7 Myths to Getting Started as a Virtual Assistant
Do you have what feels like 10,000 questions on how to get started as a VA?
You’ve spent all your time googling and researching and reading #alltheblogs.
You even raked up enough dough to splurge on a few skills courses and then forgot about them. You’re doing everything possible to move the needle forward…
But yet, you’re still not exactly sure what your first step should be.
Well, you’re not alone.
A lot of people never get started in creating their online business, because there are so many misconceptions of what you actually need to get started.
When I first started, I had my brain, my computer, and a littttle bit of online experience (+ my badass business coach).
That’s it!
So if you’re feeling stuck…
Here are 7 *MYTHS* that might be holding you back from creating a life you’re in love with:
Myth #1:
I NEED A WEBSITE, A LOGO, AND A BUSINESS NAME.
🌟 Fact: In the beginning, these things only serve as a huge distraction.
Rather than spending time refining your skills and learning how to get clients, you may be wasting your time (and money) trying to look “official” and do what you think you’re supposed to.
Don’t get me wrong, a website can be useful and branding can be a whole lotta fun, but when I was a VA I actually NEVER had a website or any of that 😉 It’s just not necessary in the beginning (learn what you can do instead).
I’ve also witnessed several of my students successfully gain 5+ clients in their first 30 days of business, WITHOUT any of that crap (website, logo, biz name).
What defines a true business is whether or not you are serving clients and getting paid to do it! Trust me, the rest can come later, but the goal here is to start landing you some serious clientele ASAP.
Myth #2:
Fact: Another distraction to help you feel “official” and prove to mom, dad, and your colleagues, that you are running a REAL business. The truth of the matter is, when you’re first starting out as VA, you won’t need a facebook business page.
Here’s what your potential clients will actually want to get their eyes on: Your personal facebook page.
Yes, we’ve all been guilty of this: gotten a name and the first thing we do is type it into that blue search bar. Call it light-stalking, whatever, but we’re talking potential hire here.
Be conscious of what your profile may look like from an outsider’s perspective.
Now, that doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun and be unashamedly *YOU* on your profile. Continue posting your favorite cat videos or photos of your trip to a wine-tasting vineyard. Because who knows? Your next client might just be a wine connoisseur or have their own little cat obsession.
Completely filtering your profiles isn’t necessary, just be aware of the things you are posting and sharing. You’re not a robot that gives out Virtual Assistant tips. People want to see the REAL you. The one that likes cats and all. 
Myth #3:
Fact: No degree required. All you need is a little bit of online experience (or past office/admin experience), common sense, and a willingness to LEARN.
In my experience, an entrepreneur just wants someone WHO THEY CAN TRUST to take over certain tasks for them. Whether you know them before or are a super quick learner… they’re happy either way 
At the end of the day, you are saving them time and giving them more time to do things they love. They trust you to get the job done and you don’t need a piece of paper to prove that! And heck, if they like you, they’ll teach you everything you need to know to take over the tasks at hand.
Myth #4:
Fact: Becoming a VA is not like an MLM or network marketing. When you become a VA, you’re working as a “freelancer” or “independent contractor” so you’re all on your own! There’s no team, downline, anyone above you, etc.
I can almost guarantee you’re more likely going to be working with someone a few states away, if not a whole country! Clients can come from all over the world. The online world is so broad and filled with job opportunities, that as a virtual assistant, no in-person networking is required. You can build a full client load without ever meeting your clients in person.
I myself, along with 90% of my students, have successfully found their clients through networking and Facebook groups, rather than in-person opportunities.
Myth #5:
Fact: This is just NOT true! There are so many ways to find clients, it’s not just about reaching out to people in your current network.
So don’t let thoughts like “Well ok, great Rebecca, but I don’t know anyone who owns an online business…” stop you from diving in.
Being a VA is all about connections and relationships.
As soon as you start building solid relationships with your first few clients, they will refer you to their friends and other online business owners, and suddenly you’re in this whole new world of online biz and biz owners… it’s magical!
Are you starting to see how this is much more possible for you now?! Just a few more myths here to get you past the “I’m not sure I can do this” hump…
Myth #6:
[The blank could be social media, FB ads, digital marketing, etc… you name it.] Fact: People aren’t looking for perfect, they’re looking to hire someone they can *trust*.
Entrepreneurs want to know they can count on you. The biggest reason someone will hire you is to do things they don’t want to do nor have the time to do.
They just want someone on their team who they can trust to get the job done for them.
And if there’s something you aren’t familiar with doing, 9 out of 10 times, they are going to be so willing to teach you! Simply because they like you and can rely on you to learn it fairly quick and execute it as great, if not better, than they would.
When systems aren’t working, will you be the one coming to your client with a problem in hand or a problem with a solution already attached? Can they trust you to handle it for them?
They care more about the answers to those questions ^^ than they do about you being an expert in FB ads or digital marketing.
As a virtual assistant, you’ll also be handling very personal details that come with running a biz. Credit card numbers, security passwords, and/or emails in their inbox…
If you can establish trust and effectively communicate what life would look like to work with you to your potential clients, this will take you farther than positioning yourself as an expert at something.
Myth #7:
Fact: As a new VA, everything is about TESTING. Testing what you like and don’t like, testing systems, testing flows, testing prices, testing packages. And whatever doesn’t work or feel good, you can tweak for next time.
My *biggest* piece of advice when you’re first starting out is to be OPEN and WILLING to do or learn any type of task.
Now is not the time to pick the one thing you *think* you’ll be good at or create a package that you *think* people will want. Because you just won’t know until you’re out there actually doing it.
It’s also worth noting that when you get a VA job, it doesn’t mean you’re locked into it. If you get a job and you don’t like it, you can always find a new one. This is a period for you to LEARN what your potential niche is, who your ideal clients are, and how you can serve them.
So rather than creating a “Social Media Package” or a “Blog Management Package,” I recommend offering an Hours-Based Packages. You can even pitch a Trial Package with 5 or so hours to begin a new client relationship and tweak the package as you go. As time passes, you’ll get more of an idea of what packages suit your client’s needs best.
So… honesty time…
Have you been letting any of these keep you stuck?
If you have—it’s ok!
It’s one of those “you don’t know what you don’t know” things, right?
But…
Now you know 😉
So take a deep breathe, and let this all go.
Because it’s time to START making shit happen.
If you can feel the pull of your soul telling you it’s time to dive in, and you’re ready to throw these excuses out the window, head here to get more info on my upcoming masterclasses, bootcamps, and programs!
Talk soon!
xo-Rebecca
So if you’re READY to listen to that nagging feeling–to the pull of your soul begging you to take action & do something different…
Click the button below to find out how YOU can start the online biz of your dreams!
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