EP 205: How to Start Your VA Business: Alyssa Avant's Proven Tips

Align Your True North

Are you considering a career as a virtual assistant (VA) or looking to scale your existing VA business? Alyssa Avant joins Brooke Elder to share her journey from starting her business 17 years ago to launching her own VA agency just recently. They discuss the importance of identifying your marketable skills and the value of niching down to connect with your ideal clients. Alyssa emphasizes the significance of creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) to streamline operations and enhance efficiency when building a team. If you’re curious about what a day in the life of a VA looks like or want to explore practical tips for entering this field, you won’t want to miss this insightful conversation. For more information on tasks that a VA can handle, check out the link provided.

Links referenced in this episode:

• virtualassistantadvantage.com/25-tasks/

Takeaways:

• Starting a virtual assistant business can be a fulfilling way to balance work and family.
• Identifying your skills and interests is key to finding your ideal target market.
• Narrowing down your services helps you attract the right clients and stand out.
• Creating standard operating procedures can significantly streamline your virtual assistant agency.
• Building a network through internships can provide valuable experience and referrals.
• Specializing in specific services leads to easier client acquisition and satisfaction.

Brooke Elder and Alyssa Avant engage in a vibrant discussion about the world of virtual assistance, drawing from Alyssa's rich experience of over 17 years in the industry. Alyssa shares her journey of starting her business while managing a busy household with three young children, illustrating the challenges and rewards of balancing family life with professional ambitions. She recounts how her initial foray into virtual assistance began with ghostwriting and evolved into a full-fledged business, highlighting the organic growth that comes from pursuing one’s passions and recognizing marketable skills. Alyssa emphasizes the critical importance of identifying what one enjoys doing and matching those skills with potential clients, laying the groundwork for a fulfilling career in virtual assistance.

The episode dives deep into the practical aspects of being a virtual assistant, with Alyssa offering a detailed look at what a typical day might entail. She discusses the various tasks that VAs can perform, from administrative duties to specialized services like content marketing and social media management. Alyssa encourages aspiring VAs to reflect on their own skills, suggesting that even the simplest abilities, such as data entry or email organization, can be leveraged into a successful business. By focusing on a niche that resonates with personal interests, VAs can create more meaningful connections with clients and enjoy their work more fully.

Towards the conclusion of the podcast, the conversation shifts to the topic of scaling a VA business into an agency. Alyssa shares her recent experiences in this area, detailing the strategies she employed to maintain her service quality while expanding her team. She stresses the necessity of developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency and efficiency, which is crucial as the business grows. The episode wraps up with Alyssa's insights into the tools and resources available to streamline operations, making it clear that organization and preparation are key to success in the world of virtual assistance. With actionable advice and inspiring stories, this episode is a must-listen for anyone considering or already navigating the path of a virtual assistant.