Start From Where You Are

 I remember what it was like to launch my Virtual Assistant business, RocketGirl Solutions.

I didn’t quite know what the first steps were, I was always questioning myself, and there was a lot of starting and stopping.

The worst part was the doubt – wondering if this was ever going to take off and how was I ever going to find a steady stream of client work. But somehow, it worked!

If you are having the same problems I did, hunker down and follow the four steps below.

1. Get all your contacts in one place. Search your Facebook friends, LinkedIn connections, email address book, and business cards. Put them in an Excel spreadsheet. Hold for step 4.
    
2. Build a WordPress website. Make it as simple as possible, even just two or three pages. And it’s not necessary to spend a lot of money, either. You can start with a template that’s included with the standard WordPress installation. Make sure it’s error-free (no typos and no broken links), clearly written, and that it’s overwhelmingly obvious and simple for people to get in touch with you!
    
3. Get an email address that matches your website. Mine is belinda@rocketgirlsolutions.com, not rocketgirlsolutions@gmail.com. This goes a LONG way toward showing you’re serious about being in business as well as your professionalism. The small things matter.
    
4. Send an email announcement using MailChimp or Constant Contact to all the contacts you gathered in Step 1. Announce your new business and share a link to your website. Something simple like this:

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my Virtual Assistant business, RocketGirl Solutions. I specialize in providing office admin support for small businesses.

I hope you’ll check out my website and let me know what you think.

Of course, there’s more than this to creating a thriving Virtual Assistant business. But if you start with these four things, you’ll have laid the groundwork for success!