How To Start Your Virtual Assistant Business In 2022

Have you been wondering about (or procrastinating) starting a virtual assistant business in 2022? If you’ve wanted to learn about a flexible home-based business, you can start as a side-hustle to your 9-5, or you’re trying to leave your dead-end job; becoming a virtual assistant might be the new career you need to think about starting. 

What Is A Virtual Assistant? 

A virtual assistant works remotely (usually their home) and performs administrative or technical tasks for an individual small business owner, online business, or corporation. A Virtual Assistant is an independent contractor. You are not an employee, and you are your boss, and you provide a specific or specific set of services.

The Key To Starting Your Virtual Assistant Business 

Starting an online business means starting with a blank slate. Just like a brick-and-mortar business, you are building from the ground up, and that means creating a solid foundation. 

Those essential foundations include: 

A Virtual Assistant Business Plan

Your business plan does not have to be something long and drawn out. However, you do need to decide, in detail, the goals of your business and how you want to see your business grow in one to five to ten years. You can even create your business plan to look like a vision board. The most important thing to remember is that you want to know what you plan to do, whom you want to do it for, and how you want your business to look in the future. 

Virtual Assistant Business Systems

Standard operating procedures exist for a reason. The systems you set up work together to run and automate specific tasks in your business. You will need a plan in place to onboard clients, off-board clients, market your business, and the day-to-day tasks it takes to complete projects for your clients. 

The Virtual Assistant Tools To Run Your Business

The tools you use to run your business are essential, from sending proposals and contracts to what you will use to upload your graphics to your social media. Pick the most cost-efficient and user-friendly tools you can. I wrote a blog post about the tools I use(used) in my business. I also have a freebie you can download below with over 70 tools to run your business. 

Deciding on Your Virtual Assistant Services and Rates

Knowing your virtual assistant services and rates is an essential first step in starting your virtual assistant business. Knowing what services you want to offer and how much you want to charge is vital. You can read this blog post about setting your virtual assistant rates. 

Branding Your Virtual Assistant Business

I attended a workshop recently and got a clear fundamental understanding of what it means to create a brand for your business. Your brand is what others think, say and how they feel about you; their perception of you. Branding is how you communicate your story, create connections, and build relationships and trust. Your brand identity is your logo, typography, color palette, photography, and graphics. So, take the time to create your brand identity before marketing your business. 

When Can You Start Accepting Virtual Assistant Clients

Once you have the above foundational systems in place, you’re ready to start accepting discovery calls and accepting clients! There is nothing wrong with getting started while setting up “some” of the foundational aspects of your business while you look for clients. At some point, some of your systems will cost money, so working with clients will help finance the start of your business.

No matter what you see and hear on social media, starting and sustaining a business is HARD. It’s not easy. And starting your business with every piece set up that you need cannot be done in thirty days unless you’re working on it 24/7, don’t have a 9-5, and don’t have a husband or kids that need your attention. There are times you will feel overwhelmed, confused, and frustrated. But you can succeed in setting up your business if you keep at it. You need a plan and a strategy, so nothing in the setup process is missed. Do your research first (Pinterest is great for that), so you’ll know how much time, energy, and money you’ll need to invest in your business.