What You Should Know About Working as a Virtual Assistant
Working as a Virtual Assistant (VA) is becoming an increasingly popular career choice, especially for those looking for more flexibility, a better work-life balance, and the chance to work remotely. But, do you know what you really should know about this lifestyle?
But like any job, there’s more to being a virtual assistant than you think at the beginning.
Even though it can definitely be rewarding, it’s important to know the realities of working this way before jumping in.
Here’s what you really should know about working as a Virtual Assistant.
1. It’s Not JUST About Admin Work
Many people assume that being a Virtual Assistant means doing ONLY administrative tasks like answering emails, scheduling meetings, or managing calendars.
While those are some of the services a Virtual Assistant can offer, the reality is that the range of work for a Virtual Assistant can be pretty wide.
Depending on your skill set and interests, you might be handling:
- Social media management
- Content creation
- Customer service
- Website maintenance
- Graphic design
- Bookkeeping
- Research
- Email marketing
The more skills you can offer, the more valuable you’ll be to clients—and the more opportunities you’ll find.
So, while basic admin tasks might be the STARTING point, many Virtual Assistants expand what they offer and get more specialized as they grow.
2. You Are Running a Business
One of the most important things to understand about being a Virtual Assistant is that you’re not just an employee—you’re running your own business.
This was a HUGE adjustment for me.
This means you’ll need to wear ALL the hats: marketing your services, managing your money, talking with clients, figuring out your rates, and more.
You’ll also be in charge of finding clients, making contracts, and delivering high-quality work on time. It’s a great challenge, but it means you’ll need discipline, time management, and self-motivation.
If you’re like me and used to a 9-5 job, you may be expecting to just clock in and out like you always have.
This might be a shift in mindset.
3. Finding Clients Takes Time (But It Gets Easier)
In the beginning, finding clients can be one of the most difficult parts of working as a Virtual Assistant.
You’ll need to build up your network, market your services, and then learn to reach out to potential clients.
It can feel slow at first, and you might even have to take on lower-paying jobs just to gain experience and build your portfolio.
But do you want to know the good news?
It gets easier over time.
Once you’ve worked with a few clients, you’ll start getting referrals and repeat business.
Happy clients will often recommend you to others, and as your reputation grows, you may even find clients coming to you.
Patience is key, and persistence pays off.
The more effort you put into networking and providing excellent service, the faster your business will grow!
Trust me on this one!
4. You’ll Need to Learn How to Set Boundaries
One of the biggest benefits (in my mind) of being a Virtual Assistant is the ability to work from anywhere I want (instead of a cold office) and set my own schedule.
However, this flexibility can be a double-edged sword.
Without clear boundaries, you can find yourself working all hours of the day or responding to client requests at night and on weekends.
You have to set clear boundaries with your clients from the start.
Set your working hours, communicate them clearly, and then stick to them.
This will help you avoid burnout and keep a healthy work-life balance.
Learning to say “no” to unreasonable requests or last-minute projects is also an important lesson to learn early.
As your own boss, you have the power to control your workload, but it requires discipline to set limits.
5. You’ll Constantly Be Learning New Skills
One of the most exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) aspects of being a virtual assistant is that you’ll never stop learning.
Every client is different, and each project might require new tools or knowledge that you may not have used before.
Whether it’s learning a new software program, understanding how to optimize a social media campaign, or figuring out the latest project management tool, you’ll constantly be expanding your skill set.
This can be a great way to keep your work interesting, but it also means you need to be adaptable and open to learning on the go.
I’m constantly doing “research” via Google or YouTube learning how to use the newest program that a client uses.
It’s super simple in today’s online world.
You can do it too.
Staying up-to-date with the latest trends, software, and tools is key to staying competitive in the virtual assistant industry.
6. Organization and Communication Are Key
As a Virtual Assistant, you’ll often juggle multiple tasks for different clients. Staying organized is ABSOLUTELY critical to keeping track of deadlines, projects, and client expectations.
You’ll need to be proficient with tools like Trello, Asana, or other project management systems to help you manage your workload efficiently.
(These are programs you can also learn to use by doing a quick search on YouTube. It’s super simple.)
In addition to being organized, communication with your client is vital.
Since you’ll be working remotely, clear and timely communication with clients is the foundation of a successful relationship.
Responding promptly, being transparent about progress, and addressing issues quickly can make or break your reputation.
I try to respond to my clients every single day about SOMETHING – just to let them know I’m working on their business. Even if they don’t see the result of my work for that particular day.
Clients need to feel like they can rely on you, and strong communication will help you build that trust.
7. Income Can Be Inconsistent (Especially in the Beginning)
One thing many new Virtual Assistants don’t realize is that income can go up and down—especially when you’re starting out.
Since you’ll likely be working with multiple clients, you might find that one month is full of projects while the next is quieter.
This up and down is something to prepare for as you build your business.
Over time, as you get a more stable client base, your income will become more predictable.
But it’s always a good idea to budget carefully, especially in the early stages, to make sure you can handle any dips in workload or unexpected gaps between projects.
8. You Have the Power to Design Your Career
The best part about working as a Virtual Assistant is that you have full control over what you’re doing.
You get to decide which services you offer, what types of clients you want to work with, how much you charge, and how you structure your day.
This can be sooooo empowering.
You have the flexibility to adjust your workload based on your lifestyle and goals.
Want to specialize in a particular niche?
You can.
Want to work fewer hours?
That’s up to you.
The opportunities are endless once you start building momentum.
Conclusion
Being a Virtual Assistant is more than just a flexible job—it’s your own business!
You’ll be responsible for not just performing tasks for clients, but also running this new business, finding clients, managing your money, and constantly learning new skills.
It can be extremely rewarding, but there are challenges.
If you’re willing to put in the effort, set boundaries, and stay organized, the opportunities are great.
Ultimately, you’re in control of your Virtual Assistant business.
With time and perseverance, you can create a career (business) that fits your lifestyle and goals.
If you’d like to take the first step in working as a Virtual Assistant, you can download my workbook and E-book to help get you started! Just go here and get your copy now!