4 Tips To Succeed As A Virtual Assistant

The rest of this series is directed toward how to manage VAs.  But you’re a VA and you’ve found your way here, so while I’ve got your attention, here’s 4 tips for how you can succeed as a virtual assistant.

1. Provide samplesof your work before or during the interview.
   • If you’ll be answering phones, provide an mp3 recording
   • Give a sample email report (Hopefully, you’re following the guidelines I recommended)
   • Give a video introduction (no longer than 1 minute).  This isn’t about your resume, it’s you…putting a face on your skills, being friendly and being yourself.  Uncomfortable on camera?  Not anymore.
2. Learn how to do a quick product or web research.  You can always go deeper (if they ask), but get the basic info to your boss fast.
3. Check out my post about the skills/behaviors that we managers covet in Virtual Assistants and do them!
4. Learn the online tools VAs use:  online collaboration, sales conversation tracking, meeting scheduling, event marketing, video conference calling.  Start your learning here: zoho, batchblue, timebridge, eventbrite, fuzemeeting and skype.  Here’s a quick tip on where to look during a video conference call.

Bonus Tip

Ok, I know I said 4 but this one is so basic to me, but not everyone knows it.  Most people use Google to look up what they need to know.  But if you’ve got anytime of “how do I…” question, go to YouTube.  There will probably be a video of a 12 year old walking you through it, but they’ve got it down!

One Last Thought

Oh and many managers don’t realize just how much they can delegate to a VA.  So…

1. Do a great job on your first assignments.
2. Pay attention to what they do and
3. what their business is
4. then make recommendations of tasks you can handle (that match your skills, of course).  I love it when people do this!

Anything you want to add?

Jenn

The Virtual Assistant Series:

• You’ve Hired A VA…Now What?!
• Doing “The Vulcan Mind” Meld With Your VA
• How To Manage Me – Tips From The VAs
• How To Manage VAs – 5 Tips From The Pros
• What Tasks Can I Assign To a VA?
• VA Coveted Skills & The Interview Questions You Need
• The #1 Hiring Mistake I’ve Made
• 4 Tips To Succeed As A Virtual Assistant

The Virtual Business Series:

• Lessons Learned Managing A Virtual Team
• 5 Tools For The Virtual Company
• Creating A Virtual Business
• No More Herding Cats – Easily Coordinate Meetings

Image owned by Vettanna