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Ask Judy Question #2
Dear Judy: I see that you do typing and editing. Please hire me to help with your workload. I have a pretty good typing speed. I've been looking for work for ages and can't find anyone like you to hire me. What's wrong? I'm really talented, have a good computer, and want to stay at home rather than have a jay-oh-bee.
Signed...Baffled in Buffalo
Responses by Judy Vorfeld, Jackie Eastwick, Marsha Kopan, and Carolyn Akens
From Judy Vorfeld
Dear Baffled in Buffalo: You came to the right place! I get lots of requests like yours and take pleasure in recommending that you consider starting your own business rather than try to become a virtual employee.
There are many reasons for this, and you can learn more about them at my "How to start a home-based business" pages. Also, I belong to International Virtual Assistants Association, an excellent nonprofit organization with a fantastic e-mail list where members help each other with every kind of technical and client-related situation imaginable. Also look at StaffCentrix, another excellent organization that lists many "Help Wanted" messages for independent contractors.
You might want to hear from others who decided to start their own virtual businesses. Let's start with Jackie Eastwick of Allison Lane. Her message follows. Make sure you visit her site to get the scope of her business!
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From Jackie Eastwick, Allison Lane
Dear Baffled:You need to get that marvelous "entrepreneurial spirit" out of the closet
and embark upon your own trip down the self-employment path. Working for
me would only be another Jay-Oh-Bee for you (and besides,
most of us who do this are sole proprietors who complete the work
ourselves).
Have a little fun! The best part of being self-employed is growing your
business from seed to bloom: from choosing a name to
designing your website and submitting it to the search engines. Imagine
designing your own brochures and letterhead - that is far better than
another Jay-Oh-Bee working for me or for someone else. Could you
imagine a better boss than yourself?
Seriously, there are resources all over the Internet for you to learn how
to operate your own biz. Help is available online 24/7. I, or one of my
peers (can't say co-workers 'cause we're all self-employed), would be
happy to provide you with some excellent resources - just drop me a
note.
Jackie Eastwick, IVAA CVA
Allison Lane Business Solutions
Out of Sight Administrative Assistance
http://www.allisonlane.com
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From Marsha Kopan, Executive Secretarial Services
Dear Baffled in Buffalo: If you're searching the internet for work at home jobs, why not start your own work at home business. If you've been in office environments for any length of time you already have the skills to do office work at home.
There are several things to do to get up and running in a VA (virtual assistant) business.
First of all, make a list of all of your office skills and what you can offer to prospective clients. At first your offerings may be limited by the office equipment you have at home but don't let that hold you back. Purchase equipment and supplies as needed.
You may want to visit the websites of other virtual assistants to get an idea of how they present themselves. Make a list of what you like/dislike about what they do, about their website and about their market. Then sit down with the lists you've made and develop a marketing strategy of your own.
Lastly, be sure to affiliate yourself with other VA's. You will learn many skills from networking with peers. I have found that my membership in the International Virtual Assistants Association, http://www.ivaa.org was one of the best decisions I made to help me develop my practice.
Marsha Kopan, IVAA CVA
Executive Secretarial Services
http://www.execsecsrv.com
Time is money; delegate, don't stagnate.
From Carolyn Akens, Akens Business Essentials
Dear Baffled in Buffalo: I suggest that you join online reputable organizations such as http://www.ivaa.org or http://www.staffcentrix.com where you will have the ability to network with others that may sub-contract their overflow. Take a peek at those two web sites because you will find a lot of helpful information. I wish you success.
Carolyn Akens, Virtual Office Administrator
Akens Business Essentials
http://www.chefcarolyn.com
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