Virtual Assistance Business - The Legalities of Starting a Virtual Assistance Business
Thanks to Nell, again, here is an informative article on EXACTLY what to do when starting your own business. I wish I would’ve seen this a month ago. I’ve pretty much taken care of all of this, other than the filing for a DBA name, which I will do next week. (It’s a one time $15 charge here) and getting an EIN number and opening my own business checking account. I’ll get to it, just not one of those real important things right now. I’m still in the start up process, but it’s on my list of things to do…
Thanks Nell for the wonderful site, chocked full of WONDERFUL information!!!
Until next time…
H
Permalink 2 Commentshome…Interesting…Again, thanks to Nell and her wonderful site, I came across a certification program that is based on ACTUAL work and you don’t have to join. It’s a simple $30 application fee. I’m sure that I have the experience to qualify. I’m going to do some more research, and of course my website will have to be up and running and I need my business cards. Still some tiny details to work out. It’s always the tiny details.
Here’s how I feel about certifications…
I think they are great to have, if you can afford them. As my father always calls them, they are resume boosters. However, countless certification, in my opinion make you appear like a professional certification fiend. I think one or two are fine.
My company offers to pay for me to get the CPS or CAP certification through the IAAP. I’ve thought and thought and though about taking the classes and getting the certifications. I just don’t know if that’s the route that I want to go. Perhaps it will benefit me in the long run. I mean, if they’re paying for it, right? But I still don’t know.
I would like to get a VA certification, for the main reason that it’s a virtual job. I want people to know that I’m lefit. It’s different than applying at a “real” job. Plus, the benefit of being listed in the PVA directory would be nice.
I’ve looked into the IVVA and the other sites that offer the certifications. It’s $79 to join I believe and another $130, or something like that to take the test. That’s money, that as a start up business, I just don’t have. Plus, you have to be a member for 3 months or so to take the test. They do have a scholarship that they offer, but you have to be a member for 6 months to apply for that, and even then, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get it. I’m not knocking their site. I fully intend to invest back into my business, and I think it’s a wise organization to join. But I need to make some money before I delve into it. Is that right or wrong, I don’t know. Maybe I should fork over the money and just join, just to say that I am serious about this and that I want to be a member.
For now though, I’m going to work on getting the certifications at the PVA site. It’s a start and it’s something and I’ll go from there.
Any feed back on the certifications you have would be greatly appreciated.
Until next time…
H
Permalink 3 CommentsComplying With CAN-SPAM: A 10-Point Checklist for Marketers
Interesting…One of my marketing plans was to look for email addresses of potential and drop them a personal, little note, asking them to look at my website. (In my more professional terms of course). I was wondering with all the anti-spam laws that were out there, what exactly I could and couldn’t do. And I’m a HUGE hater of spam, so I certainly don’t want to innudate potential clients with it.
This article explains it and outlines it, and I think I’ll keep it around for future reference, and also in case anyone else would like to see it!
Until next time…
H
Permalink 4 Comments
Insider Reports - Marketing Channel
I came across this site today while taking a break at work. As someone interested in marketing, it offered ideas that I can use, both personally and professionally. I thought perhaps, it might benefit someone else as well.
I didn’t get the chance to go through it thoroughly, however a few articles caught my attention, mostly on how to prospect and how to catch someone’s attention when sending out mailers.
Hope this helps someone!
Heather
Permalink Comments
I neglected to really introduce myself when I started this whole blog thing…not that anyone really cares, but you might find it interesting! At least, I think I’m interesting…I’ll give you the professional and personal side of Heather.
We’ll begin with the personal side…
I was born January 9, 1977 in York, Pennsylvania to a nurse and at the time, a ambulance driver. He owned his own patient transfer business, White Rose Patient Transfer, that’s still in business today. (Dad sold the business, joined the Army and is now retired and traveling the country with my mother.)
I’m an Army Brat and I’ve lived all over the United States. I’ve seen many things and learned about many different places. I’ve called Virginia “home” since August 1997 when I moved back from Pennsylvania. I finally realized that my heart is here, in the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains.
I have two children, Matthew (8) and Samara (5). Here’s a recent picture of them… ok, never mind…I can’t figure out how to post them. When I have more time and energy I will do so.
I am divorced, been so for 3 years now. I met a wonderful man about a year ago and I couldn’t ask for anyone better! He’s wonderful to both the kids and I and very supportive of my online ventures. He has two children, Patrick (18) and Regan (4). We see Patrick from time to time, and Regan, every other weekend. She lived in North Carolina with her mom.
I have many hobbies, surfing the net, is one of them. I also like finding new things to do with my time and talents. I enjoy reading and doing puzzles (crossword, logic, etc). I also really enjoy my TV time with my boyfriend. We never miss CSI (any of them), Without a Trace and Medium. (If you haven’t seen that one, you’re missing out! NBC, 10pm EST on Mondays).
So that’s me in a nut shell, personally.
Now let me tell you about professionally.
I am currently the Executive Assistant at a local construction engineering firm and I’ve been there since June. Prior to that I worked in TV sales and marketing for 6 years. I was the Research Director at UPN Richmond and the Marketing Research Specialist at Newschannel 10 here in Roanoke. I love the TV biz and I miss it from time and time, but it didn’t fit with my family life. (In order to grow, you have to move markets and Richmond was about as big as I wanted to get, but the kids hated it. That’s why we moved back here.!)
I’ve done a slew of odd jobs here and there, customer service, data entry, call center, telemarketing, etc. With all of the experience I’ve gained along the way, I thought it might be best to combine them all into a one stop shop for clients, and here I am.
So there’s the professional side of Heather. I could go on and on, but I’m not feeling well tonight and not much into selling myself.
Some time, I’ll figure out the picture thing and then you can see pictures of those most important in my life, as well as of me. For the first time in my life, I have pictures that I don’t mind posting!
Until next time…
Heather