Written by: Rebecca Mason, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
When I was looking to start an online business, all I could think about was how I didn’t know how to code a website, and I couldn’t design if my life depended on it.
I was reflecting back on my college education and berated myself for not majoring in computer science… Had I totally wasted that time and money?
I was stuck. Serving tables, assisting Executives, and watching my remote work dreams fade further and further into the distance.
And then… I heard about Virtual Assisting.
That is when I realized that I was unknowingly FULL of useful skills!
This whole time working remotely felt so far away and yet, all I had to do was connect the dots and translate the skills I DID have into a Virtual Assistant business and my remote dreams would come true!
I had admin experience…
I had customer service experience…
I had experience booking travel and making appointments…
And that is exactly how I started my Virtual Assistant business, quit my 9-5, and began working remotely!
Here are my four easy steps you can take to determine what Virtual Assistant business you can start offering TODAY!
Step 1: Write down all your skills from your work experience
And I mean all of them! Don’t judge each skill before writing it down. Don’t think, “I have this skill, but surely it doesn’t apply to the online world.”
Write it all down, and get CLEAR on how all your work and life experiences have filled your toolbox with amazing skills and abilities!
Here are some examples!
Do you work retail?
Then you may have experience with managing a team, customer service, and handling shipping, returns, and orders!
Are you a teacher?
Then you may have experience with PowerPoint creation, course development, English, and number crunching!
Have you been an administrator?
Then you may have experience with email management, scheduling meetings, booking travel, and data entry!
Are you design-savvy?
Then you may have experience with Photoshop, video editing, web management, and photography.
Step 2: Write down all your amazing characteristics!
It’s important to get clear on what makes you, you! The fact that you are trustworthy, punctual, and a good team player is not OBVIOUS to a potential client, and yet, those maybe three important values in their business. Those may be the reasons they choose to work with you over someone else! These characteristics are your magic powers. Whether you are bilingual, a quick learner, or a critical thinker, write them all down.
Step 3: Group together the skills you ALREADY have into four categories
Virtual Assistant services normally fall under 4 categories (but honestly, the word “assistance” means you can support with anything). Group your skills and abilities into these four.
Admin
This category covers the most obvious tasks of a Virtual Assistant. Don’t forget all the admin skills you’ve acquired from running your own life.
Email Management
Appointment & Podcast Scheduling
Booking Travel
Personal Tasks
Support Email/Customer Service
Sending Contracts/Invoices To Their Customers
Project Management
Social Media and Marketing
Every business has (or should have) a social media presence! CEOs rarely start a business because they love Instagram… what they love, is to hand that task off to someone else.
Scheduling Posts on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, etc.
Creating Content For Posts On Social Media Platforms
Creating Content & Editing For Blogs
Facebook Group Management
Responding To FB/IG Messages
Responding to FB/IG Comments
Design Creation
Do you have an eye for design (because you either do or you don’t, to be honest)?
Branding Basics
Simple Graphics For Social Media
Create Landing Pages
Design Lead Magnets & PDFs
Logo Creation
Website Design
Powerpoint Design
And Everything Visual…
Tech Support
Every online business has some degree of tech and keeping it up to snuff is an important task!
Setting Up Email Marketing Campaigns
Creating & Connecting Landing Pages
Website Management
Website Creation
Webinar Setup
Blog Management
Podcast Editing & Uploading
Marketing Funnels
Online Course Setup
Can you already see how the skills you have accumulated from living your life, working all your jobs, and being a student can easily translate into Virtual Assisting?
I can!
Step 4: Drown out the noise
You may have had a split second “ah-ha!” moment doing that exercise before imposter syndrome came in and said, “Forget it, you have NO idea how to edit a podcast.”
Here’s the thing...
All these fancy skills that sound bad-ass and advanced, CAN BE LEARNED! You can figure it all out! You can Youtube it, you can call customer service, you can do your research.
But, if you are sitting back and thinking you’ll just study website design until you feel confident enough to offer it as a VA service, you will NEVER feel confident enough.
There are so many clients out there that need your support right now organizing their inbox, managing their customer questions, and engaging on their social media!
Jump in, start working with clients using the skills you already have, and then explore the next level of services you can grow into.
Rebecca Mason, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Rebecca Mason is a business coach for virtual assistants. She runs the successful Laptop Freedom Program, which empowers women to embrace their dreams and build a remote business. Join thousands of other women in learning how to start your business, find clients, and develop the skills you need. Sign up for her free guide at thewanderlustva.com.
