On Becoming a "Virtual Assistant"-- A Truly Portable Career
The emerging Virtual Assisting industry is presenting great opportunities for the "mobile" entrepreneur. If you had to sum up the lifestyle of many military spouses in one word, what would that word be? Perhaps "nomadic"-- with frequent moves leading to locations overseas, high cost areas, and areas where the prospects for employment may be poor. Or maybe "unsettled"-- never knowing when your partner might be called away. Then of course you have to take into account the often absent partner, a home that needs maintaining, and perhaps children that need raising-- so "chaos" might sum it up best.
A military spouse's career progression can come to a sudden halt because of this turbulent lifestyle. In some cases, a job outside of the home nets just about enough income to cover child care. And then, of course, is the fact that some parents would really prefer to be home with the children.
Thanks to the growth of the Internet and the emerging virtual assisting industry, military spouses whose expertise lies in the administrative support arena are finding it much easier to stretch their entrepreneurial wings.
Like the majority of their clients, virtual assistants are entrepreneurs-- highly skilled in their profession and able to have an impact on the productivity of those they work with. Traditionally, they have been known by many names: secretaries, administrative assistants, executive assistants, or bookkeepers, and until now it has been difficult to market their expertise outside of the corporate environment. But in an age where technology has made the world a much smaller place, and where more professionals are working from their homes or in satellite offices, the former "assistant" has become "virtual"-- and thanks to the Internet-- global!
Virtual Assistants may be hired by a wide range of clients-- Consultants, lawyers, import-export businesses, real estate agents, Human Resource Managers dealing with work overflow, and small busineses seeking to expand while maintaining flexibility and keeping overhead low. The increasing numbers of small businesses in the U.S. and abroad are affording administrative support experts with an entrepreneurial spirit opportunities that have never before been possible. Two out of three new businesses being started today are based in the owner's home. Most of these SOHOs (small office/home office) will reach an impasse very quickly-- they will be spending so much time on administrative tasks that they can no longer concentrate on growing their business. In short, they're going to need help.
Traditionally, the need for assistance has left the small business owner with several bleak options-- hire an expensive "temp" for a bandaid-style solution, take on a great deal of expense and responsibility with a "permanent" employee, or-- perhaps worst of all-- turn away work. Enter the Virtual Assistant-- the ultimate SOHO growth partner!
The online community has embraced the Virtual Assistant movement with gusto. There are now Virtual Assistant practices in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand, and with the buzz in the business community, the demand for Virtual Assistants is increasing globally. Business owners realize the Virtual Assistant/SOHO relationship is a win-win in the truest sense. Without having to hire staff, bring in extra equipment, or share their space, the SOHO gets the support they need so that they can concentrate on growing their business and the VA (also a SOHO) has an opportunity to stretch their entrepreneurial wings as CEO of their own company.
Work assignments are communicated through e-mail, phone, fax, mail, diskette transfer, and real-time online messaging. The services offered by Virtual Assistants vary from one individual to the next, based on their area of expertise. In addition to administrative support (word processing, scheduling, telephone service, etc.), many Virtual Assistants offer other, more specialized skills-- competitive research, Web site design, legal research, accounting, bookkeeping services, marketing support, translation, technical writing, etc. Virtual Assistants are becoming the de facto growth partners of SOHOs all over the world-- offering the SOHO executive full professional assistance with a variety of support responsibilities at the click of an e-mail icon.
The virtual nature of these relationships lends itself easily to the transient lifestyle which is so much a part of military family life. What makes a Virtual Assistant's business portable? Essentially, his or her Web site. While the Virtual Assistant may market him/herself "off-line" just as any other businessperson might-- brochures, local or regional networking, seminoars, etc.-- their "storefront" is an address on the World Wide Web, and much of their marketing will be done via the Internet, through mailing lists or "listservs," newsletters, direct e-mail, and the plethora of other marketing vehicles available online. Since there is rarely any need for the Web address to change, the Virtual Assistant's principle "location" remains constant wherever they go. The typical Virtual Assistance client, too, is flexible on the physical location of the Virtual Assistance, since the work rarely depends on the "street addres" of the Virtual Assistant's business.
Virtual Assistants bill by the hour (though occasionally by the project), at rates ranging from $15-$25, depending on the specialty. The hour arrangements makes Virtual Assistants especially attractive to the smaller business, since it can more easily control its expenditures, and needn't worry that salaries will be payable when the workflow ebbs.
Chris Durst, founder of the Virtual Assistant industry, answers some frequently asked questions that will help you decide if a virtual assisting practice might be right for you.
Every Virtual Assistant comes to the table with their own unique skills-- there is no "right" or "wrong" skill set for a Virtual Assistant, although naturally the broader their skills, the more marketable a Virtual Assistant will be.
We find that Virtual Assistants who have solid "core" skills are quite successful. These skills include working knowledge of the Internet, computer usage, and software. Basic word processing and spreadsheet capabilities are a definite plus!
Skills range from the basics listed above to highly-specialized areas like web design, graphic arts, "foreign" market expertise and/or language translation ability, technical writing, and more.
A Virtual Assistant should look at equipment acquisitions as investments of valuable capital that will be made only after a careful analysis of the practice's needs. It is possible to launch a successful practice with very little equipment. Start with:
ABSOLUTELY! It is said that every great journey starts with a single step-- you simply need to decide how large or small that first step will be for you. Financial, lifestyle, or other considerations often dictate that we make a gradual change.
Easing into your Virtual Assistant practice on a part-time basis is one of the safest and least painful ways to make the transition. Many new VAs keep their regular employment while building their practice "after hours." Both jobs can coexist peacefully; however, it will require some careful planning.
Make sure that your clients understand the limitations of your hours from the start, and be certain that you take into consideration the effect this transitional period will have on the significant others in your life (military partner, kids, etc.) You are sure to be working longer hours as you establish your practice, but it is a sound way to make the transition from employee to entrepreneur.
Finally, Durst suggests you ask yourself these questions:
Learn more about virtual assisting on the web by visiting these sites:
Chris Durst contributed this article at the invitation of The Career Coach. Virtual Assisting is an example of the innovative, new careers that are emerging as a result of growth in the information industries and the changing way we do business. Virtual Assisting is a career that seems to be tailor-made to the mobile military lifestyle, and its global/virtual perspective means it is a small business opportunity that truly PCSs with you! If you're thinking of becoming a Virtual Assistant and working from your home in government quarters, be sure to see Operating a Home-Based Business From Your Government Quarters.
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