How To Save Money On Setting Up A Virtual Assistant Business

So, you’re keen to become a virtual assistant, but I bet you're worried about the setup costs.

Don’t panic!

I’ve got some great tips to help you get started for next to nothing. 

As you’re working your way through my handy Virtual Assistant Start-Up Checklist, feel free to use these money-saving ideas as you make your way down the list and let’s get this show on the road.

Some costs are unavoidable, but even with things such as a computer, internet connection, domain name,  and phone plan, you can shop around to get the best deal.

If your home computer/laptop is suitable, you don’t need to rush out straight away and buy something new.

Give yourself some time to get a few regular clients under your belt, before prioritising expenditure. Once you have some income to spare, you can then make a plan to purchase items that will help grow your business.

A logo is essential to help you look professional, but you don’t need to spend hundreds (or more!) getting a logo made.

To get you started, I suggest using Canva to create your initial virtual assistant business logo.

Most virtual assistants agonise over the name and logo, but all that does is stall their progress and hold them back from revenue-generating activities such as promoting themselves.

The goal is to get out there and earn money ASAP, so put something simple together and start making some money so you can work towards getting the logo you want.

Get yourself and your new virtual assistant business out there and go to free networking events. Paid networking groups are great, but there are so many free ones that you can attend to start generating clients.

Search on Facebook, do Google searches for free networking events in your region, check out MeetUps, even banks offer networking events sometimes. Seek, and you shall find!

Yes, Xero is a lifesaver (and so user-friendly), but you can avoid the initial monthly subscription cost by keeping a spreadsheet to record your income and expenses.

Keep it simple in the beginning.

Remember, the goal is to avoid locking yourself into ongoing costs and contracts before you get your first few clients.

As a virtual assistant, you will quickly discover that time means money. With that in mind, it pays to seek out time and money-saving apps that will increase your business efficiency.

We suggest using a free tool called ‘Airtable’. Airtable has many uses and one of them can be as a simple CRM (Client Relationship Management) tool.

Use it to help you manage your client information, and track potential business leads and professional relationships.

LastPass is another fantastic free app you can use to get your virtual assistant business off to a flying start.

It remembers all your passwords, so you don’t have to. (Phew! One less thing to worry about as a busy virtual assistant).

A stylish website is excellent, but unless you are a graphic design whizz able to whip one up for yourself, one of these could set you back thousands of dollars. 

My solution? Use LinkedIn as your first website.

Treat that profile like a shop front showcasing yourself and your business and build it up until you have a professional network that could rival Oprah’s!

There you can let people know about your experience, skills, qualifications and of course, see what your fab new virtual assistant business is all about.

There is no need to go all in with developing a separate website as this won't get you your first clients anyway. (Simply because your SEO – or - Search Engine Optimisation, i.e. coming up in Google searches, won't be amazing initially, so your focus should be on getting clients through other avenues first).

Like I always say: “A bad website is worse than no website”, but once you have a pool of clients paying you regularly, it’s absolutely the right time to invest in getting that sleek, professional website put together. 

The key message I want to stress to you is simply that you need to focus on finding clients and generating income before you start adding recurring costs to your business unnecessarily and before you're getting the full value from those costs.

Getting this wrong can spell the beginning of the end before you even get off the ground.

Seems like that old saying 'You need to spend money to make money' might not be true in this case.

I want you to be the most successful virtual assistant you can be, so always focus on making money before spending it.

~ Jo