How To Become A Virtual Assistant

Due to the pandemic, more and more people are starting to learn how to become a virtual assistant. During these difficult times, people felt the desire to achieve a balance between their career and life in general. A fantastic way to achieve balance is by becoming a virtual assistant! Being a virtual assistant is a great way to enjoy your freedom while earning a meaningful income.

If you want to reap these benefits, here are a few important steps you can take towards becoming a virtual assistant!

Pick a business structure

There is no formulaic advice regarding the selection of a specific business structure. There are various options to consider depending on the criteria which include:

• Location of business. Do you wish to work with people within the area?
• Types of clients. Is there a type of industry or business you’re knowledgeable about?
• Type of VA work. What are your skill sets? What tasks are relatively easy for you?
• Personal circumstances (other responsibilities like family, children, etc.). How hands-on can you be to your client?
• Risk tolerance. Will you be able to adhere to income changes as you embrace self-employment full-time?

While nothing is permanent, it’s still a wise decision to think through on how your business should be. After all, building a business that works for you is one of the most promising highlights of being a virtual assistant!

Decide on which services to offer to clients as a VA

Deciding on which services to offer to clients is an important step for new virtual assistants. Typical virtual assistant services include checking emails, making phone calls, calendar management and other administrative support. Most times, it may be only those but there are still more services a virtual assistant can offer. These include web design, copyediting, travel arrangements, social media management, virtual marketing and etc.!

You’re totally free to craft your own business as you deem fit. This equates to changes in services depending on the client demands, profitability and your personal interests.

Think of a pricing structure.

When setting your rates, decide on what would make it worthwhile. If you wish to go for an hourly rate, know that you are trading time for money. It’s crucial to consider several important points:

• You’re not considered as an employee. You’re a subcontractor and one has to pay for both the employer and employee taxes.
• There are various benefits which you’re entitled to- no sick days, paid vacation leave and health insurance.
• You’ll have things covered by client (if need be) like software subscriptions, office expenses, etc.

Due to these expenses, you cannot compare what you make out of your regular job with your virtual assistance. You must receive the wage you think would be appropriate and inflate it by at least 25%. Most business owners understand that you have these additional fees and you can even give them a break down!

Keep in mind that business owners have perks in hiring a freelance virtual assistant rather than a part or full-time employee. Your client doesn’t have to pay for the cost or time needed for the training of new employees. Nor do they have to think about the additional expenses that come with taking on new employees.

Set up your online presence.

If you’re going to work online, it only makes sense that you set up an online presence. You don’t have to own a website to become a virtual assistant. There are some simple ways you can build your online presence, like having a LinkedIn profile or Facebook business page. Having an online presence helps in the “know, like, and trust” factor which is crucial in client connection.

Here are some of the following options you can use to establish your online presence:

• Virtual assistance social media profiles: We suggest having one to two social media platforms that focus on the highlights of your virtual assistant services.
• A remarkable resume: Unlike your traditional resume, this should be about the skills you can serve your potential clients with.
• A Hire Me page (if you have website): This is a great way to showcase your skills to business owners.

With regards to social media, we suggest you keep things as uncomplicated as possible. Be where your clients are instead of juggling multiple social media platforms. Use social channels to establish relationships over time with prospective clients. Look for new opportunities but never jump into unfamiliar groups and start promoting yourself. Instead, let connections foster naturally.

Start pitching and networking of new clients.

The most crucial step towards launching your new virtual assistant service is looking for your first client. Typically, client growth takes place exponentially. Achieving a client number from 0-3 is more difficult than reaching 3-6. The difference is definitely the outcome of time, experience, exposure and confidence. Once these four major components start to kick in, the growth process becomes easier.

The process that we push for virtual assistants to follow is simple which includes:

• Knowing the ideal clients.

In other words, familiarize your target market. Figure out what type of industry or business interests you and know where you can locate them.

• Building relationships with potential clients.

This is similar to courting because this takes time. Though cold pitching is the best way to get clients, strong relationships are what produce the best clients, especially long-term.

• Offering a short trial period for virtual assistance.

Clients do not know exactly what to expect, and neither do you. A short trial period is a good way to see how well you are able to coordinate with each other. It also helps lessen the risk and fear that come with establishing a long-term commitment.

• Checking in consistently.

One of the most common complaints of clients is their virtual assistant has poor communication skills. It’s an easy problem to solve! Plot a schedule where you check in with your client to ensure their needs are met.

• Making yourself unique.

If you want to keep your client long term, you have to provide as much value as possible. Make yourself an irreplaceable part of their business. Figure out a way to take specific tasks off their plate and reduce productivity congestion. By doing such, you’ll be providing more value than usual. You’ll become an important member of their team and that’s a win-win case!

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