How to Work With a Virtual Assistant

A Client’s Perspective: How to Work With a Virtual Assistant

Thinking of becoming a Virtual Assistant but not sure what it’s really like to work with a client? Or maybe you’re wondering how to work with a virtual assistant, so the relationship is smooth and productive.

This post gives you a behind-the-scenes look from someone who’s actually hired me. Nathan from The Neurodivergent Coach shared his experience of working with me as his Virtual Assistant, including the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant, what worked well in our partnership, what surprised him and what he needed most.

Here’s your chance to see what the role really feels like from the client’s side. Spoiler - you’re not just ticking off a to-do list. You’re building trust, solving problems and becoming part of a client’s business.

Whether you’re a Virtual Assistant for creatives, coaches, or small businesses, this is what your clients wish they could tell you.

Read Nathan’s blog post: Relationship Building With Your Virtual Assistant

What Makes a Good Virtual Assistant (According to My Client)

It’s not just about ticking off tasks. Clients want someone they can trust, someone reliable, responsive and easy to work with.

In Nathan’s blog, he explained how much he valued quick, thoughtful replies, especially during busy weeks and how important it was that I could adapt to his needs in a way that felt neurodivergent-friendly.

If you’re wondering what makes a good virtual assistant, it’s not just admin experience or software skills. It’s about how you show up, how well you communicate and how you support your client in a way that works for them.

Your Virtual Assistant Onboarding Process (A Simple Start)

The word onboarding can sound a bit formal, but really, it’s just a simple conversation. Before a client officially says "yes," here’s what my virtual assistant onboarding process usually looks like. It often starts with a message via LinkedIn or email, where the client checks if I have availability. I reply with an intro email, attach my portfolio and share my rate upfront to keep things clear. I leave the door open with a line like, “Let me know a few dates and times if you’d like to set up a call.”

If they’re interested, we book a discovery call. This is where I ask detailed questions to understand their business and see if I have the right skill set to support them.

If we’re both happy after the call, I’ll send over a contract, confirm the start date and arrange a second call to decide what we’ll work on first.

Taking things slowly in the first month helps build trust, gives you time to learn how your client works and puts the right systems in place for a smooth workflow. It also means the first invoice is smaller, which can ease the pressure for both sides.

Tasks to Expect (And How They Grow Over Time)

Image description: An open to-do list notebook with a sticky note, pen, glasses, and laptop on a bright yellow desk. This image represents organisation, productivity, and the types of tasks to outsource to a virtual assistant, such as planning, scheduling, and admin support. Photo by Voldoymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash 

Most clients start by outsourcing one or two simple tasks. It’s their way of testing the waters, but once trust builds, that’s when the real work begins.

For example, I originally supported one client with writing a few social media posts. Over time, that grew into helping with planning, strategy and generating new content ideas.

The truth is, many clients don’t realise how much they can hand over until they feel confident in you. When you’re flexible, trustworthy and easy to communicate with, they naturally start to delegate more.

If you're wondering which tasks to outsource to a virtual assistant, just know, it often starts small, but it won’t stay that way for long.

Building Trust With a New Client

In the early stages, both you and your client are learning how each other works. That’s why it’s so important to ask questions, stay in touch and ask for feedback.

Once you’ve completed a few successful tasks, your client will naturally relax. You’ll get more freedom and the day-to-day communication will feel easier. Like any new role, it takes a little time to settle in, but once you find your rhythm, everything starts to flow.

If you’re unsure what a client is really looking for in a virtual assistant, Nathan shared a helpful list in his blog with 12 practical tips based on his own experience. Read it here: Relationship Building With Your Virtual Assistant. 

The Real Benefits of a Good VA–Client Relationship

Knowing how to delegate to a virtual assistant doesn’t always come naturally to clients, especially if they’ve never worked with one before. That’s why it’s helpful to ask early on if they already have a list of tasks in mind. In my experience, if someone can’t clearly explain what they need help with, they might not be ready for a Virtual Assistant yet.

You can guide the conversation by asking questions like, “Do you need help creating content online? Which platform are you focusing on right now?” I often suggest LinkedIn for business-to-business clients, as it tends to deliver the most value for your time and effort.

When things do click with a client, it quickly shifts from task-based freelancing to a true working partnership. You become someone they rely on, not just for admin, but for ideas, feedback and strategic support.

One of the best parts? Happy clients often refer you to others. I’ve had clients introduce me to people in their network simply because our working relationship felt strong and built on trust.

If their business grows, yours does too. Everyone wins and your business grows more through trust and referrals than through constantly chasing new leads.

Final Thoughts: This Is What Success Looks Like

Being a Virtual Assistant isn’t just about admin. It’s about problem-solving, building trust and growing alongside your clients.

If you're trying to build a business around family life, this kind of working relationship shows what’s possible. You don’t need hundreds of clients to succeed, just the right ones. The ones who value your support, trust your input and treat you like part of the team. From there, your confidence grows, your referrals grow and so does your business.

Now read: Work From Home As A Virtual Assistant

And read: How I Became a Virtual Assistant in the UK (And What I’d Do Differently)