va tips – 20four7VA

Self-Improvement: How to be a Marketable VA

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1649143956785{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]There is no such thing as being complacent when you are on the path to becoming a great VA. Getting noticed for your skills is one thing, but remaining in demand is another.

More often than not, virtual assistants succumb to mediocrity. Some are happy to stick with their current skills and do not bother to upgrade or learn new skills. However, working online requires constant learning as online jobs and the skills required to perform them are ever growing. In this industry, everything advances quickly. You might be in one day, but you can easily be out the next.

If you want to keep your job as a VA, you must follow some self-improvement measures to remain highly marketable and relevant. Here are some helpful tips:

Be a good communicator.

The best VA isn’t always the one with the long and impressive list of skills. What really sets an exceptional VA apart from the rest are good communication skills. Why is this so important? No matter how skilled you are, if you do not know how to communicate well, everything gets lost in translation.

Getting your message across is entirely different from expressing what you know and understand. By being a good communicator, you are able to speak clearly and work efficiently with a team. You know how to listen to your peers and how to have an open line of communication with your client so that when things are unclear, you are always willing to talk things through. Working online means that clear communication is vital. When you have doubts and concerns, always feel free to communicate.

Always ask for feedback.

It’s normal to feel apprehensive when it comes to asking for feedback, but this is the best way to know if you are delivering the results that your client wants. After submission, ask for a reaction and simply state that you want to make sure that what you are delivering meets their expectations. This shows initiative and speaks volumes of your work ethic. Do not be afraid of constructive criticism. These will help you evolve and become better at your craft.

Ask questions.

Just like asking for feedback, asking questions will make you better. If you don’t understand something, swallow your pride and ask. Clients do not demand perfection. What they seek is someone who makes an effort.

There will be times when you will be faced with confusing tasks, so take initiative and ask. There is no better way to find out exactly what your client means than asking. This prevents tedious revisions of work.

Do not be afraid to make mistakes.

It’s impossible to know everything, so don’t be afraid to admit to committing errors. It’s the effort to become better that is highly appreciated by clients. If at some point, you make a mistake, do not be afraid to ask for mentoring and guidance. Make it a habit to ask questions when necessary. Remember, asking questions does not make you dumb. Keeping silent does.

Learn new skills.

Being well-rounded is one of best traits a VA can have. You may easily learn new skills via free webinars and tutorials. All these are readily available online. Having the initiative to learn is something that all clients appreciate. With the fast-paced growth of technology, acquiring new skills is a must. Always seek out new things to learn. It may not be in your list of expertise yet, but every expert started out as a beginner. In fact, many VAs have crossed over from being customer service agents to writers, graphic designers and HR personnel. The possibilities are endless! There are no limits when it comes to learning.

Hopefully, these tips can help you on your journey to becoming a VA. The staff at 20Four7VA are always ready to support you. If you need help with anything or you have concerns with your client, please feel free to contact us and we will gladly help in any way that we can. Best of luck to our dear VAs!

Once you have the job, you have to make sure that you’re well-equipped to handle it.

Next: Qualities that will Make you Ace your Virtual Assistant Job.

20Four7VA recognizes the challenge of effectively managing an online business – and we are very eager to help. Our company specializes in eCommerce VIRTUAL STAFFING SOLUTIONS, providing customizable and scalable solutions to small, medium, and large enterprise business owners so they can focus on growing their business.

Ready to have access to incredible people with incredible skills in the most cost-effective way? Give us a call at our toll free number 1 (443) 856-4882 today![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] READ MORE

Real Talk: What Does it Really Take to Become a 20Four7VA Virtual Assistant

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re thinking of becoming a 20Four7VA virtual assistant. Or you’re already one for that matter. The fact that you’re taking the time to read this shows that you want to know not just the ins and outs of being a VA but also how one can excel in this particular field.

There are plenty of misconceptions about what VAs do. Some even assume that anyone can do it and that it’s just a walk in the park. The reality is, being a VA is more complex than it appears to be. So what does it really take to become an exceptional 20Four7VA virtual assistant? Read on:

You have to be hard-working

Newsflash! Working from home doesn’t mean less work. In reality, there will be times when you’ll have loads of work compared to your “office” peers. In office settings, there are times for just hanging out with office mates hence the term “water cooler talk”. There are also meetings that last for hours.

When you work from home, there are very minimal breaks and chances for socializing are nil. You’re also paid by the hour so you need to maximize your time as much as possible—which brings us to our second point.

You have to manage your time efficiently

Working from home means a higher chance of getting distracted. Since you are your own manager, you have to prioritize tasks according to importance and urgency. Make sure to execute them in a timely manner so you don’t run out of time.

Usually, clients assign tasks at the onset of shift so most expect completion at the end of the day. Most times, this would mean hours of uninterrupted work for you. By managing your time wisely, you will be able to deliver the client’s expected results.

You have to be flexible

The interests of the client always come first. This is especially true when you’re a 20Four7VA Virtual Assistant.

There will be times when they’ll request for an impromptu meeting. It could be late at night or during early mornings depending on your client’s location. You must be willing to adjust to these certain situations.

You have to be willing to learn new things

To stay ahead of the game, you have to acquire new skills every now and then. There will be times when a client will request you to do things that are beyond the scope of your current skill sets. Take this as an opportunity to expand your knowledge.

Luckily, you don’t need to spend a ton to learn some of these skills. All you have to do is look for free webinars and tutorials.

Interested in graphic design? Go for it and study basic Photoshop, Adobe, etc. The more skills you have, the more chances of acquiring clients!

You have to be a fast learner

Learning new skills through webinars and tutorials require a quick learning curve. Be willing to adapt to the fast-paced environment of technology. Your clients will request you to use tools and new applications and you can’t be afraid or hesitant of change. At 20Four7VA, we regularly train our VAs. Keep an open mind and just practice. You will learn anything if you put your mind into it!

You must be thick-skinned

Really, there will be times that you won’t be recognized for your efforts. It’s just the way it is. There will be days when you’ve done your best and still the client isn’t happy. Be tenacious. The work of a 20Four7VA virtual assistant is not for the faint of heart.

Be thick skinned. Stay on the course and just do what you have to do. In the long run, your work will speak for itself.

You must communicate well with people

This is an essential trait for all VAs. In order to avoid miscommunication, you should be able to communicate your opinions and thoughts in a clear manner. Document everything . Take screenshots if you must.

Most discussions will be through Skype or email so it’s easy to keep track of any conversations especially when it comes to instructions. Use common courtesy and keep things professional all times.

Lastly, understand that you are replaceable

Since you work in a virtual setting, a client can drop you anytime. Be willing to accept that. The VA industry is very competitive and you’re competing against VAs from around the globe!

But take heart! As long as you remain professional and you’re dedicated to providing outstanding results, you’ll thrive in this industry.

Just work hard, build up your portfolio, and acquire new skills so you’ll have more to offer. Lastly, enjoy what you do. After all, not everyone has the privilege of working in their pajamas while sipping a cup of coffee!