Social networking site are the new “IT” places to get new business. 

My 10 year high school is fast approaching and I have recently began receiving numerous friend request from old acquaintances on Myspace, LinkedIn, and Facebook; all asking the age old question, “what are you doing now.”  My response is always the same, “I own a virtual assistance company.” I direct them to my site and offer to send more information about my services.  The response have been very good.  Many refer to me to others who are in need of help.  This has led me to create a Facebook account for my business, Key Administrative Associates.  This has been very beneficial because I am also able to connect other virtual assistants and virtual assistant companies. 

Market Your Full Line of Virtual Assistant Services to Your Existing Clients 

While speaking to a client we supply medical billing/coding services, I was asked what else do you guys do?  I gladly replied, we are able to complete almost any task an in-office administrative professional would do but virtually.  He was a little astounded because he assumed we were just medical billers.  A good portion of our business is medical billing, but I realized we were not marketing our other services to our already existing clients.  I made the decision to create marketing materials for our existing clients letting them know about services they are not already contracted.  So far, the feedback has been positive.  One of our clients even referred us to a colleague, who became a NEW client!  We have decided to do this quarterly.

Ways to Use A Virtual Assistant

1. Executive/Administrative Assistant
2. Data Entry/Word Processing
3. Research
4. Event/Trip Planning
5. Social Networking
6. Back-up for your in-office staff
7. Calendar/Email/Voicemail Management
8. Personal Assistant
9. Accountant/Bookkeeper

This is not an all inclusive list.  There are many more ways to use a virtual assistant.  These are just the most common.

A virtual assistant is many things. Off the top of my head, I would say the following:

• Business Owner
• Clients biggest supporter  Virtual Assistants have a vested interested in their clients business because the success of their clients equal success for the Virtual Assistant’s business.
• Jack of all trades.  The nature of Virtual professionals and administrative professionals is a profession that involves problem solving, continuing education/training, communication, etc.  The day is never the same, thus virtual professional need the ability to adapt to the every changing situation.
• Virtual Assistants are PROFESSIONALS  Recently, while talking with friends from college who went on to become doctors, lawyers, teachers, and business executives; I was asked the question, “Why are you still working as a secretary, you have a degree from a prestigous university?” At first, I was a little insulted, then I explained that I was sucessful.  I own a business that enables me to live happy life, while, doing something I love.  This is not just the first job I was offered after college, this is a career I have chosen for myself. I have had the opportunity to meet administratve professionals who have blown me away with their brillance!  My mentor, works for a fortune 500 company assisting a EVP, her salary is comparable with many VPs in the organization and she could run the department herself if need be.  She takes pride in your profession and my all means is successful.  It takes years of training and experience to become a high level virtual professional. 
• Business Partner  Before starting my virtual assistant business, I was an executive assistant for a national company.  During the course of my employment, wore many hats (trainer, business manager, analyst, budget manager, employee relations, “fixer”, back up to executives, event coordinator, etc.) all while maintaining the same title.  Administrative Professionals no longer just type, they are responsible for being about to work at the level of the person they support, they are more business partnerthan support.  This business partner title has transferred into what describes a virtual assistant.  Virtual Assistants are the ultimate business partner because they provide all the services of an in-house administrative professional, for a lower overhead cost.

I refer my potential clients to this MSNBC report on Virtual Assistants video when they are unsure of my business and its vitiality.  I have received positive feedback, many indicating they feel a national report validates the profession.

A new way to work from home

These are simple techniques for creating a work environment that is beneficial to you and your clients.  Use these techniques to create a culture of respect.

• Treat clients (internal and external) with respect, dignity, and provide timely responses to their needs.

• Foster an open environment that tolerates dissent and rewards the right results and behaviors.

• Make large, sustained and smart investments of your resources.

• Look externally for new ideas.

• Share a close, cross-functional collaboration on all projects.

• Recognize the need for change before others do, as well as the ability to change yourself.

• Embrace technology

• Remember we are virtual professionals and business owners and should always strive to provide the best services possible.

• Foster a decision making process that is rigorous, decisive, participatory, transparent, timely, and effective.