What it Takes to Be a Virtual Assistant: A New Series

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Thaleia Maher from Something2Offer and I have joined forces to co-create a series this month called What it Takes to Be a Virtual Assistant. She and I have had so many valuable discussions about being virtual assistants and working from home that we decided to get serious about this topic and create something that will really help readers understand what a VA is, and move forward in their quest to become one.

These are just a few things we will be covering on Franticmommy, and Thaleia’s Something2Offer blog:

• What it Takes to Be a Virtual Assistant: The Basics
• What it Takes to Be a Virtual Assistant: Finding Clients
• What it Takes to Be a Virtual Assistant: Picking Your Niche
• What it Takes to Be a Virtual Assistant: Systems and Strategies for Sustainability
• What it Takes to Be a Virtual Assistant: Tools and Skills
• What it Takes to Be a Virtual Assistant: How VA and Regular Employees Differ
• What it Takes to Be a Virtual Assistant: When to Know it’s Time to Hire a VA
• What it Takes to Be a Virtual Assistant: I’ve Hired a VA: NOW WHAT?

First, what IS a VA? A Virtual Assistant is just that, someone who assists you in your business (from the comfort of their own office)-freeing you up to work on more critical things like creating products, sales, customer retention, etc.  A VA can help with things like managing your emails, doing your bookkeeping, writing blog posts, project management, managing your social media and much more. We work as independent contractors but are like paid employees.

A VA can be a long-term commitment, or a “one time deal” for a project. It’s up to the VA and the business owner to hammer out the details and put it into a contract. My advice to all VAs (new or veteran) is to never work without a contract.  If you need an idea of what a Virtual Assistant contract looks like, leave a comment below with your email and I will send you a template of the one I use.

What a VA is NOT. Being a Virtual Assistant is an organized business like any other business. You wouldn’t pound a nail on your neighbor’s porch and call yourself a carpenter, right? The same applies to being a VA. If you want to be a virtual assistant, create your business as an LLC or Sole Proprietor, get business cards made, form a resume, and create a sales page with your rates and skills. Be serious about it and conduct yourself like a business professional.

Pick a niche: Ever heard the saying “pick a niche-lose a few people, but don’t pick a niche-lose everyone?” The same applies to being a VA. Decide what your strong suit is and then market that.  I consider myself a VA in the field of writing, blogging, and social media, but I get asked to do many other things by my clients. I also do project management, help desk, and real estate admin work.

Clients: The big question I get asked all.the.time is “how do I find clients?” We will launch into that topic in greater detail in later posts, but your clients can (and will) be local businesses or big companies. Your clients can be individual people like authors or speakers, or larger online companies.

Have we piqued your interest?

GOOD.  Be sure and check out Thaleia’s posts HERE as well since we are doing this series in tandem. If you have any specific thoughts, comments, or questions, please leave them in the comment box below. We want to know what YOU are wondering about and what you need to know to start Rockin The VA Life  🙂

Connect with Thaleia’s  on  Twitter* Facebook*Blog Instagram Pinterest S2O Virtual Service

My FREE VA Starter Kit

Tons of “getting started” info from what kind of gear will you need to where are the best places to find clients. Did I mention it was free?

Download this FREE Virtual Assistant Starter Kit and discover what you need to know to create your own VA business!

MOM BOSSING

MOM BOSSING: The Freedom to Create the Business You Love is a book filled with personal stories, resources, support, wisdom, and encouragement from a solopreneur who has been in the trenches as a mom boss. This step-by-step guide shares the truth, fears, tears, and cheers of being a mom who is building a business empire on her own terms. If you are looking for a new career for the “second half of life,” venturing into direct sales, rocking a home business, or dreaming of leaving a dead-end job, this book provides the building blocks needed to move forward with a healthy dose of humor authenticity. In many ways, this book could also sport the tagline of Building a LIFE on Your Own Terms.

I was lucky to have Becky Flansburg join us at Multicultural Children’s Book Day when we first began our nonprofit. She was the “head elf” which meant she did everything from project management to help us get sponsorships. In the early years, we weren’t able to keep her busy for more than a few months a year and even that was very part-time. Becky’s contribution to the team helped us grow our nonprofit, and, in turn, we were able to keep her busier. Now, as a “mom boss,” Becky is sharing her journey and her wisdom for moms who want to try solopreneurship.  It’s particularly helpful for anyone who wants to become a VA (Virtual Assistant).~author and mompreneur, Mia Wenjen

Also available on IndieBound.com.

FREElance FREEdom: Creating the Work-From-Home Life You Crave

Have you ever dreamed of working from home on your own terms instead of being confined to a corporate cubicle or windowless office? Have you ever dreamed of earning a steady and honest income while still having plenty of time for friends and family?

Lucky for you, it is all very possible. It’s a life that I have successfully been living for over 9 years…and I can’t imagine supporting my family (and following my dreams!) any other way.

Within the pages of this robust 90-page e-book and resource guide is the motherlode of excellent information about working from home (on your own terms) all rolled into a handy read-at-your-own pace guidebook.
Whether you are looking to pursue a career as a freelance writer, virtual assistant, graphic designer (and more) this Resource Guide will provide the insight, tools, guides, advice, and strategies that can apply to any freelance business. If you want the very basics of getting started without the benefit of support and coaching, this eBook is for you.

For anyone looking to start their freelance career, or up their game, this book is the perfect place to start. Jam-packed with actionable items and details about even handling unruly clients, well-meaning visitors, and kids while working from home – this book has it all! Highly recommended!~author and mompreneur, Carissa Andrews

For those who are contemplating the freelance lifestyle but need a guidebook with baby steps, this is your manifesto! Becky Flansburg shares her tips for balancing a freelance career with a family including the nuts and bolts such as the online tools she uses for networking and running her business. Becky is a gentle and realistic cheerleader for anyone who wants to work at home as a solopreneur.~Mia Wenjen

FREElance FREEdom is Available on Kindle

Also available on IndieBound.com.

Available in Paperback on Amazon: mybook.to/FREElanceFREEdompprbk

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