Many individuals want to transition to being virtual assistants nowadays. And with the perceived perks of the job, who wouldn’t want to be one? Working from home, flexible work schedules, and lucrative pay make being a virtual assistant a wonderful profession for anyone.
But seasoned VAs know that it’s not all fun and games. It takes skill, tons of learning, and sleepless nights (literally) to be successful in this field. And we’ve prepared some helpful tips if you aspire to be a virtual assistant.
Tip#1: A Smart Virtual Assistant Practices Time Blocking
Handling a variety of tasks is like a juggler balancing multiple balls in the air – it may look easy but requires a lot of skill and planning. You might think that doing everything at once is good, but it can lead to mental stress that will hinder productivity.
Time to discover the magic of ‘Time Blocking.’ This method revolves around segmenting your workday into blocks, where each block is dedicated to a set of tasks.
So, for an 8-hour workday, you can allocate the first two hours for answering emails, calling back customers, and the like. The next two to four hours can be your time to work on bigger tasks, like creating content or managing customer accounts. Then the last two hours can be spent on project management and updating social media.
Time blocking also includes setting your break times. Giving yourself breaks in between tasks can help in refocus during the shift and avoid burnout. Also, resting your eyes from time to time can reduce eye strain, especially since you’re in front of the computer for some time.
Tip #2: Establish a Constant Work Routine
Working from home as a virtual assistant can blur the lines between work time and personal time. Since you’re at home most of the time, it can affect how your mind processes the difference. It doesn’t help that many at-home VAs can work in their pajamas.
This is where setting up a routing while working helps a lot in succeeding in this profession. Just like in the office setting, following a routine can get your tasks done faster and more efficiently. Plus, it makes the distinction between work and personal time clearer, reducing burnout and low productivity.
One tip when it comes to this includes prioritizing tasks based on urgency, like responding to emails and scheduling posts at the start of the shift. Additionally, practicing the time-blocking method we discussed earlier maximizes your productivity while completing more tasks.
Tip #3: Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
While working remotely offers a wealth of perks, it also poses several challenges. One of which is getting quick feedback or answers from your client, which can negatively impact your productivity as a virtual assistant.
That’s why we encourage constantly letting your client know if you have questions regarding the task or are unsure of how to proceed. Establishing good communication with your client not only helps in getting the task done but also shows the client your concern on properly doing things the right way. In the event of any delays in project completion, inform your client right away to set proper expectations and adjust when needed.
Tip #4: Stay Updated with the Virtual Assistant Industry
The virtual assistant industry constantly shifts to the needs of the market. Back in the day, all a virtual assistant needed was some basic computer skills, a good grasp of the English language, and knowing where to find a client. Nowadays, it takes a whole lot more to be a competent virtual assistant.
To be a more viable virtual assistant, we recommend expanding your horizons and being on the lookout for new things the industry has to offer. Joining groups on social media that cater to virtual assistants can give you more insight into industry changes, along with helpful guidance on how to improve on the craft.
It’s also good to train yourself with new skills, like web design, article writing, and basic bookkeeping. Having more skills at your disposal makes you indispensable to your client.
There you have it, four tips from the experts on becoming a professional virtual assistant from Ijara Manila. We hope that these will inspire you to take a serious step into this industry and drive your career forward.