Our Best Tips to Successfully Become a Virtual Assistant!
I truly believe we have the best VAs in America and I am always excited for the opportunity to meet new people to join our incredible team. So often, however, we are asked questions like, “How do you become a virtual assistant?”, or “What exactly do you guys do?” As much as I simply want to say that we do everything and that it’s more about the heart than the skills, I’m more than familiar with the blank look that follows that kind of vague answer.
Christina and I have discussed this particular blog post more than any other because it might be the hardest one I’ve written thus far. But… we do the hard things and we don’t back down, especially if we feel that our actions might help someone along the way! So, let’s dive right in and talk about how to become a virtual assistant!
What exactly is a VA? What do you guys do?
As Virtual Assistants, we come alongside business owners in their daily work and help. This includes tasks classified as administrative, creative, marketing, social media, or all of the above! Our goal each day is to give them the support they need so they can grow their business.
On the creative side, we work with people such as wedding professionals, copywriters, influencers, gemologists, realtors, and more! The majority of these amazing clients work from their homes just like our VAs and don’t have traditional office space or office hours. When we step in beside these clients, we often take the repetitive tasks -like sending invoices or replying to emails, or the tasks business owners simply don’t have time to complete - like creating and managing a full-scale social media marketing plan and handle them simply and efficiently. This frees up the business owner to work in other areas of their business and do things that cause business growth. We often manage their clients using a CRM like HoneyBook or Dubsado and make sure that things are getting done so they feel they have the space to use their creative genius to build their dreams -- things like just shooting the wedding pictures or just writing the copy needed for their clients, while everything else in the “back office” is being expertly handled. A Virtual Assistant provides relief, help, support, and often times encouragement and accountability to their client!
On the other side of this business are our Admin Clients. For the most part, these are C-suite level executives who are founders or co-founders of startups in the corporate world. Some of the best support we can provide to these clients is inbox management and scheduling. Their schedules are often incredibly challenging and change multiple times each week. We help with slide shows for large board meetings, sales pitches, or investor presentations. We essentially become gatekeepers for these clients, protecting their time, energy, and brain-space so that they have the ability to make the big decisions and manage larger teams.
What does it take to be the best Virtual Assistant?
I can answer this in one word: Heart!
Of course, we are looking for hardcore skills and a lot of technical knowledge, but without passion and desire to help others succeed, those skills and knowledge fall flat to the ground without producing anything! Let’s be real - most of us have the ability to learn all the platforms, refine and polish skills, and stay on top of all the algorithm changes. If you’re looking into the possibility of pursuing a career in VA work, I’m guessing you’re organized and like to get everyone’s ducks in a row. For all the creatives reading this, I’m guessing you have an innate ability to design beauty everywhere you go! But… the big question is this: Do you work well alongside others who are possibly a creative mess, who have more dreams and goals than grains of sand in the Bahamas, and who might change their minds 3 times each day before noon? Do you have the ability to see the big picture and formulate a plan to help them make their dreams come true? How are you at encouraging others - because building dreams and businesses is very hard work and many times encouragement and empowerment is what our clients need the most!
If I had to formulate a list of what it means when I say “heart to serve others”, it would look something like this:
Proactive. This means never waiting to be asked or tasked with something, but rather recognizing what’s next and getting it done!
Self-learning. The learning NEVER ends for a Virtual Assistant. Often you’re the leader in this area -- your client will be looking to you to suggest the best platform for social media scheduling or the best CRM to manage their 30+ weddings per year or the best tool to keep all the projects in line and moving forward.
Self-awareness. A great knowledge of your own strengths and weaknesses is absolutely vital as a virtual assistant. We aren’t asking you to know all. the. things. We are asking you to know what you’re amazing at and what isn’t in your zone of genius. Saying that you don’t have experience in a certain area is something we like to see! What this boils down to is not trying to be a “jack of all trades” and do a lot of things mediocre, but rather honing in on your gifts and talents and shining brightly in that area as you help others succeed!
Ability to set boundaries. I’m guessing that might have been unexpected on this list. Being a VA requires you to know when to say yes and when to say no. At Rock Solid, we focus on increasing the quality of life for not only our clients but also our VAs. Protecting your own personal space as well as you protect your client’s personal space is the foundation of a great relationship full of trust, respect, teamwork, and camaraderie.
So, how do I get started??
Everyone starts their journey as a VA differently and with different outcomes expected. There isn't a one-size-fits-all route to take, but we have a few hints and tips to take that all-important first step.
1.Evaluate your skills
One of our best pieces of advice is to start by thinking about the things you are skilled in as well as the tasks you enjoy doing! What do you love to do? What do you have experience in doing? Are there things that people are always seeking you for specifically or complimenting you on? How can your amazing skills benefit others who have successful businesses?
For example, have you been an administrative assistant for years in an office but are seeking to pivot and work with a bit more freedom and less travel time? Are you really good at social media management and enjoy creating great posts that inspire and encourage others? Can you write well? Have you run a business in a specific niche before like photography, real estate, e-commerce? How about event planning? Some of our top VAs have event planning in their background and those skills translate over to the VA world seamlessly and amazingly!
2. Find your dream client!
Make a list of your skills, past experiences, and passions. Have that done? Great! Now, look around you... Who do you know that may need help with these things? Who could you reach out to and see if they need help in these areas? This is probably one of the best places to start your career as a VA.
If there is nobody in your immediate circle that you can reach out to, Facebook groups are a great place to find busy entrepreneurs who need help! How about businesses you follow on social media, agencies like Upwork, OR… if you feel you are really top notch in your skills, please start our application process! We would love to meet you! For those that make it all the way through our application process and interview, we match our assistants with the most incredible clients!
3. Serve your clients well!
Once you land your first client, work hard to meet their needs! Be proactive, learn new things, and find new ways to serve them each day. Go out of your way to make sure you’re going above and beyond. When your client is happy and less stressed, not to mention able to do things in their business that makes the needle move... that is a job well done!! Plus, they will refer you to other business owners who may need a VA! This helps you grow your business and have longevity with your clients.
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