3 Red Flags 🚩 For Virtual Assistants & Freelancers: How YOU Can Avoid Them!

Starting your own business as a virtual assistant (VA) or freelancer is incredible, but let’s be real—it’s not all smooth sailing. You’ll come across some tricky situations that can put you and your business at risk if you’re not careful.

Don’t stress, though! After years as a VA, I’ve run into some of these challenges and learned how to steer clear of them. Let’s talk about the top red flags to watch out for—and how YOU can avoid them like a pro!

🚩 The “Free Trial” Clients 🚩

This is the BIG one. Watch out for clients who try to get FREE services out of you.

Here’s how they usually do it: they’ll ask if they can try your services for “a month” before committing to payment, or they’ll offer to pay you after they “see results.” Sounds innocent, right? But here’s the reality—you’re running a business to make an income, not to work on a maybe.

If a client wants you to work for free as a trial, it’s an immediate NO. Always protect yourself with a contract that spells out exactly what you’ll do, how much you’ll be paid, and when you’ll be paid. This way, there’s no room for “trial runs.”

Remember, you’re here to work with clients who respect your business and value your time.

🚩 Bad VA Coaches 🚩

Yep, this happens, too. You might be surprised, but I’ve come across virtual assistant “coaches” who have literally ripped off my website word-for-word. Shocking, right?

There are some “coaches” out there who are in it just for the money, not to actually teach or help you. They’ll recycle content from real VA coaches, slap it into a course, and sell it as their own.

My advice? Do your research before signing up for any course. Look for student reviews, attend free webinars, and ask questions. The goal is to find a coach who’s the real deal—someone who’s invested in YOUR success, not just their own paycheck.

🚩 Clients Getting Too Personal 🚩

As a new VA, you might think clients need all sorts of personal details. Spoiler alert: they don’t.

All you really need is a contract that outlines the services and payment terms. Clients don’t need your home address, birthday, or even your personal phone number if you’re working remotely. It’s not relevant to the work you’re doing, and it’s okay to set boundaries.

Trust me, protecting your personal information is just as important as protecting your business. Don’t feel pressured to share more than what’s necessary.

One more thing...

These are just a few red flags that I’ve come across in my own VA journey, but there are definitely others out there. Setting clear boundaries, communicating effectively, and doing a little homework upfront can save you a lot of stress down the road.

Remember, your business is worth protecting, so trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to say no when something feels off. You’ve got this!

If you want to become a virtual assistant

If you have been thinking of becoming a Virtual Assistant, there truly hasn’t been a better time to start! More businesses than ever are turning to freelancers and virtual assistants today.

You can turn the skills you already have into a service-based business, work from the comfort of your own home, work with clients you genuinely enjoy working with, and have more freedom than a regular 9-5 job. 

As someone who’s been in the game for 8 years, I can tell you - it’s a pretty fun gig!

If you want to learn how to become a virtual assistant, you CANNOT miss this free training I created for you. I deep dive into the world of freelancing, tell you how I started my virtual assistant business, and give you the absolute BEST tips for getting started and finding clients.

Want me as your coach? Join my online course, Virtual Freelancer Academy, where I teach you EVERYTHING you need to know and give you all the tools you need to succeed as a VA (just like I've done for hundreds of students just like you).

Have more questions? Message me here!