Business idea is this silly ?

[LanaL]

Hi

I’ve had a middle of the night idea . I lost my job as a result of the pandemic and I’m struggling . I’m a student and have children, which means I can’t take a full time job in the day as I have school runs and a day of lectures once a week. I can’t work weekends due to childcare . I worked from home for my last job and I’ve worked in basic admin for 15 years.

So my idea is like a virtual assistant freelance, from home , but a bit different . I don’t know how to word it it’s just an idea but basically any admin tasks that companies may need doing , but can’t afford to employ someone or they may have just laid someone off and are doing the admin side of things themselves but at certain times could do with some help - just emails answered , or some letters typed up , maybe out of office and would usually have someone taking calls and messages just for an hour or so ... maybe they have a social media page and could do with someone to answer messages or post a few posts every now and then - just small tasks that they don’t want to or can’t afford to employ someone to do . This could be an hour a week , holiday cover , a one off set task . Someone they don’t have to employ for a set amount of time etc .

I’m talking basic admin tasks - not bookkeeping , web design etc - different to that - just like where they may have said “ just type this up” , “just answer those emails” - instead of paying a monthly wage just use me as and when. I would like to market it this was , a nice way of advertising myself as general dogs body lol .

Do you think this would work ? Would I have to set up as self employed to do this ( even before I do any work as it may not work ) can business just simply pay a person who they don’t employ if I’m not ‘set up’ - if I do register as self employed but nothing comes of it , will this affect anything ( I’m on universal credit at the moment - obviously I would declare any earnings )

Finally - would I have to tell my landlord ? I didn’t tell him I worked from home during the pandemic and I don’t have a tenancy at the moment - it ran out and I haven’t contacted them as I’m not sure I want to stay here long term and I also don’t have the renewal fee right now so in all honestly I don’t want to have to contact them , he was thinking of selling last year so I don’t want to rock the boat before Xmas . I would be working just from my laptop / mobile so I would probably spend a lot of time in a coffee shop etc just to get out the house .

Any advice would be appreciated ! Thank you x

Lots of virtual assistant and virtual administrators now. There’s a website called people per hour check that out also one called fiverr

I would really calculate what you need to be charging in order to get the additional money you require

I have my own business and I’m ok doing everything at the moment but I have considered doing this in the past to hire somebody and I also have friends who do hire people to do what you’re saying.

I wouldn’t register without trying it first, you’re allowed around £1000 before becoming self employed, I wouldn’t become a ltd. company I’d stick to sole trader.

Thank you ! I have tried people per hour but I can’t get past a part that asks for a link to work I’ve already done as I’ve not published anything online before

I was thinking of charging a lower price , maybe £9-£10 per hour as most charge a lot more and marketing myself as a cheaper option for basic tasks . This way I think with a laptop , mobile and printer the only extra costs are ink and paper . Good to hear I don’t need to set anything up until I earn £1000 as I don’t expect it to replace my previous income but to just help x

Ah yes I understand, you could maybe start reaching out to business online. I have seen many VA’s with Instagram pages, you could have a look for inspiration and see what you could do too.

You won’t have many outlays it’s more just marketing yourself right. I think that’s a good starting point but don’t be afraid to have higher pricing once you get some clients through.

Lots of luck!

I will take a look at Instagram ! Thank you for your advice , I’m a bit excited now

It's not a silly idea but I imagine you will need samples of your work, a portfolio style plus how will you get new business? Are you confident with invoicing etc? There is a lot to think of.

Not a silly idea at all! But you need to get on Facebook and Instagram, maybe LinkedIn. You also need some references for your work, so I suggest you do some work for free in return at first, which will also help you understand what potential clients need and how you would work best with them. Also, see the first thread in this section!