Being a Virtual Assistant is incredibly rewarding in many ways. Working with a VA has many advantages for the client too, however, when it comes to remote working, trust is an important factor in the client-assistant relationship. If you want to stand out as the go-to VA in your niche and be successful at what you do, you’ll want to go the extra mile for your clients.
With that said, here are our top ten tips for being a successful Virtual Assistant your clients will love.
1. Communication is key
Communication is one of the keys to success in any remote working model. When you onboard a new client, make sure you establish your client’s expectations and communication preferences from the get-go. Whether it be by email, phone, Zoom, WhatsApp, a project management tool, or another method, make sure you determine how you will be communicating with your client and how often. Also, remember to remind them of your working hours so they know when they can contact you and when they can expect replies.
2. Take initiative
One of the reasons you’re clients want to work with you is to take a load of their plate and make their lives easier. The last thing they’ll want to be doing in their busy schedule is micro-managing. A Virtual Assistant is such a valuable asset to a business owner as it helps them to free up time and headspace. A great VA will take initiative and go the extra mile for their clients. Keep on top of things for your client, make suggestions that might streamline their working processes, and send them regular updates so they know how things are progressing. More importantly, do all of these things without them having to ask you.
3. Keep distractions to a minimum
Just because you work from home doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be mindful of your working environment. As a VA, ideally, you will work from a dedicated home office that is quiet, secluded and free from distractions. Set yourself up for success by creating an organised space where you can comfortably work, take calls and participate in video meetings.
4. Invest in yourself and in your business
If you want to stand out from the crowd as a VA, you’ll want to ensure that you’re continuously striving to improve. Invest in the right equipment to support your work, take training courses to refresh and improve your skills, and get t grips with the basics of business. By understanding business fundamentals, you’ll be in a better position to support your clients’ businesses and your own.
5. Be transparent
Working honestly is one of our core values. We truly believe that it is one of the most important factors in developing trust and building client relationships. If your client asks you to do something beyond your skillset, don’t just accept the task and wing it – tell your client that you don’t have the capabilities required and either introduce them to an associate who can help, or let your client know that you are willing to learn that particular skill in your free time.
6. Be organised
We think this should go without saying, but we’ve included it anyway. How can you expect to organise your client’s lives and businesses if you’re not organised yourself? VA’s tend to be organised by nature, but it is vital that you remain as organised as possible in order to perform at your best. Have a task management process that works for you, get your business systems and processes in order, and make sure your home office is well organised, too.
7. Work ethic
Successful VA’s tend to have a strong work ethic. Now, although work ethic is not something that really be taught, there are still things you can do to help motivate yourself and remain driven when working remotely. We’re all human, and there are days when our motivation and energy levels dip lower than others. That’s perfectly fine, as long as you know how to manage it and how to tap into your motivation to give yourself a boost when you’re not quite feeling it. You can start by knowing what gets your motivated. It might mean taking coffee breaks, moving from a different location in your home, or by exercising in the morning before you begin work. When you figure out what works for you, it will be easier to manage the days when you’re feeling more drained than usual.
8. Attention to detail
A great Virtual Assistant is detailed-oriented. For business owners who are not used to working with a VA, handing over tasks and trusting someone else to manage aspects of the business can be daunting. Especially for those who are used to being in control of everything. Having great attention to detail and demonstrating this in your work will help your client to feel at ease as they delegate more responsibility to you.
9. Care about your clients
One of the #1 traits of being a successful VA is to care about your clients. Great VA’s show a genuine desire to help their clients grow their businesses and make their lives easier. When you believe in your clients’ business just as much as your own, it shows.
10. Be reliable
Clients count on their VA’s to get things done when it needs to be done. Virtual Assistants can carry a lot of responsibility, and clients need some assurance that their assistant is going to get the job done and make things happen. And, if and when issues arise, a great Virtual Assistant will take initiative to problem-solve before pushing back to the client. A Great VA should be super-reliable. We are an extension of our clients’ businesses, after all!
Is it for you? It’s not completely unheard of for Virtual Assistants to return to employment. Whether that’s because they struggled with the realities of homeworking, or they realised that being a business owner simply wasn’t for them.
So if you’re a new VA, perhaps think about the qualities associated with being successful and whether you possess them. That said, being a Virtual Assistant can be one of the most rewarding roles, and with the right mindset and dedication you can soon become the go-to VA in your niche!
