If going over your meager budget makes you cringe, you will have to depend on your creativity.
That's how you will survive.
Most small businesses begin with a small budget, but that doesn't mean you're constrained to just a few ads and a mediocre-looking website.
Sure, you can think big, but at this point, you know you cannot go there, just yet.
Think of it as a temporary phase.
With loads of creativity, here are a few tips to optimize your budget as you start your own VA practice.
Prioritize.
Set aside your plans of designing your dream office.
Of course you can cut out that picture of the desk you saw in a magazine or remember the particular name of the color for your wall, but right now you have to be practical.
You don't have to get the latest laptop model if your trusty ol' laptop is still working.
Make your purchases justifiable.
You really can't afford fancy equipment right now.
Unless your dad's buying.
Do it yourself.
If you're the type who takes matters into their own hands, by all means, design your own website, corporate logo, stationery and other collateral.
You may not end up having a fancy website, but the point is, you're out there making your presence felt.
Remember, corporate identity is very crucial, so if you think you're capable of coming up with a good one on your own, go ahead.
If not, read the next tip.
Use family connections.
Sure enough, you have friends or a friend of your aunt's nephew's girlfriend who can do your website and other marketing collateral for a fraction of the cost of those professional website designers.
Have your relations explain your situation and maybe they will consider giving you a lower price.
Advertise wisely.
Focus your advertising efforts by targeting the clients you would ideally want to have.
If you're eyeing to have a high-end clientele, advertise in magazines or newspapers that these kind of people read.
Email marketing also does the trick.
However, approach with caution.
Most of these emails that contain attachments and annoying block letters in red and yellow usually end up in the Junk or worse, Trash.
A simple, straightforward letter just might do it.
Network, network, network! This never fails.
Join forums, discussions, blog hop, post comments on various blogs to get noticed and get linkbacks to your website.
It's the cheapest, if not free, form of marketing!