How to build your confidence as a new VA

A new career is exciting, but sometimes daunting! You’re stepping into a new role as a Virtual Assistant, perhaps from a different field, or perhaps this is the next step in your already established Assistant career. This might be your first time working for yourself, or 100% remotely; any new role takes a while to settle into. But confidence is a key ingredient in any successful career – and like any skill it can take time to build

Here are our tips on how to build your confidence:

Invest in yourself and self development

Take advantage of online courses, tutorials, and free resources to build these skills. Platforms like Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and YouTube are great places to start. Not only will this boost your confidence, but it’ll also make you more attractive to your potential clients.

Start small

Baby steps! It’s tempting to try to do everything at once, but starting small is key to building confidence. Take on tasks or clients that are in line with your current skills, experience and comfort zone. As you gain experience and positive feedback, you can gradually expand your services or work with more challenging projects and clients. 

It’s tempting to say ‘yes’ to everything when you’re starting out, even if it’s not your wheelhouse. One of the best bits about being an Assistant is how much you learn on the job, but if you don’t have the relevant skills or experience, it’s OK to say it’s not the right time to take it on.

Communicate

One of the most critical aspects of being a successful VA is strong communication. From pitching your services to managing client expectations, clear communication is something clients value above all.

And be honest. If a client is unrealistic in their timelines, say so; if you’re new to a software, say so. Clients will appreciate you for it.

Create a supportive environment

If you’re used to the hustle and bustle of a traditional office environment, working fully remote as a virtual assistant can sometimes feel isolating. Building a supportive network can make all the difference. 

Join VA communities on Facebook and Slack, follow experienced VAs on LinkedIn for inspiration and advice, go to webinars and networking events for freelancers. And sign up to Upsource’s Assistant community Substack, The Agenda for advice, resources, think pieces and events to connect with your fellow VAs.

Surrounding yourself with people who ‘get it’ will encourage you, advise you, and might even create opportunities to collaborate.

Set small goals

We love a BHAG, but if your goal is to be fully booked within a month of launching, you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself. Start by setting small, realistic goals for yourselfPerhaps it’s to land your first client within the next month or master a specific tool within two weeks. As you achieve these milestones, you’ll build confidence and gain momentum.

Celebrating small wins along the way is a great confidence booster. Don’t wait for major milestones to acknowledge your progress.

Growth Mindset

Confidence doesn’t mean knowing and being good at everything straight off the bat. It means believing in your ability to learn and improve. Challenges are inevitable, but they are opportunities to grow. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, it’s how you handle them that counts. Each experience, whether positive or less so, is a step forward in your journey.

Everyone, no matter how successful, was just starting out once. Confidence is  built over time.

Ask for feedback and act on it

Don’t shy away from asking clients or colleagues for their thoughts on your work, feedback is an invaluable tool for growth. Constructive feedback can help you see what you can work on and confirm what you’re already doing well.

Celebrate yourself

Always make some time to reflect on how far you’ve come. Every time you get some positive feedback, a testimonial or review, make a note of it. Collate them, so if your confidence is ever feeling low, you can flick through a host of positive feedback to remind you how much you and your skills have grown.

If you’re a new VA looking to build up your confidence and find your community – join Upsource’s Substack: The Agenda, we share monthly updates with industry news, advice and resources, with opportunities to connect with your fellow VAs.

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