Skills That Virtual Assistants Need

Here are the skills that every virtual assistant needs: 

Reliability

When you hire a virtual assistant, there are certain things you want to make sure they do. You want them to be reliable, trustworthy, and knowledgeable about what they are doing. These qualities go beyond just being able to answer emails and take phone calls. They also include having integrity, professionalism, and honesty.

The term “reliable” describes someone that works well, does what they say they will do, and keeps their word. If you’re looking for a trustworthy virtual assistant, reliability is key. Here are some ways to ensure that you’ll find one.

• Check reviews

Look up reviews online or ask friends about the virtual assistant they use. You want to know whether people are satisfied with the experience.

Another way to determine reliability is to check references. Ask friends, family members, colleagues, and former co-workers whether they’ve worked with the person and whether he or she did a good job.

• Look for evidence of transparency.

A good virtual assistant will be transparent about how they operate. For example, information about pricing and terms of service, deadlines, etc. 

Communication

Virtual assistants are becoming increasingly popular. They provide a way for businesses to automate many tasks and free up employees’ time. However, there are some things you should know about how best to use one.

A virtual assistant should have good communication skills. You want someone who can listen well, ask questions appropriately, and respond promptly. If the person doesn’t answer immediately, don’t assume they’re ignoring you. Instead, try asking again later.

Clients expect to receive responses instantly. If you send out an email and wait hours for a response, clients might start thinking something isn’t working. And if you don’t reply to messages, customers might start to wonder why.

If you do reply, make sure to communicate clearly. Don’t just say “I’ll look into it.” Explain what you’re doing and give a timeline. For example, “We’ve been looking into getting rid of the old system for the next few months. I’m sorry we haven’t had a chance to contact you sooner.”

Time-management

Virtual assistants should learn about the difference between “time management,” “workflow,” and “project management.” They should understand how each style works best for different people. For example, some people prefer to plan out every single task in advance while others like to start working on something immediately. A virtual assistant needs to know what type of person she is serving.

There are many ways to organize workdays. Some people prefer to do everything in one day, while others like to spread it out over several days. This depends on the individual client and his/her goals. A virtual assistant needs to make sure that they schedule enough time to complete all their projects. This also helps avoid being overwhelmed and stressed out. 

Resourcefulness

Being resourceful is one of the most important skills for a virtual assistant. This includes having access to reliable information and knowledge. Virtual assistants are expected to have basic knowledge of different types of online sources and tools such as databases, social media platforms, and even specialized sites to help them complete a project.

Being resourceful doesn’t mean that you need to become an expert on every topic; rather, it means that you have enough knowledge to be effective. This includes having basic computer skills, such as knowing how to navigate the Internet and use email. You also need to understand how to effectively communicate online. These days, most businesses have a presence on social media platforms, like Facebook and Twitter. Understanding how to post and interact with customers is another way to show your resourcefulness.

Self-motivation

A virtual assistant needs to be able to work continuously without being interrupted. This requires self-motivation. They need to be aware of the tasks that they need to perform each day and how long it takes to complete.

Virtual assistants should know what tasks require immediate attention and which ones can wait. 

Self-motivation is essential for a virtual assistant to complete its daily duties effectively. If you ask a virtual assistant to find something online, it should understand that the task takes longer than expected because it needs to look up information about the item. In addition, it needs to know whether you want the item delivered or picked up.

Organization

A virtual assistant should have good organization skills because it helps them keep track of what they need to do next. They must be able to prioritize tasks effectively and make sure everything gets done.

Experienced virtual assistants have systems set up to make sure that anything that needs to change is updated immediately. For example, if a client adds a new contact, it could be added to a database immediately.  

Creativity

Being creative does not mean that you are always right. Sometimes people think that creativity is synonymous with being right. But having creative skills is about finding solutions to problems. You might be wrong sometimes, but you will learn from those mistakes. As long as you keep innovating, you will grow.

A good virtual assistant will be creative to help make sure that you succeed. They will find ways to improve the way you work. They will suggest new ideas to help you reach your goals faster. They will challenge you to do better.

Typing

Knowing how to type effectively and efficiently is an important skill. That is what makes online communications possible. In customer service, most clients expect fast responses, and typing quickly helps complete the tasks assigned efficiently.

If you want to work as a virtual assistant, it’s important to know how to type well and accurately. 

Detail-oriented

Virtual assistants are often tasked with performing tasks for clients. These include things such as scheduling meetings, sending emails, and even answering questions about products or services. For many companies, having a VA handle customer support is one way to save money while still providing excellent service. But it’s important for the person handling the work to do so correctly. Otherwise, the mistake could potentially impact a company’s reputation.

To become successful, virtual assistants must learn how to listen and respond appropriately to every situation. They must be detail oriented and pay close attention to the smallest details. They must be able to adapt quickly and adjust to changing circumstances. Finally, they should always strive to improve themselves and their skills.

Batching

Virtual assistants are often tasked with a variety of tasks. But rather than multi-tasking and trying to do everything at once, they should batch tasks —such as scheduling appointments, writing emails, and returning phone calls— and carry out one task at a time. This technique, called “batching,” allows them to focus completely on each task and complete them effectively.  

Basic accounting knowledge

Having basic accounting skills is a plus. It means that VAs would be able to recognize which projects and clients would be more profitable to the business and to work accordingly around that. It is also helpful to identify which expenses are negatively influencing the business. 

Other skills of a remote worker/VA includes:

• Administrative skills
• Interpersonal skills

Typical duties of a VA:

• Daily tasks, routine tasks
• Admin tasks (administrative services)
• Personal tasks
• Email management, email marketing, personal and business email correspondence
• Calendar management, managing online calendars
• Project management
• Content marketing, content writing, blog posts, search engine optimization
• Social media marketing, running social media accounts, updating social accounts, monitoring social media activity
• Repetitive tasks, low-value tasks
• Exceptional customer service, communication with potential clients
• Customer support, handling customer complaints, maintaining customer satisfaction
• Working with communication tools and software programs

It is important to hire a virtual personal assistant/executive assistant or VA that has the essential skills to carry out the duties required of them. This can be done by having a comprehensive screening process when hiring. Finding good VAs with experience and skillsets can help to greatly improve the lives of busy business owners. 

2) Experiment with what makes you most productive

Working remotely allows you to experiment and find what works best for you in terms of productivity. Since everyone’s work style is unique, finding out what helps you work at your best while remote becomes essential.

When experimenting, consider all aspects that affect your productivity. For instance, think about the environment you work in, the audio setup, and the times of day when you are typically most productive. By testing different workspaces, such as sitting at a desk or outside in natural light, you may find that varying your routine can help you be more productive.

Consider switching up your audio setup as well. Some people prefer working with background noise, while others require silence. Try testing different times of day to determine when you can work most efficiently. You might find that early mornings are when you work best, or maybe you’re more productive in the afternoon or evening.

Start by trying out different start times, workspaces, and break schedules to discover what works best for you. What helps you focus on your work better? What kind of environment makes it easier for you to enter the flow state? Break times are also important to factor in, as they help refresh your mind and avoid burnout.