How to build a VA business that you'll love
Becoming a VA is the perfect time to create a unique business that suits your skills, strengths and personality. You don’t have to stick to a standard job description so you can follow your heart and create your own! And if you don’t know how to do something yet but you realllllly want to, then learn it and monetise your skills by offering that service to your clients.
It’s quite literally lifestyle design!
So if you:
Love using Pinterest for your personal projects, learn how to master Pinterest for business and become a Pinterest VA
Or maybe you’re a dab hand at learning new tech tools, in which case you might want to become a Tech VA
Orrrrr maybe you love getting everybody’s ducks in a row and would be great at becoming a systems specialist
I definitely stuck with what I knew when I first started my VA biz in 2016. Because I had years of PA experience under my belt it seemed natural to offer classic PA services to my clients, and to me it was the best of both worlds. Work I enjoyed doing and was good at, plus the freedom and flexibility of self-employment. However there were parts of my old job I didn’t enjoy, so I made sure I didn’t offer those as services to my clients.
Win-win.
I remember that first week as a business owner like it was yesterday. The freedom was unreal! No more asking to go out for lunch…….no more asking colleagues to answer my phone while I was away from my desk……..no more holiday request forms!
Literally the best work decision I ever made.
But as time went on I realised I was capable of a lot more than what I was offering my clients, so I began to take on more work and moved into a sort of business manager type role and project manager. I carved out my own space and owned it.
So, how do you go about deciding what ‘your thing’ will look like? And how do you make sure there are clients out there who will actually pay you for what you want to do?
Well, this is exactly where I start when I begin working with the VAs I mentor. It’s so important to get these foundations in place before you even begin to start building your biz if you really want to create something that brings you joy.
Here are a few tips to get you started on your ‘I love my VA biz’ journey (or re-started on it, if you’re a veteran VA who’s looking for realignment):
What do you enjoy doing?
Think about things you enjoy in your current or past job. It might not be immediately obvious so you may need to dig in a little bit. For example, do you enjoy organising events but not the stress that goes with it? Or maybe you enjoy talking to people or solving problems, but just not in your current work setting? Write a list and don’t hold back - write down everything you enjoy.
What group of people do you feel aligned with?
Do you get a buzz hanging out with creative people? Or perhaps you feel aligned with entrepreneurs who have a clear social conscience? Or are you a working mum and you want to help make the lives of other mums in business a whole lot easier? Whatever group of business owners you feel drawn to, there is most certainly a need for VA support. It’s just a matter of positioning yourself as the go-go VA for that group.
What do you need to learn?
This one may take a bit of research. Write a list of your skills and the tools you feel comfortable learning in the near term. Are there any gaps that you can already see? Are there any areas you want to explore? Once you’ve got a broad idea of what you know and can pick-up, start to hang out where your ideal client (or group you feel aligned with) spends their time to see what they’re struggling with - try Facebook and LinkedIn groups and a bit of Instagram following too. Are there any skills they’re crying out for in a VA, or a particular piece of software that they need support with?
Remember that this is all your starting point, as any VA worth their salt will carry on learning throughout the life of their business. The online world is a fast paced one after all.
lastly, Feel forward
Close your eyes and picture yourself in 5 years time. Allow yourself to imagine doing what you love to do and getting paid for it. Think about the feeling you would get as you wake up on a Monday morning. Imagine enjoying what you do every single day, as just because you find something easy and enjoyable, it doesn't mean that everyone else does, and that means there's a market for your skills.
Now, more than ever before, is the time to follow your passions and carve out the life you’ve always wanted!
