| Virtual assisting has become a rapidly growing | | | | Certification is not necessary to becoming |
| trend among many who choose to work from | | | | successful at virtual assisting. It would certainly |
| home. While many are attracted to the flexibility | | | | help your chances of gaining clients early in the |
| working from home can offer, most are still in | | | | field; especially if you lack experience. However, if |
| the dark regarding the responsibilities of a virtual | | | | you would like to specialize in a certain field of |
| assistant and what it may or may not entail. A | | | | virtual assisting such as for law or medical, then |
| huge misconception is that a virtual assistant is | | | | getting certified would definitely be a plus. The |
| only a typist or someone who just administers | | | | important thing is to plug into groups, associations, |
| data entry for their clients. Though typing is one | | | | and professionals already successful at virtual |
| fraction of the responsibility relating to virtual | | | | assisting. There you can learn tips, get the best |
| assisting, there are many more tasks associated. | | | | advice on getting started, and the support you |
| What is a Virtual Assistant? | | | | need to follow through when times get rough. |
| A virtual assistant is someone who works from | | | | How much should I charge? |
| their home doing administrative tasks for | | | | There is not a standard rate across the board |
| companies and independent clients. These tasks | | | | when starting out. It's best to research what the |
| can include a range of skills such as planning | | | | average rate is in the industry, assess your skills |
| events, setting up meetings and setting | | | | and experience and go from there. You want to |
| appointments, making and answering client sales | | | | remember though that you are acting as a |
| calls, writing and mailing letters or memos, | | | | business. You pay your own insurance, taxes, and |
| organizing client schedules, creating or managing | | | | other miscellaneous costs associated with owning |
| databases, transcribing, creating spreadsheets, | | | | a business. You buy your own printer paper, ink, |
| desktop publishing, doing research, making travel | | | | pens, office supplies as well as pay for phone bills, |
| arrangements, paying bills, and many more. The | | | | internet bills, and more. You want to be fair but |
| more experience and skill you have in a certain | | | | you should also be smart. You provide a legitimate |
| arena, the better. | | | | service that serves a need to your clients in a |
| Is This a Job? | | | | professional accurate manner and you deserve |
| There are companies that hire virtual assistants | | | | the rate you expect. So adjust your rates wisely. |
| and they are placed with the company. Normally | | | | Starting out on any path to success has its pitfalls. |
| however, virtual assistants are independent | | | | Start out by learning the mistakes early and how |
| contractors and set up their services as a | | | | you can avoid them. Seek out a mentor to help |
| business owner providing a service to the client. | | | | you with your goals and assist you with learning |
| Virtual assistants market themselves by setting | | | | the ropes. Who knows, 10 years from now |
| up a professional website, obtain clients through | | | | someone may reach out for your advice out to |
| freelance websites and internet marketing, and | | | | begin their virtual assisting career. And that's when |
| even establish more credibility by getting certified. | | | | you know you've made it. |
| Do I have to get certified? | | | | |