How to Become a Virtual Personal Assistant

Quickly get started as a virtual personal assistant

As the economy becomes more globalized, many businesses and individuals are outsourcing their tasks to virtual personal assistants. The virtual assistants (or VA) industry has seen a huge boom in the past several years, and can be a lucrative and rewarding way to use your organizational and computer skills right from your home office. With high-speed Internet access, you can quickly get started and provide excellent support and administrative services to anyone around the world, no matter where you are located.

Things You'll Need

• Organized work space
• Filing system for documents
• Computer
• High-speed Internet access
• Microsoft Office
• Printer
• Dedicated business phone line - either landline or cell phone
• VOIP program like Skype
• Basic office supplies - envelopes, paper, stamps, scissors, glue

Instructions

1. Determine if you have the right environment to become a virtual personal assistant. Virtual assistants are individual contractors who usually work out of their home office. You must have the proper equipment in order to fulfill the tasks that will be required of you. This usually means a clear, organized working space, a filing system to keep track of documents and tasks, a computer with Microsoft Office, a printer, basic office supplies like envelopes, paper, and stamps, high-speed Internet, VOIP programs like Skype, and a dedicated landline or cell phone for your business. Although free programs like Open Office have become popular, Microsoft Office is still the business standard for most of the world and is required to become a virtual assistant. Your client may assign you a very specific Microsoft Office related task such as creating a newsletter or brochure based upon a Microsoft Word or Office template.

2. Determine if you have the right computer skills to become a virtual personal assistant. A personal assistant not only must have excellent email and phone skills, but also must be proficient in computer skills such as word processing, data management and bookkeeping. This includes comfortable knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and either QuickBooks or Peachtree Accounting. Writing and grammar skills must be strong and it can also be useful to know basic HTML and web design skills as well as understand basic blogging platforms like Blogger or WordPress, especially since many clients are Web or Internet entrepreneurs. You should be up to date on all methods of Internet communications including Skype, instant messaging and social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

3. Make sure that your personality and character traits go well with the job of being a virtual personal assistant. Assistants need to be meticulously organized and excellent at keeping track of many different types of information and files. You need to be quick-thinking, enjoy multitasking and be confident in your ability to provide support to your clients. Many virtual assistants think of themselves as partners in their client's businesses, and because the work is virtual, they often work doubly hard to make sure that all tasks get accomplished efficiently and correctly.

4. Once you have ascertained that you have what it takes to be a virtual personal assistant, it is helpful to get certification and join an acknowledged organization such as the International Virtual Assistants Association. Certification proves that you have the skills necessary to be a virtual assistant, and being a member of a recognized association provides you with further credibility and merit. Fellow members can also provide advice, feedback, and support for you as you begin your career as a virtual personal assistant.

5. Advertise your services on contracting sites such as Elance, Guru and ODesk. You can bid on projects for people who are looking for a virtual personal assistant. You can also set up a business website to advertise your services. Whether you bid on individual projects or set up your own dedicated site, be sure to showcase all of your skills and provide a clear reason why you would make an excellent virtual personal assistant.

6. Be aware of the legal parameters for virtual assistants. Your clients may ask you to sign a non-disclosure agreement upon hiring you. This is just to ensure that you protect your clients' privacy by not sharing information about their business or the work you do for them. Non-disclosures are a standard business practice for virtual assistants. In addition, consult with the International Virtual Assistants Association to see if there are any particular liability issues that you need to be concerned with. You may want to draw up a contract that protects you and your business when you take on new clients.

Resources

• International Virtual Assistants Association
• Elance
• Guru.com
• ODesk