VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
"Virtual Assistant 101:" All the Basics You Need to Know
Imagine this: waking up at 9 a.m., enjoying a cup of coffee, easing into the day with yoga, and taking the kids to school. Then, you come home and start your work on your own schedule. You have the freedom to break for lunch, pick up the kids, and dive back into your work at your own pace. This could be your daily reality as a Virtual Assistant—being your own boss and designing a life that works for you!
In this post, I’ll walk you through the benefits of becoming a Virtual Assistant (VA) and share insights I’ve gained over ten years in the VA field, plus seven years as an International Virtual Assistant Coach & Trainer.
THE PERKS OF BEING A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
- Work from home—or even from the beach!
- Set up a beautiful home office that fits your style (and maybe even offers a great view).
- Manage your own schedule and work-life balance.
- Grow your business at your pace and celebrate your own success.
- Spend quality time with your family, including those precious after-school hours.
ESSENTIALS TO GETTING STARTED AS A VA
To start a Virtual Assistant business, you’ll need a few basics:
- A laptop or computer
- Reliable internet connection
- Support from loved ones
- Understanding of the VA industry
- Some prior administrative experience
- Time management skills
- Patience and discipline
- A mentor who can guide you
STEPS TO BUILDING YOUR VA BUSINESS
Starting a VA business involves setting up the right tools and processes. Here’s a checklist to guide you:
- Website and blog to showcase your services
- Pricing structure that reflects your skills and time
- Client contracts and NDAs to protect your business
- Video conferencing tools like Skype or Zoom
- A professional email setup
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office or similar software
- A comfortable home office where you can focus
- A clear skillset to define the services you’ll offer
- Business name and logo to build your brand
- Invoicing system for smooth payments
- Marketing strategy to reach clients
- Methods to find clients, such as networking and online platforms
Starting your VA journey can feel overwhelming. I remember my own experience—spending countless hours researching, figuring out systems, and learning how to attract clients. Many new VAs struggle with these exact challenges and may give up early on due to a lack of guidance. That’s why working with a VA trainer can be invaluable; you get support, tools, and insights from day one, making it easier to launch successfully.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT YOU?
With over 16 years of Executive Assistance to C-suite level leaders, administrative experience, Virtual Assistance, Project Management, Web Design, and online entrepreneurship including 10 years running my own VA business, I understand the ins and outs of this industry. Like many, I faced the initial confusion of where to start and how to build my client base. Over the years, I’ve learned through trial and error, eventually finding clients both locally and internationally. Now, I offer my expertise to help you avoid costly mistakes and set yourself up for success.
TRAINING & SUPPORT OPTIONS
Whether you prefer a course or a full package deal, I offer:
- DIY E-Course: This covers everything from A-Z, giving you the blueprint to start a successful VA business. I also provide email support & guidance throughout the entire course, overseeing your VA business setup as you go. I also offer a 90-minute Q&A once you have completed my course.
- Additionally, I provide website design services for Virtual Assistants, so you can have a professional online presence from the start.
Ready to kickstart your VA journey?
Take a look through my training options here:
FREE VA STARTER GUIDE
FREE 10-PAGE VIRTUAL ASSISTANT STARTER E-BOOK PACKED WITH VALUABLE INSIGHTS & PRACTICAL GUIDANCE TO HELP YOU START YOUR VA JOURNEY
YAY!
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