- Virtual assistant coach Hannah Dixon shares the three worst parts of the profession.
- She highlights issues such as poor customer behavior, underestimation, and unrealistic expectations.
- Dixon advises veterans to communicate their services, avoid low-cost platforms, and learn their value.
This essay is intended for virtual assistant coaches, recruiters, and Virtual Excellence Academy, lives in Mexico. Edited for length and clarity.
Since “fell in” to become a virtual assistant 10 years ago, I’ve spent years juggling administrative, technical, and creative tasks for clients all over the world. He eventually earned six figures a year and now teaches others how to be successful veterans.
One thing I've seen is that many people don't understand how the VA is paid and what it can do. Here are the three worst parts of being a VA based on the most prevalent misconceptions people have about the job.
1. Fight off sleazy clients
Some clients think they can hire a VA cheaply. This misconception about how much VA pays comes from the very source of our income: our clients. Fending off these skeptics is one of many things the VA has to deal with.
When I started working as a veteran and decided to sign up for a gig site, I took on a project to write a 1,500-word article on a topic that ended up taking me days instead of hours to research. I ended up doing 5 days of work for $5. The platform I used had an option to tip freelancers, but the client who hired me didn't choose that.
I quickly learned that some people believe that VAs can be hired for next to nothing. I would argue that nearly every veteran has encountered a moron who has been taught that it is acceptable to offer exorbitantly low wages to skilled workers. Encountering this attitude early on can be very demoralizing.
This is often due to online gig platforms that enable rampant race-to-the-bottom pricing, and greedy agencies that love to profit from the labor of skilled workers overseas. To overcome this, VAs should avoid low-cost platforms and instead focus on intentional networking to find clients who will properly recognize and value their services.
It all boils down to self-worth and continuous skill development. It's about believing in your ability to command higher rates.
2. Underrated
Many people believe that the scope of the VA is more limited than it actually is. Some potential customers believe that a VA can only perform simple administrative tasks. Virtual administrative assistant jobs are a much-needed service, but they're just one piece of a larger, ever-expanding puzzle. To overcome this misconception, you need to clearly communicate with your clients the full scope and depth of the services you offer.
For example, using specific titles like “Podcast Manager” or “Graphic Design Geek” can quickly convey your expertise beyond the basics. If your expertise lies in advanced management tasks, a title such as “VA providing bespoke management and operational services'' will more clearly demonstrate your capabilities than simply labeling yourself as a VA. Shown below.
Remember, a VA is simply someone who helps people and businesses virtually. You yourself can decide what this means for your business and how to explain this to others.
3. Unrealistic expectations
On the other hand, clients may expect their VA to be a “unicorn” who can handle every aspect of their business.
The unicorn approach to VAs is unrealistic and overlooks the fact that VAs have certain strengths and specialties. VA service areas tend to fall into three areas: creative, technical, and administrative, and are often biased towards one or two of these.
Expecting veterans to transform their businesses alone is not only unfair, but also unrealistic. A VA should be hired to enhance and streamline business operations, not the only solution for business success.
For VAs to be successful, it’s important to tackle these three myths head-on
Clients have asked me to take on tasks and projects that are outside of my wheelhouse. I introduced them to other VAs in my network because I wasn't obligated to learn something I wasn't interested in or continue doing what I was good at. Instead of feeling like I was letting my clients down, I became a resource for them.
Dealing with these misconceptions is one of the worst parts of being a veteran, but I've noticed that it's getting better.
These outdated misconceptions are gradually disappearing as more small businesses and entrepreneurs begin to understand and appreciate the true potential and diverse skills of VAs. I began to notice a gradual shift toward a more informed and appreciative understanding of the profession and a greater emphasis on fair and equitable business practices.
Are you a virtual assistant and want to share your story? Email Mancine Logan at mlogan@businessinsider.com.