Even if you want to become a virtual assistant (VA), it will not happen overnight. There are certain skills that VAs must possess, which even people who have finished higher education cannot obtain immediately.
You may think that being a VA is an easy job. In reality, there are many tasks that you have to learn to perform the tasks perfectly, more than the effort you will exert if you are working in a regular office.
However, do not be disheartened. If you have decided that you want to be a VA, you should start developing the skills required and have the necessary knowledge to execute demanding tasks.
Types of virtual assistants
It will be helpful if you know what your competencies are so you can decide which type of virtual assistant (VA) you are going to be, as there are several types, such as social media VA, real estate VA, virtual research assistant, virtual administrative assistant, ecommerce VA, data entry VA, virtual bookkeeping assistant, virtual marketing assistant, etc.
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Skills you need
Here is the list of essential skills you need to start your journey into being a VA.
- Word processing skills.This is a basic skill, which may also include typing and data entry. Your typing skills must be accurate and the speed should be around 80 to 100 words per minute
- Writing skills and oral communication. Much of the work of a virtual assistant involves written and oral communication. If you're a virtual administrative assistant or an ecommerce VA, you will be handling communication as well as writing tasks. You will be preparing and sending reports, managing emails, or even handling presentations. Moreover, you are most likely to communicate with clients through written and verbal messages.
- Computer skills. You will not only need basic computer skills. More often than not, you will be doing word processing and creating spreadsheets. You should also be well-versed in using the internet and searching the web. You should be adept at using productivity tools, project management tools, and other business tools that the client uses.
- Discipline and self-motivation. These traits are essential for all VAs. Getting to work on time is a discipline. While being a VA means you have more freedom, you will be successful in this job only if you are motivated to perform your task as required by the client. Likewise, you should have the discipline to not be distracted by things that are not related to your given tasks.
- Effective decision-making and quick thinking. There will be times when the client is not available and the client gives specific tasks for the VA. At times like this, you should be able to think quickly and make the right decision at the right time. Even if you are a VA, you are part of the company and must know when to intervene to prevent problems from occurring. Sometimes you have to use your intuition in processing information so you can act quickly. But it is better if you take the time to learn more about the business. When you and the client builds a stronger business relationship, both of you will reap benefits.
Continuous learning will help you become a better virtual assistant. When you love what you do, you will do everything to make sure that you can perform your job well all the time.