...if you’re thinking about becoming a virtual assistant there are some things that you shouldn’t need to be taught.

The whole concept of a virtual assistant is that clients are hiring someone who is technology savvy. After all, we rely on said technology to do our jobs right? Yet more and more I’m being contacted by new VA’s asking for help with things that I feel they should already know or at least be aware of.

1. You should know how to do a comprehensive... Click here to read the rest of this post at the Clerical Advantage Blog.

The Clerical Advantage Blog is authored by VAF member Tina of Clerical Advantage.


(Would you like to see YOUR blog posts on Virtual Assistant Forums? Click here to submit your RSS feed now.)

This post is seriously a MUST READ for anyone wanting to jump into the VA industry - it's hard for me to choose which is my 'favorite' on the list... numbers 6 and 7 really resonate with me... probably because I can't keep track of how many times people have simply been too lazy to help themselves to the information here on the site. How can you help clients run their businesses if you can't even get it together and run your own?

Well said Tina!

__________________

I agree with you Tess, Tina wrote a great and knowledgeable article. It is very important that we have the skills that we say we have. I am upfront with anyone I speak to about what my skill sets are. I am serving them no justice by pretending to be great at something I am not. I will leave that to the other VA's out there that excel at those items.

__________________
Amy
TAG Virtual Office, LLC

I'm always a little nervous when I publish a post that could be seen as critical by some virtual assistants just starting out. But then again, they are also the topics I feel strongly about and those end up being the best posts.
Of course, the VA's that I'm writing about probably won't read it, nor will they see this since they 'can't get on' the forums.

__________________
~Tina Marie Hilton of Clerical Advantage
& founder of VA Survival School

LOL! Tina "can't get on"...

It's important to tell it like it is...

It bothers me when new VAs don't make the effort to find the information themselves either through google, youtube or here on VAF first. I wonder what kind of services they will offer their clients.

Don't be nervous about publishing a post that could be seen as critical by those just starting out. It has to be said and in six months, said again!

Excellent post, Tina. Thanks.

Janine

__________________
WRITE FAB RFP PROPOSALS & land THE VA job. WinningRFP unveils soon! SignUp www.WinningRFP.com

Great article and I can completely relate. I agree that you shouldn't say you can do something when you can't, but that doesn't mean I haven't taken on tasks that I don't have knowledge. I am though completely upfront with my clients letting them know that I haven't done that specific task, but something similar and can't imagine it would be too difficult letting them make the decision.

Being open, professional and knowledgeable are what is expected for any person in business.

__________________
Renee Shupe, Become a Techie Virtual Assistant
eMail Marketing & Aweber Training Starts May 15! - Save 50% using VAFAweber

Great article Tina, you are the voice behind many of our frustrations.

__________________
Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Wonderful article. To-the-point, straight. Not too harsh at all.

__________________
Hilde
www.vbbassociates.com

This is a good article... I always smile when someone answers a post here with "just google it"

__________________
Melissa Rahko
www.offsitesecretary.com

Originally Posted by reneeshupe

Great article and I can completely relate. I agree that you shouldn't say you can do something when you can't, but that doesn't mean I haven't taken on tasks that I don't have knowledge. I am though completely upfront with my clients letting them know that I haven't done that specific task, but something similar and can't imagine it would be too difficult letting them make the decision. Being open, professional and knowledgeable are what is expected for any person in business.

Thanks to everyone for the shout outs on the article!
Renee,
I agree that there are times when you're already in a relationship with a client when they'd much rather have us learn something we might not know how to do than find someone else. I've learned several things this way, like using webinar software.
I think the important points are that you're upfront about your lack of experience and/or knowledge in that particular area and I'd go so far as to say you should have a relationship of some sort with the client first.

__________________
~Tina Marie Hilton of Clerical Advantage
& founder of VA Survival School