The Perils of Working in Isolation as a Virtual Assistant

Why virtual assistants need supportive communities to thrive

It can be the accumulation of small moments. On their own, they're not a big deal, but collectively they can take a toll. Like when you bagged your ideal client but had no one to squeal in excitement with, or when you’re stuck with an IT issue and wish someone could tell you how to fix it, so you don’t fall so far behind. Receiving your first rejected offer for a client you REALLY wanted to work with, or working with an awesome team for a project, but the project ends and you’re left with that deflated feeling. 

There’s substantial evidence available, indicating that people need people. According to the social isolation report from the Australian Institute of health and wellness 2021, social isolation and loneliness can be harmful to your physical and mental health. 

The Australian Psychological Society reported that working from home has been associated with various detrimental outcomes. Including decreased social interaction, difficulties psychologically detaching from work, tendency to overwork, stress, depression, and anxiety. (Sander, 2019). 

Our need for community is psychological. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, feelings of belonging and love are crucial for motivating human behaviour. 

You might think wow, that’s such a negative Nancy, doom and gloom outlook. I mean, there are so many benefits to working from home…right?  Well… yes, we wholeheartedly agree with you. There are SO many benefits. Which is why it’s important to understand the risks, so you can mitigate them, straighten your crown and kick those personal and business goals, being the awesome business owner you are. 

Running a small business is no easy feat. Your stress levels can increase without adequate support around you. It can feel like no one else is going through the challenges you are. The stress this causes can lead to anxiety and depression. But the reality is many people can relate, assist, share opinions, and mentor you through the challenging times. 

Now we’re aware of some of the dangers of working on your own in the virtual space, let’s explore the advantages of being part of a community, so that you do not fall into the working and isolation trap.

What are the high-impact benefits of being active in an aligned community?

Guidance - starting your business journey

When you first start as a solopreneur, there are so many aspects to learn about. Yes, you know your craft well, after all, that’s why you have the confidence to branch out on your own. But business ownership is a new kettle of fish. There is so much to learn and implement. Like finding clients, understanding growth mindset, setting goals, financial management, mitigating risks with insurance and business plans, software, creating a website, content marketing, legals, sales, customer service and the list goes on. In an encouraging like-minded community, there are no silly questions. You can seek guidance from people who have walked the same path as you, and gain valuable tried and tested insights.

Community gives small business owners a support system.

Waving goodbye to permanent employment is a huge moment in every Virtual Assistant / freelancer’s world. It’s evident how many relationships you’ve built over your years in an office environment. One of the first lessons we learn as a VA is that you can’t run a business on your own. Working for yourself has its own unique set of challenges, and as you no longer have an office full of people to work with, this is where your community comes into play. For example:

• Have you ever had a challenging client and wondered if you should persevere or pull the plug? Well, ask your community… 

• Struggling to get the work/life balance right?… ask how others manage boundaries.

• Want to know what marketing strategies work for other businesses?

• What happens when you’re sick? 

• Who will manage your client's workload while you recover? 

• Scam alerts

• Do you update the latest WordPress plugin or wait?

• What’s the best scheduler or workflow management tool, and why? 

• What are some good local networking groups to attend?

• How much do others charge for similar work?

If you’re a member of a community of like-minded Virtual Assistants, it's like having a job you love with colleagues whose opinions matter and elevate or support you. 

Community membership provides many opportunities to collaborate and find business buddies. To refer and be referred, to have a coffee and conversation with, or learn a new skill from another member.

Community enhances personal and business growth and accountability. 

An aligned community will not only help you connect with other individuals, but will also provide:

• insight into market trends and current topics, for example, Chat GPT. 

• where the industry is heading, for example, more corporations are now seeking virtual business support as part of the recruitment strategy.

• an analysis into the industry, for example, the most in demand freelance skills.

Another HUGE benefit of being part of a healthy community is the accountability factor. How easy is it to let things fall when you have only yourself to motivate your business to grow? To offer new exciting opt-ins, or services or technology enhancements, takes time, initiative and inspiration. Within a community, the diverse members inspire each other to dig deeper and push outside your comfort zone to achieve their desired results.  It leads you to new viewpoints, and allows you to recognise what makes your offering unique.

Some communities even help further by offering to pair you with an accountability partner or group, or co-working opportunities. 

There are often opportunities for professional development, with workshops, mentorships, leadership opportunities and resources to help advance your business. The best bit… it's mutually beneficial, as you’re supporting a small business owner, as they guide you towards growth.

Long lasting friendships

Last but most definitely not least, the corporate coffee catch ups and water cooler conversations transform into online and in-person meet ups with people who you can now call your friends and colleagues. 

The best bit is, even though you are each other's competition (in some respects), in a good group there is no such thing as tall poppy syndrome, instead all poppies will be lifted to reach their natural heights of awesomeness. It’s your work family, even though you work alone from home… You know, you’re never alone. There are people there cheering you on, pulling you up on a typo on your socials, or offering advice and guidance, and most importantly, sharing a good belly laugh with you on the days you feel a bit lonely or frustrated. 

Getting together virtually or physically to let your hair down and have fun, or celebrate important moments, is another massive benefit of being actively involved in a community group or two. And remember, it is NEEDED to reduce the mental and physical ill-health impacts of working in isolation.

There are so many VAs who have built life-long relationships with virtual assistants in their communities. Some have joined forces and transitioned into a business partnership, some sub-contract, some attend industry events and share rooms in the local hotel, some refer business to other VAs in the community. Whatever it looks like for you, it is SO worth making the effort to be engaging, to respond to people’s questions when you have insights that may help, to go to the events even though you feel like you don’t have the time. Because the relationships built are so worth the time investment. 

So if you're looking for ways to strengthen your network and stay connected as a small business owner, take advantage of all the resources available through online and in-person communities, within your region and nationally. 

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About the author: Deb Ricketts owns Versatile VA, an award winning Sydney based content marketing agency, who partners with small service based allied health and wellness businesses across Australia. 

Deb personally provides 1:1 mentoring and group sessions for small businesses on: content planning, strategy sessions, standard operating procedures, customer avatars, and vision boarding. 

Deb’s passion for community and reducing mental ill health in the virtual assistant industry led her to co-create the Sydney Virtual Assistant Community. SVAC is a community-run safe space where all Sydney (and surrounds) virtual assistants can feel supported, share concerns, become co-leaders, raise questions and up-skill by learning new skills together. Most importantly, they catch up for in-person as well as virtual events, to build lifelong friendships.