How To Form Your Foundation For Your Virtual Assistant Business
When starting a virtual assistant business, you don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t need the perfect branding, logo, or the fanciest website to get started. However, what you do need to form your foundation for a successful business is the systems that allow it to operate like a well-oiled machine. Read on to learn our favorite systems and programs for building your foundation and starting your own business.
6 Systems You Need To Build Your Foundation
One of the biggest mistakes I see new virtual assistants make is focusing their time, energy, money, and efforts on the wrong things when they start their business. Sure, it might be nice to get professional branding done, get brand photos taken, and build a website, and you absolutely can at some point. However, that’s not what’s going to bring you clients and income in the beginning.
The most important thing you should focus on when starting out is building a solid foundation for your business and getting systems and processes in place that allow you to adequately serve your clients. Of course, this is also the time to focus on building relationships, networking, and connecting with potential clients!
Here are 6 of the exact systems we recommend you have in place as well as the programs we use here at AK/VA to make them happen!
#1: Task Management Program
A task management program is key for managing projects, tasks, details, due dates, and communicating with other teammates and clients. We use Asana as our task management program.
#2: Social Media Scheduling App
Nobody wants to feel tied down to a manual posting schedule, which is why a social media scheduling app that allows you to post to multiple social media platforms is key. We use Later in our own business and for many of our clients.
#3: Email Marketing Program
Email marketing is the best way to market your products, programs, and services. It’s also key for setting up funnels and connecting with your audience. ActiveCampaign is a stellar email marketing program with several options for segmenting and sending emails that are customized for your unique audience. It also integrates with many other programs for ease of use.
#4: Customer Relationship Management Program (CRM)
When it comes to setting up consultation calls, sending proposals, contracts, and invoices, and onboarding clients, the last thing you want to do is manually manage all of these steps. A CRM like Dubsado automates this process and saves you so much time, allowing you to focus on building relationships and landing clients!
#5: Password Keeper
When working with multiple clients and multiple programs and softwares, there are a lot of passwords and login information to keep track of. Plus, you need a way to keep track of them safely. 1Password is our favorite password keeper system and allows our team members to access what they need, when they need it.
#6: Storage Software
Last but not least, you need a storage software to keep track of all your documents, spreadsheets, presentations, designs, and deliverables. We love using Google Drive to store and share all of our deliverables and information. It’s easy to use, edit, and share with our clients and team members.
These are the exact systems and programs we use at AK/VA to run our 7-figure business. If you’re looking for more step-by-step information, guides, and programs to help you build a solid foundation in your business, check out The Foundation!
This online self-study course contains a wealth of information and knowledge to help you get set up for success and build a kick-ass virtual assistant business of your own! You’ll get the inspiration, information, guidance, tools, tips, programs, resources, and support you need to build a business you’re proud to call your own and share with the world (not to mention, a life you LOVE!).