DO -- Read, read, read. By frequently continuing to increase your skills and your knowledge of your profession, end result is a more confident satisfied you. Every tip you get from a book can be a new tool in your business. I recommend highlighting areas from several books and adding them to your library. Keep in mind that you might not use that idea today, but it might apply to specialties you might add down road.

DO -- Enjoy!! There’s no greater feeling than landing that first client or finishing your first big project. Plus, wait until you get opportunity to tell someone you own and operate your own virtual assisting business. It sure beats I’m a secretary at .... Plus, when you enjoy your business it shows. Your clients will sense your positive attitude and want to be a part of your team.

DON'T -- Underprice your services. The average virtual assistant today makes $25 to $70 an hour, depending on their skills, services offered, location, and years of experience. Don’t make mistake of assuming if you charge lowest prices, you’ll get most work. You won’t. Instead, you’ll end up working outrageous hours for peanuts! Clients will pay more for professional services. When a potential client discovers you’re charging a lower rate than standard, they often feel they will receive a quality of services that is also lower. You are a professional service and you want to charge accordingly.

DON'T -- Overextend yourself. One of common mistakes many virtual assistants make is to accept too much work and then not be able to accurately complete it. Learn to say no or have a back-up helper who can assist you with any overflow work. Remember one of most important ingredients for success is keeping your clients satisfied. If you overextend yourself and make a lot of errors, it will jeopardize your business.

DON'T -- Get discouraged. It takes time to get a business going. Plan ahead and have money saved in reserve. Don’t buy items until you have found best possible price and there is an absolute need. This advance planning takes pressure off of having to make money NOW. If things are slow and phone just isn’t ringing ... MAKE IT RING!! There’s plenty of work out there, you just need to aggressively pursue it.

Finally, most important ingredient for success is your belief in yourself. If you believe that with your skills and experience, you can own your own business, then there’s nothing stopping you. DREAMS DO COME TRUE. SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN. ************* Diana Ennen, Author, Virtual Assistant: The Series, Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA, Words From Home, How to Start & Operate a Successful Word Processing Business www.virtualwordpublishing.com, diana@virtualwordpublishing.com

Copyright, 2004 - Diana Ennen -- May be republished in its entirety as long as author’s signature block is included.

Until you reach your goal in 3 YEARS. (Maybe less, Maybe More.)

We reap what we sow, but harvest is never in same season as planting! Today you are planting...and will be at least for next several months.

Your harvest will come in time. Be persistent. Be patient. Think long term. Take action every day, (no matter how small) to build your business and you cannot fail.

MY 11 SECRETS TO SUCCEED WITH YOUR HOME BUSINESS

1. Your first ultimate start must include written goals and plans. Formulate a plan of weekly activity and be persistent in following it—if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Sticking to your plan is essential for success.

2.Don't wait for everything to be exactly right to start...THERE WILL NEVER BE A "PERFECT" TIME! Start now, with whatever you have.

The things you need will come to you as you work toward your goal. You cannot become successful in anything when you're trying to do too many things at once.

3. Treat your Home business as a serious, full-time business, and it will become one. Think of your first six months primarily as a training period. Don't expect large earnings until after you've educated yourself.

4. Be patient. You'll work hardest your first six months or so and get compensated least. Big incomes never happen overnight.

They only come after you've properly shown your affiliates how to duplicate your efforts. Always be ENTHUSIASTIC!! Don't give yourself unrealistic expectations.

5. Don't complain to your upline leaders. Realize that what you accomplish is mainly in your hands, no one else's.

Also realize that, when you see a problem, 95% of time there are factors you are unaware of. Don't jump to conclusions. When you have a problem, present it in a concise letter as positive, constructive criticism. Offer solutions if possible, too.

Not only will this approach get you better results, but you'll be building your relationship with your upline instead of tearing it down.

6. Be organized, but don't allow act of organizing keep you from most important element of a successful business: MARKETING.

Market and promote your business EVERY DAY! Don't let little problems upset you. Concentrate on many positives...and "big picture."

7. Always remember that only thing that will never change is that there will always be changes. Don't let changes upset you.

Know that you will have to deal with changes and other obstacles, both big and small, continually. Be prepared to be flexible.

8. Don't be a negative thinker and don't let negative attitudes of others (even if they're family members, friends, or peers) influence you.

All great men and women in history had to overcome naysayers who said it couldn't be done—and then went out and did it. Think for yourself!

9. Don't be derailed by "perfection paralysis." Realize that you won't be able to do everything perfectly. Do best job you can, then move on to next project. Keep learning and keep moving ahead.

10. Read books (such as Napoleon Hill's classic, "Think And Grow Rich") that will convince you how powerful your mind really is. Develop tremendous potential in you (that we all have) that has never been tapped!

11. Don't quit. The only way to fail is if you give up. Remember always..."You are what you think you are"

Copyright © Michel Richer

PERMISSIONS TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in its entirety free of charge, electronically or in print, provided it appears with included copyright and author’s resource box with live website link.

Courtesy of: http://hombyz.com ( For Your Home Business Success )

Michel Richer is the Business Manager and Webmaster of http://Hombyz.com

With over 10 years experience in home based internet business and a SOLID REPUTATION in the industry.

He is dedicated to helping you SUCCEED on the Internet.