Entrepreneurial Freedom: How to Start and Grow a Profitable Virtual Assistance Practice

By Jeannine Clontz and Lauren Hidden

Entrepreneurial Freedom is the definitive "how to" for anyone looking to start or grow a small or home-based business; from deciding whether or not you have what it takes, to building a successful and ethical business.  In this book you’ll learn how to:

• Use business plans; contracts; and record keeping
• Develop your Brand
• Network
• Handle difficult clients
• Collect from non-paying clients
• Develop a 'professional' YOU
• Create a marketing plan
• Grow your business
• Shorten your learning curve by reading the real-life experiences of 24-established, professional entrepreneurs
• And much, much more!

You’ll also see contract and form samples, a resource directory for each chapter and valuable information from other successful business owners that will encourage you to take the next step in your entrepreneurial adventure. 

See Table of Contents below.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE - Do You Have What It Takes?
What You Need For Your VA Business
Capital
Will You Need Retail Space?
What’s Your Experience?
Can You Persevere?
Are You Self-Confident?
Are You Outgoing?
Chapter Summary
Chapter Links and Resources

CHAPTER TWO - Planning Your Business
Part-time vFull-time
Your Shopping List
A Business Phone
Hardware
Software
A Printer
Other Communications Equipment
Bookkeeping Software
Considering Options to Organize Your Company
Business Plans
Contracts and Forms
Record Keeping
Delegating Business Tasks
Chapter Summary
Wish List vs Bare Bones
Chapter Links and Resources

CHAPTER THREE - Branding
Naming Your Business
Taglines
30-Second Commercials
Creating a Website
Website Guidelines
Rates: To List or Not to List?
Getting Set Up On the World Wide Web
Signature Lines
Setting Your Fees
Setting “A” Client Criteria
Tracking Client Time and Time Management
Professional Image
Chapter Summary
Chapter Links and Resources
Tagline Examples

CHAPTER FOUR - How to Find and Keep Clients
Networking Groups Online and Off
How Exactly Do You Network?
Taking Networking One Step Further
Overcoming Client Objections
Price
Working Virtually
Timing
Communicating With Clients
Handling Difficult Clients
Local Businesses Versus Virtual Clients
Ethics and Customer Service
Saying “No” To a Potential Client
Firing Clients
Collections
Chapter Summary
Chapter Links and Resources

CHAPTER FIVE - Professional Development
Continuing Education
Industry and Small Business Conferences
Certifications
Professional Associations
Books
The Web
Podcasts
Chapter Summary
Chapter Links and Resources

CHAPTER SIX - Marketing, Advertising & Public Relations
Marketing
Paid Advertising
Consider Bartering
How Do You Know What Works?
Keeping Track of Your Results
Word of Mouth Marketing
How to Get Free Publicity
Sales
Giveaways
Chapter Summary
Chapter Links and Resources

CHAPTER SEVEN - The Challenges of Working From Home
Balancing Work and Home
Scheduling and Boundaries
Handling Isolation
Handling Small Children
Chapter Summary
Chapter Links and Resources

CHAPTER EIGHT - Ethical Considerations
Accurately Representing your Experience and Capabilities
Keeping Client Files Safe
Maintaining Confidentiality
Chapter Summary
Chapter Links and Resources

CHAPTER NINE - Growing Your Business
Adding Staff
How to Effectively Work With Subcontractors
Qualify Your Subs
When You Need to Hire Others
When You Need to Move Out of Your Home Office
Growth Doesn’t Always Involve Volume
Going Deeper Into A Niche
Become A Leader
Teach Others How to Become Successful
Chapter Summary
Chapter Links and Resources