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A clerical service can offer a variety of services to their clients. What you choose to do will depend on your areas of expertise. A few examples of what a secretarial service might offer are: transcription, bookkeeping, preparing spreadsheets, word processing, data entry, etc. Your clients would be those small businesses that may not be able to afford to hire a full or part time secretary, but are still in need of clerical services.

What Skills are Helpful?

* You will need a firm grip on basic office skills as well as an understanding of the common administrative computer programs that your clients are likely to be using, such as Microsoft Word, Works, and Wordperfect for word processing documents, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, and others.

* Now that you are working on your own, more than likely in your home, you will not have a boss giving you rules or a deadline to have projects completed by. You will need to “push” yourself to complete projects in a timely fashion. Good organizational skills are important. Once your business begins to grow and you get more and more clients you will need to keep all their information separate and organized.

What Tools are Needed?

* As with any business, small or large, corporate or home based, you will want to have a phone, computer, internet access and possibly even a fax line. Other tools that will aid in your secretarial business will depend greatly on what areas of expertise you offer. For example if you are offering transcription services you need to have a transcription machine (for transcribing from a tape) or a software program if you will be transcribing MP3 audio files. You may also want video conferencing or web conferencing software available to meet with your clients.

How Do You Get Started?

* A good idea would be to research and find out what type of competition you have. Are there other local clerical services? What are their rates? What services do they offer? How can you position yourself to compete? Once you have researched these things and are ready to go your next step would be to choose a name, purchase a domain and build a website or have it built if you don’t feel comfortable doing it on your own. (See Articles in “Getting Started” for more info on the business basics.)

* Marketing yourself will probably require the most time when you first get started. Have some business cards made up (I recommend VistaPrint). Send flyers to local businesses that could benefit from your services. (Make sure your flyers look professional and there are no typos - or they could hurt you more than they would help!)

* Another way to get the word out about your business is to join some offline and online networking groups. Online networking is a great way to get the word out about your services and also to build some great relationships! Offline networking would include your local Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, or other local service or business oriented club.

Don’t expect to get rich overnight. Keep in mind that it takes time to build up credibility and establish your business. Once you begin to get clients word of mouth goes a long way. Consider the idea of offering a referral bonus or discount, something to help those current clients spread the word. Beginning your own business is a big venture but if you have the motivation and desire to make it work then success will soon be on your side.