Becoming a VA is not something you can do overnight– it takes dedication, practice, and networking to build your clientele and skills in order to turn any profit. However, that is not to say that not everyone can become a VA; it’s a welcoming field to people from all walks of life, with no experience required! To get you started, we have compiled a list of five valuable learning tools that can help you to discover a specialized, but learnable VA niche. From providing insight on daily lives of a VA to providing certifications to glamourize your portfolio, these resources will boost your VA knowledge to the next level.
1. Online Resources & Books
Social media might be the best thing since avocado toast (very millennial of us), but platforms like YouTube can also provide valuable insight on VA life. Some posts show the steps to become a VA, or the skills required, and demonstrate what a day in the life of a VA typically looks like (hint: they’re all different).
Another good place to start is your local bookstore. Books are a great way to educate beginners on valuable business practices, social media tips and tricks, accounting hacks, communication skills, and much more!
2. Courses
Lucky for you, That Virtual Life offers the best in the business for VA courses. We will teach you everything you need to know, such as essential skills, crucial steps to owning a business, working with clientele, and more (you’ll have to take the course to find out).
Other places, such as local colleges or universities, offer short-term programs that will get you acquainted with business practices, time management skills and the like, and provide you with a certification, diploma, or degree.
Keep in mind that whichever course you choose does not have to be your last one! We always recommend continual learning as it keeps you up to date with trends, and lets you build on your skills.
3. Friends, Family, and Mentors
When we are younger, we learn most of our habits from our surroundings. One of the easiest ways to learn is from your friends and family– they definitely want to give you a hand anyway they can, and are familiar with your learning style so they can adapt their advice and teachings accordingly.
Another option is a mentor. Most VAs would be flattered if asked to mentor a new face in the community, so do not be afraid to ask! If you are a newbie, feel free to reach out using our form below, and we can discuss mentorship opportunities with you.
4. Software
Hiring an accountant, a lawyer, a copywriter, and everyone else in the office just is not fiscally possible in your first year. Software and different computer programs make this much easier for start up companies by adapting their services to the online community. We have compiled a list of a few software and niche programs to help your startup business in your first year (or more):
Dubsado: Once you start with Dubsado, you won’t be able to stop. It takes care of contracts, invoices, emails, and nearly anything else you can think of. It’s your lawyer, accountant, and receptionist all in one.
Excel: We recommend Excel to everyone before spending money on confusing data programs. It is the most user-friendly, and you can’t mess it up. Plus, it is easily transferable and will get the job done.
Copyright: So you aren’t great at writing? Don’t stress it. Grammarly saved every one of us at least one point or another. You do not need to splurge on the premium membership when you are just starting; however, if you will be writing blogs or writing for clients, we recommend going the extra mile (it is worth it– we promise). Sorry not an #ad.
5. Additional Help
If you are just starting out as a VA, this may or may not apply to you, but regardless listen up. Do not be afraid to ask for help (seriously, read that again). You are probably using social media to promote your business, and if you are not, well, then you should be. Social media is a great way to build relationships with other VAs, and if you feel lost, or that you want a second opinion, do not hesitate to reach out to another VA you feel close to. This will help build up your business, and if you can exchange the favour– it can help another business as well!
If you are an established VA, then hiring your team would be your next step. So where do you look for potential candidates? We recommend checking out social media and local universities and colleges. Most of the time, students are looking to build their portfolio and having the opportunity to work for a VA (paid or unpaid) will be a great experience to add to their resume for the future. Plus, they will have already developed some valuable skills, such as time management and teamwork.
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