In our latest podcast, we talk with Debi, a Virtual Assistant who lives in upstate New York whose clientele is made of moms, small business owners, and individuals. For Debi, a self-confessed computer geek, her traditional job left no room for growth. S
he knew she had to take a leap of faith.
Virtual Assistant Services to Offer and Advice When Starting Out
If you’re thinking of getting into Virtual Assisting, always play into your strengths. For many, there are transitional skills a beginner Virtual Assistant can carry over to their small business. If you’re thinking of diving into the world of VA freelancing, you have to follow your “gut instinct.”
Don’t feel like you have to take a risk, though. If possible, schedule out Virtual Assisting as a way to make some extra income before embracing this career path. In our podcast, Debi does offer some pieces of advice when transitioning working from home:
It’s always a good idea to have a dedicated workspace regardless of location. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy or extravagant. It can be as simple as your dining table or your couch.
Second, high speed internet is a must. You want clients to know and trust you can be reliable and dependable. A strong internet connection can do that. Relying on WiFi isn’t always the best idea, so it’s good to have a LAN cable for faster speeds. You will notice a significant boost in your internet quality.
Always rely on your family and friends. Tell them of your new career aspirations and ask for them to share your business on social media. Also, be willing to network and spread the word with people you meet in public. Look for opportunities to strike up a conversation and get connections going!
Lastly, sign up for webinars and soak up as much information as you can. As a VA, Debi recommends learning new skills and strengthening old ones. As long as you have the fundamentals of communication: Reading, learning, listening, and talking, you don’t need any special degree to get started.
Set Expectations with Clients, and Know Who to Work With
According to Debi, many entrepreneurs struggle with knowing what work they can delegate. Because of that, it’s up to you to take the initiative with clients. Gently ask them what they’re working on and offer to take certain tasks off their plates.
Your goal as a Virtual Assistant is to help your clients streamline tasks and build trust. Your clients need to know that you are capable and can be relied on. When first starting out, it’s okay to roll with the punches as you're figuring things out. It’s part of the process.
When you're beginning your career, you might have a desire to take on any work you can. Unfortunately, this can lead to some roadblocks.
Even though you might think a client is a good fit, never accept aspects of the job you are unfamiliar with or simply cannot do. It’s okay to speak up for yourself and admit you can’t follow through on certain tasks. That’s okay. You save both yourself and the client time by being honest.
One lesson you should walk away with is: Know your worth and take that leap of faith. Life’s too short to have regrets. The worst a client can say is no.
Listen to AIM’s podcast here and don’t forget to follow Debi’s socials at the handle, “thebusybeeva” on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
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