99 Powerful Freelance Telecommuting Tips: Final Installment

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This is the fourth and final installment in the Guest Blogger Series from Nell Taliercio.

76. Make sure you perform virus, spyware, adware etc. scans regularly

Make sure you’re protecting your computer from all those nasty bugs. The last thing you want to do is spread your computer’s bug to a client’s computer. Perform all the necessary scans and use good virus (etc.) software to keep your computer and your client’s computer running smoothly.

77. Keep all receipts for items purchased for your business

This will help you at tax time. Some of the items you use for your freelance business can be deducted on your taxes. Keep the receipts so that you can list those items on your tax returns for that year.

78. Always stay in touch with your past clients

Those clients may not have any more work for you to do right now, but who’s to say they won’t think of you in the future? Send them an email once in awhile just to say hello or send a holiday greeting. Even if they’re not in business any more they might know other people that could be looking for someone with your services. Keep in touch, so they can remember you.

79. Ask for referrals

If a client expresses that they are very pleased with your work, consider asking them to refer you on to other people. Some freelancers offer special discounts to those who refer your business to others. If a client is pleased with the work, they can be a testimonial to the person whom they are referring to you.

80. Make sure a client is well aware of all the terms of hiring you

This will include the pay of the project, how they are supposed to pay, when they pay, if there’s a late fee and any other special requirements you may have. Be sure it’s all laid out for them, so there are no arguments later when it comes time to pay you. Some freelancers use contracts that the client must sign before a project is started.

81. Learn that you can say no to your client

It’s normal to be desperate to get the work and bring in some income for the family. Sometimes some projects just aren’t worth your time and effort. If they aren’t or you simply can’t meet the client’s expectations for a project, go ahead and say no to them and explain why. Sometimes compromises can be made to where it will be worth more to you, but it won’t happen if you don’t try.

82. Make sure you’re charging what you’re worth

The price you charge for your services should be worth your time, effort and resources that are put into the outcome of the project. Don’t undercharge yourself too much, as this only puts you in a cycle of large efforts for low pay. This hurts your business as well as others, so charge a price that says you’re worth it.

83. Come up with a niche for your business

You should decide on a niche for your business. This will lead to your target market, which will make marketing your business much easier to do. When you can focus your marketing efforts in one group, you will get more results. Niche marketing will bring the clients to you.

84. Organize your all of your office

This not only includes the cluttered desks and filing cabinets, but what most people don’t think about is organizing their computers. You should go through your files at least once a month, and get rid of what’s not needed and put related files together in one area. Make things much easier to find to free up some memory space.

85. Be sure to add a blog to your Virtual assistant website

Blogs are an excellent way to provide regular, fresh content to keep the search engines indexing your business site. It also adds some interest to the business site and helps keep potential clients there browsing. The longer they’re at your site, the higher chance you have for getting their business.

86. Learn as many skills you can to provide as many services as you can

The more services you can offer a client, the more work you could get. Clients like to save money, so if you can offer them everything they need without them having to hire more people to get it all done, the better off the both of you are. Some services that don’t need special training that you could add to you service list are blogging, writing and article submission.

87. Starting your business and don’t know where to get clients?

Start with the freelance bidding sites. This is a good way to get the ball rolling. You can gain new clients, while gaining some experience at the same time.

88. Tailor your website to your niche

If you’re targeting those in the legal field, your website should have a legal theme to it. It gives you more credibility and makes you more believable when you show your experience in the legal areas. If you have legal experience, but have graphics of solar planets on your site, your business doesn’t come across as believable.

89. Help out other VA’s when you can

If you’re plate is full of clients, and they’re still contacting you for work, refer them to fellow VAs who are in need of work. They can reciprocate the favor in the future when the tables are turned. Don’t think of it as losing potential work, but gaining some networking points instead.

90. If you accept checks in your business don’t fall for the counterfeit check scam

One scam that’s hitting all businesses is the one where a client “accidentally” overpays the amount invoiced to them. Then they ask you to send back the overpaid amount. Don’t do it. The check they sent is probably not any good. If this happens, send back the check they sent you and ask for a PayPal payment or money order for the exact amount of the invoice.

91. Periodically, have special offers for your VA services

This helps keep your clients happy with your business. They can save a little money now and then and still receive the same quality services they have always been provided. Keep them happy and they will keep the business coming your way.

92. If you have been business for awhile, revisit your rates

If you’ve been providing good quality services to your clients, take another look at your rates. You may just be due for rate raises. Raise your rates a little and let your current clients know of the rate change well ahead of time, so they have time to budget it.

93. Make sure you list all the services you plan to provide on your website

Some smaller services like blogging is not thought of when someone is looking for someone to assist them with their business. If a client sees that as a service that you offer, they may realize it’s a service they need. List everything so that clients can see what all they might need help with.

94. Join Virtual assistant online communities

You can network with other VAs for advice on different aspects of your business. You can also find other clients to market your services to. These sites will give you tips, tricks and resources to boost your VA business to a higher level.

95. Get to know your software programs well

You may have used Microsoft word or excel many times before, but do you know everything the programs can do? Learn them well by using tutorials or spending time playing around with the programs. Impress potential clients with your advanced knowledge of your software programs.

96. Starting a VA business, but don’t know what to put on your site?

Check with other VA websites and see what services they have to offer and how they set up their site. Of course, you don’t want to copy them, but their websites can give you an idea of how to get yours set up and going. You can also see what kind of extra items that they provide on their site so you can get an idea of what you want to do with yours.

97. Consider getting a professional website done

A website is an important tool for your business. The way it’s set up can make or possibly break your VA business. Avoid anything that can be costly to your business by having your site professionally done.

98. Provide some of your rates on your website

Don’t leave possible clients in the dark by not having some of your service rates on your website. Not everyone wants to have to contact you to find out what you charge for different services. If it’s a special service or for rush services, then it’s acceptable, but for most of your services, provide rates where the clients can see them.

99. Be sure all your skills and experience are listed somewhere on your business site

Someone wanting to hire you will want to know that you can do the job for them. They want to know that you have the skills needed to get the job done right. If you don’t have them listed on the site, how are they going to know? List them and some personal information along with a photo to let a client get to know you.

About the Guest Blogger: Nell Taliercio has been championing the cause of telecommuting moms for several years. She is a respected leader in the work at home community. Learn more about Nell by visiting the websites of The Answer Lady network.

To learn more, check out the Mom’s Talk Biz eBook’sGuide to Starting Your Own Virtual Assistant Business - Step-by-step instructions, resources and inside information to start and profit from your own virtual assistant business from home.