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Are you fed up with working 9-to-5? Bored of doing the same jobs every day? Not enough quality time with your family? There is a better way ' it's called being a virtual assistant.

As a virtual assistant you can choose to use your PA, secretarial, office or administrative skills to work with the clients that you choose, at hours to suit you, from your chosen location, in a way that fits in with your life. You can enjoy a better work/life balance and have the lifestyle you want.

There are many benefits to running your own VA business including:

* Set your own flexible working hours
* Enjoy your working day without a rush hour commute
* Achieve a high earning potential
* Discover the opportunity to expand your skill set
* Joining a rapidly growing industry

But many potential VAs make the crucial mistake of thinking that to be a VA all you need is a computer, a desk and an Internet connection. WRONG! It's not about simply using your PA or administrative experience to provide VA services to a range of clients. You will need to be a business owner too and that requires another set of skills entirely. The ability to actually run your business will be key to your success.

So, ok, you have your years of experience in administration, or the like, and you have a computer or laptop at home, plus a broadband Internet connection. These are some of the key tools you will need as a VA. But where do you go from here?

You could do a bit of research on the Internet, maybe get some general business advice from your local business advisor, join an online network or just get going! Fine, if you are enterprising and have unlimited funds to subsidise your business until it really takes off. Or'..

'You could play it a little smarter and get yourself some training that is specifically aimed at becoming a virtual assistant, in terms of what services to offer, what fees to charge and how to find clients. Even better, look at courses that also show you how to be a business owner, so that you not only have a comprehensive VA business but you know how to run your VA business successfully and competently.

So if you are taking your first steps towards becoming a VA, you are a start-up VA or are even well-established, you should take a look the different training options available to you on how to structure, brand, market and sell your business and VA services to attract clients so that you become a successful and remarkable VA.