How to Start an Office Support Service

Office support services can range from basic data entry to a fully-staffed office handling all the details of a client's business.

An office support service company can start very small, offering only a limited selection of services and expanding as you gain the capacity to do so. This modular approach makes office support services very attractive for the talented entrepreneur with limited capital and the motivation to learn and grow over time.

Start Up Costs and Financing Sources:

$500 to $100,000+ depending on services offered

With a strong and well-researched business plan, venture capitalists and angel investors may help with part of the initial financing. Do not depend on this, however, as your source of financing.

Pricing Guidelines for Service:

Set your prices to allow for at least $20-40 per hour (before taxes and expenses), but avoid charging hourly rates. Charging an hourly rate for office support services gives clients the opportunity to demand more and more work for the same price. Before long, it will begin to feel like you are trapped in the very same employment situation which you were trying to avoid by starting a business in the first place! So with that in mind, try your best to set a flat fee (based on volume) for each office support service you provide.

As you become more skilled with specific office support services, you can charge less to a client while actually earning more per hour.

Advertising and Marketing:

Many help wanted advertisements detail office support services which are very suited to your company. Respond to these with a brochure of the services you provide, as well as the benefits of contracting with a service provider instead of hiring an employee.

Temporary staffing companies get many requests for office support services. Sometimes they do not have enough qualified applicants to fill the positions. Rather than telling their clients that they have failed to fill the position, they might be willing to connect you with the client company.

Work with other office support service providers in your area. Identify which services each provider excels at and cooperate to refer those types of jobs to each other. This valuable type of exchange will keep you and your "competitors" working on the projects which profit everyone the most.

Get at least one ad listed in the yellow pages phone directory. Better yet, get listed under the heading for every specific service you offer.

Essential Equipment:

A decent computer with a comprehensive suite of office software is necessary in any office.

At least one telephone line will be necessary. Two telephone lines and a dedicated fax line would be even better.

A three-in-one printer/copier/fax machine can save precious desk space; however, if you do a significant amount of one of those three tasks, it is a good idea to get a dedicated machine for it.

You will need an adequate amount of general office supplies such as printer paper, paperclips, staples, pens, pencils, Post-It notes, mailing labels, etc.

Filing cabinets and similar paperwork storage space will help to keep your work area organized.

Income Potential:

$15,000 to $100,000+

Your income is really only limited by the amount of work you can do in a day. This is definitely a choice business for someone who is good at streamlining and automating their daily tasks. After you have an efficient system in place, you can begin to hire employees to take care of the menial things which can't be automated, greatly expanding your earning capability.

Target Market:

Small businesses which are growing rapidly and have an excess of paperwork to handle.

Staffing agencies which specialize in office support services and have trouble finding qualified applicants for a project.

Tips for Success:

Develop a strong eye for detail. 99.9% accuracy might sound excellent, but that one-in-a-thousand error could cost your clients big money and cost you your contract.

Automate! Identify the areas where you are spending most of your time and determine if it is possible to automate parts of the tasks and save time. Research software which could do some of the dirty work for you. For example, certain data entry projects can be done by an image scanner and optical character recognition (OCR) software, leaving you with just the job of auditing the final data for accuracy.

Training, Skills or Experience Needed:

It is useful to have a background in accounting, business management, etc. Working as an employee for a year or two in an office support services environment is enough to develop the basic skills you will need.

Typing is a big part of the business. Hone your typing skills to at least 70 words per minute with 100% accuracy.

Stay organized. When you need to find paperwork or supplies, they should be right where you expect them to be.

? Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy has dozens of home based business articles such as become a mystery shopper, become a mystery shopper, and become a mystery shopper.

Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
In The News:

Fueled by artificial intelligence, CyberDog the robotic dog is designed specifically locate fire ant nests, which are endangering ecosystems.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents
Internet browsers are useful, but they can be dangerous. Clicking on malicious links can direct you to dangerous websites that steal information or infect your device.
Apple's latest iOS update introduces advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, which may be capturing and analyzing sensitive information.
Breach site confirmed 56,904,909 Hot Topic users' data leaked online. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says the company's silence makes matters even worse.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how an innovative Easy-Way kit turns standard strollers electric, simplifying navigation for parents.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about T-Mobile being hacked in broad cyberattack on global phone and internet companies.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson shows you how to add, customize and manage widgets for quick access to apps and info from your iPhone home screen.
Wrong Google searches can not only compromise your device and personal data. They can also bring law enforcement to your doorstep. Hackers are targeting Google searches.
China's Shanghai Kepler Robotics has developed a new humanoid robot that can carry up to 35 pounds per hand for commercial applications across various industries
Checking your hearing has gotten easier with the new hearing test feature in AirPods Pro 2. You can take reliable hearing tests using your iPhone or iPad.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how a VPN — virtual private network — works and how running it can slow down the operation of your device.
The WalkON Suit F1, an exoskeleton developed to help people with disabilities, can actually walk over to a person in a wheelchair, solving a major problem.
ClickFix, a new scam targeting computer users, is on the rise in the U.S. The scam prompts its targets to click on a link to fix a problem.
Skydweller is the world's largest unmanned solar-powered aircraft that can stay airborne for weeks, and even months, without refueling.
The U.S. government said it is investigating after People's Republic of China hackers targeted commercial telecommunications service providers in the U.S.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated ways to lure unsuspecting victims, and some are impersonating an email help desk or support team.
You can unsend or edit your iMessages with the latest iOS updates. Kurt the CyberGuy explains how you can save yourself some potential embarrassment.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says there’s been a rise in cybercriminal services using hacked police and government emails to send subpoenas and data requests to U.S. companies.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how Axiom Space and luxury designer Prada are collaborating on NASA's Artemis III spacesuit design.
Voice assistants may cause confusion across devices. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers some solutions to fix it.
Shameless scammers trick veterans into giving personal info or cash. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson explores five common scams.

Breaking The Chains!

Everyday, customers and business owners are bombarded with billboards, logos,... Read More

Choosing A Business Thats Right For You

Q: I really want to start my own business, but... Read More

7 Habits of Highly Successful Small Business Owners

Do you spend every waking minute in your business? Do... Read More

Internships: Good for Everyone

Many job applicants want a job but often do not... Read More

How to Find Success in the Import Export Business

Take advantage of world politics today and start your own... Read More

Asking the RIGHT Questions

Which questions do you need to ask to even get... Read More

An Example of Business Automation - eCards with pizazz

The last time I spoke and went into a bit... Read More

Discover How You Can Start Making Your Small Business Dream Come True

As a teenager I worked for my father's small business.... Read More

How To Build Business Credit

Having their own business is something many millions of people... Read More

Reclaim Equipment Detailing Industry and NPDES, EPA, Storm Water Rules

It behooves every professional mobile auto detailer to stay up... Read More

Professional Car Care Businesses You Can Start

If you are in the professional car care business you... Read More

Is Your Business Property Safe and Secure?

Security Professionals provide the products and services necessary to create... Read More

Hard Money Lenders -- No Money Down The Easy Way

Would it help you as a real estate investor to... Read More

11 Benefits of Starting a House Cleaning Business

One of the biggest fears people have about starting a... Read More

If You Want To Be Remembered...

Send handwritten notes. That applies whether you're a guy or... Read More

Fleet Washing Operations Manual Sample Outline

In the Truck Washing Business every single type of vehicle... Read More

Wichita KS; Anything is Possible in Wichita Business

Just when the entire state was kissing Wichita goodbye, economically... Read More

Three Ways to Add Leverage to Your Small Business

Remember those drawings from science class of how a lever... Read More

Due Dilegence 101 Or What You Do Not Know Can Kill You! - Part 1

Introduction: This article is written as a general discussion on... Read More

Window Cleaning Business Start Up

Should you buy a business opportunity or Franchise if you... Read More

Getting City Contracts; Local Government Contracting

All cities have a purchasing office and/or a procurement officer.... Read More

Not Listening Can Hurt Your Small Business

Most small business owners seek advisors who can help them... Read More

Mini-Blind Cleaning Business, Case Study

Sometimes the simple businesses are the ones, which make good... Read More

Get In Touch With Your Competition!

We all know that competition is an ugly word but... Read More

7 Card Tricks That Improve Your Personal Networking Power

CARD SHARK7 Card Tricks That Improve Your Personal Networking PowerThe... Read More

Antigo wedding limo ..