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How to Become a Virtual Assistant
Look out what you wish for, I would say. There is almost no difference between a freelancer and a virtual assistant, you think? Let me compare the two:
A virtual assistant is a remote employee assisting clients with various tasks. The same with a freelancer; a virtual assistant assists business owners through their skill sets. However, virtual assistant works according to the time needed by the client. Thus, the virtual assistant has no freedom in terms of time and flexibility. Additionally, a virtual assistant is usually charged on an hourly basis. And the most common tasks that a virtual assistant is hired for are admin tasks. So, if you like to become a virtual assistant, here are services you can provide:
Data Entry
Lead Generation
Email Sorting
Social Media Posting
Note-taking
Report Preparation
Appointment Setting
Booking
Research
A freelancer refers to an independent contractor who provides services to clients remotely. Additionally, freelancers assist clients directly. In what way? A freelancer sells skills and expertise through services in exchange for compensation. Also, as a freelancer, you are not bound by an employer or employee relationship. Therefore, you can work on your own time.
On top of that, a freelancer usually receives a monthly or fixed rate. Thus, those who have mid to high level of expertise prefer to be a freelancer. So if you want to work as a freelancer, you can offer your clients services, such as:
Customer Service
Graphic Design
Bookkeeping
Copywriting
SEO
Digital marketing
Content Management
Product Development
The two are vastly different. Yet, virtual assistant and freelancer are both jobs based at home. Having learned what a freelancer and a virtual assistant are, you can now decide what kind of work-from-home is best for you. Which do you want to start your career?
Next, identify your target market and know how to reach them. Another is to learn how to craft your initial pitch, such as a cover letter, resume, and portfolio. Depending on which of the two you want to be, it is vital to identify the skills you want to offer to clients as services. And, considering the competition in the “Gig Industry,” it is imperative to discover excellent ways to market your services.
Starting a work-from-home career might be difficult at first, especially if you are starting from scratch. Yet, many newbie freelancers and virtual assistants have become successful.
In this industry, success does not happen overnight. Thus, you need to learn how to burn your midnight candle to achieve your goals. Putting a routine in place and being consistent will help you achieve your work-from-home goals.
Well, I assume I can still continue with telling how you can become a virtual assistant. And even when you changed your mind and want to go freelance, it might be a good idea to continue reading.
First, there are international organizations for the virtual assistants.
The International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the professional education and development of members of the Virtual Assistance profession, and to educating the public on the role and function of the Virtual Assistant. IVAA provides continuing education, networking opportunities, member benefits, as well as …
The Association of Virtual Assistants was created for ALL current and future VAs, and they showed up from every part of the world! We have over a dozen countries represented, and we are pleased that members are diverse and represent different races, cultures, gender identities, years of experience, and services offered.
Those organizations offer support for those trying to start as a virtual assistant.
When you work as a virtual assistant, you are actually your own boss. You can accept or reject job offers, you can discuss your terms to do a job, and you can choose where you actually want to work, physically. You work with computers, and you can virtually and physically work where ever you want.
I know virtual assistants, who are working in Thailand near the beach. They rented together several bungalows and all of them work in the morning and early afternoon. The rest of the time, they have their constant dream vacation.
But there are also virtual assistants, who work in an office with other virtual assistants, giving services to their clients and using the networking and other communication tools to do their job.
But … to begin as a virtual assistant, it’s a bit tricky. I know many virtual assistants, who started with loads of energy and enthusiasm, but they failed, because they really had no idea what to do. They were dreaming about the big bucks, but got no work.
Let’s put some order in determining what kind of virtual assistant you like to be.
What do you have to offer?
In my article “What Are Virtual Assistants”, you can read the number of possible tasks a virtual assistant can do. Choose one of them if you want to start. Or maybe you have skill sets, which are not mentioned in that article.
It’s possible that you’re an artist, and are able to make great cartoons, which are interesting for newspaper and websites.
Maybe you’re great in making designs using AutoCAD software. Such designs can be useful with all kind of companies using those designs, like engineering companies.
Maybe you’re a model, and you like to model clothing, mascara, jewelry, etc.
Maybe you’re great in manipulating videos or great in video editing.
Maybe you like to write articles and blog entries?
Maybe you know how to program in a programming language like C# or C++?
Maybe you’re great in communicating with people, or you’re great in care of elderly or little children?
Maybe you love social media, and you want to earn money with it. That’s possible, because there are loads of companies and people out there who are really in the need of those services.
Etc.
It’s extremely important that you’re clear of what you’ve to offer to companies and even individuals as a virtual assistant. It’s vital. Without it, no work for you. If you don’t clearly state what you’ll provide, most people will overlook you in favor of a less qualified candidate that meets their job description requirements to the tee.
The structure of your virtual assistant business
Are you just doing this on the side to earn a little more money? Are you going to be a full-time worker? Maybe part-time, like only mornings or afternoons or evenings?
This is important, because as a virtual assistant you are usually bound on the hours of your clients. Do you know what that means?
When your client is located in Houston, USA, and you live and work in Turkey, you need to be prepared to work afternoons until deep in the night. That’s because of the time difference. So, when you declare that you like to work only in the morning, you need to declare the morning for whom? Is it your morning or the morning of the client?
Also, if you want to work only part-time, it will mean that you can’t do work like managing phone calls or customer service, but basic administrative tasks, preparing reports, or maybe even content writing might be better for you.
I hope I don’t need to say that how more flexible you are, how better chance you have for a job with a client.
How much do you want to charge?
You’re not a full-time employee – you’re an independent contractor. If you’re in the United States, you’re going to have to likely pay a self-employment tax as a result. There are no benefits involved here – no medical, dental, 401k, etc. You’re going to have overheads like web maintenance, renting office space and a high-speed internet connection.
A good way to start is to charge about 25% more than you would for the task in a regular job. That should be enough to cover most of these overheads.
Advertise yourself
Create a website. In that website, you include all the above (what you’ve to offer, what working times you prefer, your basic information, possible experience, etc.). With other words, a website with as home page (first page the site will display) with the above information, the rest as your resume.
You don’t need a website to be a VA. But if you’re serious about taking this up as a professional business, it’s a good idea if you did.
And the reason for that is because it looks more professional (and in this way you can ask higher fees), and in this industry, professionalism = reliability. And having a website gives other people a point of reference.
Networking
I mean with networking that you need to ‘sell yourself’ to potential clients. You need to find a way that those potential clients are noticing you.
Here’s how you go about it:
Identify your field – You’ll need to know where your prospective employers are before setting up meetings with them.
Look for prospects in that field – Once you’ve identified your field, look for good prospects there – look for a small business that’s open to outsourcing – businesses that, in your opinion, could use your virtual assistant services
Build your social media presence – Use social media to your advantage. Like and share posts on Twitter and LinkedIn by your potential clients to get yourself noticed before formally pitching to them
Pitch to potential clients regularly – Once you’re confident of being on their radar, go ahead and set virtual meetings with these companies – outline what it is you do and how it can benefit them.
Offer a trial period – Your first client may be skeptical of outsourcing. To combat this, on your first time working with them, give clients a trial period to test out the waters.
You’ll build a layer of trust to cement a long term relationship with potential clients by doing so.