Becoming a Virtual Assistant

Last year about this time, I started a V.A. (Virtual Assistant) business.   Let me give a little insight into what I’ve learned.

First off, this business is great for those of us who just like to make the “boss” look good.  We like to poke around in the background and straighten up the furniture so that when the visitors come everything flows. This is a perfect business for a detail oriented person and someone who likes to help other people.

I might also go so far as to say it’s good for those who enjoy “rescuing” others, or fixing things for other people.

“What?  Your plug-in is broken?  We can’t have that!  Let me help.”

Before becoming a V.A., I was the go-to person for computer problems in my community of moms.  I was not always successful, may I add, in fixing these problems, but I was rarely daunted by the request.  I was not afraid to dig in and get my “hands dirty” and trouble shoot.

So along with being somewhat comfortable with technology and online presence, one must have some identifiable skill in programming, secretarial, or accounting, etc., — just something that would help an overworked business owner to simplify their business day.  Your aim is to take over tasks that your clients want to out-source.

The fact that one does all this through the internet is a given.  Therefore, a good internet connection is desirable.  Having some experience online is also desirable because the web becomes more than your playground and you need to be familiar with the territory.

Passable English skills are important for my work, but maybe you are a techno-geek and language would be less important for you.  Think about your strengths here.  What is the conversation that you overhear and can’t help throwing in your 2 cents?  I always provide the spelling to the question, “How do you spell _____?”  Maybe you always answer the numbers questions, or the fix-it questions, or the latest software release questions.  There is some bit of trivia that you are always “up” on, — and that is your strength.

I started with the policy “no charge for education”, meaning I did not charge for getting myself up to speed on the tasks clients gave me.  Face it, there is a lot of software out there!  I still don’t charge for the time it takes me to learn new software.

Who wouldn’t want to work from the luxury of their own home at the time of  their own choosing?  The reality is that sometimes you will be working against a deadline, and you will need to be able to concentrate.  Everything you do for a client affects their internet presence and ROI.  In some way, you become responsible for their “appearance”.  That is a mission that one should not take lightly.

Thank you for reading, — and stay tuned for more on the V.A. world.

Image credit: gustavotoledo / 123RF Stock Photo