So you want to be a Virtual Assistant?

So you want to be a Virtual Assistant? You’ve heard about the flexibility,  the compensation, and the ability to work from anywhere, but what do you really need to know about being a virtual assistant? Take it from our staff, being a Virtual Assistant is great, but there are some important things to know! 

Administrative Expert

A virtual assistant does not need to know every platform, tool, etc. but they need to have strong administrative skills. If you have never worked in a position with high administrative demands, you might not be a fit just yet for being a virtual assistant. While many virtual assistants also serve as personal assistants for clients, you will be expected to have a strong knowledge of Microsoft and Google products. Your clients will expect you to learn new platforms quickly and be able to maximize your time so that they are receiving the best work for their dollar. 

Boundaries

If you don’t mind working at all hours of the day and night and being on call 24/7, this might not apply to you. However many virtual assistants recognize the importance of boundaries too late in establishing a relationship with a client. Sure emergencies happen, but communicating and holding boundaries is an essential aspect of maintaining work/life balance, and securing longevity in this career field. We will dive deeper into boundaries in another blog post, but for now, just know that boundaries are an essential part of what it takes to be a good virtual assistant. 

Home Office

One of the great things about being a virtual assistant is the ability to work from anywhere. Work while on vacation, at a coffee shop, at your child’s extra-curricular activities, at the public library, etc. However, for client-facing meetings, you will probably still need a dedicated office space at your place of residence that has a strong internet connection, is quiet and free of distractions, and has a professional background. You will also need a laptop or desktop computer for tasks that cannot be completed on a tablet. Just keep this in mind as part of your start-up costs if you don’t have these items already. 

Communication

One of, if not the most essential facet of your role as a virtual assistant is your communication with your client(s). Timely, clear, and thorough communication can make or break a relationship with a client. When a client reaches out with a task or need, it is important to respond back not only with a “message received” type of response but also to communicate when they can expect that task to be completed. We also recommend check-in meetings with a client on a weekly cadence (maybe even bi-weekly or daily depending on the client). If you do not currently have strong communication skills, this might be an area to strengthen before diving into being a virtual assistant. 

If you are a current Virtual Assistant, we would love to hear what you wish you knew before you started! If you are looking to become a Virtual Assistant, stay tuned for more tips and tricks of the trade!