VA Secrets Revealed! The Blog

Virtual Assistance: The Nuts and Bolts

OK, just in case you're new to virtual assistance, here is my bare bones definition of what a virtual assistant is:

A virtual assistant (VA) is a business owner, typically partnering with multiple clients on an independent contractor basis. A VA is an entrepreneur. VAs provide business services to clients located anywhere in the world, from the VA's own office, by using various types of technology. Many VAs have a background in administrative assistance, but there is an increasing number of VAs with experience in areas as diverse as design, marketing, training and writing. Being a VA is not so much about what you do, but how you do it.

For more information on the industry, visit the International Virtual Assistants Association (www.ivaa.org).

What is a Virtual Assistant, anyway?

The fact that you're reading this blog tells me that you already have a really good idea of what a virtual assistant is. There are a lot of definitions floating around out there, outlining what a VA does and doesn't do (that discussion will definitely be a post of its own!), but to me, the most important part of the definition is that a VA is a business owner. 

It seems that a common struggle among VAs, especially when building their businesses, is getting clients to understand and respect that we are not their employees. It’s a learning experience on both sides -– for the client and the VA. It can be difficult to get the differences clear in your mind, and even harder to get it across to your client without creating an awkward situation. 

Here are my tips for making the separation between business owner and employee:

• Use an independent contractor agreement
• Be very specific about what you will and won't do as part of your working relationship
• Create boundaries
• Provide services for multiple clients
• Address possible problems or misunderstandings quickly

Just keep in mind that many times working with you will be your client's first relationship with a VA. So be patient, be clear and communicate.