If You’re Virtual, Toss the Paper But Not the Cards

Most virtual assistants start their business like any small startup does, on a budget. The great thing about working virtually is the opportunity to create a paperless office. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say "an office with less paper?"

It’s my feeling that every business owner should carry professionally printed business cards. Whether you attract clients via the web, through local business associations or some combination of both, it pays to have that little card at the ready should a prospect suddenly reveal him or herself. I’m always impressed by the creative ways VANA members find opportunity to cultivate a client. (Who says the grocery store is just for buying groceries, eh?)

Here’s the thing though: don’t print a zillion business cards out of the gate. I can almost guarantee you’ll be redoing them long before you hand them all out. Because no matter how well thought out your business plan, your enterprise will change and evolve very rapidly during the first year or two. Those business cards you slaved over many a night may suddenly feel “all wrong” 6 months from now. (My son now has about 400 cute little book marks for his Thomas the Train book collection.)

As for brochures and other branded stationery, carefully weigh costs against strategy (you do have a marketing strategy, don’t you?). For example, in the beginning I designed and wrote my own brochures. Then I headed down to the local copy shop and had 75 copies printed for about a buck each. The print quality was very good (get the shop to print you a test copy first), and you would never know I did them myself.

Bottom line? Get those business cards done pronto. And get them done right (no funny perforation marks around the edges, okay?). The brochures and pretty paper are nice to have but are really only necessary if you plan on working the room at your next Chamber of Commerce or Toastmasters meeting. Or if you plan on running an aggressive direct mail campaign (which can be expensive). Besides, there are tons of other great gifts and gadgets you will want to place in your prospects hot little hands that will help them remember you by … and hopefully contact you!

This article was featured in the Virtual Assistant Networking Association (VANA) Newsletter . Do you have a burning question about virtual business? Send an email to Karri Flatla at karri [@] vanetworking [dot] com with “Ask Me Virtually Anything” in the subject line. Your question may appear in VANA’s next newsletter, along with a link to your website!

Karri Flatla is a business graduate of the University of Lethbridge and principal of snap! virtual associates inc., a consulting firm providing Internet marketing services to the progressive entrepreneur. Karri also produces Outsmart, the newsletter for small business with big purpose. Visit http://www.snap-va.com/newsletter to subscribe and get your free Copywriting & Usability Checklist now .