© Lisa MacDonald – Virtual Assistant Mastery http://virtualassistantmastery.ca 2
Table of Contents
The Benefits of Being a VA ......................................................................................... 3
How to Know if Being a VA is Right for You ............................................................. 5
What Services Should You Offer? ............................................................................. 7
How to Pick Your Virtual Assistant Niche ................................................................. 9
What You Need to Get Started as a VA.................................................................... 11
Partial List of Partial Virtual Assistant Services ..................................................... 14
© Lisa MacDonald – Virtual Assistant Mastery http://virtualassistantmastery.ca 3
The Benefits of Being A VA
A VA, if you’re unfamiliar with the acronym, is a Virtual Assistant. It’s an administrative
assistant that works virtually or online. Here are just a few of the many benefits to
being a VA.
1. Ability to work from home
The choice to become a VA is a great one for many. If you’re a
parent or caregiver, it enables you to stay home and earn a
paycheck. Being a Virtual Assistant means you can work from
your computer. You don’t have to go into a formal office. Your
clients are managed all online.
Additionally, you can work from anywhere. If you’re heading to the
beach for spring break, you can take your work with you. You can
work from a coffee shop. You can work from the poolside. You
can work while you’re waiting at your child’s dentist office.
2. It’s interesting
There really is no end to the type of work you can do as a Virtual Assistant. You can
offer a broad base of services or a specialty service like transcription. This variety can
help keep the job interesting. You won’t suffer from burnout. Likewise, you can
manage a number of different clients. This provides the ability to learn about a lot of
industries and topics.
3. Demand
Virtual administration is a growing industry. As more and more people go into business
online there’s an increasing need. Additionally, both individuals and companies are
realizing the benefits of outsourcing. It puts you in a prime position to create a
business and a career.
4. Low startup requirements
There is not much required to get started as a VA. You’ll need a computer, a website
and the means to market and grow your business. All of this can be managed for just a
© Lisa MacDonald – Virtual Assistant Mastery http://virtualassistantmastery.ca 4
few hundred dollars. You also don’t need any special degree or certification. While
administrative certification is available, if you have the skills you’re ready to get started.
5. You’re the boss
In addition to being able to work from home, there are also many other freedoms. For
example, you can set your own work hours. If you’re a night owl, this means you can
work at night when you’re awake and alert. You can also take time off whenever you
need to. No more asking the boss for a vacation day or worrying about sick leave.
Finally, you also get to choose who you work with. You choose the clients and the
projects you’ll take on.
If you’re looking for a full time career or just a little extra money, consider becoming a
VA. Virtual Assistants are in high demand. You can create the lifestyle you need and
want.
© Lisa MacDonald – Virtual Assistant Mastery http://virtualassistantmastery.ca 5
How to Know If Being A VA Is Right for You
If you’re considering starting your own business, then being a VA is a good choice. It’s
a service that is in demand, and the demand seems to be growing.
More and more people are realizing the value of outsourcing their administrative
needs. It’s a career choice that promises variety, daily challenges and the freedom of
being your own boss. However, it’s not the right choice for everyone.
Here are a few questions to help you determine if being a VA is right for you.
Are You Good at Managing Your Time?
As a Virtual Assistant you’re going to have to balance a lot of tasks. You’ll balance
client work. You’ll balance managing your business. You’ll also want to market and
grow your business. And of course, the day to day responsibilities like laundry don’t go
away either. There will be a lot of demands on your time, energy, and attention.
If you’re good at managing your time, great. If you can focus and be productive, you
have what it takes to be a VA. If time management isn’t your strength, there’s still
hope. Start adopting habits right now to better manage your time. Learn to schedule
and prioritize. Learn how to focus and be productive.
Are You Motivated and Enthusiastic?
Being a VA takes a lot of positive energy. You’ll want to be able to get up every
morning and be able to focus on your business. Of course, there will be low energy
days. Everyone has them. However, in order to succeed as a VA, you’ll want to be
brimming with energy and enthusiasm to start, grow and manage your business.
© Lisa MacDonald – Virtual Assistant Mastery http://virtualassistantmastery.ca 6
Are You Organized?
In addition to organizing your own business needs, tasks and information, you’ll need
to organize your clients'. That’s part of your job. Your clients need your help getting
and keeping them organized. The more organized you are, the more productive you’ll
be. Not organized? Start creating systems right now. You can still be successful.
However, you’ll have to pay careful attention to your systems and practices. Make
yourself be organized.
Are You Social?
Okay, so you don’t have to be a social butterfly to succeed as a VA. However, you will
want to be easy to communicate with. Clients and prospects will communicate with you
via email and the telephone. Make sure you’re comfortable talking with strangers. Also,
the more social you are, the more clients you’re likely to meet online and off. It’s easier
to build your business when you’re delighted to talk about it with others.
If you don’t have all of these skills or personality traits, it’s okay. Most of them can be
learned. You can even learn to be motivated and enthusiastic. If you want to start a VA
business, that desire is the first step. The rest will fall into place.
© Lisa MacDonald – Virtual Assistant Mastery http://virtualassistantmastery.ca 7
What Services Should You Offer?
As a Virtual Assistant there really are a myriad of services you can provide. You can
offer a variety to your clients or you can specialize. Making the decision can be a bit
challenging. Here are a few considerations to help you decide.
What Are Your Strengths?
While it might be nice to provide a variety of services it
might be a better idea to focus on your strengths. For
example, if you’re a fast transcriptionist but not very
technologically inclined, then focus on transcription.
Leave the website management to someone else. That
way, you can be sure you’re providing the best service
possible to your clients. They’ll be 100% satisfied, and
you’ll spend your time working on projects that match
your skills.
What Do You Like to Do?
If you don’t enjoy a task, you’re not going to be motivated to accomplish it. This of
course isn’t good business. Clients don’t appreciate it when you procrastinate. And it’s
just not fun for you. Make a list of the tasks you enjoy doing. Make a list of the tasks
that are okay. Then make a list of the tasks you dislike. Don’t take projects that entail
tasks you dislike. Find another contractor to recommend. Consider partnering with that
other contractor so you both benefit.
What’s In Demand?
Some tasks are in high demand. For example, right now, managing social networking
pages and profiles is an in demand opportunity. If you have skills and interests in this
area, this may be a service to market and provide.
© Lisa MacDonald – Virtual Assistant Mastery http://virtualassistantmastery.ca 8
Also, take a look at the opportunities being requested. Visit social networking sites and
search feeds for information. Visit freelance job sites and research the most commonly
requested tasks. These are the skills and services people are looking for.
What Niche Will You Service?
Often, a Virtual Assistant will service a particular niche. For example, if you’re
passionate about organization, then you might seek clients in this industry. Each
industry may have its own specialty needs. An organization coach, for example, might
need someone to schedule their appointments or moderate their forum.
When building your VA business take a look at both your strengths and weaknesses.
Explore the opportunities. Also, remember that your business can change as you do.
You can focus on one specialty task right now. Then, as your business grows, you can
add more services to your portfolio. It’s your business; create it to fit your needs and
the market demands for maximum success.
© Lisa MacDonald – Virtual Assistant Mastery http://virtualassistantmastery.ca 9
How to Pick Your Virtual Assistant Niche
If you desire to become a Virtual Assistant, you might
initially believe that you can do everything. Being everything
to everyone and anyone is not the best way to run your
Virtual Assistant business. Getting started as a Virtual
Assistant means being your own boss and being a
business owner. If you want to be successful, you have to let go of the desire to be
everything to everyone.
When new VA’s have administrative assistant or secretarial background, it’s not
uncommon to try to recreate this administrative quality from home. But, you’ll actually
earn more money if you pick a niche.
The fact is, in the VA world, picking a smaller area to concentrate on, and specific
tasks that you will perform, will make your Virtual Assistant business stronger. When
you know what your niche is, you can then study who your target market is. Once you
know these two things, you can focus all your marketing efforts toward finding your
ideal clients. Having ideal clients who value your contribution is imperative to your
happiness; financial and otherwise. So, how do you pick your niche as a Virtual
Assistant?
Analyze your skill set
What do you know how to do? If you’ve worked at a lot of as an administrative
assistant, you have certain skills, such as answering phones, dealing with customers,
checking email, organizing mail, typing letters and other general tasks. Write down
everything you can do at an expert level because you will not have assistance from
anyone when you’re at home, so you need to know how to do tasks very well.
Choose your market
You’ve picked your skills, now you need to pick your market. Performing these tasks
might be enjoyable for one group of people and not so much for another group of
people. Your market might be Authors, Bloggers, Coaches or Realtors. It’s your
choice. You can be very specific about who your market is down to their sex, income,
and title. Knowing who you want to work with will help tremendously with the next step.
© Lisa MacDonald – Virtual Assistant Mastery http://virtualassistantmastery.ca 10
Choose your market’s needs
Match up your skills to the needs of your market. If you work with realtors, what do
they need done that you can do from home, that fits a specific niche? Study all you can
about the particular market so that you can ensure to offer the tasks and assistance
they truly need from you. Remember, you can’t and shouldn’t try to serve every last
need, but a specific set of needs.
Choose your services
Write down all services that go along with your skills. Then, group these into
complementary task groups; throw out anything that doesn’t relate to one of the groups
you’ve created. For example: Article Posting, Blog Posting, Keyword Research,
Content Calendar Management and Newsletter Posting. These are all complementary
skills that go together that you can easily offer in a package of services.
© Lisa MacDonald – Virtual Assistant Mastery http://virtualassistantmastery.ca 11
What You Need To Get Started As A VA
One of the great things about a VA business is that it’s easy to start. You really don’t
need much to launch a successful business. That being said, there are some steps
you’ll want to take before you hang up your 'open for business' sign.
Office Equipment
You’re a Virtual Assistant, which means you’ll need equipment to help you work
virtually. This means a:
Computer
Backup storage or system – you can backup files online (an external drive isn’t
necessary)
Copier/scanner/fax
Internet connection
Desk and chair
File cabinet/file system
Transcription software and equipment, if you’re offering transcription
Telephone and related equipment like a headset so you can talk hands free
You likely already have much of that equipment. If not, you don’t have to spend a
fortune. Take a look at flea markets and resale stores for some of the furniture. If you
© Lisa MacDonald – Virtual Assistant Mastery http://virtualassistantmastery.ca 12
don’t have a computer, most experts recommend buying the best you can afford. Your
business will be based on your computer, so a good one helps.
Business Equipment
You’re going to want a few basics to help you market and manage your business.
These include, but are not limited to:
Business Plan – this is most important! It should include your budget, goals,
marketing strategy, operations, policies and procedures and so on. Create a
plan so you succeed!
Website and/or blog
Social networking profile
Email account for business
Telephone number for business
Invoicing system
Bookkeeping software
Content management system or delivery system. How will you deliver client
work to them?
Services agreement/Work for hire agreement
Personal insurance: health, dental, life etc. When you’re self-employed
insurance is your responsibility.
Bank account for business
Organization tools: calendar, notebooks, whatever helps you get and stay
organized
© Lisa MacDonald – Virtual Assistant Mastery http://virtualassistantmastery.ca 13
Business services software. What software do you need to provide your
services? For example, if you offer transcription you’ll need transcription
software.
Again, you may have much of this already. And most of these basics don’t cost much.
You can spend a lot on software, so be careful. Only buy what you really need.
Personal Equipment
Okay, so your home office is set and you have a solid business plan. What else do you
need to get started?
Enthusiasm
Motivation
Positive Mindset
Administrative skills
Marketing knowledge (Read a few good books on marketing your business,
you’ll be set).
Not bad, right? If you already have a computer, you can likely start your VA business
for just a few hundred dollars. Many have started with nothing at all and made a huge
success of their VA skills. Create a checklist. Create a plan. Create the success you
desire.
© Lisa MacDonald – Virtual Assistant Mastery http://virtualassistantmastery.ca 14
Partial List of Possible Virtual Assistant Services
Social media
Transcription
Research
Editing
Search engine optimization
Internet marketing
Backlinks
Keyword research
Website design
WordPress design and/or
maintenance
E-book design
E-book publishing
Membership sites
Affiliate programs
Email marketing and list
management
E-commerce
Customer service
Answering phone calls
Making phone calls
Data Entry
Advertising
Bookkeeping
Copywriting
Article/blog post writing
Article posting
E-zines and newsletters
Power Points
Press releases
Forum posting
Sorting emails
Replying to emails
Event planning
Virtual event planning
Product launch
Scheduling
Travel plans
Personal tasks
Remember, this is just a partial list. You don't need to offer all of these services to be a
Virtual Assistant! Start with the tasks that you like and are good at, and then as you
learn more, you can expand your services. You can also just specialize in one specific
area, if you wish.
There are no set rules! You create your business, you choose who you work with and
you choose the type of work that you do. It's not always easy, but the freedom and
rewards are always worth it!
© Lisa MacDonald – Virtual Assistant Mastery http://virtualassistantmastery.ca 15
I hope this e-book has given you more insight into the Virtual Assistance profession
and answered some questions you may have had.
If you decide that being a Virtual Assistant is right for you, but you don't have the time
and the money to dive into expensive and intensive training programs, check out the
various training packages and support programs available on the Virtual Assistant
Mastery website including Getting Started as a Virtual Assistant.
To your VA success!
Lisa MacDonald
Virtual Assistant Mastery
http://virtualassistantmastery.ca