What Skills Must a Virtual Assistant Have?
Becoming a virtual assistant isn’t really as simple as saying “I think I’m ready to start my own business, I want to work from home and I think I’ll give the virtual assistant field a try.” First, you’re going to need to have some administrative skills and experience. You’re going to need to have a business plan, and the tools that you’ll need to operate your business on a day to day business – a computer, certain software, a phone, fax capabilities (whether you have a fax machine or use an online service), etc.
Virtual assistant skills start with basics like multi-tasking and just being able to sit down and work independently. Then there are communication skills – you’ll need to be able to be personable and knowledgeable when you answer calls or emails for one of your clients, but you’ll also need to keep the tone professional.
Similarly, if – as a part of your virtual assistant business – you offer a particular service, you’ll need to have the skills necessary to do the job well. For example, if you offer to write and submit press releases for your clients, you’ll need to know the basic construction of a press release, and you’ll need to know the best way of getting the word out to those who can act on the information. If you’re going to offer bookkeeping services as a part of your VA business, accounting is a great virtual assistant skill to have.
However, not every skill is going to be that specific. Marketing skills should be a priority – both for your clients and for your own VA business. Customer service skills are really important too.
Kandra Hamric – Real Estate Virtual Assistant
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