So often I’m asked the question about how best to transition across to working as a Virtual Assistant. To be honest, there are many ways to startup your VA business, and what it really boils down to is your own individual circumstances.
Here are a few strategies for various transitioning scenarios which might help demystify the process if you’re not quite sure how best to move forward:
Build your VA business after hours / on weekends
This is what I did, and I know many others have successfully implemented this strategy. If you’ve got the drive and ambition to succeed, and have the time to spare, then I’d definitely recommend this approach because you have the stability and peace of mind of still being able to earn a wage whilst building your business. I set myself a financial goal for my VA business - to earn enough to be able to cover the mortgage before I took the more permanent step of quitting my day job… and I did this relatively quickly (within a couple of months). But, everyone is different, so set realistic goals and work hard to achieve them – there is little risk in this method of transitioning!
Take a part time / casual job while building your business
I know some people do this, and it can be very effective because it provides the reassurance of income, with a bit more flexibility than having to ‘moonlight’ to build your business. It also means that you can provide some of your services during regular office hours (which can be a benefit, depending on the clients you are working with). Again, set realistic goals and work hard to achieve them before quitting your part time / casual job.
Use your redundancy / annual leave to fund your business startup
This can work well for some people, depending on their financial situation. In fact, by putting all your effort and energy into building your business, you can definitely achieve results fairly quickly. It may not happen immediately though, so you really need to have at least a 3 month financial buffer.
Starting your VA business is so very exciting, but daunting at the same time. I remember the feeling as if it was yesterday – it was a bit like stepping off the edge into the unknown, but I loved it all the same!
If you are looking to start up as a Virtual Assistant, the VA Institute can provide you with one-on-one support – ensuring you are set up properly, and in a position to be successful from the outset.
Visit the VA Institute website, or drop us a line to find out more!
Specialising in Virtual Assistant Training | VA Coaching | VA Setup | VA Training
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