How to Become a General Virtual Assistant

The rise of this profession might be famous now but in order to become a general virtual assistant, you must know the basics. Read this blog to know the fundamentals of a GVA!

The need for General Virtual Assistants (GVAs)

If you are passionate about helping businesses grow, you might want to become a general virtual assistant. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s more important for business owners than ever to delegate tasks and stay organized. That’s where you will come in when you become a general virtual assistant. 

A general virtual assistant (GVA) is a person who provides administrative, creative, or technical support to clients remotely. This work will deal with staying on top of their inboxes, scheduling appointments, or managing social media accounts. So if you’re looking for a way to support a business while working remotely, this path is for you.

What will you do as a general virtual assistant? 

A general virtual assistant responding to emails, phone calls, or other messaging platforms

1. Responding to emails, phone calls, or other messaging platforms

While the duties of a general virtual assistant can vary widely, one of the most common responsibilities is responding to emails, phone calls, or other messaging platforms. This can involve answering customer inquiries or providing general information about a company or individual. 

For many businesses and busy professionals, having a virtual assistant can be invaluable to free up time and stay organized. If you want to become a general virtual assistant, brush up on your communication skills and understand customer service principles. You can become a valuable asset to any business or individual with the right skills and attitude.

A general virtual assistant responding to setting appointments and organizing the client's calendar

2. Setting appointments and organizing the client’s calendar

As a general virtual assistant, you would be responsible for setting appointments and managing your client’s calendar. This role requires excellent time management skills and the ability to multitask. You must also communicate effectively with your client and maintain a professional attitude at all times. 

A general virtual assistant building database.

3. Database building

This involves creating and maintaining databases of information for businesses or other organizations. It can be a complex and time-consuming, but it’s also essential for keeping track of important data. Several software programs can make database building more effortless, but you’ll still need to understand how databases work to succeed. With some practice, you’ll be able to build reliable and accurate databases that will help your clients stay organized and informed.

A general virtual assistant transcribing data for their client.

4. Transcribing of data

Transcription is an integral part of many businesses, and it is one of the responsibilities of a general virtual assistant. A typical transcriptionist’s job description includes transcribing audio files and blog posts and editing and proofreading transcripts. GVAs must be able to type quickly and accurately and have excellent listening skills. In addition, they must be able to format transcripts according to the client’s style guide. While transcription is a complex task, it is one that a general virtual assistant can quickly learn with some training. 

A general virtual assistant researching topics relevant to your business.

5. Researching topics relevant to your business

One of the responsibilities of a virtual assistant is to research topics relevant to the business. This might involve reading industry news, conducting keyword research, or investigating new marketing strategies. By staying up-to-date on the latest advancements in your field, you can help your employer make informed decisions about how to run their business.

A general virtual assistant writing content for the client.

6. Content Writing

It includes anything from writing blog posts and articles to creating social media content and developing marketing materials. While you may not need to be a professional writer to handle this type of work, it is crucial to have strong writing skills and produce quality content that meets your clients’ needs.

A general virtual assistant managing the client's social media accounts.

7. Managing social media accounts

When you become a general virtual assistant, you’ll be in charge of essential social media management. This comprises creating and scheduling posts, monitoring comments and messages, and conducting research. While the specifics will vary depending on the client, some basic knowledge of social media platforms is essential.

A general virtual assistant serving as the client's chat support.

8. Chat Support

As a GVA, you would be responsible for responding to customer inquiries through chat. This could include answering questions about products or services, troubleshooting technical issues, or providing general information about the company. Chat support is an essential part of customer service, and it requires strong communication skills and the ability to think on your feet.

A general virtual assistant cold calling a potential customer for the client.

9. Cold calling

Becoming a GVAis a great way to help businesses with various tasks, including cold calling. Cold calling can be daunting, but it is an essential part of many businesses sales and marketing efforts. As a GVA, you would be responsible for making calls to potential customers on behalf of the business. This would involve researching potential leads, crafting a script, and making the call. You would then need to follow up with the customer after the call to see if they are interested in learning more about the product or service. 

Software you need to know when you become a General virtual assistant

  1. Google Workspace for business use, with business Gmail and team collaboration capabilities.
  2. Expensify for automating expense management and receipt tracking
  3. Slack or Trello for collaboration and productivity 
  4. Calendly for scheduling appointments and meetings. 
  5. Canva for creating social media graphics, presentations, posters, documents, and other visual content.
  6. Microsoft SQL Server for database building
  7. Zoom for video calls and meetings

Be sure to have these skills before you apply! 

1. Adaptability skills

To become a general virtual assistant, one of the most critical skills you’ll need is adaptability. After all, no two days will ever be the same in this role. You might be managing someone’s calendar one day and organizing their travel plans the next. The ability to quickly adapt to new tasks and changing situations is essential for success in this role.

2. Time management skills

As a general virtual assistant, you will be responsible for managing your own time as well as the time of your clients. You will need to be very organized and have sound time management principles. There are a variety of time management tools and techniques that you can use to help you become more efficient and effective in your work. You will also need to be able to prioritize tasks and manage multiple deadlines.  

3. Problem-solving skills

There are many different skills that a GVA must have to excel in this role. Perhaps one of the most essential skills is the ability to solve problems. After all, no matter what type of business you are running, there will always be problems that you need to deal with. As a GVA, it will be your job to help your clients solve these problems. 

This might involve everything from creating creative solutions to customer service issues to troubleshooting technical problems. Whatever the situation, you will need to be able to think on your feet and come up with solutions quickly. If you can do this, you’ll be a GVA  that business owners will highly seek.

4. Attention to Detail

Anyone who has tried to tidy up their home or office knows it can be easy to overlook the little things. The same is true for general virtual assistants, who must have a keen eye for detail that their clients fail to see. From catching typos in emails to spotting errors in spreadsheets, a virtual assistant must be able to detect even the smallest of mistakes. 

This attention to detail is essential for maintaining a professional image for clients and preventing potential problems. In addition, a well-organized virtual assistant will be able to work more efficiently and effectively, making them an invaluable asset to any business.

5. Communication skills 

In many cases, you’ll be acting as the primary point of contact between your client and their customers, which means that it’s essential that you’re able to relay information clearly and concisely. You’ll also need to be able to handle customer inquiries and complaints professionally and helpfully. In addition to being an excellent communicator, you’ll also need to be highly organized and detail-oriented. 

Apply to become Core’s General Virtual Assistant! 

If you know that you can rise to the challenge, then waste no time and apply to be Core’s general virtual assistant. Click here to send your application!