Virtual Assistant / Business Coach
First things, first and in case you didn't know...
A virtual assistant is an independent contractor or freelancer who handles administrative duties for clients online, i.e. diary management, email management and general ad-hoc support. Whatever the industry; whether health, tech, finance, travel, real estate, education, or digital marketing, there's always work to outsource to a virtual assistant.
A business coach can assist with helping a business owner to reach their goals, enhance their decision-making skills and build better, higher performing systems and teams, and works on a truly bespoke 121 level with the business owner.
Key skills/talents
Virtual Assistant (from home/a remote location)
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Multi-tasking! Ability to complete a range of administrative tasks - email drafting, letter writing, note taking, taking phone calls
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Able to confidently manage a range of email accounts
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Able to schedule calls and meetings
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Able to make travel arrangements - UK and abroad
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Excellent written communication skills
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Excellent verbal communication skills
Business Coach
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Comfortable setting up meetings with business owners to identify short-term and long-term goals
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Ability to devise strategies and techniques to hit goals and expand the business
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Comfortable giving advice about how to approach business situations such as negotiations, mergers and product launches
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Ability to track key performance metrics to measure success and promote accountability
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Able to clearly identify when the business misses performance or profit targets and develop improvement plans
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Able to arrange training sessions to educate business leaders, teach skills and promote professional development so they can better manage the business
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Excellent written communication skills
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Excellent verbal communication skills
Qualifications required
Virtual Assistant
Although technically no qualifications or formal training are necessary to be a virtual assistant, most clients will look for a a proven background and relevant experience in secretarial, PA (personal assistant) or administration work.
Reed Employment have courses for Virtual Assistant training.
Pitman Training also have a Virtual Assistant Diploma available.
Business Coach
Again, although you do not need a formal qualification to become a business coach, there are business coach qualifications that you could look to study and most (as in all, lets be honest) business owners will need to see a proven track record here also.
The Open University offers a great course.
And the City University of London offers a virtual ‘Coaching for Business’ course.
Rules and regs
For all roles General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is important, as you may be working with several clients and each of their details must be kept strictly confidential.
Likewise in all roles you may also be required to sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement), in order to protect confidential information shared with you.
This legal guide, written by a solicitor details many things a VA will need to be aware of when setting up their business.
The Association of Business Coaches recommends that for your own peace of mind and that of your clients’, that you establish and abide by a code of ethics and good standards with all clients. You can join them and get ongoing help and advice here.
We also strongly advise (as always) that you get some Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance cover. You'll hopefully never need it, but certainly in the corporate world, it will be requested as validation of your suitability to work. Plus, if anything does go left-field, you've at least got some back-up.
Some links...
https://www.marshcommercial.co.uk/for-business/oxygen/business-consultants
https://www.hiscox.co.uk/business-insurance/coaching-training-education
https://www.axa.co.uk/business-insurance/life-coach-insurance
Remuneration framework
This area is very much 'how long is a piece of string', because remuneration can be charged in a few different ways and at a variety of levels.
Thats said, most of Jess's roles are charged out at either an hourly rate, or a day-rate and she is clear with her clients what can be achieved in those time-frames. Sometimes retainers (written agreements on an amount of hours/days per month, for a set rate) can also be agreed and these are great to try and secure, so that you can plan your time well (and your monthly finances).
If you google each role/area you'll get salary numbers like this:
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Virtual Assistants can earn between £25k to £60k per annum
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Business Coaches can earn between £30k to £80k per annum
However, and as always, location matters hugely, as does your experience/portfolio. Likewise the type of work you are doing impact rates... Jess only works with small businesses and charges an appropriate amount for this. But if you want to work for bigger businesses then your rates should increase accordingly... As should (and would) the client expectations; remember there's no such thing as a free lunch.
How to get started
Virtual Assistant
Indeed has some great information on the different types of VA, as well as information on how to start.
Upwork (a US company, but as a VA you can work with client globally) also has details on how to get started.
Business Coach
The BCF Group has some great starting info here: information on their website.
We often recommend work experience on TWW and this role would be no exception... A great way to build-up a client portfolio is to offer to do some work for free, or for a reduced cost (for a fixed period of time). This will not only demonstrate your value to new clients, but will help you to refine your skill-set to be as effective as possible. And word-of-mouth recommendation is worth a lot when it comes to VAs and Business Coaches, so bear that in mind with all the work you do, and ALWAYS do it to the best possible standard that you can.
Associations or official bodies to register with
Virtual Assistant
The UK Association of Virtual Assistants (UKAVA) was formed because virtual assistants were becoming more and more in demand, as small businesses and sole traders began to flourish, however, there was no real 'space' where prospective clients or new virtual assistants could go for information. The UKAVA was formed to offer a one-stop shop for both potential clients and virtual assistants alike.
Business Coach
The Association for Coaching® (AC) is a leading independent, and not-for-profit professional body dedicated to promoting best practice and raising the awareness and standards of coaching, worldwide.
Job site links
All the usual (Indeed, Monster, Reed, Total Jobs etc) will have job ads on them for all areas of Jess's role; but more than that, you need to be highly active on Linked In. Both with your own page and what it showcases about you, but also in building a solid network and through that, keeping an eye on work opportunities as they arise.
Some links...
https://uk.indeed.com/q-virtual-assistant-jobs.html?vjk=b23790c32a8231e6
https://www.reed.co.uk/jobs/virtual-assistant-jobs
Progression pathway
Within reason, the more experience you have/acquire over time, the more you can charge yourself out at.
Another progression route might see you undertake exclusive contract work, whereby a business in essence 'buys you out' for a 1, 3 6, or even a 12-month period to work exclusively for them, and either cover maternity, or indeed manage a growth/launch project. This won't be for everyone, however, it's a stable income for a stable amount of time, and it might help with any upcoming large expenditures.
A final progression route might be like Jess hopes to do, whereby you set-up your own 'team' of VAs or Business Coaches, who you issue/assign work to , as it comes in. This leaves you at the top running/managing things, which again, won't be everyone's cup-of-tea, but it's a clear option, if you become in high demand.