If you're going to be a successful virtual assistant, then you absolutely have to be an effective communicator. In this line of work, you will be expected to communicate with your employers and, in some cases, with clients several times throughout the day. If you are not good at expressing yourself both verbally and with the written word, then there is no way that you can succeed. Fortunately, being a good communicator isn't all that difficult if you keep a few simple tips in mind.
First and foremost, remember that you are performing a service. You are not your employer's friend! Therefore, it is important that you be and sound professional at all times. When you send work-related emails, always use proper grammar. How you write is a reflection on you! Do not use informal language or insert emoticons, such as smiley faces, into your emails. Remember the manner in which you wrote when you applied for the job. No doubt, it was very professional and showed you at your very best. You need to keep up that level of professionalism for the duration of your employment. These guidelines go for phone conversations as well. When on the phone with an employer or client, speak professionally and properly. Make sure that you are in a quiet room with no background noise and that you speak clearly and slowly.
Another thing that you should think about, ideally before you even take the job, is understanding exactly what is expected of you. Make sure that your employer has laid down clear guidelines for what he or she wants and needs, for how you are to interact with clients, and for everything else in between. If you are ever unsure, do not be afraid to ask. Many people don't ask questions because they think this will make them look incompetent. On the contrary, however, seeking clarification shows that doing a good job is important to you and that you will take every measure to ensure that you do so.
If your work involves deadlines, always, always meet them on time. If you can ever deliver prior to a deadline, that's even better. The quickest way to lose a job is by not being reliable. When working "virtually," people often don't take their work as seriously as they would if they were actually traveling to work each day. Don't make this mistake. Just as the salary you earn is real, your work is very real and serious and should be treated as such at all times.
Should You Become a Virtual Assistant?
I get asked A LOT, what it's like being a Virtual Assistant. I am more than happy to share because I know there are many moms/women stuck in miserable dead-end jobs feeling like they have no options. I was in that same position once too; I know how "that" feels. But I think people also ask because they secretly want to know if I am starving to death or ready to fade away from boredom.I am happy to say, NO to both :)
Creating a Virtual Assistant Resume
Working as a virtual assistant doesn't require you to have certain credentials and qualifications. If you want a successful home business and don't have prior experience, offer services to your clients based on your existing skills. There are additional factors to take into consideration. You should have a well equipped home office and the necessary certifications if you are going to offer services that require them, but one of the most important tools that a successful virtual assistant has is a well written resume. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't know how to write a resume that gets noticed by potential clients.
Marketing Your Virtual Assistant Services + Top 10 Marketing Tips
When you make the decision to work as a virtual assistant, one of the most important attributes you can have is knowing how to market yourself. Millions of people sell the same products and services that you do, so it's essential that you learn marketing strategies that will make you stand apart from the competition. When you take the time to learn to do this properly, potential customers will come to you for what they need rather than a competing business owner.
