WORK FROM HOME SECRETARY

[kpnuts2006]

Hi there, just wondering if any one has any information with regards to working from home secretaries, preferable at your own hours, such as typing documents for companies or anything like that. I would be grateful if you could help me.

[BadHair]

I do this, in addition to a paid PT job. \link{http://www.allianceofukvirtualassistants.org.uk/\Alliance of UK Virtual Assistants} has useful info.

My main advice would be:

• Check out the competition in your area and make sure there's not already too many of you.
  

• Get networking. Join your local Chamber of Trade and any other business networks. Many are free or nominally priced. If they're expensive to join, as to come along to a meeting to give a brief presentation about what you do. I did this and ended up being the Secretary to the Chamber by default (no-one else wanted to to it!). Unless you have good business links to start off with, this is something you'll really have to work out as it's all based on who you know, and how well you perform.
  

• Make sure you get your pricing right. Don't undercut your competition unless you can afford to. If you have a good CV you can charge £12+ per hour, more if you're in SE, plus printing. But you could offer a discount to, say, businesses with the same postcode as you, or something.
  

• I've posted copiously and tediously about this before, but my website is \link{http://www.office2go.org.uk\here} if it helps, and feel free to ask any questions.