Is it ACTUALLY possible to become a virtual assistant in ONE week!? 

While it is a LOT of work to get everything prepared to start your VA business in just 7 days, it is totally possible and in this blog I’ll show you how. 

I started my own virtual assistant business back in 2015. There were very limited resources online at that time on how to get started. But today, with abundant information available online (especially all of the resources we share here at The Virtual Savvy), there’s no reason to delay your entrepreneurial journey. 

In this article, I’ll outline a step-by-step plan to help you become a virtual assistant in one week. 

Let’s get started!

 

Mindset First: How do you become a virtual assistant in one week?

The only way it is possible to become a virtual assistant in one week is to start with a mindset shift: embracing action over perfection. 

Don’t get stuck thinking everything needs to be perfect before you start—embrace the mindset of iteration and improvement. Instead of waiting for everything to be perfect, embrace the concept of “draft one” and keep moving forward. 

One of the biggest mistakes I see new VAs making is thinking that everything needs to be flawless and completely put together before they start marketing their business. 

Here’s why this is an issue: so many new VAs spend so much time waiting for everything to be “perfect” that they never actually get started! They need to “tweak their website” a little more or “redo” their packages AGAIN… and next thing you know it has been six months and they haven’t even told a single person about their new business! 

The truth is this:  you can’t sign clients if you’re not talking about your business. The goal of this launch plan is simple: to get you to the marketing stage as quickly as possible. So, let’s dive into the details and learn how to become a virtual assistant in ONE WEEK.

 

Pace Plans for Launching

Let’s talk about what we call pace plans. These plans are a cornerstone of our signature program, the SavvySystem, guiding students through launching their own virtual assistant business from scratch. The primary focus of pace plans are to decide how quickly you want to move through the LAUNCH phase of your business. 

Moving through the LAUNCH phase simply means that you’re doing all of the setup that you need to announce your business to the world. While we give the students in our program different options when it comes to how quickly they will get through the LAUNCH phase (one week, two weeks, one month, etc), in this post we will focus on the one-week plan. 

Here’s a sample of what the one week Pace Plan looks like for our SavvySystem students: 

Even if you’re not a SavvySystem student, this breakdown will provide you with a clear roadmap for launching your virtual assistant business in just one week. 

So, let’s break it all down by day!

 

Become a Virtual Assistant in One Week Day 1: Choose your services & packages

First and foremost, it’s crucial to define your skillset — this is the first step in becoming a virtual assistant in one week. This doesn’t require an arsenal of fancy abilities; instead, start with what you already excel at. What are activities that you have done in your previous jobs that could help a small business owner out?

Tasks like email management, data entry, social media scheduling, and research are common starting points for aspiring virtual assistants. Remember, your goal is to alleviate your clients’ burdens by handling tasks they are ALREADY doing themselves in their business.

Big warning here: Don’t let doubt get you down. Most of our VAs come in thinking they “don’t have the skills” but with a little digging we find out that they are MORE than qualified to help small business owners out with administrative tasks. 

Understanding the general concept of tasks like email management, calendar coordination, research, customer support, and community management is more than enough to get started. Clients typically have established processes and tools in place, so they’ll guide you through their preferred methods.

As you narrow down your skills, consider packaging your services. Creating service packages simplifies the process for both you and your clients. For instance, offering a 10-hour package at a set monthly rate provides clarity and consistency. This not only streamlines your offerings but also establishes a predictable income stream for your business.

Here’s an example of what a new VA’s pricing structure might look like:

Free Resources for Day 1:

• How to choose your virtual assistance niche 
• 7 Steps to set your VA prices 
• Hourly vs. Package Pricing for VAs 

Become a Virtual Assistant in One Week Day 2: Brand Your VA Business

Now, let’s move on to branding your business—a crucial step to undertake on Day 2 of your one-week launch journey. 

Branding your business means that you’ll choose your business name, design or purchase a logo, and ensure your chosen business name isn’t already trademarked. 

Utilize resources like Canva to create a brand board, outlining your chosen fonts, colors, and overall aesthetic. By defining your brand identity early on, you’ll establish a cohesive online presence that resonates with your target audience.

Here’s an example of a brand board one of our SavvySystem students recently created: 

So, as you continue on in your journey of becoming a virtual assistant in one week, prioritize defining your skillset and establishing your brand identity on those first two days. Don’t overthink it. Set yourself a deadline to make your decisions by the end of the day and KEEP MOVING FORWARD. 

FREE Resources for Day 2: 

• Create a brand board with Canva 
• Create a DIY logo using Canva 
• Deciding on your VA business name 

 

 

If you’re ready to start building your virtual assistant business and securing clients, I invite you to join my Become a Booked Out Virtual Assistant webinar. This 60 minute free training will guide you step by step through the process of marketing your VA services and attracting clients. To watch my free training right now, simply click here!

 

Become a Virtual Assistant in One Week Day 3: Decide on Your Processes, Onboarding, & Assets

As you move on to Day 3 of your “Become a Virtual Assistant in One Week” plan, it’s time to focus on refining your inner processes. 

This stage is all about preparing for that pivotal moment when the client says, “Yes, I want to work with you. What’s next?”

After you let out a celebratory SCREAM – you need to know how to answer that question. 

First, you’ll need to establish your client onboarding procedures. 

Will you conduct a discovery call? 

If so, how will you schedule it—via Google Hangouts, Zoom, or another platform? 

Preparing a standardized email template for scheduling calls can streamline this process and ensure you appear professional from the outset.

During the discovery call, what topics will you cover? 

From discussing your services to addressing their needs and expectations, clarity is key. In our SavvySystem: VA Launch Academy, we provide comprehensive guidance on navigating these initial client interactions.

Once a client commits to working with you, it’s essential to formalize the arrangement. This involves sending them a contract and conducting an onboarding meeting to outline your workflow, password-sharing protocols, and access permissions. These elements fall under your processes and assets, which all falls on this day (aka day THREE of your one week launch plan).

FREE Resources for Day 3: 

• Best VA Tools for Beginners (and they’re free!)
• My secret for great discovery calls with new clients 
• Complete Client Onboarding System

 

Become a Virtual Assistant in One Week Day 4: Plan a Catch Up Day

On Day 4 of our one-week business launch plan, we’ve allotted a makeup day to ensure you have ample time to tie up any loose ends, especially from Day 3, as that one can take some time. 

This step is crucial and may take some time to refine, so dedicating this day to perfecting your templates and streamlining your workflow is key. 

Consider seeking feedback from a friend or another VA to ensure your processes are user-friendly and efficient. 

Remember, simplicity is key when it comes to client interactions. You want to make it EASY for a client to work with you. Your processes and onboarding system should reflect that. 

 

Become a Virtual Assistant in One Week Day 5: Finalize your Legalities, Payments, Invoices, & Taxes

I know, I know – this is day five of your “Become a Virtual Assistant in One Week” launch plan and we’re calling it the “Final Day”. 

Here’s why… #1 we want to over deliver. 

#2 – we highly realize that it may take one or two days AFTER this final step to ensure that you really feel secure enough to start marketing your business. 

This final day of the plan is here to solidify your legalities and payment processes. This includes tackling crucial aspects such as invoicing, taxes, and legalities.

First and foremost, ensure you have a robust contract in place before engaging with any clients. All members of the SavvySystem: VA Launch Academy have access to our contract templates. Never underestimate the importance of a well-drafted contract tailored to your specific business needs. Utilize digital signing tools like Docusign to effortlessly send contracts. 

Next, consider your payment methods and invoicing systems. Create and manage invoices and set up options for recurring payments on a tool like Dubsado or WaveApps for seamless online payments. 

Tip: Track it!

Financial tracking is essential for monitoring your business’s performance. Consider setting up a profit and loss (P&L) sheet to track your income and expenses each month. While advanced accounting software like QuickBooks is beneficial in the long run, starting with a simple Excel spreadsheet suffices for initial tracking. (Remember, to become a virtual assistant in one week, you need to embrace action over perfection!)

This is also the perfect time to claim an EIN for your business and to decide if you are going to go ahead and form an LLC for your new company. If so, start the process today. 

Understanding your tax obligations is a crucial step in setting up any business. Determine whether you’ll make quarterly or annual tax payments and allocate funds accordingly. For most new VAs in the US, I suggest setting aside 30% of all business profit in a separate account for tax payments. Establishing a separate business bank account can streamline financial management and ensure compliance with tax regulations.

While the one-week plan offers a rapid approach to launching your business, it’s essential to acknowledge that not everyone operates at the same pace. Some may opt for a more extended timeline, spanning 30 days or more. Regardless of your chosen pace, remember that launching your VA business is an exciting achievement worth celebrating. By following these steps, you’ll be well-equipped to proudly announce your new venture to friends, family, and potential clients. I’m thrilled for your entrepreneurial journey ahead—this is just the beginning!

FREE Resources for Day 5: 

• Tax Tips for Virtual Assistants 
• Virtual Assistant Contracts (Get your butt legal!)
• The VA Toolbox (complete collection of contracts & templates just for virtual assistants)

 

You Did It!

OMG. You really did it. 

If you went through and followed the steps in this post, it means that you ACTUALLY took the steps needed to Become a Virtual Assistant in one week! 

Remember, while we’ve condensed this process into one week, it’s entirely adaptable to fit your schedule and circumstances. Don’t stress if the process takes you a few weeks or up to a month… as long as you just GET STARTED! 

If you’ve completed the steps outlined in this post and are ready to start marketing your business and getting PAYING clients, I invite you to join our Become a Booked Out Virtual Assistant webinar. This free training will guide you step by step through the process of promoting your VA services and attracting clients. Watch this 60-minute free training right now.

 

Tell me in the comments, what step are you on in forming your VA business?