| Before you begin your quest to become a virtual | | | | as financial uncertainty, forced self-sufficiency |
| assistant, you need to know what you're getting | | | | (you have to take care of all of your money |
| into. As they say, "Don't quit your day job." Many | | | | management, you have to work on project after |
| VA's will tell you that setting foot outside of the | | | | project if you want to have enough money, and |
| office was the best thing they ever could have | | | | you have to provide for your own health care.) |
| done, while other don't have the temperament | | | | These three factors can add up to create a |
| for it, telling you how they couldn't wait for each | | | | feeling of terrifying risk for many people that |
| of their projects to be over because they simply | | | | stops them dead in their tracks, especially if they |
| could not stand the stress of their assignments. | | | | have a family to support. |
| In order to be a successful virtual assistant you | | | | There is also heavy competition in the world of |
| really have to weigh all of the pros and cons | | | | virtual assisting. The internet has been both a |
| against each other and be sure that this is | | | | blessing and a curse to virtual assistants from |
| something you are ready, and willing, to do. | | | | around the world. On one hand it has opened the |
| Pros of Becoming a Virtual Assistant | | | | doors to make the world of virtual assisting much |
| The moment you decide to become a virtual | | | | more accessible to anyone who has ever thought |
| assistant, everyone you talk to will probably tell | | | | about setting out on their own and becoming their |
| you how cool it is to be your own boss. You are | | | | own boss. |
| in control of your work and nobody else (except | | | | On the other hand though, the internet makes it |
| for your clients) can tell you what to do. If you | | | | very easy for virtual assistants to get in touch |
| don't want to work on Fridays - you don't have | | | | with potential clients and possibly steal jobs right |
| to. You can off that you want as long as you | | | | out from under you. Because of the heavy |
| finish your projects by the deadline. As your own | | | | competition as a result of the internet, you may |
| boss, you have a lot more freedom. Plan your | | | | have to start out with very low pay for each |
| own schedules, choose the projects that you find | | | | project you do as a novice virtual assistant. |
| enjoyable, charge any rate you please, and be | | | | However, as you continue to build up a client list |
| almost totally self sufficient. You can even work in | | | | and network online, you will be able to make |
| your bathrobe on the days you don't have to | | | | more money in the long run. |
| leave the house. By working solo you can also | | | | Becoming your own, independent business |
| spend a lot more time with your family and | | | | professional is a personal decision that involves |
| friends. Finally, with virtual assisting you have a | | | | everyone your finances effect, and it is important |
| near limitless income potential. Because you work | | | | to ask them to be a part of the process. It's |
| for yourself, you get to keep all of what you | | | | recommended that you not jump in head-first but |
| earn. Not a penny goes to anyone else (aside | | | | simply ask for support, suggestions, and feedback |
| from the government in the form of taxes). | | | | from the ones it affects. When you make the |
| Cons of Being a Virtual Assistant | | | | commitment, stick with it, and go! It's never too |
| As with anything in the world, there are | | | | early to start your business, and you'll be glad |
| drawbacks to becoming a virtual assistant - such | | | | when you have! |
