How to become a Virtual Assistant

Think about your ideal life, the one where you have everything going for yourself. You’re thriving in every aspect and nothing can stop that momentum – not even work! The problem is…you don’t know how to get there yet because we all too often settle when it comes down to choosing what our lives will look like; but why?

Working as a virtual assistant or digital business manager offers many attractive benefits. You have the flexibility of working from home, the freedom to choose the hours you work and the opportunity to increase your income working as your own boss. All of these factors make it possible to finally achieve that work-life balance you have been longing for. So, how can you become a virtual assistant? And what exactly does a virtual assistant do?

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant (VA) is someone who provides support to business owners remotely. Usually, a business owner has decided they need an extra person to complete certain jobs, but don’t need this person at their physical office. They’ve understood how to effectively delegate tasks and responsibilities that take up important time in their day, such as administration, social media, bookkeeping, graphic design, website management and other daily operations. This is where a VA comes in!

Becoming a Virtual Assistant

If you want to become a VA, there are a few steps to follow to ensure your business is successful.

1. Decide What Services You’ll Offer

First and foremost, you’ll need to decide what skills and services you’ll offer. Do you already specialise in skills wanted by business owners? Perhaps you have years of experience in website creation, SEO and content writing. If so, this can be a great offering to include in your services. Some VA’s may even choose to offer specific support for certain industries, such as administration support for tradesmen.

If you don’t feel like you have the correct skillset yet, look into doing a Certificate or Diploma in Business Administration.

2. Set Up Your Work Space

Most VA’s work from the comfort of their own home. However, some VA’s do choose to hire an office in a co-working space or in our case, a private office. Once you have decided on the location of your business, set up your workspace. Ensure the area is well organised and always kept tidy. A clear space really does mean a clear mind.

3. Register Your Business Name and Australian Business Number (ABN)

Register your business name

When you’ve decided on your business name, check its availability using the Business name check. It’s also a good idea to check if the domain name is available for your website before registering the business name.

Register your ABN

Before you register your ABN, you will need to have identified your business structure. For a VA, you will most likely be working as a Sole Trader.

4. Organise Your Finances

Make sure you have all of your finances prepared. Consider the following:

• Set up a business bank account
• Set up an invoice system and decide on your accepted payment methods and terms
• Prepare a budget and understand your expenses, such as Photoshop, website fees, internet fees etc.
• Set up a cash flow statement
• Keep the correct records for tax
• Pay yourself superannuation

5. Create a Solid Pricing Structure

A VA can choose to charge an hourly rate, a flat fee per task or work on a retainer. When deciding on your fee, consider how long it’s going to take you to complete the task as well as your expenses. Remember that you won’t get sick or annual leave and you will need to pay your own tax and super.

6. Create a Website, Social Media Business Profiles and Marketing Plan

Creating a website is one of the best ways to showcase the skills you offer and previous work you have completed. It helps potential clients understand what they can expect from working with you and acts as a ‘face’ of your business. It’s also important to create a strategic marketing plan and focus on having a strong social media presence. Building out and optimising your social media business profiles is key! They are equally as important as websites. Your profiles should reflect your abilities and provide useful, valuable information for your target audience.

7. Find Clients

One of the best ways to find clients as a VA is to utilise your own network. Think about the types of businesses or industries you want to work with and who you may know in your own circle. Introduce yourself to small businesses in your area and naturally bring up what you do in conversation. Look for VA job listings on websites such as Seek and LinkedIn. Another option is advertising your business in local Facebook groups to start building brand awareness.

Remember, referral business is huge (!!). Once you’ve started working with your clients, always maintain a great relationship with them. One you can continue to evolve and offer value to. This will see you continue a successful business working as a virtual assistant.

Here at Hey V.A, we offer a variety of virtual support services and small business management to busy professionals. Our quality work and reliability saves businesses time, grows revenue and increases productivity. If you’re interested in working with us, apply today or get in touch for further advice.