Starting A Virtual Assistant Business

January 26, 2010

When starting a virtual assistant business, the first item on your to do list is coming up with a business name. You should give this a lot of thought.  The name you choose should reflect your products or services, because you will promote, brand and market your business under this name.

Next, decide on a niche.  A niche market is a narrowly defined group of potential clients. In order to create effective advertising and/or marketing messages, you need to know who you are addressing.

One method of marketing is Internet marketing, also know as online marketing.  Nowadays, because of the Internet and technology, Internet marketing is affordable and popular.  Examples of Internet marketing are blogs, websites, article marketing, online networking, and e-mail marketing campaigns.  For more detailed descriptions and examples of Internet marketing, click here for a copy of  my e-book for only $3.98.

If you are considering starting a virtual assistant business, decide on a business name, choose a niche, as well as create and implement an Internet marketing plan.

By RitaJo | Posted in Internet marketing, Marketing, Online Business, Online Marketing, RJ's Word Processing Services, Rita J. Cartwright, Single-Person Business, Single-Person Business Owner, Small Business, Small Business Owners, Solopreneur, Virtual Assistant, Virtual Assistant Services, Virtual Assistants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comment (1)

Rita Cartwright’s Vision

December 8, 2009

You may have read in a previous post that I am a Christian business leader, as well as the responsibilities that are associated with this position.  This video explains my vision of training women, who are turning their lives around, how to become virtual assistants and entrepreneurs.  If you know of anyone who would appreciate this information, please forward this post to them.  Thank you very much.

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By RitaJo | Posted in Christian Business Leader, Entrepreneur, Outsourcing, RJ's Word Processing Services, Rita Cartwright, Rita J. Cartwright, Small Business Owners, Virtual Assistant, Virtual Assistants, subcontractor, women shelter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

Entrepreneur’s Mindset

December 3, 2009

Rita2Working for someone else and working for yourself is as different as day and night.  I suddenly realized this having worked in the corporate world for over 25 years compared to now being an entrepreneur.

It is quite an adjustment to become accustomed to not having to answer to anyone or feeling inferior to a superior.  I call this conditioning yourself into a mindset of an entrepreneur.  It is not an easy transition, but well worth the transformation.

Your client is not your boss, but your equal.  This type of relationship fosters a mutual respect for each other to the point where you can even brainstorm on certain topics or issues.  Sure your boss in the workforce may have attempted to show you mutual respect, but there was always that element of inequality that existed.

Having an entrepreneur’s mindset gives you the freedom to express your ideas or creativity without being worried about being stifled or causing confusion in the office or the boardroom.  An entrepreneur’s mindset gives you more confidence in yourself and your capabilities.  It can also build your self-esteem, especially for female entrepreneurs.  Women in the workforce have come a long way, but there is work yet to be done.

In today’s economy, being an entrepreneur is rapidly becoming the norm.  According to Entrepreneur Magazine, self-employment rates have been growing at an average of 4.5 percent annually. With all the layoffs, especially among baby boomers, that percentage will increase.  Age discrimination still exists; therefore, it will be difficult for them to find employment, forcing them into becoming entrepreneurs.

Overall, thinking like an entrepreneur rather than an employee is a process, which takes time.  As I mentioned before, it is a conditioning that takes place.  It is not easy, especially for baby boomers after so many years in the workforce; however, it can be done.  Enjoy the ride!

From the mindset of an entrepreneur,

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By RitaJo | Posted in Baby Boomers, Client, Clients, Entrepreneur, RJ's Word Processing Services, Rita Cartwright, Rita J. Cartwright, Single-Person Business, Single-Person Business Owner, Small Business, Small Business Owners, Solopreneur, home-based business | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (8)

Virtual Book Tour – Presented by CD&C Virtual Outsource Paralegal

November 18, 2009

Cordina BusIn just two days, Cordina Charvis will begin her worldwide virtual book tour.  She will make her first stop here on Friday, November 20th at 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. PST.  I will be interviewing her about her newly released eBook, The Ultimate Virtual Paralegal Guide.  Cordina’s eBook includes tips for starting a virtual paralegal business, as well as pitfalls she suffered when she first started her business and how to avoid them.

Cordina will also be giving away a fr^ee copy of eBook, valued at $18.99, to a randomly selected visitor.  All you need to do to qualify is post a comment or question for Cordina on Friday, November 20th, to be entered into the grand drawing.

So come on by on Friday to learn more about Cordina, as well as ask her any questions you may have about operating and starting a virtual paralegal business.  You can also be the lucky winner of her informative eBook, The Ultimate Virtual Paralegal Guide.  See you on Friday!

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By RitaJo | Posted in Business, Cordina Charvis, E-book, Entrepreneur, Online Business, Outsourcing, Paralegal, RJ's Word Processing Services, Rita Cartwright, Rita J. Cartwright, Single-Person Business, Single-Person Business Owner, Small Business, Small Business Owners, Solo Attorney, Solopreneur, Virtual Assistant, Virtual Assistant Services, Virtual Assistants, Virtual Book Tour, Virtual E-book Tour | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

Outsource it To Your Virtual Assistant

October 29, 2009

ritajoblack1For those of you who are entrepreneurs and small business owners and are in need of a new website, consider creating it with WordPress software.

The software is free. The only costs to you are domain and hosting fees. There is no need for you to purchase website development software. The self-hosting version of WordPress allows you to create an entire website, manipulate the codes for customization, and has a lot of available plugins. Plugins are snippets of computer programming that can be added to WordPress, which gives it the ability to do almost anything you can think of. Click here for more information on the most popular plugins available and their capabilities.

You can also make edits, changes, and updates quickly and easily. However, it is very time-consuming to set up your site and there is a learning curve. There are business professionals who can teach you how to set up your site. However, if you are limited on time, this serves you no purpose. On the other hand, there are virtual assistants who have the skills and experience to create your site for you.

So, if you are limited on time or don’t want to be bothered with it, outsource this task to your Virtual Assistant. S/he can set up and maintain your site, which will save you time, as well as allow you to focus on your products and/or services.

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By RitaJo | Posted in Entrepreneur, Outsourcing, RJ's Word Processing Services, Rita Cartwright, Rita J. Cartwright, Single-Person Business, Single-Person Business Owner, Small Business, Small Business Owners, Solopreneur, Virtual Assistant, Virtual Assistant Services, Virtual Assistants, WordPress.org, home-based business | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (9)

RJ’s Word Processing Services Blog New Name

October 27, 2009

ritajoblack1Sometimes change is good, and this is one of those times. Out with the old, in with the new. So, I have decided to change the name of my blog to reflect the method of delivery of the content I provide to my readers. The new name is RJ’s Word of Mouth Weblog. Let me know what you think. I look forward to reading your comments.

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By RitaJo | Posted in Blog, Business, Entrepreneur, RJ's Word Processing Services, Rita J. Cartwright, Services, Single-Person Business, Single-Person Business Owner, Small Business, Small Business Owners, Solopreneur, Virtual Assistant, Virtual Assistant Services, Virtual Assistants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Christian Business Leader

October 26, 2009

ritajoblack1I was recently told by a client that she views me as a Christian business leader. I highly respect her opinion because she is a coach of Christian leaders; therefore, she’s speaking from experience. For those of you who are Christian leaders, I would highly recommend her services, because she coaches according to the leading of Holy Spirit. Click here to learn more about Karen M. Pina.

After learning that I am a Christian business leader, I googled exactly what is a Christian business leader, as well as what are the responsibilities associated with this position.

Although we are entrepreneurs, we are to conduct business according to how Holy Spirit leads us. We are not blindly driven by ambition and greed, but are led by the Lord in our achievement of goals and performance of tasks. We develop a specific vision of how things could and should be for our employees, community, family, and clients, and labor tirelessly with the help of God to make it happen. We take calculated risks. Make your decisions after prayer and careful consideration. We are called to serve our clients by providing them with value-added service. We are to create a relationship with employees or a team of individuals who are committed to our vision of providing our clients with quality service.

Finally, we are not to allow our drive for financial success cloud our vision and our true calling as Christian business leaders.

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By RitaJo | Posted in Christian Business Leader, Christian Coach, Coach for Christian Entrepreneurs, Coach for Christian Leaders, Entrepreneur, Karen M. Pina, RJ's Word Processing Services, Rita Cartwright, Rita J. Cartwright, Services | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (5)

Virtual Book Tour

September 29, 2009

ritajoblack1Announcing this Thursday, October 1, 2009, I will be hosting one of Sue Canfield’s virtual book tour stops.  I will be interviewing Sue on her newly released book, The Commonsense Virtual Assistant – Becoming an Entrepreneur, Not an Employee. This book is a guidebook for newer and aspiring virtual assistants on what it takes to run a successful virtual assistant business.

Sue has agreed to offer her book for the low cost of $10.00, shipping included, to a random winner.  That is a 50% discount!  To qualify for the drawing, all you need to do is post a comment or question.  The drawing will be held Friday, October 2, 2009, and you will be notified by e-mail.  Also, I will announce the winner here on my blog.CVA_book_128x188

Stop by on Thursday, October 1, 2009 to see what Sue is saying about her new, informative book, The Commonsense Virtual Assistant – Becoming an Entrepreneur, Not an Employee. See you Thursday!

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By RitaJo | Posted in Entrepreneur, Outsourcing, RJ's Word Processing Services, Rita Cartwright, Rita J. Cartwright, Single-Person Business, Single-Person Business Owner, Small Business, Small Business Owners, Solopreneur, Sue Canfield, Virtual Assistant, Virtual Assistant Services, Virtual Assistants, home-based business | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (5)

Virtual Assistant Industry Survey

September 25, 2009

ritajoblack1If you are a Virtual Assistant, the annual survey that is conducted by Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce (VACOC) is currently taking place.  Each year, the VACOC conducts an industry-wide survey with the purpose of taking a representative, group snap-shot of those who are in the business of providing ongoing administrative support.

Their goal is to have 1,000 participants by September 30. Virtual assistants who participate will receive a free report.

For more information and to participate in the survey, click here.

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By RitaJo | Posted in Online Survey, RJ's Word Processing Services, Rita Cartwright, Rita J. Cartwright, Virtual Assistant, Virtual Assistant Services, Virtual Assistants | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

When Home-Based Business Was a Dirty Word

September 7, 2009

ritajoblack1I remember when I first began my business in 2002, home-based business was a dirty word.  In fact, networking experts at that time recommended when at networking meetings, introduce yourself as a small business owner as opposed to an owner of a home-based business.

According to a 2008 SBA (Small Business Administration) report, small businesses make up 99.7 percent of all employer firms.  Fifty-two percent are home-based.  Today, being a home-based business owner is all the “buzz.”  If you are part of this 52%, as I am, your timing is perfect.

The economy also plays a major role in the increased number of home-based businesses.  So, the term home-based business will be even more popular.  As a Professional Administrative Expert providing virtual assistant services, my timing is once again perfect, because these new home-based business owners will need administrative support.

If you are at the crossroads of whether or not you should be a home-based business owner or a Virtual Assistant, there is no better time than now.  The bright side of  our dismal economy is these are exciting times to start your own business.

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By RitaJo | Posted in Entrepreneur, Rita J. Cartwright, Small Business, Small Business Owners, Solopreneur, Virtual Assistant, Virtual Assistant Services, home-based business | Tagged , , , , , , | Comment (1)