Weigh the risks and benefits.

Think heavily about both the risks and benefits associated with being a Virtual Assistant.  It can be a very rewarding career IF you can approach it with careful consideration to how you will

• protect your interests,

• attract clients, and

• balance it all with your personal life.

Be realistic.

Coaching, consulting, and certification can definitely put you on a fast track to success but you are still going to have to put a considerable amount of time into marketing your services, and capitalizing on "real" opportunities.  You also have to be willing to turn mistakes into learning opportunities and continually grow.

If you have:

• an entrepreneurial spirit,

• a level head for business

• a love of win-win business relationships,

• a desire to help (assist) other entrepreneurs,

• a strong administrative skill set,

• a strong internet application skill set,

• a desire to learn and grow,

• the ability to develop a competitive niche,

• the ability to sell yourself,

• the ability to evolve your practice over time, and

• the ability to see your self persevere

a career as a professional Virtual Assistant is definitely for you!

If you don't have all the abilities or desires listed above, a short-term gig as a VA could still be a good choice for you.  If you're not in it for the long run, you can still work as a VA to bring in a temporary, supplemental income.  Or, you might view it as simply a "stepping stone" to a bigger career.  In these cases, you may do well sticking with a role of subcontractor or Virtual Employee, while you focus the majority of your attention on your main career goals.

Do you dream BIG?

If you decide that a career as a professional VA is right for you, my goal is to make you feel like what I call a "Virtual Dynamo"!  Virtual Dynamos don't have successful practices ... they have thriving practices!  They embody excellence in whatever they do and never stop thinking big.  Virtual Dynamos:

• are brilliant, focused, and resourceful,

• lead flexible, enriched, and well-balanced lives,

• possess uncommon passion and vision,

• possess a rich sense of achievement and satisfaction, and

• empower others to achieve more

Or, do you think TEMP?

If you decide that a career as a VA in a sub-contracting or Virtual Employee role is more what you're looking for, I can consult with you to point out how to find temporary work resources.

If you are unsure whether or not a career as a VA is right for you, please contact me via rebecca@virtualdynamos.com for some coaching or consulting.  You can also get a quick answer via my Coach on Call telephone services.