How did I become a virtual assistant?
The short answer is: I said YES.
Every time someone asked me to do something, I always said YES. Always.
Even if I didn’t know how to do it… I said YES.
I’m not afraid of challenges.
I took it as an opportunity to learn. I would put in 2 hours to learn how to do something for the first time, and billed my client the 30 minutes it should have taken me IF I HAD KNOWN how to do it. And guess what? I was able to offer that to my other clients…. and get faster and faster.
I gained confidence. I grew my skillset.
None of that would have happened if I said NO.
It’s hard in my work-at-home-mom world to get a chunk of time to figure something out and problem solve an online technical solution or get organized or craft well-thought-out emails and articles and sale copy.
But I had to say YES. I created that time.
Getting things done and learning something new to me is a tangible result. When I am finished, I feel happy that I accomplished something, learned something new, solved a problem.
Is it scary to learn something new? YES.
It is scary to put yourself out there? YES.
Do I have time to be perfect and know it all? NO.
A good Virtual Assistant/ Business Sidekick says YES to the business owner and finds a way and gets it done.
The long answer is: I said YES.
Someone asked me to help them with their media relations and Facebook Page. Help them get more business. Someone had recommended me personally because of my current position. I wasn’t looking for side work, but I wanted to help. I said YES.
When I first started 10 years ago, I had very little knowledge of the Facebook “marketing game” , but I knew the basics of posting just like anyone out there under 75! I knew the local media market, but I was about to MOVE AWAY and lose those contacts. That didn’t stop me. I did it all virtually. I wrote press releases and pitched my stories to the right editors from my laptop. I posted to Facebook for my client to promote their events and news from my laptop. I tried to create virals and personal posts that I could do for them on my own without their content/help/management, not knowing that was part of the Facebook game. I got them some media gigs and interviews. I helped update their website.
As a virtual assistant, I basically said YES to helping my first business owners with whatever they needed. Along the way, I doubted myself and my skills. I couldn’t believe they were paying me a monthly retainer for this type of “fun” work. I felt like I should be doing more. And I was very limited in what I could do for them. If they didn’t provide me info, I couldn’t do much. I felt guilty. But when I got wins for them I felt AMAZING. I had this random skillset of being able to figure stuff out and still write and it was paying off!!! I realized these business owners just needed the extra HELP…. from someone SMART and RELIABLE… to get something off their plate. … to have someone they trust to handle this “media side of things.” It’s not that they couldn’t do it. They just didn’t have the time. The more I worked for them, the more I learned … and the more clients I picked up along the way. Read more about my story here.
Eventually a good friend saw a posting for an up-and-coming blogger who needed help creating her first media kit. She shared the post with me. I had written a media kit, but never designed one. I said YES. Not even thinking she would want my help. Why not try? I wasn’t even looking for work. I had two kids and was pregnant with my third. This blogger picked me to help! I felt in over my head. But this was no different then the printing and marketing materials I produced in my old full-time job with a legit graphic designer!! I hired a friend to help me with the design (thank you, Mary). I helped set up this client’s Google Analytics to get the stats I needed, which I may have never done before ? (Shhhhh…) I saw some opportunities for her to grow her business … not even thinking this would be long-term .. just because I’m helpful and I think like that.. And here I am 5 years later …. her right-hand social media virtual assistant. And all because I said YES and figured stuff out.
My skillset started with a basic knowledge: writing, posting to social media, public relations … and I grew it to be more than that.
If you want to be a virtual business builder/helper/assistant/sidekick I can teach you the beginning skills to get the job. After that you just say YES.
Head’s up: the first question I’ll ask you is what your basic skill set it. So be ready for that.
If you’re scared of computers…
If you don’t know English grammar and how to write complete sentences…
If you’re not organized and thorough…
If you’re scared to say YES or put yourself out there in new territories…
then please do not add yourself to my email list.
This type of work is not for you!
This online virtual assistant work is only for honest, determined go-getters who like to learn and help and say YES and follow-through. Say yes and join me here.
