If you’re meeting with a
professor, emphasize your academic strengths.
Don’t feel because you’re new and
starting out that you don’t possess any experience. You do. How long
have you been a secretary or word processor? How confident are you
in your abilities? Even if this is your first day in business,
you’re taking with you years of prior secretarial experience and
skills. There is no need for any client to know that you’re just
starting out.
First Impressions: These are vital
to your success!! That client is going to make a decision on whether
he or she feels confident with your services within seconds after
meeting you, whether it’s personally or on the phone (or email as
well). These first impressions can be strong and difficult to
change. It’s much easier to make a good first impression than change
a bad one.
You can also do this for all your
online clients as well. Even though you won’t personally be stopping
by, you are getting your name in front of them by sending them
reminders of you. I’ve even ordered pizzas for one of my online
client’s staff. I found out from the office manager that every
payday Friday they order out. I sent the money in advance to the
office manager and she placed the order. Boy, were they surprised.
They loved it. (Next time I might need a favor, I bet they remember
this too!)
It’s normal to be a little nervous
at first. However, it won’t be long until talking to clients will
become as second nature to you as typing now is. The most important
thing is not to show it. You need to portray your confidence and
stability in your initial interview. The more prepared you are, the
smoother things will go.
Remember one important thing--your
business is offering a valuable service that they need. It
practically sells itself. Your company should always strive for
perfection and in doing so, you can offer these clients “the best of
the best.” That confidence should be evident in everything you say
and do.
Final Notes
We hope you enjoy our booklet and your business is a great success.
Let us know if we can be of any additional assistance. If you like
our booklet, let us know. If you have additional tips, we’d love to
hear them. Also, stop by our site often as we update it frequently.
Add your name to our directory of Virtual Assistants and also
contact us if you’d like to link with our site.
If you’d like information on any
of our books, stop by our site or contact me directly. I’d love to
talk with you.
Thanks!
Diana Ennen
Author: Virtual Assistant - The Series: Become a Highly Successful,
Sought After VA & Words From Home: How To Start and Operate a
Home-Based Word Processing Business & Bizymoms Cookbook (Available
on Bizymoms.com)
(Diana@virtualwordpublishing.com)
www.virtualwordpublishing.com
www.va-theseries.com
EXPECT SUCCESS by Diana Ennen
That’s right! Don’t sit back and hope that clients will come your
way and this business might work for you. EXPECT IT! Go in with a
winning attitude. An attitude that no matter what obstacles come
your way, no matter what challenges arise, you will meet them. Not
only will you meet them, you will face them and grow in strength by
overcoming them, and rising above them. EXPECT SUCCESS!!
Let's look at where you are in
your business. Some of you are seasoned VAs with thriving practices,
while others have just entered into the arena. You want what those
pros have. Well -- don't just want it—EXPECT IT! Make this your
motto. Start each new project, or each new marketing venture, with
this new attitude, and with this new motto—EXPECT SUCCESS!! Before
long, it becomes second natured to you. You start automatically
assuming the outcome will be successful. EXPECT SUCCESS!!!
Now, in starting a business there
are some steps you have to take. You'll find the first one is the
BIG one. It's the Attitude Step. You need to make the transformation
from "employee" or "stay-at-home" mom, etc., to successful
entrepreneur. The mind-frame changes right from there. EXPECT
SUCCESS!!. Now we're on to some of the business basics. A successful
entrepreneur professionally chooses the name that best suits their
VA business. To do this, they visualize that name on their business
cards, on their signature line, on the bottom of the letter, with
the name President directly right above it. EXPECT SUCCESS!! Now
more motivated than ever, our successful entrepreneur needs to
choose that all important domain name and gets ideas for their
website. They research the net for days, weeks, writing down all the
fine qualities they see in other web sites. Never copying! Merely
researching. Constantly thinking of what they can offer different
and be unique. What they can combine with own strengths and skills
to fit into their VA business that will then be listed on THEIR WEB
SITE. They read. They write. They Dream! EXPECT SUCCESS!! At this
point they start seeing that "Yes, it will happen." In their
research they have found the organizations, associations, listserves
that the other VAs are active on. They have seen the common
denominators of those that are successful. They too get involved.
They look for additional training courses they need and sign up for
the ones they know will help them meet their goals. They develop
their marketing, they design their promotional materials. They read
everything they can on starting a business. They have their plan.
EXPECT SUCCESS!! They see that the future of their business is now
just within their reach. They share with others their excitement.
And then they await the time they can finally say, I'm ready. EXPECT
SUCCESS!! It's your time. EXPECT SUCCESS, and You can Have it!
***************************
Diana Ennen, Co-Author, Virtual Assistant: the Series: Become a
Highly Successful, Sought After VA, and Words From Home: How To
Start and Operate a Home-Based Word Processing Business (www.virtualwordpublishing.com.
DeeEnnen@aol.com.
********************************
Virtual Assistant: The Series: Become a Highly Successful Sought
After VA is a complete reference guide to starting a successful and
PROFITABLE virtual assistant business. It's used as the primary
textbook at Red Deer College in Canada and will be soon utilized at
several Universities here in United States. Many universities are
starting virtual assisting programs and utilizing our book. It's a
complete, thorough how-to book that will enable you to learn
everything you need to get started.
We cover all the business nuts and
bolts including business and financial planning, bookkeeping,
billing, and setting up your business. Complete information on
specialty services and working with clients, medical transcription,
legal transcription, etc.
Along with our personal
experiences, we've also included recommendations from virtual
assistants across the land. These are the real pros who are now
running successful businesses. You will find their suggestions in
the "In Their Own Words" section at the end of each chapter and
featured throughout the book. This will enable you to see how others
are making their businesses successful and provide you with a
blueprint on how to do the same with yours.
Recommended by:
More than just a startup manual,
it is written by professional virtual assistants (VAs) who combine
their knowledge and experience with practical tips from other
successful VAs to help ensure your own success in this exciting new
venture. VA-the Series is an essential startup guide to launching
one of the most exciting new entrepreneurial ventures--becoming a
professional virtual assistant. -Priscilla Y. Huff, Author101 Best
Home-Based Businesses for Women, 3rd. rev.ed.
www.va-theseries.com (order online) or
By E-mail, fax or by sending $29.95 plus $5.00 S&H to:
Diana@virtualwordpublishing.com
(954) 971-4025/phone/fax
E-book Available -- $27.95 -- Ebook and Financial CD
(Florida Residents please add $1.80 state sales tax100% Money Back
Guarantee
(ALSO AVAILABLE AT BORDERS AND AMAZON)
