Qualities every Virtual Assistant needs to have
Being a successful VA isn’t simply helping someone with their admin or supporting their business, it’s knowing how to manage and communicate with them.
Essential
Virtual Assistant qualities
This is one of the most important ones because sadly it seems to be the most common. A huge number of clients told me they’d been let down by flaky VAs who messed them about, didn’t report back on their progress, or simply didn’t deliver it at all. Professionalism is paramount in our industry so if a client calls you then you must ring them back, if you get an email then you must reply! It doesn’t have to be immediately but you need to do it the same DAY at least.
Good communication skills you need to let the client know how their work is going, so establish how and when you should update them when they become a client as well as before you begin each new task. If in doubt update the client at the end of each day and if you’re running behind schedule then tell them asap.
Time-management Of course you need to focus on the task at hand, but you’re also going to be working with multiple clients who all think they’re your only/most important client. You’ll probably have numerous things to do in a day so plan ahead and schedule tasks for when you’re at your most efficient.
Resourcefulness (or not being thick)
You’re going to get asked to do a lot of things you’ve never done before and you’re just going to have to find out how to do them. As long as you’re honest with a client about the extent of your abilities then you’ll be fine.
Managing expectations and instilling confidence A new client will probably be looking to you to lead them through the process so you need to know and explain how you work. Often a client has never worked with a VA so if you seem hesitant about what you can do and how it all works, then they’re going to seriously doubt your ability to help them.
Adding value She needs to feel the VA is invested in the success of her business, is trustworthy, reliable and isn’t someone she has to worry about or chase after.
Working alone You can use co-working spaces of course and I sometimes work from coffee shops, but being by yourself all week is something to consider.
Conclusion Not everybody has these qualities, and if you don’t then you should seriously consider whether being a Virtual Assistant is right for you.
If you want to be a VA because you think it’ll be an easy life and easy money then you’re in for a shock because the reality is very different. It’s a brilliant life once you’ve nailed it but there can be a steep learning curve at first.