Very entertaining and eye opening article Chris - thanks. I was very concerned about having a sucky website, particularly as I have only just started my business. I put on my thick skin and asked some friends, business associates and one of my clients (ok - my only client at the time!) to review my site through the eyes of someone who would be a potential customer. I got great tips on rewording and a couple of typos I'd missed after spending too much time on it. My client's feedback was positive too, so now I am more comfortable - although there will be more changes. I will definitely be rereading this before my next update. Cheers!

I'm currently waiting to see if my business name is approved and registered - very nerve wracking! Thanks for your tips Laura - looks like I've covered everything so fingers crossed I don't have to change my domain name - that was free, so I hope the government doesn't decide not to let me have the name! This will be a great link to send some friends I know who are just starting out. Cheers!

I am now stuck with a vision of you in a bathrobe and bunny slippers! ;-) Thanks for the tips - I recently commenced my virtual assistant business and this gives me some useful info and clarifies some of my own thoughts as to how to deal with the client for availability etc. Cheers!

Number 3 is the one that stands out for me Jay! If you intend to be an active member in an on-line socialising network, be able to prioritise, limit your time and say stop when necessary. So many people complain they spend all day on Facebook or others and don't get work done. I am amazed sometimes on some forums that people who tell the world how busy they are have time for all of the other chat they provide! These are great hints to remember - thanks for adding them.

Thanks for the list Howard - even though I am an extrovert with the people I know, I'm afraid that I'm a bit of an introvert with strangers and am scared stiff of networking functions! However, this list and the comments will help me be prepared and have some focus for the next one - I'm looking forward to trying it all out!

Thanks for the tips Roy. As a VA I am always reading about having a niche, which confuses me. As far as I can see my skills are able to assist any area and I don't want to back myself into a corner and miss a client because he thought I didn't do that sort of work. However, I can see how many of your tips are going to make good pondering points while I have my coffee. So much to learn and so little time! I'm printing the checklist as we 'speak' so look out world here I come - and it's Roy's fault!

Wow Veronika - there are actually people out there like that!? She obviously doesn't understand the concept of networking and relationships but the other thing she doesn't realise is how she is damaging her own business chances and reputation. I don't know how I would have handled it when the card was handed back to me - I'm glad you shared so I can be prepared to meet people like her!

Woohoo! As soon as I saw the site Christian I was astounded at what a great idea it was. I know you will only go on to bigger and better things! Good luck!

This is a great thread to follow Chris! I am only fairly new to all of this online networking and forums but I have found that I can get caught in them for a longer period than I originally planned! I recently sat down and thought threw my business plan (not that I've ever made it to writing it down!) and I decided that I would like to have:

• 1 day a week to concentrate on further educating myself through tutorials on various programs or just surfing and playing to learn new things (some of these links may come from forums)
• 1 day a week to just network and forum
• 3 days a week to do client work.

Probably won't pan out that way but I'm trying not to be distracted by 'chatting' all day. I do have the luxury of running a home business, so if I am being unproductive I'm the only one to suffer.

Note to Rachel - it's great to see someone else who's into the enneagram - I think I'm sort of a 3 with a 4 wing!

Happy Easter all!

Well done Christian! It was a hard way to get started, but I wish you and your partners all the best for the future. I know what it's like to start out with $0, but my business is so much easier to market - usually old employers and friends will know someone that needs typing done! Looking forward to part 2 of the story.

Thanks for this Alicia - I've just started my own home business and it's all still a bit casual, so I'm looking for tips. I'd never thought about the open and closed for business thing, but you are spot on. I can see where I would easily fall into the trap of becoming "closed for business". I love learning new things and teaching myself, it's just a matter of having the confidence to tell a client I can do what they want instead of staying in the safe zone of only doing what I know I'm good at. I'm going to put "Stay open for business" on my whiteboard to remind myself to keep my mind open. Cheers!

I've just started my Virtual Assistant/Secretarial Services inthe past month Michelle and these tips are great to see - thank you! I've been hitting up the old boss and I've even said no to a couple of things that I didn't want to get caught in. My biggest thing is the lunch one - everyone just assumes you have nothing to do but come and meet them for lunch! With all the commuting etc it is a pain. I've started planning it so that I have a couple of coffee dates, 2 lunches and then drinks & dinner. That way I can catch up with a bunch of people, network and have a clear conscience because I've planned a "day off". I'm keeping your tips handy to keep me focused. Cheers!

Hi Mark, Your article was written in a way that really helped me understand how to set up my home page. I'm feeling motivated to update my blurb. There's so much to remember when trying to encourage others to "enjoy the party and stay around for as long as they like". Thanks for the tips and keep them coming!