5 Questions Answered on Becoming a Virtual Assistant
I’ve had more than a few people slide into my DMs to ask how I became a Virtual Assistant. I love sharing my experiences and knowledge with aspiring VAs and hopefully they inspire those to become successful too! Here’s some of the most commonly asked questions I receive:
Do I need to take a course?
There are many courses online on becoming a VA. I personally did not take one, and do not think it’s necessary to become successful. Instead, I did my own research by joining relevant Facebook groups, asking questions, and watching YouTube videos of other Virtual Assistants’ experiences. You may find a course helpful if you have limited prior experience, but so many skills are transferrable! I have been in the administrative field for over 8 years’, having completed a diploma in executive administration and working for various school boards.
How did you know what services to offer?
I stayed with what I already knew and have specialized in for 8 years’ as an administrative assistant and event planning. I offer general admin and retreat support services. There are many specialties with the VA world, so pick an area that you have skills in or have an interest in. Since starting, I have adjusted my offerings to be more aligned with tasks I enjoy doing. You will find what works best for you as you along!
How do I find clients?
In my experience, I’ve had success finding clients in these areas:
my circle (friends/ family)
networking memberships or events
Facebook groups
Instagram
Referrals
Do I need professional branding and a website?
I highly recommend sourcing someone to create a brand identity for your business- a logo, colour palette, and font suite. My website and social media all follow my brand guidelines provided by the designer. Initially, I built my website myself using a template on Squarespace. Now, I have invested to have it professionally done. Another area to invest in would be a photographer who does branding shoots. Having professional photos for your website and social media is a must!
How did you become a full time Virtual Assistant?
I started my business in 2020, but it was just part time then to make some extra income. In 2022, after travelling and having the realization that I wanted to take my career and life in a different direction, I decided to leave my job and gave 3 months notice. After that point, I started marketing myself more, spoke with a financial planner, set a savings goal and met it, and then the day came to leave my job. By this time, I was making just about the same amount of money I was at my day job so it made the transition easier.
Everyone’s journey will be different, but hopefully this little resource of my FAQ helps someone aspiring to be a virtual assistant!
