Life Coaches are emerging more and more every day. A life coach is someone that works with you in whatever area of your life you choose. Most people use coaches because they want someone there to encourage them and ‘push’ them to reach their goals.

What skills are helpful?

Although a life coach does not have to be certified there are several training programs available that offer accreditation for those that wish to obtain a certificate. Life coaches need to have great communication skills, since this is what their business is solely based on. Good listening skills are also a must for any life coach. Don’t try to offer services for all people instead focus in on one area of expertise and be the go to person for that specialty!

What tools are needed? 

As with any business a phone line, computer and internet connection will be needed. A life coach will also need to have contracts for their clients and some questionnaires that clients can fill out before a coaching session. Another tool needed will be payment options; are you going to accept credit cards, paypal, money orders, checks, etc? Make sure those tools are set up and ready to go before hand. A fax line could also be an important part of your business. To assess your clients, or prospective clients you may wish to have a personality profile test available.

How do you get started?

The first step to getting started would be to decide in what area you want to specialize: business, life/personal, relationships, etc. After deciding your area of expertise you may wish to take a training program, although as stated above it is not necessary, to receive accreditation.

Next you will want to set up your online presence and you do that with a website and by networking with others. Become involved in forums and message boards that other life coaches frequent so that you can seek advice, support and build friendships/relationships with others.

Marketing yourself is also an important step to getting started. Decide if you will market both offline and online and what your marketing strategies will be. Take your time, do your research and begin to promote yourself as an expert in the area of specialty that you decided on.

Check out your competition to see what they are offering and come up with something even better. Make yourself stand out above the rest of them. Portray confidence and believe in yourself. To become successful you have to put in the time and effort to build your business up.

 Resource:
How To Become A Professional Life Coach

A Virtual Assistant does many different things. The area of expertise for a VA is going to depend on each individual. Most virtual assistants provide services to business owners that they do not have the time to do themselves such as checking and replying to emails, article submissions, website updating, forum moderation, transcribing audio, sending newsletters, and many more.

What skills are helpful?

To be a VA or to become one it is helpful to have some skills such as basic computer knowledge, time management, organizational skills, and self discipline. Self discipline is important because you need to be able to make yourself sit down and work even if you don’t feel like it; working from home there will always be ‘life’ to get in the way but with a little self discipline you can make it work.

Time management is another important area that you should have some area of skill in. You need to be able to manage your time well so that you can complete projects in a timely fashion; you want to have a pretty quick turn around time on projects if possible. Last but certainly not least is organizational skills. You have to keep your clients information organized so that you can easily access things such as instructions for ongoing projects, etc.

What tools are needed?

You want to have a phone line, computer, printer and high speed internet connection. A fax line is another option that you might want to consider. Depending on the services you will be offering you might also need Microsoft Front Page, Word, Excel, etc. The basic tools needed are the first few that were mentioned - phone line, computer, printer and high speed internet - but depending on the areas of expertise that you will be offering will help you decide on any additional tools that you might need.

How do you get started?

To get started as a virtual assistant you need to purchase a domain name and create a website (or have one built for you) explaining your services and what you offer. Get involved in some online networking groups so that you can get the word out about your business and so that you can build relationships with possible clients.

Finding that first client will be the hardest and probably most challenging aspect of creating your VA business but once you have picked up that client and done some great work for them keep in mind that word of mouth goes a long way! Happy clients will refer other people to you for your services!

Keep in mind that beginning a VA business, along with any other business is a process that will take time, dedication, discipline and the motivation to keep going. Many people expect to start a home based business and make money overnight but the reality is that it takes time to build up a business. Get involved in some online networking groups/forums where you can ask questions, receive feedback and encouragement and build some friendships. Find a mentor or someone that will help you through the process. Remember the saying - where there is a will there is a way!

 
Resource:
Become a Virtual Assistant NOW! You can easily start your own virtual assistant business at home.