Advice on setting up as a virtual assistant?? Any advice appreciated

[Stardust]

Hello to you all
I am currently working from home for a local council doing some infrequent admin work and as I have found something I am skilled at and enjoy i would like to take it a step further and offer my services wider... to anyone who wants to use me for secretarial work. I believe i have most things to get started ie internet, computer, phone but dont know what to do next... i guess i need to find myself a name and do some business cards.. then what?
any advice appreciated as this is all new tome.
Many thanks

[accountantpete]

Personally I would firstly research the existing local secretarial services on the web to see what the competition is like and if there is a niche that you can squeeze into.

[coe114c]

Also go along to some local networking events - you can gauge interest and maybe pick up some business too.

[d30web]

Networking can be a handy tool . A number of builders / plumbers sometimes use similar services you could look at advertising at their trade stores.

[bigtrowel]

can anyone give me more information on virtual offices etc how they work,what they cost thanks

[DCB]

hia

If you do a google search for phonepresence, you will find a company who specialise in setting up the communicaitons for this type of business.

With Phone Presence you will be able to setup telecoms with live operators working from home or a automatic system. Very flexable.

Thier sales number is 0800 075 0075

Hope this helps.

Gareth

[Recruitment1]

I called 'Phone Presence' as I'm interested in setting up a similar business in the next year or so. Their prices seemed reasonable but I'm still awaiting an email from them. It has now been requested 3 times to no avail.

I'm currently looking for other companies who does the same as this is not a good start. I think I will email their complaints department as well.

[Indizine]

If you need supplier details, add a post to Get Quotes/Find Suppliers and people can post details there.

[Hotdesk Genie]

I'm a new member and unable to post urls but you might be interested to check out the International Association of Virtual Assistants (IAVA) website and there are others as well...just do a google search to have a look at how others have set up shop.

[Hotdesk Genie]

I've also found this one in the past. You can see if it's of any use to you at www-dot-virtualassistantnetworking-dot-com/;

"The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is the premier Virtual Assistant association with a body of Virtual Assistant business knowledge and know-how that is second to none! Our passion is helping Virtual Assistants run smarter, more successful businesses that bring them more money and greater personal happiness, freedom and client satisfaction."