Creating passive income is the holy grail of online business. The ability to make money whilst you travel the world, or simply when you’re sleeping – sounds good, doesn’t it!? And I’m here to give you two very REAL realizations.
Number One – its possible.
Number Two – there’s an ‘easier’ way of doing it, that so many internet marketers and online entrepreneurs just simply aren’t embracing as much as they should (some not at all!), and I hope this post slaps them solidly around the face, so they start!
Utilizing virtual assistants to help create your passive income portfolio is probably one of the most over-looked concepts in online marketing. Think about it seriously – why do ALL the work, if you don’t have to..!?!! So, today I bring you three very solid examples of how you can work with VA’s to get your passive income snow-balling towards you faster than you probably ever thought possible…
Here we go!
eBook’s
eBook’s are probably one of the easiest and quickest online products to create. Even on your own they would only take a short time, from cover to cover. A lot of people have created very successful eBook’s from material that already exists on their blog – what could be easier?!
They simply re-package the content into an eBook format and launch it as a product, or a free giveaway, to perhaps help build your online brand.
Virtual assistants can help you create eBook’s in a number of ways, such as:
- Subject matter research and compilation.
- Transcription of your eBook, if you prefer to dictate it.
- Designing of graphical elements, such as the cover and logo.
- Internal page development and layout.
- Facebook & Twitter account promotion and marketing.
- Write the entire eBook (if you don’t intend to put your name to it, and use it as a niche product elsewhere online, other than your blog / primary site).
- SEO virtual assistants can help you market the eBook through Google, etc.
Bottom Line: An eBook might be a quick easy product to put together, but it must also be done in a professional manner, with long-term in mind. Remember, everything you put your name on should be QUALITY – and that’s the same for the design and marketing, as well as the content itself!
Niche Websites / Marketing
A lot has been written about niche creation, finding a niche (like in my post, Finding Your Niche in 20mins or Less!), etc., so I am not going to get into that side of this particular story. However, I have successfully used virtual assistants whilst putting together niche products and websites quite a few times.
This particular stream of passive income is golden, as you can (as with eBook’s) literally make money whilst you sleep! And as a lot of the requirements to build niche websites are quite time consuming, its a no-brainer in regards to looking to outsource as much of the process as possible.
When building niche sites, a virtual assistant can help you in lots of ways, such as:
- Keyword analysis and competition research.
- Registration of domain names and installation of WordPress, and WordPress themes.
- Creating web-forms in AWeber, and re-jigging your theme to focus on building your mailing list.
- Content creation and publishing of original content to build keyword heavy articles.
- Promotion through social media platforms and article submission sites.
- Link building and other SEO related work.
- Lots, lots more…!
Bottom Line: A huge amount of work goes into creating these types of passive income generation machines, and as the ‘owner’ of the niche, or the marketer of whatever affiliate product you’re promoting, you should certainly look at working with a virtual assistant as much as possible, so you can spend your time on more constructive processes, such as networking with potential affiliates and resellers, as well as coming up with your next big niche idea!
Audio & Video Courses
I’m currently in the process of putting together my first ever training course on the subject of entrepreneurial outsourcing. It’s a great experience, and I’ve enjoyed putting together the content more than I ever thought I would - attacking it from the ‘Dummies Guide to…’ approach. I’m doing all this in Video and Audio, with workbooks and a few other goodies thrown in.
However, I’m already learning how to utilize the virtual assistants that work for me on this project to maximize my time on the content side of things, whilst they handle everything (well, almost!) else.
So far, my virtual assistants have helped me with lots of tasks on this project, such as:
- Creating Powerpoint slides, based off my audio and written notes for me to use as a make-shift autocue for when I am shooting my videos, so I am not mumbling and stumbling too much.
- Developing the logo and website layout for the landing page and subsequent marketing material, as well as the ‘Members Only’ section of the website.
- Putting together the complete affiliate program for the course, including free content and material to help affiliates promote and market it, once it goes live.
- Converting all video content into audio content, for an AudioBook version of the course.
- Transcribing all the videos in the course, for a written version, which can be printed and referred back to time and time again.
- Doing the layout and design of the eBook and WorkSheets that will accompany the course.
- Tons more..!
Bottom Line: This project is probably the biggest one I have ever gotten myself into, in regards to online business. And actually, this started out as just a simple audio product. It’s now going to be much bigger and I hope it’ll become the Industry Standard course for entrepreneurs and personal outsourcing. There is NO WAY that I could do this all on my own – there simply isn’t enough time in the day!
REAL Passive Income = Working with Virtual Assistants!
The idea of making money whilst we sleep, and travel the world, and spend more time with our families, etc., is a wonderful, beautiful thing. And it IS possible.
But, before those PayPal bells start ringing regularly, there is a lot of work that goes into putting together your passive income streams. Some require more time and effort than others, but, they ALL require some kind of ‘time’ dedication. Utilizing the support and additional skill-sets of virtual assistants minimizes that time, like no other way.
I’ll leave you with a quote in regards to virtual assistants and what they can do for you, as an entrepreneur, from one of my favorite bloggers and best buddies online… This totally sums up my thoughts on this entire subject:
I really have to say that if I could go back and start all over again, I would have utilized virtual assistants much earlier. I probably would have been in the market much faster and would probably be earning a lot more money, too.
Pat Flynn, SmartPassiveIncome.com
Have you worked with Virtual Assistants to help create and market passive income streams…? If so, please tell us all about your experiences below.
And, also feel free to leave any comments and questions below, as always. And if you haven’t already downloaded it, whilst you’re here, grab a copy of my free eBook & AudioBook on working with Virtual Assistants below.
If you found this post helpful or insightful in any way, please ‘be sweet’ and ‘retweet!’. Thanks for the support.
A serial entrepreneur, virtual staffing expert, blogger, podcaster and author, Chris helps other entrepreneurs catapult their businesses into the 21st century utilizing what he calls the 'New Business' style of marketing. 
Chris is a serial entrepreneur, virtual staffing expert, blogger, podcaster and author who helps other entrepreneurs catapult their businesses into the 21st century utilizing what he calls the 'New Business' style of marketing.
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
This is awesome!
I just started thinking of niche websites and how I could use a VA for building those. This post has a perfect timing
Hi Timo
Thats great, buddy. Glad I can be of help at the right time, then.
Let me know how the project goes, and if you have any more questions / needs, just let me know!
C
Hey Timo,
VAs are ideal for building niche sites! I have over 40 sites now and have my team of VAs do absolutely everything for me. I do the keyword research and then give the seed keyword to my VA. The only other thing I do is register the domain and install WP with my host (I don’t want my VA to have access to my hosting account). From there, my VAs build out the entire site, make the graphics, find images, install all the plugins, create the posts, write the articles. I then have another VA that does all the link building.
As you can image, with my having to “do so little”, its quite possible to launch sites very quickly.
@ Chris…my partner Kane contacted your staff finder firm today about getting a programmer for us. Looking forward to working with you.
That’s great, Trent. Good stuff.
We looking forward to working with you, too.
C
Hey Trent,
It’s really nice that you can use VA to almost everthing regarding your Nichesite building. Could you share some more facts about them – do you have one VA who do it all, or do you ex. have a content-writer, a wordpress designer/optimizer and a SEO-VA?… And the last thing – when did you decided to hire them – after you earned enough income from your Nichesites to play their salary og did you gamble and hired them before?
I have one that builds the sites for $30 a crack. The other does link building for $3.50 an hour. Both are excellent.
As my time is precious and I have $$, I invested in them up front with the expectation of an ROI. If you want to see more of my methods, check out my blog.
Very interesting – I’ll check out you blog
Nice one !
I just started few weeks ago to enter this “niche” (build mini niche websites).
.
It seemed interested to try, but with a full time job already, i think getting help by hiring full time virtual assistant is the key to the success…. well at least, it’s my opinion, we will see if i’m right with time
I’ve tried Odesk so that, but having very few time with my full time job, i started searching full time VA by using Virtual Staff Finder (check it out here : http://www.virtualstafffinder.com.)
Chris, i hope you don’t mind i reference it in this comment, i saw that you made a point not to reference yourself, but i think it’s still so far a great service, so it might be worth checking out.
Arthur
Hi Arthur
First up, thanks for signing up for the VSF service – I understand that you’ve also been invoiced for a second VA, too – which is great. We’re looking forward to working with you on everything.
Thanks for dropping by and commenting, and I sincerely wish you all the luck on your niche marketing plans.
Stay in touch, bud.
C
Hey Chris
Yet another great blog post – eBooks are something which I work on for a lot of my clients.
From the basic concept to the final design – A virtual assistant can certainly ease of the pressure.
Take care
Martha
Hi Martha
Glad you liked the post, and thanks for commenting.
Also glad to see you’ve had a few ‘eBook’ clients, too. That’s great.
C
I love being a virtual assistant. Thanks so much for this important and affirming post that is right up my niche alley! I retweeted and posted on Facebook and LInkedIn.
Cheers,
Deidra
Hi Deidra
Thats nice of you. Thanks for the support, and I’m glad you liked the post!
C
Yes Yes Yes… I love using virtual assistance for the things I hate… I am the creative type, I do love solving problems, but when things take too much time away from what I enjoy it is a problem.
Development… NO LONGER DONE BY ME!!!
Great read, thanks Chris!
Thats awesome, Sal. Good job!
Let us know how your online projects go… Sharing ideas and experiences it all part of the community here at the VBL Blog.
Thanks for the comment, bud.
C
Hi Chris,
I just found your site – well you more or less told me about it (though the SmartPassiveIncome Podcast)
I have been thinking of hiring a VA for a long time, but have really not been sure what kind of tasks that it would be best for me to let them do. After reading 4horsweek it got inspired of the idea with hiring a VA, but from today, I will begin the write down all the things af VA could to for me… and eventually when I have enough tasks, I will get one!
Btw – you just got another subscriber to your blog
Thanks, Karsten.
Glad you enjoyed the podcast with Pat, and even happier to hear that you’re now going to become a little more proactive on your VA plans.
Welcome to the VBL Tribe, my man!
C
Chris,
I’m going to reiterate just one point that might be easy for people to overlook … “It’s Possible”.
There’s a lot written about how to get VA’s into your business and what they can do for you, etc., etc.
But I had been trying to get VA’s to work in my business, effectively and economically, for months and months. In fact, so long that I was getting frustrated that I started doubting if it was even possible.
Now, I know “It’s Possible”! I’ve finally gotten the right mix of skills and experience and affordability to mesh and I’m starting to build some real momentum.
Just wanted to share that with your audience – some may be in the same place I was.
BTW – it all started coming together for me at Virtual Staff Finder – Thanks
Michael
Thanks for the kind words on Virtual Staff Finder (check is in the post!).
I’m stoked that WE were the ones that helped get your VA woes all sorted out.
Good luck on your projects, buddy.
C
Thanks for the reminder and the motivation Chris.
I am struggling to cope with the workload that comes with running 10 different niche sites, a blog and an SEO business – it’s about time I went the VA way!
Thanks Chris, another well written and thought provoking post.
You will become so, so much more productive when you do, buddy. Or at the very least have more time with family!
Let me know when you’re good to go and I will make sure that the VSF team look after you, should you go that way!
Thanks for the comment.
C
Hey Chris,
You are totally right about VA’s I have been using VA’s on a project basis to do link building and creating content and it has been working out great! I have three niches sites almost at #1 chances are they need a bit more work but I know with VA’s I wouldn’t have gotten this far so quickly.
The REAL VALUE is knowing that while I am working my 9-5 th most time consuming work is being easily and more effectively being completed. Gotta love VAs!!
Cheers
Jason
That’s exactly what it’s all about… Leveraging your time to simply get more done and make more money.
It’s not rocket science. And with moat things in life, with solid support and a plan of attack, you’re all set!
Thanks for the comment, Jason.
C
Hi Chris
I have been reading n watching your site for 3 months now, it is amazing and we have the Outsource Force course which has helped us immensely and we have been checking out some of the Worker ads on the relevant sites, however we have come to the definite conclusion that our best option is to go with you and learn from your expertise in choice of our first worker.
We have 5 sites coming together very well and are not that good with the SEO & Traffic side we will be ready by the end of June now and we have learnt so much more form your site the info is easy to take in and we are just working on the plan of attack now.
thanks for all the free info that you give everyday and we look forward to working with you soon.
Di and San
Hi Diane
Thanks for the kind words on the VBL Blog, etc.
Looks like you are building something really nice for yourselves. Good for you!!!
I look forward to working with the rest of the Virtual Staff Finder team on getting your VA needs sorted out and kicked off to a great start! Reach out as soon as the time is right, and we’ll get into gear for you..!!!
Chat soon,
C
You’ve hit the nail on the head, Chris.
Most of us take too long to try VAs for whatever reason.
Content creation is time intensive and leveraging the power of VAs makes it so much more do-able.
I really like the Foolish Adventure three product approach to content marketing. It’s effectively give away a freebie, then another more focused “trial,” then sell. I’m using a variation where I give away a free course, then sell a cheap upgrade and later I’ll be offering a complete course.
Besides the content creation itself, a VA could help setup the infrastructure to handle the sales funnel. Just another way to better leverage time and effort.
Cheers, Adam.
Hi Adam
I’m liking this idea, buddy… Very sweet. Keepin’ it simple and not too complex in marketing is always whats worked best for me, too.
Sometimes, just sometimes… LESS is more……!
Keep the insight comments coming, bud.
C
Chris,
Funny you should say “keepin’ it simple” it’s where I start from with everything. In fact, I’ve got a new podcast in the works that’s called “Simplify My Small Business.” I’ll tell you about it when it launches. Episode 3 will feature VBL and VSF. Maybe we should talk soon?
Ciao for now, Adam.
Hi Adam
Man, thats great news – congrats on the new venture, and THANK YOU (in advance) for mentioning the VBL and VSF brands, too – wickedly cool of you, mate.
Keep me up to date with it all..!
Cheers,
C
Chris,
I’ll drop you a line when the show goes live. Probably 3-4 weeks away.
Cheers.
Looking forward to it, Adam.
Keep rockin’, buddy.
C
Pat continues to grow his audience from all sorts of places. He is one of those people who give it to you straight and teaching you how to become successful one blog post at a time..
“Black Seo Guy “Signing Off”
Hey Man!
Yep – you’re bang on.
Pat’s outlook on producing great content is what the FUTURE of blogging is all about. Gone are the days (well, almost!) where people will be blogging 5-10 times a week. I think that people are clicking onto the mindset of ‘quality, before quantity’ more than ever now.
Thanks for dropping by, bud.
C
Hey Chris
Really Great post.
You really made me see plenty of tasks that a VA can help me with.I have been struggling with time management and productivity issues especially with my online business previously but you put on the light.
I am definitely going to get into doing a lot more with VAs.
I am prioritizing tasks now and should be able to engage some help asap.
I look forward to using your service soon .
Cheers
Adedotun
Hi Adedotun
Glad that the post shed some light on things for you.
Simple rules of thumb when delegating work to VAs are the following:
1. If you dont like the task… Delegate it!
2. If you cant do the task yourself… … Delegate it!
3. If you can do the task, but dont want to (for whatever reason)… Delegate it!
And, the VSF team look forward to working with you in finding your VA when the time is right.
Thanks for the great comment, and keep ‘em coming, bud.
C
This is a great post for utilising VA’s for project based assignments
Been away for a while just catching up with my reading – also just posted a comment on your FB page and saw your fans – WHOOOAA Dude what have you been doing! Congrats on the fans!
M
Hi Michelle
Thanks for the comment and lad you enjoyed the post.
Ah, ‘fans’, not sure what to say on that..!!!
Build it, and they will come……………..?!!!?
C
Love the post, Chris. You always have great content.
One thing that I would add as a word of caution: Building niche sites are great, but if not done correctly it can lead to months of spinning your wheels. Definitely check out Chris’ post on finding the right niche, because one thing that will give you a bad experience with a VA is spending 3-4 months with nothing to show for it.
With my first niche site, I picked home gyms and had a full-time virtual assistant working on it. 4 months later it was barely ranked. After switching niches, I was #3 on Google for receipt scanners in about 2 months. Definitely learn to pick good niches.
Sorry for being pessimistic so to speak, just wanted to share a bit of reality.
Hi Dean
Great advice, my man. I also had a couple of dud-starts on my niche adventures, but now do quite well. I have to admit, its not really what I focus on, but like most entrepreneurs, I enjoy putting things together and seeing them fly on their own (regardless of whether they end up making a bucket load of cash, or not!).
Oh, thanks for the comment on my content, too – appreciate it, bud.
C
Totally agree. =) I think that’s what makes niche sites so fun is that they are easy to bring up and generally you see (or don’t see) an ROI in 3 months as opposed to a business that you have to market traditionally or online.
Cool to know that you’ve had some sites that weren’t so hot.
Have a good one, my friend.
Couldn’t have said it better, buddy.
Niche sites are great – but, remember to spread them out amongst different niches… Not all health related… Not all business related, etc.
Have fun, and learn from the process. Sooner or later, you’ll find your winning niche (or two!)
C
Thanks for this great info, Chris!
I agree, we can do more with the help of our VAs; especially if they have come to the point where they think and execute like us in some way.
We can focus more in expanding the business when we learn to delegate some tasks to others.
Cee
We sure can, Cee.
And thanks for the comment.
C