Starting a career as a virtual assistant can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with the challenge of choosing the right skills to offer clients.
With hundreds of potential skills to specialize in, where should you begin? The answer may be simpler than you think: start as a general virtual assistant (VA).
Why Start as a General Virtual Assistant?
As a beginner, you may not be an expert in any specific skill yet, and that’s perfectly okay. Instead of pigeonholing yourself into one area, consider beginning your virtual assistant journey as a general VA.
But what exactly is a general virtual assistant? A general VA offers broad online business assistance without focusing on any one specialty, much like an office assistant. Clients who hire general VAs are looking for someone to help with a variety of tasks, freeing up their time rather than requiring specialized expertise.
For instance, if I were to hire a general VA, I wouldn’t expect them to do something highly specific like graphic design or content writing. Instead, I’d delegate tasks that I don’t have the time to handle, such as managing emails, scheduling meetings, or basic data entry.
Overcoming the Fear of the Unknown
You might be wondering, “What if I’m given tasks I can’t handle?” This is a common concern among new VAs, but the good news is that clients who hire general VAs are not looking for experts. They’re seeking reliable support to handle routine tasks. Often, they’ll provide you with a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) or tutorial before assigning more complex jobs.
This means you don’t need to worry about knowing everything upfront—you’ll have the guidance you need to succeed.
The Basic Skills You Need as a General VA
Even though you don’t need to be an expert, there are a few foundational skills you should develop to make yourself more marketable as a general VA. These basic skills will allow you to offer valuable assistance to clients from the start:
Skill #1: Basic Data Entry Skills
Learn how to use Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. These tools are essential for data entry tasks, which are among the most common duties assigned to general VAs.
Don’t worry about becoming a master of complex Excel formulas. If you know how to copy data from one source and paste it into a spreadsheet, you already have the necessary skills for data entry.
Skill #2: Email Management
Knowing how to send and receive emails is crucial. Most clients will require you to manage their inboxes, respond to inquiries, and keep track of important communications.
Skill #3: Internet Browsing
Be comfortable navigating the web. Many tasks may involve researching information online or managing various online platforms.
Skill #4: Microsoft Word
Basic proficiency in Microsoft Word will allow you to handle tasks like creating documents, formatting reports, and more.
With these skills, you’ll be ready to start working as a general VA. Remember, you don’t need to be an expert in any of these areas. The key is to have a basic understanding and a willingness to learn.
Embrace Continuous Learning
One of the most important traits of a successful VA is the ability to learn on the go. As you gain experience, you’ll inevitably encounter new tasks that you’ve never done before. But with resources like YouTube, you can quickly learn just about any skill you need.
For example, if you’re asked to use a new tool like ChatGPT for writing emails, a quick search on YouTube will likely yield plenty of tutorials to guide you.
Staying curious and open to learning is what will set you apart in the virtual assistance industry. The more skills you pick up along the way, the more valuable you’ll become to your clients.
Choosing a Niche: Should You Specialize?
As you explore the world of virtual assistance, you might hear people talking about choosing a niche. A niche is simply a specific category of clients that you serve. For example, some VAs work exclusively with online business coaches, podcast hosts, or real estate agents.
Choosing a niche can help you establish yourself as an expert in that particular area and make you more relevant to your target clients. However, as a complete beginner, it might not be the best strategy.
When you’re just starting, it’s better to remain a general VA.
Here’s why:
- Avoid Limiting Yourself: Specializing too early can limit your opportunities, as potential clients may expect you to have deep expertise in the niche you choose. If you don’t yet have that level of knowledge, it could make finding clients more challenging.
- Discover Your Strengths Over Time: As a beginner, you’re still learning what you enjoy and what you’re good at. Starting as a general VA gives you the flexibility to explore different types of work and discover where your strengths lie. Over time, as you gain more experience and confidence, you can then consider specializing in a niche that aligns with your skills and interests.
Moving Forward: Building Your VA Career
Now that you understand the benefits of starting as a general VA and the basic skills you need, you’re ready to take the first steps in your virtual assistant career.
Keep in mind that this journey is a process of continuous learning and growth. As you build your skills and gain experience, you’ll have the opportunity to refine your services, possibly specialize, and increase your earning potential.
