How to become a virtual assistant

Not sure how to become a virtual assistant? Here’s what you need to know.

Knowing how to become a virtual assistant is one of the biggest things holding back talented potential VAs.

And that’s because it can all feel pretty overwhelming. The way I see it, being a virtual assistant involves two jobs, not one. First, you have the work associated with being a VA – supporting clients with your skills. And as if that’s not enough, you also have the task of setting yourself up as a virtual assistant, running your business and getting clients.

It’s tough.

It’s also totally worth it btw, so do keep reading 😉.

These two ‘jobs’ - as we’ll call them - are very different. And this can mean that even if you have the skills, knowing ‘what’ to do can become a massive blocker, preventing you from moving forward.

But there’s no need to get stuck! With clarity, persistence and many, many baby steps you’ll be on your way to a successful VA business. 

Here are some of the things you need to consider when creating your plan on how to become a virtual assistant.

Here’s what you need to do to become a VA

Get clear (and confident) on what you offer

What do you enjoy and why do you want to become a VA? Although this should be a simple decision, it’s often fraught with comparison. Some VAs offer a large range of services and this might make you feel obliged to offer everything under the sun. Or you might worry that what you have to offer somehow isn’t good enough.

But know this much – people WILL pay for your work. And that’s because they simply don’t have the time to do these things themselves.

There really is no right or wrong answer – if people are buying your service, it’s a good sign. Keep things simple, avoid overcomplicating your offerings and you’ll be on the track.

Start small (You’ll grow over time)

It’s absolutely OK to offer basic admin services and figure everything else out down the line. You don’t need to have everything set in stone. Give things a try and figure it out along the way – don’t let uncertainty be a blocker to making progress.

Taking this approach will also mean you only offer services that you’re capable of doing. I would never recommend offering something you have no experience in. If you want to offer a completely new service, invest in comprehensive training first.

The other benefit of starting small is the way it can help build your confidence. By dealing with things that are familiar and manageable, you avoid the overwhelm that can come with biting off more than you can chew.

Shout about it!

Telling everyone you’re a VA is a major part of actually becoming a virtual assistant. I like to think of it as part manifesting, part getting the word out there. Don’t shy away from telling people what you do and explaining what being a VA means. Remember, many people won’t understand what a virtual assistant does, so explaining your role and services is crucial.

If I look back, I recognise that this was something I didn’t do enough of when I first started out. I’d use that awful phrase – I’m ‘just’ a virtual assistant. But when I switched my mindset, it was incredible how much things changed. And here’s an example… I was on a flight and getting on with some work. I was chatting to another passenger as I worked, and they asked me what I did. I told them I was a VA and explained what I did. Guess what? They signed up to work with me on the flight! And in case you’re wondering, I’m definitely not a pushy salesperson! It was simply a case of me explaining what I did to someone who needed those services. This kind of thing could 100% happen to you too if you put yourself out there.

 

Preparation is everything

A virtual assistant is nothing without their tech. So set yourself up with a decent laptop and all the necessary software. It’s also a good idea to write out your service offerings so they’re ready to refer to when you’re speaking to a prospect. Being caught on the back foot is not a good look!

Be persistent

I’m not a big one for inspirational quotes, but I’ll make an inspiration here.

“Success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration”.

In other words, nothing comes easy… you need to work at it! You might not get a client in your first week (or even in your first month), but do the right things, keep going and you’ll get there. Success takes more determination than anyone tells you, so keep on plugging away!

Get help in learning how to become a virtual assistant

There’s no need to struggle when there’s amazing support out there. Invest in yourself, build up a network of other VAs and connect with supportive self-employed communities through Facebook and LinkedIn. I set up The Timpi Academy as a way of helping new VAs start out in the world of virtual assistance. If you have the skills, we’re here to help you with the nuts and bolts of setting up your enterprise, finding clients you love working with, and earning money to fund the lifestyle you want to lead.

Want to know more about how to become a VA? You can read more about the Timpi Academy here.