The fastest way to build your own business is STILL services.   If you look closely at the the behind the scenes footage of even the biggest online businesses,  you’ll notice they bring a large percentage of their income from 1-on-1 coaching / mentoring or services.

Because the business model is so simple.

“What do you charge to do ______?”
“I charge $____/ hour.  Here’s my paypal link. I can start Thursday and it will be ready in 10 days.”

To get started, you answer these 3 questions…..

What service do I offer?
What should I charge?
Where do I find these clients?

As you approach a new year, I want to share my 3 best tips for what the Virtual Professional market will look like in 2019.

Follow these suggestions and your freelance / client-services work will flourish this year.

1.  Professionalism matters more and more
In November, I interviewed for a contract client that specifically sought out someone with a corporate background.

Their experience so far in working with other online freelancers was lacking of depth in knowledge, lacking in professionalism (just show up on time and communicate people!) and full of empty promises.

For this client, someone with a corporate background at least had a proven track record of experience and accountability. Now, if you don’t have a corporate background, don’t panic.  

The key here is to see what they were looking for:
– Show up on time.
– Do what you said you would do.
– Keep it professional.

Yes a lot of us are juggling kids but don’t waste time on a client call venting about why you were running late due to the slow dentist appointment.  

Your #1 job is to get work done for them, no matter how you juggle it.

2. Efficiency Expectations Continue to Escalate
And for good reason.  The content marketing machine is well oiled and the best brands are churning out top notch material across multiple platforms daily.

If you are in the space of working with content of any kind – blogs, articles, video, podcasts, social media – you have to be efficient.

One criteria I rate now when working with a new VA is how quickly they turn over work and how many “touches” with me did it take.

Example:  I assign something on Tuesday.  Want it by Friday. Have they opened it, reviewed it and asked short efficient questions within a day or so of the assignment?   Have they completed the work without reaching out to me multiple times for links, questions, decisions?

Working faster is GOOD for your business.

The more you get done, the more you can bill and the more space it opens up for work coming your way.

So GET AFTER IT!!

3.  In Person Connections are More Important Than Ever
It’s true I’ve grown many, many connections online over the years.  But the relationships that propelled my business the furthest, were also in person connections.

• You meet online but then attend a conference or local meet up together.
• You meet online but then join a mastermind together and connect over zoom weekly for 10 weeks.
• You meet locally and bring their business into the online space.

So stop hiding behind your computer, typed messages or another instagram post announcing you have space for clients. Get on the phone.  Set up a Zoom video meeting.  And decide which conferences you’re going to attend in person this year.

So what does my 2019 Virtual Professional Business look like?

Single. Income.

That’s right.  More on that in part 2 of this email.

I did not exactly retire my husband but in 2019 I am caring for myself and 4 kids on only my Virtual Professional income.

🙌😬👊👩🏻‍💻🏃🏻‍♀️🎉

There are not even enough emojis to do this justice. I’ll share these new developments and how to scale 1-on-1 services (without becoming a worn out, exhausted content engine) in part 2.

Until then, level up the professional in your virtual business!

PS – There’s a secret flash sale on my best trainings from 2018.  Click here to grab it. Only for those who read far enough to grab it.   You’re the ones who are going to crush it in your VA / Virtual Professional business this year!