You can use your current skills to become an in-demand virtual assistant.
Whether your background is in retail, banking, professional or home services, restaurants, or…really ANYTHING…
You already have some of the most in-demand skills clients are looking for!
These are referred to as “soft skills” which are a combination of your communication skills, basic computer aptitude, leadership traits, etc.
Over our careers, we’ve hired hundreds of VA’s and worked with thousands of clients. In every VA hire and VA-client matching, one thing was always true…
The best VA’s and the best partnerships were with VA’s who had strong soft skills!
Technical expertise is also important, but if you have solid soft skills, you can learn on-the-job.
Here are the Top 5 skills you already have:
1. Communication:
Communication is key when working as a VA. And, the more you can translate your offline communication skills to how they benefit an online business – the better!
Clients want VA’s who: have strong writing skills, customer service experience, have a background in public speaking. They are also looking for people with call center experience, tech support backgrounds and people who can connect with other people and customers.
Highlight things like: communication on Zoom, Skype and Instant Messaging programs, email management, etc. Be sure to list any additional languages you may speak!
Show potential clients your communication strengths by: following all of their directions during the hiring process and writing and sending a professional job application. Don’t forget to follow up to continue to express your interest. And, send a thank you after every client discovery call.
2. Resourcefulness:
This is a biggie. All clients are busy, that’s why they hire virtual assistants. One of your main jobs is to help clients save time, that’s why resourcefulness is so important.
Clients want VA’s who: can find solutions to problems and pay attention to details and can be a resource for them!
Highlight skills like: research experience, how you solved a problem at a previous job, ideas you generated that improved a company you worked for, etc.
Show potential clients your resourcefulness strengths by: paying attention to details when applying for jobs. You can also stand out by sharing specific ways you can improve their business.
3. Creativity:
No matter what clients you work with or VA services you offer, you’ll need to flex that creativity muscle. And, no you don’t have to be a graphic designer or artist to be creative!
Clients are looking for VA’s who: can take a project and add value to it, who can brainstorm new ideas, and yes, take their existing business and create a cohesive web presence.
Highlight skills like: how you took a work project and improved it, any image or website design skills you have, creative writing skills (copywriting, blogs, etc).
Show potential clients your creativity strengths by: sending a unique application when applying for a job (think video resume!), sending samples of past design projects you’ve created. Be sure to share any ideas you have to help them improve their online presence!
4. Organization
All clients need help organizing their business, that’s where you come in. If you’re a strong organizer, you’ll LOVE being a VA!
Clients are looking for VA’s who: can organize their files and folders, make sense of their email inbox, take a project and break it down into smaller pieces, manage their schedules, and more.
Highlight skills like: any experience you have in scheduling, project management skills, experience with task management systems, how you organize your calendar, etc.
Show potential clients your organizational strengths by: sending them a calendar appointment for any scheduled interview calls, asking potential clients when you can check back with them, and, sharing exactly how you can help organize their business and streamline their operations.
5. Basic Computer Skills
You had to know this one was coming, lol. All virtual assistants need basic computer skills. You’re working from home with online businesses, so it’s pretty important. But, you don’t have to be an EXPERT.
Clients are looking for VA’s who: can use programs like Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Google Docs, Dropbox, Email, Skype, Zoom, and have basic social media skills.
Highlight skills like: your experience in these and other online programs you’ve worked with. Don’t forget about software programs you used that were specific to a particular business or industry – this counts! It shows you have a basic understanding and can learn other new technical skills.
Show potential clients your basic computer skills by: highlighting these on your job applications, scheduling a video call and suggesting programs you’ve used that may help their business.
Your Next Steps:
Reflect on the skills listed above. Then, update you resume and/or VA portfolio to really highlight your strengths in these areas.
Soft skills are often the hardest to teach. So, if you can shine a light on your experience in these areas, you’ll be certain to soar above the rest!
Take this 60-second quiz now to discover your virtual superpower and all the tips and tricks you need to succeed: www.virtualsuperpower.com
Virtual assistant training is often a bit of a DIY project. As there’s no “Bachelor of Being an Awesome V.A.” degree, we’re left to fend for ourselves in vast world of online business. It’s true that there’s no shortage of resources out there to help you advance your skills. But, with so much information and ever changing technology, you may not know where to even begin.
Great news! You already took the first step. You made the decisions create a future where you’re in control by becoming a virtual assistant.
We remember when we got started a little over 12 years ago and it was the BEST decision we ever made. Our journey brought us to creating the v.a. chicks and we can’t wait to see where your journey takes you!
But, it really ruffles our feathers when we think about how long it took us to get started and build our skills. That’s why our mission is to give back what we learned and share virtual assistant training and guidance with awesome chicks like you so you can make your dreams a reality too.
You see, we believe the best and most successful virtual assistants are those that keep up-to-date on the latest technology and digital marketing skills, take ownership and work with clients to not only get stuff done, but to truly add value to their businesses. Now that’s a v.a. chick and also why…
Virtual Assistant Training is KEY to YOUR SUCCESS!
Virtual Assistant Training: Start Here!
What’s stopping you from starting today? Absolutely nothing. Keep reading to check another thing off your “making my dreams a reality” to-do list.
Here’s where to focus first!
Take this 60-second quiz now to discover your virtual superpower and all the tips and tricks you need to succeed: www.virtualsuperpower.com
Spend a bit of time learning the basics of digital marketing. Potential clients will LOVE that you know it, you need to understand it for just about any service you plan to offer AND… you can use those skills to market your own biz too!
Virtual Assistant Training: The Basics
Task Management: No matter the service you offer, you’ll need a way to track tasks. Some clients may have a system they use already, while others will look to you for suggestions. We recommend learning Trello, Asana and Teamwork.
General Admin Skills: You’ll need to have a few admin tricks up your sleeve too. We recommend learning how to use Google Docs, DropBox, Microsoft Office products, basic photo and video editing, and basic accounting skills.
Personal Growth: You’ll also need to evaluate your personal skills and build-up whatever you may not be an expert at yet. Things like: selling your services, being proactive, organization, communicating well in writing, over the phone and on video calls, proofreading, etc.
Virtual Assistant Training: Specialize
Now that you have your foundation, it’s time to get serious about Virtual Assistant training. Before you do anything else, think about the exact services you plan to offer. Will you be doing social media, email marketing, websites, sales pages, etc. Once you know that, you can decide exactly which skills you need to learn.
For example, if you’ve decided to offer email marketing services:
You’ll need to know at least 2-3 of the most common email marketing systems. Start with Convertkit, Mailchimp, and one other (Drip, Infusionsoft, Kartra, etc). Learn the basics like designing and scheduling emails, creating opt-in forms and go from there. Most systems allow you to set-up test accounts without playing so you can practice!
You’ll Be Flying High!
It sounds like a lot, but you don’t have to do it all at one time. Plan to devote 5 hours a week on your training and you’ll be amazed what a BIG difference it makes. You have the time.
You can do it the hard way and learn as you go, but it’ll take you longer, create a ton of unnecessary stress, and will end up costing you a lot of wasted time AND money.
If you’re really serious about becoming a v.a., then quality virtual assistant training is the best investment you can make in your business and yourself.
Take the 60-Second quiz to Discover Your Virtual Superpower and get started today: www.virtualsuperpower.com
The virtual assistant world is enticing, ever-evolving and exceptionally fun! It can be a lot of hard work, but the benefits will have you flying high. Because, being a virtual assistant gives you the opportunity to be your own boss, ditch that dreaded commute, celebrate casual “everyday” – not just Friday, and gives you the big F word that everybody wants… FREEDOM!
Now, we said it already – it’s not easy and can be overwhelming, but that’s what we’re here for. We are your “mother hens” and we are here to help you hatch your dream virtual assistant business.
Here are some quick tips to get you started.
Virtual Assistant Business Startup
(all the legal/money stuff)
This is the “nitty-gritty” business side of your biz, you know, all the money and legal stuff. But it’s not scary, we promise.
⇒ Pick your business name, have fun with it, but also think about SEO! And, be sure to check available website domains and trademarks too!
⇒ Set-up a new business bank account to keep your business and personal expenses separate. If you aren’t sure what type of account you’ll need, then make sure to check with your accountant.
⇒ Talk to an accountant, trust us, they’ll be your new biz bestie.
They can help you: → Determine if you should register as a sole-proprietor, LLC, partnership, social enterprise, etc. → Get a business license (if needed) → Plan for filing taxes
Building the Foundation of Your Virtual Assistant Business
(what to charge, what clients to work with & more)
Now that the legal/money stuff is sorted out, it’s time to think about how you’ll structure your business, the services you’ll offer, and who you want to work with. Make sure to take the time to really consider these things because having clients you love to work with makes a BIG difference!!
⇒ Who is your ideal customer? Take a moment to think about your education, background, and all of the things that you are interested in. But don’t worry there are lots of niches – if you’re stuck, just chirp at us and we’ll help.
⇒ Make a list of all of the services you’ll offer. These may be things like email marketing, social media management, website design, or customer service.
Know Your Worth
⇒ What are you worth and what will you charge for your services? Rates for virtual assistant’s vary based on experience, services offered, and even location plays a factor. So think about asking some virtual assistant’s with similar experience to you what they charge. Facebook Groups are a great place to crowd source this data, and we’ll be sharing more on this in our Facebook Group as well.
⇒ Once you determine your rates, how will you structure them? Will you charge hourly, will you offer packages and discounts? Think through all of this but be flexible too.
⇒ If you charge hourly, how will you track your time? There are some great free tools out there like Toggl and Timecamp, or you can even use your phone!
⇒ Get it in writing. It’s important to make sure to have a contract in place BEFORE you start working with any client. So, we always recommend using a site like RocketLawyer or work with a local lawyer to craft a rock-solid legal agreement.
⇒ Manage your tasks. Being organized is a big key to your success so we always recommend using a project management system. There are tons of free ones and we share our faves in the Facebook Group.
Marketing Your Virtual Assistant Business
(how to get the word out)
You’re well on your way, chicky. You’ve already handled the basics, so let’s have a little fun. Now it’s time to think about how you want your virtual assistant business to be viewed in the world.
So, let’s get crackin’!
⇒ Select your branding colors and font types. We likes to use Pinterest for inspiration.
⇒ Design a logo. You can mock-up one easily (and FREE!) using Canva or use a site like Fiverr and work with a designer.
⇒ Create new social media business accounts. Before creating accounts, consider what platforms your clients might use. We recommend having a Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest at a minimum.
Build Your Website
⇒ Simple is best. If you’re a designer then you’ll want to use the site to showcase your expertise. Otherwise, just keep it simple and don’t overthink it.
⇒ Claim your website domain and purchase website hosting. But, make sure to get owner privacy or telemarketers will be blowing up your phone!
⇒ Install WordPress. They have many free theme options.
⇒ Be sure to include a home, about, and services page (or put this all on one page) and then LAUNCH!
⇒ Craft Your 30-Second Intro. If you’re not sure what this is, then send us a chirp and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Finding Clients for Your Virtual Assistant Business
(landing your first or next client)
Woot! Woot! (or should we say “cluck, cluck” lol)
You’re really cracking on your virtual assistant business and you are ready to FLY! So that can only mean you’re ready to do one thing – MARKETING!
I know you’re excited to get started on client work, but all the things you can’t wait to do for your clients, you need to do them for your biz too. We know it can be overwhelming, so here’s where we recommend focusing first.
Local Marketing
⇒ Local marketing is the fastest way to your first client. If you’ve never been a virtual assistant before, using your local network will find you a client faster than any free online marketing will.
Here’s just a few ideas to get you started locally:
⇒ Reach out to your local business contacts and share how you’re services can help them save time and money – make sure to be specific!
⇒ Check out local businesses on social media and/or websites and share how you can help them improve. But be creative when reaching out so you stand out from everyone else.
⇒ Network at local events held by places like the Chamber of Commerce, SBA, and your local library!
⇒ Create a social media plan for your virtual assistant business, then watch it grow.
Take Action
Start with this:
⇒ Determine where your ideal clients spend the most time. Do they hang out in certain Facebook Groups? Do they love Pinterest? Are they an insta-gal?
⇒ Focus on just 1 or 2 social media platforms to get started.
⇒ Post regularly on these platforms. Share information like: your expertise, blogs you write, content from others that are relevant to your services, success stories, tips and tricks, etc.
⇒ Network online. Join Facebook Groups for products and services related to your niche. For example, if you offer email marketing services, join Facebook User Groups for Infusionsoft, Kartra, MailChimp, etc. Once you join, add to the conversation, answer questions that showcase your expertise and you’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll get noticed!
We’re here to help
Great job, chicky! If you’ve followed all the steps above, you’re well on your way to having a virtual assistant business that SOARS!
But, don’t just wing it. Because you can rely on us here at the v.a. chicks to always have your back. We share our 20 years combined virtual assistant business experience with you here on this blog and in our Facebook Community too.
,So, shake a tail feather and join us for more tips, hacks, and lots of support to help you build your nest egg.
As a Virtual Assistant, pricing your services can be tough.
Every day we get an email, or 10, with the same question. They usually ask some form of “How much should a virtual assistant charge?”
But this is not a simple question to answer. Because Virtual Assistant pricing usually ranges from $10-$150/hour. So it can be overwhelming to pin-point where you fall on the virtual assistant pricing scale when there is such a wide range.
Pricing is all over the place in the virtual world because it depends on the exact services you plan to offer as well as your experience level. The average virtual assistant who provides general administrative services can make anywhere from $25-$50+/hour.
Virtual Assistant Pricing: Sample Prices
We spoke to over 1,000 business-owners who have a virtual assistant as part of their team. These are the averages rates they are paying based on the services offered.
General Admin & VA Support: $25-$50/hour
This is the pricing range for virtual assistants who provide general administrative and virtual assistant services. This includes things like social media scheduling, customer service, research, and scheduling emails using a system like Mailchimp. It may also include writing and posting basic blogs, or creating simple graphics for social media using a tool like Canva, etc.
Special Skills: $30/hour-$50/hour
This is the pricing range for more advanced Virtual Assistants who provide special skills. This includes services like working with membership sites or updating website content. Or things like creating sales/opt-in pages using software like LeadPages or ClickFunnels or setting up marketing campaigns in software like Infusionsoft, Kartra or Ontraport, etc.
Professional Skills: $50/hour+
This is typically the pricing range for a more experienced VA, Online Business Manager, Digital Marketer etc. This includes things like creating and designing sales/opt-in pages using more advanced systems and marketing techniques and writing strategic sales copy. Or providing online marketing or social media strategy, graphic design, website design, or any skills you are certified in, etc.
Virtual Assistant Pricing: Bottom Line
If you are brand-new to the VA industry with very little technical expertise, then you may want to consider offering a launch special. We usually recommend initially discounting your rate by about 20%. But, only do this until you have a solid skill-set and at least 2 client referrals.
But, be sure when you’re quoting your rates that you make your clients aware that this is special pricing. Then your clients or potential clients won’t be surprised later when your virtual assistant pricing increases.
You don’t need to offer a discount if you have solid transferable experience and expertise in the services you’ll be offering – even if this is your first time as a VA.
For example, if you have worked as a travel agent and plan to be a VA making travel arrangements for business professionals, then no discount is needed. Simply gather referrals and testimonials from people who can back-up your expertise and you’re all set.
In general, we recommend NEVER discounting once you’ve set you’re price.
Virtual Assistant Pricing: Other Considerations
Here is something else to keep in mind. You will have business expenses and tasks you need to do for your own business. And, you’ll also need to spend time keeping your skills sharp with industry training. But, you can’t bill anyone for any of this time. So it’s important to factor in your own time when setting your virtual assistant pricing that you’ll charge your clients.
So if you’re just getting started and offering general virtual assistant services, then $25/hour would be a great starting rate.
If you are ready to set your pricing, then we have a great tool to help!
Our “Your Way to 50K” pricing worksheet is just what you need. With this easy-to-use tool simply set your annual salary goal, fill in the blanks, and it will automatically calculate what you should be charging per hour. We do all of the math for you!!!
Get your copy of the v.a. chicks “Your Way to 50K” pricing worksheet, as well as learn how to package your services, brand your business, find and sell to your ideal customers and so much more in the v.a. chicks Virtual Academy.
As a virtual assistant, understanding digital marketing is KEY to your success. Once you learn the FUNdamentals, your search for clients will be over. They’ll be coming to YOU!
There are tons of tools out there to help you implement digital marketing strategies. So many that it would be impossible to learn every single one. That’s why we’re breaking it all down for you right here.
These are the most in-demand tools that clients need help with NOW. Focus on just one or two of these, become a master at it and you’ll be booked up in no time.
1) Content Marketing – Evernote
Evernote is a great software to use when collaborating with clients. You can create and share blog content, track keywords to use for your blog posts, send social content for approval and even track tasks!
What we love best about it is how it syncs across all devices, so you can access it when you or your clients are on-the-go.
2) Digital Ads – Facebook
Facebook ads are a great way to help your clients generate awareness, capture new leads and make more sales. The best part? Facebook has a ton of FREE RESOURCES to help you learn how to create engaging ads that’ll deliver results. Just sign-up for Facebook Blueprint, their free learning portal.
3) Social Media – Canva
If you’re not an ace graphic designer, Canva will become your new BFF! Using Canva you can create impactful images with you a couple of clicks.
What we love most about Canva is that it takes all the guesswork out of image creation. You simply select the type of image you want to create (example: Facebook post), pick a cool template and image, add your words and you’re done!
4) Email Marketing – Kartra
We’ve talked about Kartra before, you can learn more here. For email marketing, it’s one of the most in-demand software platforms out there. Because it’s fairly new to the market, not a lot of virtual assistants know this one yet. So, if you’re looking for a good niche, become a Kartra master!
When it comes to email marketing, Kartra makes it so easy. You can set-up broadcast emails with their built-in templates, and create marketing funnels that convert. In fact, Kartra has some funnel templates you can copy right into your clients’ account to get a jump-start!
5) SEO – Yoast
If your client has a WordPress website, install the Yoast plugin ASAP! This one simple tool will help you optimize your clients’ website and blog posts so they’ll get more leads and more customers.
Yoast makes it so easy to implement an SEO strategy for your clients. Once it’s installed, you just follow the directions and you’ll be all set.
6) Analytics – Google Analytics
If you’re not tracking analytics for your clients, you’re missing out on a HUGE opportunity. This can be one of the most effective ways to show your VALUE to your clients.
Start by asking clients if they have a Google analytics account. If they don’t, sign them up for it immediately! Next, make sure the code is installed correctly on your client’s website.
Work with your client to select a few key metrics that should be tracker every month. Some stats to consider tracking are:
Website visitors
Where traffic to the website comes from (social, search, etc)
Which content is most popular on their website
There are a ton of metrics you can track so take time to learn about what’s most important to your clients. Each month, update the results and share the highlights with your clients so they know what’s working and what can be improved.
Learn More About Digital Marketing
There you have it, our favorite digital marketing tools that are most in-demand now.
But knowing the tools isn’t enough.
You also need to understand WHEN to use these tools and how to incorporate them into your clients’ digital marketing strategy.
Don’t worry, chick. We gotcha covered. If you want to learn how to use your marketing superpower’s to supercharge your income take this 60-second quiz at www.virtualsuperpower.com
