Five Common Myths About Starting Your Virtual Assistant Business

How much do you know about becoming a Virtual Assistant (VA)?

Lately, everyone is looking for a career change and being a VA has become one of the most popular solutions. With its rising popularity, many have questioned the legitimacy of actually becoming a VA and many myths have floated around as well.

So after my recent Q&A Session, I want to give you some clarity on a few myths that have been floating around about becoming a Virtual Assistant.

Myth #1: It’s A Get Rich Quick Scheme

Building any successful business takes time, work, and perseverance. While many VAs are able to live a comfortable life with flexibility, it doesn’t happen overnight. It requires significant effort to build skills, find clients, and manage your business effectively

No matter what social media “gurus” may tell you, set realistic expectations so you don’t get disappointed when you aren’t successful overnight.

Becoming a successful virtual assistant entails building a reputation, honing specialized skills, and cultivating client relationships. The process involves identifying your niche, refining your offerings, establishing a strong online presence, and demonstrating your expertise through quality work. All of this takes consistent effort and continuous learning.

Social media can sometimes portray a distorted view of success, highlighting only the wins and omitting the behind-the-scenes hard work. Falling into the trap of expecting immediate success can lead to frustration and discouragement. It's essential to remain patient and keep your focus on gradual growth and skill development.

By embracing the reality that success takes time and being prepared for the journey, you're setting yourself up for a more sustainable and fulfilling career as a virtual assistant.

Myth #2: You Need a bunch of Experience

False! There are two sides to this myth actually, you can definitely become a Virtual Assistant without any experience, but believe it or not, you have a lot of SKILLS, more than you realize, at least to get started. The tasks clients tend to need help with you can learn as you go. What’s important is that you should always have a growth mindset.

You don’t need any formal qualifications to book clients, however, you may want to take some time and do research on the services you want to offer at first, as well as what skills may be required to fulfill those tasks, so spend a little time a few hours or days a week doing research, and build up on your already existing knowledge.

Remember, your #1 job is to make your client’s life easier.

Myth #3: Virtual Assistants Only Do Admin Work

Wrong again! The Virtual Assistant industry is very diverse. We have social media managers, project managers, graphic designers, video editors, and a bunch of other things outside of Admin Assistants. This diversity highlights the vast array of skills that can be applied to have a successful business. The truth is, there is no shortage of businesses that need your help. The help they need varies, so don’t feel limited to what kind of services you want to offer, there's a space at the table for everybody.

In today's business world, companies require a variety of services to thrive. As a virtual assistant, you have the chance to tailor your offerings to your strengths and passions. The demand for specialized assistance is significant, which means you have the freedom to carve out a niche that aligns with your expertise.

Embracing this diversity opens up a world of possibilities for your business. Whether you excel in creative tasks, strategic planning, technical expertise, or any other area, there's a space at the table for you. As an entrepreneur building your own virtual assistant business, you have the opportunity to showcase the full spectrum of your professional talents and contribute uniquely to your clients' success.

So, remember, the myth that virtual assistants are confined to administrative work couldn't be farther from the truth. Your skills are versatile and valuable, and your business can flourish by offering the services that resonate most with you and meet the needs of a diverse range of clients.

Myth #4: You Need A Website to Launch Your Business

Immediately No! When launching your business, you really don’t need anything more than your drive for success, a client acquisition strategy, WIFI, and a laptop. Your client acquisition strategy should outline exactly what you need to do in order to start booking clients. This includes a client profile, market research, and best method of outreach. Having a website is something you can create in the future, but it is not a necessity!

Myth #5: You Have to Quit Your 9-5 Immediately

While the goal may be to go full-time as a freelancer, don’t quit your day job just yet. Wait until you’ve secure enough money to replace your monthly salary and confidently transition. Oftentimes, new Virtual Assistants make the mistake of quitting their jobs too early because that is what they believe they should do. As a result, they enter into a hustle mindset attempting to secure clients in a hurry, leading to burnout and desperation. This approach can negatively impact the quality of service they provide and hinder their business growth overall.

The stress of quitting a stable job without a solid financial cushion can create pressure that affects decision-making. Financial strain may result in accepting low-paying or unsuitable clients just to make ends meet, compromising your ability to focus on strategic business development.

The transition from employee to freelancer demands a shift in mindset. New virtual assistants underestimate the time and effort required to establish themselves. An unrealistic expectation of quick success can lead to frustration and self-doubt when results don't materialize as anticipated.

Instead start your business part time. This approach minimizes financial stress, fosters a growth-focused mindset, and positions you for lasting success.

Now that we’ve discussed a few myths, do you feel a little less anxious?

If you missed the recent Q&A session, I pre launched my new coaching program: The EA Accelerator. This 8-week program is to help ambitious women confidently launch and grow their Executive Assistant business so they can achieve financial independence and make a purposeful impact. Click here to join the EA Accelerator