If you’re thinking about setting up a VA business, you want to make sure you have the right building blocks in place, to get it off to the best possible start. It’s a sad reality that so many new businesses fail, and quite often, this is because they didn’t have a solid foundation to grow upon.

Here’s seven building blocks you need in place, to help ensure you’re building your VA business on a good solid foundation.

#1: Have the right mindset right from the start

Having the right mindset is critical for your success, if you’re setting up a VA business. You may already have mind monkeys going crazy in your head, filling it with fear and worry. If this is the case, you need to get them sorted, fast! [Hint – the above blog post link will help!]

But there’s also an important mindset shift that needs to happen, in order to get you in the right headspace to run your own business. You need to make the mindset shift from employee to business owner. Learn to master your mindset and you’ll have a good solid foundation on which to build your VA business.

#2: Have a plan in place

Next up, you need to have a plan. This is where you need to cover everything from the legal aspects, through to how you’re going to market and attract clients. In the VA Mastery course we have in depth advice on how to create a business plan for your VA business – but I’d also recommend you check out the blogs entitled Does a VA need a business plan? and Holding yourself accountable to your VA business success – as these will help you understand why a plan is important and ensure you stick with it, once you have one written out.

#3: Be clear on what you want

You’re in charge of your life and your business. That’s the beauty of working for yourself. So if you’re setting up a VA business, you want to make sure you’re creating a business doing what you love. Know what you want for your business, as well as your life – and use that to steer your VA business journey. If you want to only work during school hours, ensure you cover that in your business plan. If you’re looking to work remotely as you travel, get clear on how that will look and how you can accommodate it into your VA business. Be clear on what you want and implement a plan to make it happen.

[In a previous summer review post we covered reviewing your business and checking if you want what you’re focusing on – the advice within that blog can still help you to get clear on what you really want, moving forward today – so definitely check it out!]

#4: Know your customer

In the VA Mastery Course we take a deep dive into customers – from identifying them through to working with them. But at a base level, you need to make sure you know what your ideal clients want and are delivering that to them. If you’re not sure what your clients want, do some research. Get on the phone and have a conversation with someone who represents your ideal client or meet up for a coffee and a chat. You can get more help on identifying your ideal client, by checking out this recent blog: Are you selling what your customers want to buy? 

#5: Focus on value

If you know your customer, you can find Easy ways to add value to them. Because let’s face it, value is a key building block of a successful VA business. You don’t need to lower your prices or focus on what your competitors are doing – you just have to focus on always giving the best value you can. 

So what do we mean by value? It’s about taking your business seriously and charging what you’re worth. It’s about honouring your values and ethics, as well as staying authentic in everything you do. But it’s also about ensuring you give your best to your clients and providing them with an exceptional level of service – even if you’re just starting out in business.

#6: Network

Networking is another essential building block you’re going to lean on heavily throughout your VA business. The VA industry is a collaborative one and VAs will often become Associates for other VAs. It’s not something you have to think about right now, but it’s an important thing to remember – as there’s a lot you can gain from networking with other VAs 

And of course, you’re going to need to network to find your clients, especially if you’re just setting up a VA business now! Regardless of whether you’re looking to network in person or online, here’s a blog post that will help you understand the basics of networking.

#7: Get help and support

The value of working with a VA mentor on a one-to-one basis is immense, especially when you’re just starting your VA business. A business mentor can help you grow faster and help you avoid the pitfalls you may face, if working alone. 

But if you cannot afford to hire a mentor on a one-to-one basis, it’s still important that you get the help and support you need (This blog illustrates why: https://vact.co.uk/how-important-is-it-to-have-a-business-mentor-or-coach/). And that’s why the VACT has still several different options available to suit your needs and budget – including a free Facebook group, a short kickstart course and our main online self-study course, the VA Mastery Course.

If you’re thinking of starting a VA business, you want to make sure you have the right building blocks in place, to get it off to a good start. The seven blocks above will help ensure you are building it on a solid foundation and have a plan to help make it grow. It’s then up to you to keep your motivation, focus and determination high, to make it a success.

Looking to start your VA business during 2020? Why not check out the available options within the VA Mastery Course? You’ll be able to get help setting up the essential building blocks, as well as access to the training and support you need. So why not check out how the VA Mastery Course can help you get your VA business started, so you can hit the ground running this year!