This as-told-to essay relies on a dialog with Hannah Dixon, a 36-year-old digital assistant coach, recruiter, and founding father of The Digital Excellence Academy, dwelling in Mexico. It has been edited for size and readability.

After “falling” into turning into a digital assistant 10 years in the past, I did the job for years juggling admin, tech, and artistic duties for purchasers worldwide. Finally, I began making six figures a yr, and I now coach others on find out how to turn out to be profitable VAs.

One factor I’ve seen is that many individuals do not perceive how VAs receives a commission and what they will do. Listed here are the three worst elements of being a VA, based mostly on probably the most pervasive misconceptions folks have in regards to the job.

1. Keeping off lowballing purchasers

Some purchasers assume VAs could be employed for affordable. This false impression about how a lot VAs needs to be paid comes from our very supply of earnings: our purchasers. Keeping off these skeptics is without doubt one of the many issues VAs must cope with.

After I was beginning as a VA and determined to enroll in a gig web site, I took on a undertaking to write down a 1,500-word article on a subject that ended up taking me days, not hours, to analysis. I ended up doing 5 days of labor for $5. The platform I used had the choice to tip freelancers, however the consumer who employed me selected to not.

I realized shortly that some folks imagine VAs could be employed for subsequent to nothing. I would argue that just about each VA has come throughout the lowballers who’ve been taught that it is acceptable to supply outrageously low pay for expert labor. It may be very demoralizing for those who come throughout this perspective in your early days.

Oftentimes, on-line gig platforms that enable rampant race-to-the-bottom pricing, and grasping businesses that like to revenue from the labor of expert abroad staff are guilty. To beat this, VAs ought to keep away from low-paying platforms and as an alternative give attention to intentional networking to seek out purchasers who acknowledge and worth their providers appropriately.

It boils right down to self-worth and continued upskilling — imagine in your means to command larger charges.

2. Being underestimated

Many imagine that VAs have a extra restricted scope than they actually do. Some potential purchasers view VAs as solely able to easy administrative duties. Whereas digital administrative assistant work is a really wanted service, it is only one piece of a giant and ever-expanding puzzle. Overcoming this misperception entails clear communication along with your purchasers in regards to the full vary and depth of providers you provide.

For instance, utilizing particular titles like “Podcast Supervisor” or “Graphic Design Geek” can instantly convey your specialization past the fundamentals. In case your experience lies in high-level administrative work, a title like “VA providing Bespoke Administrative and Operational Companies” paints a clearer image of your capabilities than merely labeling your self as a VA.

Bear in mind, a VA is just somebody who assists folks and companies nearly. You get to resolve what this appears like for your online business and the way you describe this to others.

3. Unrealistic expectations

Alternatively, purchasers typically count on VAs to be “unicorns” able to dealing with all points of their enterprise.

The unicorn strategy to VAs is unrealistic and overlooks the truth that VAs have particular strengths and specialties. VA service areas are inclined to fall inside three buckets: artistic, technical, and administrative, and sometimes lean extra towards one or two of those.

Anticipating a VA to single-handedly remodel a enterprise is not solely unfair but in addition impractical. VAs needs to be employed to boost and streamline enterprise operations, to not be the only resolution for a enterprise’s success.

Addressing these three misconceptions head-on is vital for VAs to achieve success

Purchasers have requested me to tackle duties and tasks that had been out of my wheelhouse. With no obligation to study issues that do not curiosity me and to maintain at what I do finest, I referred them to different VAs in my community. As an alternative of feeling like I used to be letting purchasers down, I turned a useful resource for them.

Whereas coping with these misconceptions is without doubt one of the worst elements of being a VA, I’ve observed that it is enhancing.

As extra small companies and entrepreneurs start to grasp and worth the true potential and different expertise of VAs, these outdated misconceptions are slowly dying. I’ve began to note a gradual shift towards a extra knowledgeable and appreciative understanding of this career and a larger emphasis on truthful and equitable enterprise practices.

Are you a digital assistant and wish to share your story? Electronic mail Manseen Logan at mlogan@businessinsider.com.