Recently, I have gotten to know Virtual Assistant (VA) Corrie Petersen. The reason she caught my eye is two fold:
My online business has grown so much I can’t do all the tasks. Corrie has helped me to feel comfortable in taking the next step, to hire a virtual assistant.
Also I am always looking for ways you can make money on the Internet. It is possible for you to become a virtual assistant.
(Plus I just love the name of her websites…VirtualFreedom4You.com and GhostWriterToTheRescue.com)
I was fortunate to get Corrie to answer a few question for this blog.
Sheila - When and how did you start your Virtual Assistant business…tell us your story! What was
your first concrete step?
Corrie – I started my business in 2006 with the encouragement of a friend online. I’d been doing the work myself for years and wanted to help others, but I didn’t know how to do it. She encouraged me to start it and then she hired me to do work for her as soon as my site was up and running.
My website was the first concrete step to my business. It didn’t really feel like a business until the day it went live.
Sheila - Did you run into difficulties in starting your business? How did you solve those problems?
Corrie - The most difficult thing to deal with was the fear of someone not being happy with my work. I kept telling myself it’s only bad if I don’t do the work. I won’t be successful if I don’t have some negative feedback.
You can’t learn and change if people don’t tell you you’re doing things wrong or that you’re not quite meeting their standards. The more feedback you have, the better your business will be and that will help you reach higher levels of success.
Sheila – Do you specialize in any particular area? How did you choose your specialties?
Corrie - I have a number of things I do and don’t do so I would say I do have a specialty.
I enjoy working with home business owners rather then corporate companies. I chose my specialty based on that reason. If I don’t enjoy working with a specific type of business, there is no point in working it.
Home business owners have a harder time reaching success when they don’t have a large budget. My rates fit perfectly into their budget so they can spend the money needed to allow me to help them grow.
Sheila – What do you find the most challenging about running your business? What is the most rewarding?
Corrie – The most challenging part was building trust with my potential clients. You have to start somewhere but there are people that do not want to be that starting point.
Once I had a few clients, I started asking for testimonies so I could add them to my site. When I did that, it helped increase my client list because the trust was there.
The most rewarding part is when a client comes to me and says, “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you.” I love those comments. It makes me remember why I do my business.
Sheila – How much time do you spend on your business? Is this your full time job?
Corrie – I work my business like a job so I do it 40 hours a week. It is a full time business for me. I don’t say it’s a job because to me that’s when you work for someone else.
Sheila – Many of my readers are looking to hire a virtual assistant . What is the best way to contact you?
Corrie - Your readers can contact me via email at corriespetersen@gmail.com.
Sheila – Thank you.
Corrie Petersen runs a successful Virtual Assistant business. She is also a ghostwriter and writes articles for clients to help them out with their article needs. If you’re ready for maximum exposure from articles, check out her VA site at VirtualFreedom4You.com and her ghostwriting website at GhostWriterToTheRescue.com.
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The interview with Corrie is one more confirmation of how we are each drawn to what we love to do. And in doing that then our world is moved along to serve the circle in which we live. This is just too cool that there are Corries and Sheilas out there to light the way.
Tony Denson recently posted..I’ve Got This -
Twitter: kathygriffiths
says:
Yea! I see that Corrie is one of us in #blog30. I too am at my limits on what I can do to move my business forward to the next level.
It’s nice to know about Corrie, who is so well qualified. Thanks Sheila for this great information.
What a great business model! You are showing us what it takes to have an online biz. Love your comments about negative feedback! Thanks so much Sheila for introducing us to Corrie! And good luck Corrie. Wishing you much success!
MarthaGiffen recently posted..Perfection is Over-Rated
Twitter: virtualfreedom
says:
Sheila, thank you so much for the opportunity to be a part of your website. I appreciate it. Running a successful business is what we all set out to do, but often times we get to a point where we can no longer achieve success unless we ask for help. One thing to remember is that successful people in the corporate world have assistants and employees under them to help reach success. So why can’t small business owners have the same? VA’s help make that happen.
Thanks again Sheila.
Corrie
Corrie Petersen recently posted..Will Newspapers and Magazines help with Writer’s Block
Twitter: melaniekissell
says:
Great interview, Sheila!
It’s just plain foolishness to think that any one of us can have a successful business without some assistance. It’s just not possible to be a master at everything so it’s smart to outsource the kinds of tasks that you really don’t enjoy or that you don’t enough time to do every day.
Sounds like Corrie has definitely found her niche!
Melanie
#blog30
Melanie Kissell recently posted..Create Something Buzzworthy
Twitter: peter11s
says:
great interview. very interesting reading this from a VA point of view! Also much agree, the potential of getting negative feedback shouldn’t stand in one’s way to doing business. Good reminder. That is probably why I’ve waited so long to start new services/products.
Peter Knight recently posted..Are your if-thens working for you
Thank you for this post introducing Corrie and showing her viewpoint. It makes me more comfortable imagining the fine day when I can have a virtual assistant help me. And that’s something coming from a “recovering” perfectionist!
Karen Wilson Wehrle recently posted..Online Business Marketing–How to Use Social Media for Branding
Hi Shiela,
I am a VA for 2 years already. I am not a freelancer but working for a BPO company here in the Philippines. If you might ask, it’s TryBPO – we cater to new businesses abroad(visit our site if you can). Our boss encourage us to read blogs regarding our niche and I myself have learned to love it….Getting stuff regarding virtual assistants – the field I have enjoyed for quite a time already, is informative. And this one ” The most challenging part was building trust “, I definitely agree. One thing for clients to keep getting your services is their trust on you.
and to Corrie – Nice WEBSITE, love it!!!
Melissa recently posted..BPO Philippines- Indispensable Business Process Outsourcing Hub