Not all VA’s will be successful, not all VA’s will make the type of money they need to support themselves. It’s a harsh reality of making the decision to be a VA.
Not all VA’s are meant to be VA’s.
There are many associations out there that lead you to believe that you can sign up for their training programs, attend a seminar or webinar, pay hundreds of dollars to listen to someone speak , they provide you forms and templates and then you become a qualified VA who can use their certified qualification to earn >$50,000 per annum or in some cases 6 figures. But what you don’t realise is that unless you are charging what you are worth, you will never reach this type of income. Being a VA is not only about having a skill set, it’s also about having the knowledge and skill to run your own business.
It’s common sense
If your VA business is going to be built around administration, then common sense says you need at the very least, to know your way around a computer. You will also need to have word processing, email and spreadsheeting skills at the very least. Wanting to spend your time as a website designer and not knowing the first thing about it, does not make you a VA just because you decide that will be your niche.
Be what you say you are
If you have worked your career in administration, that’s all the qualification you need if you want to focus on admin support for your clients. However, if you have worked all your career in admin and decide you want to design websites, you better know how to do that, if you don’t, go back to school and learn your trade before you set up shop. If you can’t walk the walk and talk the talk, then you need to do more research.
To join an association or not to join
It totally depends, are you looking for information or are you looking for work? There is a difference. If you are wanting to communicate with other VA’s then join an online forum, there are thousands of them out there.
There are some really good VA associations that can help you get started, of course at a price. They want your business as much as the next person.
Check them out, see which ones will get you the most bang for your buck. If you are in Australia, use an Australian association they will be geared to our business and taxation laws. Some associations even act as a VA Stable getting you work at a cost.
Some will ask for your resume and client references. I am not comfortable with that. I am not an employee I manage my own business and my own deadlines. If you want to find out more about me visit my website.
There is a place for everything, if you feel you need the help of an association, make sure you do your homework on them before signing with any, there can be ongoing monthly and or yearly subscriptions plus the purchase of items that may or may not help you with your business. This can add up to a lot of money for very little. If it doesn’t feel right, it possibly isn’t.
Top 5 Takeouts: Knowledge is power
- Get a mentor, find someone who can help guide you through what you need to do to be successful in your chosen VA niche.
- You don’t need to be certified as a VA to be a VA, you just need the right skill set.
- If you aren’t qualified in a particular skill, go back to school or find a qualified training organisation with a national qualification recognition program.
- Find a reputable association to join, learn and grow with.
- Don’t sign up for anything you don’t understand. Research, research, research it’s the key to getting you to where you want to be.
I’d love to know your thoughts, please leave a comment below.
