Working Virtually: A Woman's Guide to Launching a Home-Based Business

By Melodee Patterson

The Working Virtually: A Woman's Guide to Launching a Home-Based Business contains down-to-earth information on starting a VA business, wrapped up in an engaging story.

Travel along with Vanessa and learn how to set up and grow your own Virtual Assistance business.

• Deciding on a business structure
• Choosing a company name
• Setting up a home office
• Discovering your niche
• Determining your services
• Setting your rates
• Branding your business
• Selecting a web host
• Designing your website
• Removing the fear of networking

Vanessa researches each subject extensively, providing resource links and downloads to guide you. Also, Vanessa’s extended family—her parents, her best friend, Marci, and her snake-in-the-grass ex-husband, Mark—provide a light-hearted look at how relationships can affect our life decisions.

See Table of Contents below.

Table of Contents

VANESSA HAS A DREAM

• The Ending
• The Beginning
• The Questions   
• The Decision
• The Plan

VANESSA BECOMES A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT

• Not Just Another Day
• A Surprising Insight
• And So It Begins
• The Dreaded Business Plan
• Those All-Important Legalities
• What’s in a Name?
• Location & Licensing
• Enough for One Day

VANESSA SETS UP HER HOME OFFICE

• A Day of Research and Phone Calls
• A Gift from Sedona
• Developing a List of Goodies
• A Trip to the Office Supply Store
• Unwanted Attention
• Setting Up an Office Is Hard Work
• A Dinner Guest
• The End of a Another Busy Day

VANESSA DETERMINES HER SERVICES, NICHE & RATES

• The End of an Eventful Week
• Just What Does a Virtual Assistant Do?
• Would You Like a Niche with Your Services?
• Is It a Question of Worth?
• Sign on the Dotted Line
• Weekend Plans
• Ask the Universe for Help

VANESSA GOES VIRTUAL

• What a Weekend!
• Time to Go Virtual
• What’s Branding Got to Do with It?
• Designs by Jasmine
• Design Basics
• What’s Your USP?
• Commitment Issues?

VANESSA OVERCOMES HER MARKETING FEARS

• Transformations
• The Angst of Marketing
• Is Print Marketing Dead?
• Email Marketing Is Hot
• Online Is the Place to Be
• Another Good Luck Charm
• Local Networking – Do I Have To?
• Networking from Home
• Some Miscellaneous Ideas
• Finished Business Plan: Priceless!
• First Networking Event

RESOURCES
MEET THE AUTHORS
CONTRIBUTORS
SPECIAL DOWNLOADABLES

• Business Plan Template
• Vanessa’s Home Office Set-up Notes
• 300 Services Virtual Assistants Provide
• Client Contract Word Template
• Marketing Notes