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Are you setting up a freelance services business online? Maybe you are setting up as a virtual assistant, copywriter, affiliate manager or ghostwriter.

Getting started is easy, but getting started the right way takes some planning.

You need to set up your online business website but that’s not all. When freelancing there are other programs that will help you be much more effective as a service provider.

Three years ago I started a virtual assistant business with no planning. Yea, I just jumped right in with clients, projects, files, billing, project management and more.

I did a lot of things the wrong way. I always say that I like to learn things the hard way and this was no exception.

So, when I decided to open up the virtual small business assistant doors again with my new Affiliate Management company, ProfitMob, I figured I should do things the right way. (good idea, huh?)

Here are some of the things I did better this time:

Professional Website

– I’m very happy with my website and the look. Created of course by myself using WordPress.

Project Management Setup

– I use Basecamp for project management. It makes it so much easier to keep track of client projects, to-do lists, uploaded files and more. If you have a virtual team Basecamp is also a lifesaver and allows you to bring your team members on to specific projects.

Billing Program Setup

– Freshbooks (<--that's my referral link where you can sign up for a FREE account) saved me about 8 hours per month of time tracking and invoice creation when my virtual assistant business was very busy. I don't know about you, but anytime a company can shave that many hours off my work they earn my love!

Separate Gmail Account

– It’s important to be able to check your client emails without having the distractions of all kinds of newsletters, personal emails and more. That’s why I decided it would be easiest to set up a separate gmail account for ProfitMob.

Systems and Templates

I set up Backpack in order to upload all the systems and templates I have created for my business. My plan with this is to get everything seriously organized so that as team members come on it is very easy to pick up on any project because all the systems and templates are already in place.

CALL TO ACTION: Contact me if you want coaching through this process. I love helping people get their business moving forward and I have plenty of testimonials to prove I know my stuff.