You can become a virtual assistant while still holding your full-time job: it’s a genius way to cope with the current economic situation. If you’ve thought about cutting back on some of your lifestyle expenses but it doesn’t seem like a satisfying choice, this is for you.
You can counter the situation by getting a part-time job to provide the extra income required to support your lifestyle. The best way to earn such an income is by becoming a virtual assistant.
Find something you love doing and have a skill in then find clients who’re willing to pay you to help them. Here is how you can do it while still keeping your full-time job.
Decide on Your Preferred VA Specialization
The first step to kick-starting your VA part-time job is deciding on your field of specialization. There are many services you can offer as a virtual assistant. Here is a mention of the few common areas of specialization:
Social media management
Bookkeeping and financial services
Administrative VA
SEO content writer
Copywriter
Graphics designer
Web designer
The list can go on depending on the market demands. But you get an idea of why you need to choose your area of specialization.
There are many factors to consider before making this decision. But the most important one should be your skills.
It would be best to start with a familiar field. For example, if you are an accountant in your 9 to 5 job, start by being a bookkeeping virtual assistant.
However, there is no limit to your field of specialization as a virtual assistant. The skills required for any can always be acquired online for free. There are many online sites, such as Hubspot academy, where you can acquire the skills you need to be a professional virtual assistant.
Organize Your Schedule
The fact that you will be working part-time as a virtual assistant means you have to plan your time more effectively. Lack of proper time management will make you fail to deliver the best performance on your 9 to 5 job, your part-time VA job, or both.
Even though this is a part-time venture, it requires the same dedication to make it work. Therefore, a schedule will help you share your time effectively. Create a schedule that leaves you with enough time to:
Work your 9-to-5 job
Study and acquire new skills for your VA business
Conduct meetings with your customers
Attend online interviews/calls with potential clients
Complete client’s projects before the deadline
Market your business
Spend time with family and friends
Ensure that your schedule is flexible to allow for changes when needed.
Create Your Online Portfolio
Sorry to burst your bubble, but VA clients don’t magically appear online. You have to search for clients and convince them to work with you.
Do you remember how you applied for your current 9 to 5 job by sending your resume and attending an interview? Well, the experience is quite similar to finding clients, but you need an online portfolio instead of a resume.
You may host your online VA portfolio on popular sites like LinkedIn, where clients can easily find you. If you have the means, you can create your virtual assistant website. Then market this website on your social media pages and also through email marketing.
The next step is to use your online portfolio to apply for jobs on several online platforms, including Fiverr, Upwork, and LinkedIn.
Define Your Target Customers
In your niche only, you’ll be competing for the same customers with many other VAs. But you can increase your efficiency by targeting a specific customer niche.
The fastest way to identify this niche is by creating your buyer persona. That will require you to research your target customers and identify unique patterns.
There are many benefits to creating a buyer persona for your VA services. But the main one is that it improves your marketing efficiency. Once you have a buyer persona, creating personalized marketing content will be easier for you.
Network Consistently
You may be a pro in your 9 to 5 job but getting into the VA business is a whole new adventure. There are many new things you need to learn to navigate being a professional VA.
The orientation can be tough for you because, unlike in an office setting, there are no employees or supervisors to help you around. You just have to figure these things out on your own.
But you don’t have to if you have other experienced VAs guiding you through this process. For example, they will offer you tips on how to price your services and how to pitch to your clients.
Market Your Services
In one way or the other, you have to let people know that you are offering certain VA services. You have to find a way to create a level of awareness around your brand. You can start small by informing your family, friends, and other contacts in your network.
You can also bank on digital marketing techniques for broader awareness. Explore options such as email marketing, social media marketing, and SEO content marketing.
Creating an online marketing campaign for your VA services will be easier now that you have established your buyer persona. You can now personalize the marketing campaign to target only your ideal customers.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to kick-start your VA adventure, we just have the right startup kit for you. Sign up for the Free VA Mixer hosted by Marie as she shares the tricks, tips, and information on navigating a multifaceted VA.