Thinking of becoming a Virtual Assistant?
I’ve often read in magazines or in money saving tips, that working from home as a virtual assistant is a good way to earn income, particularly if you are at home with the kids.
It’s often portrayed as being really simple; “all you need is a computer, phone and broadband connection” is how I’ve seen it advertised and I can assure you that it isn’t as simple at all.
I’d advise anyone starting to work from home to look at their surroundings, do you have enough space? Whilst you don’t need the largest desk, a phone, printer, pc, paperwork all take up room and where are you going to store things? Listen to the sounds of the room, if you are call answering then do you have quiet away from children, washing machines, barking dogs?
Can you afford to have months where there may be no income? I’ve been in business a year and my income is no where near what it was when I was working full-time, luckily I don’t have childcare costs, but you may need to factor that in too.
Where are your clients going to come from? A lot of articles make it sound like all you need to do is set up and people will be falling over themselves to “employ” your services. It simply isn’t as simple as that either. Business Networking, business courses, advertising, online networking; it all takes time, money and a whole lot of legwork to get clients!
What services are you going to offer? Being competant on a keyboard is all well and good, but if you don’t have a head for business, understand your clients needs and markets, or have other administrative skills, you will find it difficult to find work.
What hours will you work? Want to work around the family? Brilliant, until a client has a rush job, urgent deadline, or you have to drop everything to prevent a business catastrophe at 10pm? Believe me it happens!
There are a number of sites out there that offer support to aspiring virtual assistants and if you are serious about making a go of it, I would suggest you thoroughly research your market, the support and skills needed.
Recommended Forums
http://www.societyofvirtualassistants.co.uk
http://www.virtualassistantforums.com
Well written Emily. I commented on Twitter a few weeks back that having a broadband connection, pc and phone line doesn’t make one a VA, a business head is also required.
In order to have a successful business, a VA has to step outside their comfort zone and do things that they would ordinarily never have to do as an employee. Generating leads, business networking, PR, marketing, prospecting are amongst some of the things the VA business owner will have to do.
I definitely agree about considering one’s working space. As a business owner you need to project the right image, so pets in the background, screaming children etc, are a definite no-no.
These are not skills everyone has or is willing to develop, so careful consideration has to be given to all these things before taking the leap. For those still not put off, I wish them all the best in their new venture!
Thanks Dee.
I know my learning curve went more vertical than curved when I started out. I wanted more than just an extra income though, so I knew there was a lot more involved, but I get very concerned and if I’m honest, angry, at the magazine articles that portray it as the perfect “mums at home, little outlay, extra income” job.
It does such a disservice to virtual assistants, and is misleading to those mum’s who do want an extra income but don’t understand that it’s actually a business or career decision moreso!
Emily,
I also get very frustrated when I read how easy it is to set up a VA business. To some extent that is true, you need to have a PC, internet connection, printer etc plus good PA/Administrative skills but if you think it is as simple as that you will not earn any income.
You need to become very business orientated which I found very hard to begin with. I have been a VA for 4 years now and it is only now that my business in starting to pick up. I read business books, have had to learn about blogs, social media, websites, and attend networking events.
If you want your business to succeed you have to find the time to fit these in around any client work that comes in. You also need to be prepared to work late nights if something goes wrong.
There are a lot of fantastic VA’s out there who have put in the time and dedication needed to make their business a success and it shows.
Well said. I think one of the most important ingredient to a successful virtual assistant business is the entrepreneurial mindset. You no longer have an employer, you are no longer being tasked, you don’t “work for” your clients, you “partner” with them. You are now the driver of your own professional destiny.