How to Become a Virtual Assistant with No Experience

WHAT SERVICES DOES A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT PROVIDE? 

The most common question revolves around the types of services you can offer as a VA. The truth of the matter is that there is no cut-and-dry list of activities that a virtual assistant does.

• Bookkeeping
• Calendar management and travel arrangements
• Community management and moderation
• Content creation for blogs and ghostwriting
• Content research
• Creating sales pages
• Customer support
• Data entry
• Editing and proofreading
• Editing videos
• Email management
• Graphic design and layout
• Keyword research
• Lead generation
• Managing product launches
• Performing outreach
• Processing online orders and refunds
• Project management
• Social media management
• Transcription
• Website design
• WordPress maintenance

HOW TO BECOME A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT

So what does it actually take to become a virtual assistant? Once you have decided which niche you want to work on, you will need to set up your virtual assistant business. Before you quit your day job, it is important to make sure you take the proper steps to get your VA business off the ground.

Launching into a career in virtual assistance is a risk, but that risk can also pay out in a big way. Those who have become profitable in this field have done so with a calculated strategy. It’s important that you do so as well.

Here are the 5 steps to follow to start a home-based virtual assistant business:

Step 1: Choose an Area of Expertise to Focus Your VA Services

Think back on the industries you know best.  You know you can offer hundreds of services as a VA.  You can do everything from writing, emailing, calendar management, bookkeeping, marketing, social media, and more. Focus on the skills you have, and enjoy doing. Each one of these industries can be a place for you to grow your VA business.

Choosing a niche doesn’t need to be difficult. The more experienced and knowledge you have in the industry, the more effective you can be as a resource for your clients.

There is no reason to spread yourself too thin, especially at the beginning, when you have a lot to learn!

Step 2: Setup Your Own VA Services Website

Building your website is an essential step in becoming a successful virtual assistant. If you want to work remotely, you will have to sell yourself as an online communication expert. The best way to do this is to create a website that shows your skills and what services you offer. Even if you have no experience in designing websites, your website will showcase what you can do to your potential clients, and it will play an important role in establishing your business to find out more about you and your services.

Companies like Weebly, WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and more provide ways for you to use templates to build your site. These tools are easy to use and provide a professional look for your site.

Having a website is a great way to be able to show businesses what you can do and also get recommendations from those you have worked with to further grow your business

Social media is also an important part of your business, but you don’t have to be everywhere: learn where your potential clients hang out and master one or two social media platforms. Are they on Facebook? On Instagram? Become an expert and follow them to show them you understand their brand.

Step 3: Service Your First Client

Landing your first client can be overwhelming. You’ll be nervous that one mistake will ruin your VA career forever. Don’t be afraid; understand that as you grow your business, you will be able to learn more things and be more efficient.

Often landing the first client is the most difficult step in the process. However, once you are able to begin working with a client, you want to make sure you do everything you can to be a great resource for them.

Whether it is taking a little less hourly pay or working extra on a project, getting that first great impression can lead to additional referrals in the future.