What I'm Learning As A Freelance Administrative Support

Welcome to the article. I’m glad you’re here.

In this article, I will be sharing with you some of the things that I’ve learned as freelance administrative support professional. While many of these lessons have been learned through trial and error (and sometimes pain), they are valuable lessons that can help you avoid making common mistakes in your own career as an administrative support professional. After reading this article, you should know:

What it means to be an administrative support professional

The skillset required for being an administrative support professional

How to get additional training as needed

10 Most In-Demand Skills for Freelancers | Expert Talk

Takeaways
1. Importance of Time Management: Effectively managing time and prioritizing tasks is crucial for maintaining productivity and meeting client deadlines.
2. Adapting to Diverse Client Needs: As a freelance administrative support professional, being flexible and adaptable to different client requirements is essential for success.
3. Building Strong Communication Skills: Clear and timely communication with clients fosters trust and ensures project requirements are met accurately.
4. Embracing Remote Work Challenges: Embracing the challenges of remote work and finding ways to overcome them are vital for a thriving freelance career.
5. Continuous Learning and Skill Enhancement: Staying updated with industry trends and improving skills opens up opportunities for career growth and higher-value projects.

Table of Contents

I’m A Lot Better At My Job Than I Give Myself Credit For

I know that this may not be news to some of you, but it’s certainly been a revelation for me. As the assistant in an office, you’re often seen as just that an assistant. But when left on your own, it’s important to remember how much power and responsibility comes with being administrative support professional!

You are responsible for so many things: making sure all of the projects are organized; keeping track of all correspondence; supporting managers by answering emails and making necessary appointments or phone calls; delegating tasks to employees who need help completing their own work…the list goes on!

If you’re like me, though (and let’s face it—many people are), then sometimes we don’t give ourselves enough credit for everything we do each day and assume others could do better.

Don’t do this! Even if there is someone else who could maybe do something faster/better/more efficiently than us (and there usually isn’t), having confidence in our abilities will allow us to take criticism constructively instead of defensively like some kind of wounded animal protecting its territory (which we probably look like when dealing with criticism).

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Freelancing Requires An Entrepreneurial Spirit, And Also An Employee Mentality

As a freelancer, you are your own boss. That makes things easy when you’re able to get everything done on time and under budget but it also means that if something goes wrong (and things often do), there’s no one else to take responsibility for it but you.

This is why it’s important to have an entrepreneurial spirit you need to be able to think creatively about finding new clients and new opportunities, while also being responsible for doing the work and keeping track of everything yourself.

In fact, this mindset is so prevalent among freelancers that I’ve started thinking of them as employees/entrepreneurs: they run their own business but do so on behalf of other people or companies who pay them for their services.

And these days, who doesn’t work for themselves? Many people don’t even realize how much they’ve become entrepreneurs because they don’t actually own their businesses; instead, they just work in them as employees (or contractors). But either way: whether you’re officially self-employed or not, you’re still running your life like an entrepreneur!

There Are Many Different Ways To Market Yourself As A Freelancer

With so many different ways to market yourself as a freelancer, it’s important to be open to trying new things. You don’t have to do everything all at once just pick one or two strategies and start there.

A website is essential for any professional, and it’s no different for freelancers. Your site should include information about yourself, examples of your work (if applicable), an overview of your skillset, and links to your social media profiles.

Social media is another great way for clients to learn about you and see what types of projects you’re working on currently. It’s important not only that you have social media accounts but also that they contain enough information about what kind of services or products you provide so that potential clients can easily find them and follow them as needed.

Word-of-mouth referrals are still one of the best ways for new clients to find out about freelancers and vice versa! Just because technology has made other methods more common doesn’t mean they’re any less effective than word-of-mouth referrals.

Advertising online may seem like an expensive option reserved only for larger companies but there are actually many affordable options available.

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Figuring Out Who Your Target Customer Is Can Be Really Tricky

Once you’ve figured out your target customer, the next step is to narrow your niche. It might seem like a good idea to just start selling yourself to everyone and anyone, but that’s not always feasible.

If you’re an administrative support professional who can do everything, there’s a chance that no one will pay for what you do. So how do you figure out who your target customer is? Well, there are several ways:

Ask yourself “what kind of people could benefit from my services?”

Ask other professionals who have similar skillsets and experiences as yours what they think about the industry in general and if they see themselves as having any competition (and why or why not)

Read up on trends in your area/industry/field and see if there are any common themes among them.

There’s No Such Thing As A “Typical” Day As A Freelancer

As a freelancer, your job is to be ready to work when the work comes in. This means that you can’t afford to get stuck in a rut or routine. You have to keep yourself flexible and open to new opportunities and willing to work hard when those opportunities arise!

You’ll find that some days are busier than others, but there’s no way of knowing what will happen on any given day. Having that flexibility is not only key for success as a freelancer, but also extremely important if you’re working from home (like me).

When I’m working from home, my husband needs me around more than usual since he works full time at another location during the day; so even though I might start off each day with an hour or two of uninterrupted “me” time before my daughter wakes up from her nap, I can’t just decide not to do anything because she might wake up early and fuss about something for 30 minutes.

You Have To Be Willing To Spend Money In Order To Make Money, And That’s Okay (And Smart)

While you can get started with minimal investment, there are many things you need to invest in in order to make money. In addition to software and hardware (e.g., laptops, phones), office supplies will add up quickly.

Additionally, it’s important that your business has a professional image that includes branded materials like letterhead and envelopes, stationery kits with business cards or fine-quality pens, and high-quality paper.

The reality is that you must spend some money in order to make money as a freelancer. I was surprised by how much it costs me every month just for my website hosting (I’m on Squarespace), social media advertising (I use Sprout Social), and training/professional development (I take courses on Skillshare).

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It’s Important To Keep Your Business Finances Separate From Your Personal Finances

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal finances is important for many reasons. Not only does this allow you to better manage and track your money, but it also helps prevent any issues with tax and insurance liability. If you are running a registered business, keeping a clear separation between the two can help ensure that your taxes are paid correctly (and on time).

I’ve found that setting up dedicated bank accounts for my freelance business has made tracking expenses much easier since everything related to my work lives in one place. This makes it easier to pull out data when I need it later on down the road (for example: if there is ever an audit or tax issue).

There Is No Shame In Asking Your Friends And Family For Work

Calling your friends and family out of the blue is scary. However, there’s no shame in asking them if they need any administrative support work done. And maybe they’ll even surprise you instead of requesting your services for free, they may end up offering to pay you! Maybe they’ll even have other suggestions for how you can do better at what you’re doing now.

It’s all about networking, so don’t be shy about asking people around you if there’s anything that might help improve your current situation as an administrative support professional.

Just Because Someone Says “I’ll Call You If I Need You.” Doesn’t Mean They’re Coming Back. Follow Up With Them!

It never hurts to ask. (I’m not going to ask you to make someone dinner, but I am going to tell you that it doesn’t hurt.) If a client says they’ll call you if they need you in the future and then doesn’t, follow up with them.

Don’t be afraid! I know it can feel weird asking for work, especially when there’s no guarantee of pay in return–but following up shows potential clients that you care about their business and are ready and willing to work with them again. Even if they don’t end up needing your services, after all, showing initiative has its own rewards.

Set Boundaries With Yourself So You Don’t Burn Out

Flexibility is great, but it can also be a curse if you’re not careful. As a freelancer, you’ll have the freedom to take on as much or as little work as you need to. However, working all the time can lead to burnout and ultimately cause you to lose interest in what you do just like any other job.

To avoid this fate, set boundaries with yourself by setting office hours and taking breaks during those times where possible.

If nothing else, make sure that your workday has an endpoint because this will help keep your mind from feeling overwhelmed when starting new projects and getting distracted by others’ needs too often; having a set place where everything comes together will help center your thoughts when things get chaotic around here!

Another way I’ve found useful for managing my workload is taking breaks outside for 30 minutes every hour or two throughout my day this keeps me energized while still allowing me time away from what goes on behind closed doors at home (and helps prevent burnout!). Finding ways like these allow me space without sacrificing productivity levels.”

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Getting Things Accomplished For Yourself Feels Really Good. Go Ahead And Brag About It!

When you complete a task, especially one that is particularly challenging, it feels really good to be able to say “Look what I did!” We often hear the phrase “brag about it.” But what does that mean? There are times when we should share our achievements with others, and there are other times when we should keep them private.

In fact, if you don’t feel comfortable sharing your success with others then perhaps it isn’t a success worth celebrating at all!

I recently got in touch with my own sense of pride and accomplishment by completing a huge project for work one that took months of planning, organizing, and executing. While this project was an important step forward for my team and organization overall, it wasn’t necessarily something outside-the-box or industry-changing just hard work done well across several departments over many months by many people (including yours truly).

Upon completion of this project, I felt such relief; not just because everything had been completed but also because I could look back on all the hard work as something actually accomplished rather than simply being “in progress.” When reflecting on this accomplishment now though there are still some things I wish would have gone differently during its creation process so maybe next time…

Technology Can Be Great, But Sometimes It Isn’t Worth The Headache

There are many different tools and technologies that you can use to help with your business. It is important to know when to use technology and when not to use it.

I’ve learned that technology can be great in some cases, but also frustrating if you don’t know how to utilize it properly. In my current position as an administrative support professional, I’ve learned how important email etiquette is in order for your or your company’s message to get across effectively without being misinterpreted or lost in translation (it happens!).

The same goes for using other forms of communication such as video chat platforms like Skype or Google Hangouts; these tools should only be used if necessary because they require significant bandwidth usage which may not always be available depending on where you’re located within an organization’s hierarchy structure (i.e., above/below certain positions).

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Conclusion

In the end, I think that freelancing is about balance. As you can see above, there are a lot of areas where I’ve learned to keep my mind in check: finding the right clients and contracts; managing my time; setting boundaries with others. But if there’s one thing that I would share with anyone considering freelancing or already doing it (or even just anyone who works on their own), it would be this:

It’s a good idea to have some interests outside of work as well!

FAQs

What is a Freelance Administrative Assistant?

A freelance administrative assistant is a self-employed professional who offers administrative support services to clients on a contract basis. They handle various administrative tasks remotely and assist businesses with their day-to-day operations.

How can I become a Freelance Administrative Assistant?

To become a freelance administrative assistant, you can start by gaining relevant skills in administrative tasks, organizing, and time management. Create an online portfolio showcasing your abilities and seek clients through freelance job platforms or networking.

What does a Virtual Assistant do?

A virtual assistant provides administrative and support services to clients remotely. They handle tasks such as email management, scheduling, data entry, and other administrative duties to assist businesses and individuals in managing their work efficiently.

What skills are essential for a Virtual Assistant?

Key skills for a virtual assistant include excellent communication, organizational abilities, time management, proficiency in using various software and tools, and the ability to adapt to different tasks and industries.

How do I become a successful Virtual Assistant?

To succeed as a virtual assistant, focus on building strong relationships with clients, delivering high-quality work consistently, and continuously improving your skills. Networking and marketing yourself effectively can also help in attracting new clients and growing your virtual assistant business.

What Is Freelance Administrative Support Professional?

A freelance administrative support professional is someone who has a range of skills and experience in an office setting, but who can also operate independently and successfully while working from home or from another location.

A freelance administrative support professional works on their own schedule and at their own pace, determining how much work they want to take on each day, week, or month. They are responsible for paying their own taxes if appropriate for their state as well as finding out about any benefits they may be eligible for (such as health insurance).

A freelancer may choose to specialize in one area or service; for example accounting, proposal writing, social media management, or other services related to the field of business administration.

What Kinds Of Services Do You Offer?

I provide a variety of services including formatting documents according to your specifications (using both MS Word & Google Docs), creating documents such as PowerPoints & Presentations using Infographic software like Canva & Piktochart; running errands such as picking up mail/deliveries from UPS/FedEx locations, etc.,

Doing research (i.e., finding data) related to projects or tasks assigned by clients via email correspondence between myself and said clients via email correspondence between myself and said clients regarding various topics relating directly related indirectly indirectly indirectly indirectly related 3-5 words.

Costantine Edward

Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.

What I’m Learning As A Freelance Administrative Support Professional