Becoming A Virtual Assistant

Are you thinking about becoming a Virtual Assistant?

Here are some factors to consider before you take your first steps.

Your Services

Virtual Assistants can offer a wide variety of services which can range from copy typing and audio transcription to events management and translation.

So one of the first steps is deciding which services you intend to offer. To help you with this decision, you can make three lists:

Tasks that you enjoy doing the most
Tasks in which you excel at or have a great deal of experience
New skills that you would like to learn in the future so that you can expand your range of services, if you wish, as your business develops

Time and Energy

How much time can you realistically commit to your VA project?

Depending on your circumstances, you may want to pursue a full-time VA role, particularly if you are required to remain at home because of other responsibilities.

Alternatively you may only wish to pursue it as a part-time venture so that you can provide yourself with a second income whilst remaining in your full-time job.

So if you intend to juggle other responsibilities with your VA role, you need to work out how many hours per week you can spend on your venture.

Marketing and Clients

Before you begin to market your service, you will need to decide who your target customers are (for example, solicitors, medical staff, small business owners). This will probably depend on your previous working background and experience.

At the start of your venture, most of your time will be devoted towards finding ways of marketing your new service such as distributing leaflets, setting up a website or word-of-mouth.

Your Facilities

You may already have all the basic equipment you need to start working as a Virtual Assistant: PC, printer and connection to the Internet.

Depending on the services you are planning to offer, you may also need to obtain other equipment such as digital transcription software or a fax machine.

A Business Plan

As with starting any new service or business, planning and preparation are essential.

It's a good idea to create a simple business plan - even if it's only for your own eyes. A business plan can help you to identify your short-term and long-term goals, your fee structure, marketing strategy and your intended income.

Your Character

Finally you need to assess whether your personality is suited to this way of working. You may be highly skilled and experienced but:

Would you be continually distracted by other things (such as housework or TV) if you are working at home?

Would you miss the companionship of colleagues?

Or would you relish the independence and unpredictable nature of the work?

Read about the Roles of a Virtual Assistant.