What’s your business structure? Is it fully optimized for success?Consider the following:

What’s your ideal client How many hours do you want to work How much money do you wish to earn

Creating your ideal conditions will attract your ideal client

Specialize Virtual assistant specializing in Social Media Graphic designer specializing in web

graphics Copywriter specializing in blog writing

Choose the task(s) that you enjoy most, that energize you

Make a list Things you love vs things you hate

Analyze your list What tasks can you outsource? What services can you eliminate? What services can you promote?▪ Specialize in THESE services!

Is there a need for your specialized services? Conduct polls & other market research

Setup your ideal business first to attract ideal clients

Check out your competitors’ prices Check sites like Upwork, and VA

Networking Look for networks where higher pay goes to established freelancers

Create special introductory offers Then upsell client to other, regular-priced

services Beware…some clients expect the low prices

forever

Introductory Offers May not attract your ideal client Always set a limit▪ How long the offer will remain in effect▪ How many units a new client can purchase▪ On amount of time offered

Always post your limits within the ad copy

Always call it an introductory offer

Your website, forms, brochures & business cards should be professional This will attract professional clients

Be aware of what image your photographs portray If you’re in a suit, you’ll attract formal

clients If you’re wearing jeans, you’ll attract

informal client

Create a strong project management system & communications protocol Create contracts & project management

spreadsheets Be very clear about your expectations &

what services you will provide

Let clients know when you’ll be available

Let clients know about any rush charges for same day service

Ask for their preferred method of contact

Keep a simple, one-page chart for each client

Create packages that suit you but delight your clients

Packages should provide high-value service options One-time setup packages Recurring monthly packages Add a shopping cart button TELL your client what you want them to

do with a call to action

Track your time Client work time When you stop for lunch or phone calls

This can help find where you’re wasting time & how to work more efficiently

Be clear & focused about how you want to spend your time

Your professional website Should LOOK like a website, not a blog Use WordPress & create a static home

page Choose a catchy name Highlight your specialty Featured Content boxes allow client

interactivity Video gives a sample of your personality

Prominent sign up web form with incentive

Share buttons & RSS feed button Call to action Client testimonials Relevant header graphic Professional colors White space to keep client focused on

message Helpful menu tabs

Create a Client Kit folder & keep it on your desktop for easy access Create a backup or master file & store

elsewhere in case of a computer crashYour kit should include:

Email templates outlining packages Price list Client questionnaire

Should tell you everything you need to know about a project

Should help your client think about the different aspects of the projects clearly

Should prequalify your client Eliminates the ‘mindreader’ factor Will help determine pricing Create 2 versions:

1 for exploratory, 1 for when client commits

Include a Client Profile sheet for when they commit

Create other forms or handouts that will be helpful to your client

Always brand your forms with your company name, logo & simple contact details

Join local networking groups

Carry business cards and/of brochures

Volunteer to hold a workshop

Have a six-second mission statement ready Concisely describe what you do, then offer an

extra business card to pass along

Check LinkedIn dailyWord of mouth recommendationsRefine your web content to target

your ideal clientAdvertise

Facebook ads, other online ads Target your competitors

Use specialized job boards Example: Problogger

Get to know the more general job boards & directories Example: Upwork.com

Create a special offer for membership forums

Fiverr Great for posting introductory offers Everything is $5 so plan carefully Be very specific about the scope of your

offer

How many clients do you need & want? Avoid relying on one big client

You never know when that client’s needs will change & if they leave you won’t have any clients

Diversify Take on at least 3 clients If one client leaves, you can get more work

from the other 2 or start looking for another client

Plan to grow your business from the start

How many people do you want to employ?

How many departments will you need as you expand?

Plan a time frame for growth & expansion

Become a full-fledged company with employees & physical office space

Grow then sell your businessRun the business yourselfRun the business yourself but

expand by outsourcing Plan the outsourcing from the beginning What type of work will you outsource? What type of contractors will you need?

Your fee formula should be based on: Expenses Competitor pricing What the market will bear Your unique mix The added value you bring to your

services Your unique experiences & skills

Create digital products & resourcesYou can reach a different segment of

your target marketYour products can work for you &

generate passive income Install Paypal payment buttons on

your services & products pages

Very often a client who purchases a product will contact you about your premium services Your product acted as a sampler It was branded with your contact info This creates trust & goodwill Even if your customer never returns, you

still made money on the products

The product you give away when someone signs up for your list Make it highly-focused It should supply their most immediate need Brand with you logo & contact information

A subscriber list allows you to keep in touch with potential customers & build relationships

1. Research ideal client2. Determine what fees the market will bear3. Determine how much your ideal client is

used to paying4. Research your competitors & their fees5. Setup a well-optimized website6. Create special offers for membership

forums7. Advertise, as your budget allows8. Join local networking groups

9. Create workshops10.Volunteer11.Check social media daily12.Advertise on job boards or directories13.Create a sign up incentive14.Create a client resource section15.Create a digital product16.Referred the ‘wrong’ client to a more

appropriate professional

1. Ask for referrals on your website2. Bribe visitors to spread the word3. Hand out business cards everywhere4. Update your website quarterly & tell

your list5. Ask clients for referrals when they

thank you for a job well done6. Ask for recommendations on whatever

social media sites the client uses regularly

Managing clients & turning them into repeat customers can be tricky

Don’t become too comfortable in your business

Build your reputationGenerate consistent positive

recommendationsRemain visible in your fieldGrow with technology

Keep your Client Kit easily accessible Price services competitively Research your ideal client Fine tune your services Optimize your website Develop a 6-second mission statement Advertise (if necessary) Keep up to date on job boards Create appealing client packages

Do what you promised! Delivering mistake-free, top quality

product Meet your deadline

Make sure you work well with your client’s team or employees You never know if one of these employees

will recommend you to some one else

1. Separate the delivery from the message

Don’t be tempted to yell back but do understand the source of the complaint

If the yelling continues, warn the client that you’ll be hanging up but would be happy to continue the conversation at another time

Try not to engage in this argument

2. Apologize to the client Keep it simple Don’t offer an explanation unless asked for Don’t apologize if the client is being abusive

or yelling – wait until the client is calmer3. Nasty emails

Don’t react Fix the problem Keep emotional language out of the response

4. Keeping the client or cutting them loose There’s no right or wrong answer Only you know if you can handle their

personality & demands Never accept abusive language or behavior Don’t burn bridges Offer the names of other service providers

to the client Don’t keep clients who cost you time &

money

Be aware of changes in your client’s business

Don’t be afraid to ask questions as changes occur

Don’t assume your client will tell you about every change

Tell clients about added services as your business changes

Talk to your client about their goals Always deliver high quality

HIT Virtual Assistants work with entrepreneurs and business owners from a variety of. I started the company in 2007. Today, nine years later, I have realized my goals of owning a successful business and having the freedom to live the lifestyle I desire. I became VACertified shortly after I started my business. Working as a Virtual Assistant has allowed me to achieve my dream lifestyle.

If this is your goal, I have a limited number of consultation packages for those wanted to start the VA journey. If you’re interested contact me at Karen@HITVirtual.com 

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