7 Things Virtual Assistants Should NEVER Do
There are a lot of dos and don'ts floating around the Virtual Assistant space. Everyone has advice. Everyone has a list of what you should be doing to build your business. But sometimes what’s more helpful is the list of things you should stop doing—right now.
Because if you want to build a VA business that actually pays you well, supports your lifestyle, and gives you the freedom you started this whole thing for, then it’s time to cut out the things that are keeping you small, stuck, and underpaid.
So let’s talk about it. After over a decade in the VA industry, here’s what Virtual Assistants should never do if they’re serious about building a real, profitable business.
1. Never Price Your Services Based on What You Think Someone Can Afford
This one will tank your income faster than anything else.
Maybe the potential client says, “That’s more than I was expecting,” and you immediately start shrinking. You slash your rate, toss in a discount, and call it “meeting them where they’re at.”
But here’s the truth: Your job is not to fit someone’s budget. Your job is to solve a problem and price accordingly.
So many VAs build pricing around what they assume a client can pay, instead of the value of the services they’re providing, and what they actually need to afford their lifestyles.
When you start discounting before someone even asks, or you offer a stripped-down version of your service “just to land the client,” you’re not building a business. You’re creating a mess. And that mess leads to resentment, burnout, and clients who never see your full value.
The most important thing is that you set your rates based on what you need to live and the life you want to have..
Clients don’t remember what you charged. They remember how you made them feel. And when you show up apologetic about your pricing, you train them to treat you like a low-cost commodity, not a valuable partner.
If your pricing feels uncomfortable to someone else, that’s okay. But don’t make it their problem to solve. Build pricing around your skills, your results, and the business you’re building, not their wallet.
2. Never Call Yourself “Just a VA”
Let’s kill this phrase forever: “I’m just a VA.”
There’s nothing small about the work you do. You are not just a box-checker or someone who schedules Instagram posts and follows up on emails. You’re someone who keeps a business running behind the scenes. You’re someone who spots gaps, smooths out workflows, and creates breathing room for your clients to actually grow.
The minute you start minimizing your role, your clients will too.
They’ll treat you like an assistant instead of a collaborator and business owner.
They’ll assume you’ll be available 24/7, that you’ll do whatever they ask, and that your rates are flexible—because you’re just a VA.
If you want to grow beyond task work and start offering higher-value services, this mindset shift has to happen now. Stop calling yourself “just” anything. Start acting like the strategic, essential business owner you already are.
3. Never Take On a Client Who Gives You a Weird Feeling Just Because You “Need the Money”
Desperation leads to bad decisions.
We’ve all been there. You need cash. A client shows up. The money looks good. But something in your gut says, “This is going to be a problem.” And you ignore it.
Fast-forward two months, and you’re stressed out, chasing invoices, dealing with scope creep, or waking up dreading your Slack notifications.
You don’t need another Virtual Assistant certification to know when a client isn’t a fit. You need to trust your gut and listen when it speaks.
The wrong client will cost you way more than money. They’ll drain your energy. They’ll take up mental space. They’ll shake your confidence. And most of the time, they block the space where your right-fit client would’ve gone.
Yes, the money is tempting. But I promise you this: there is always another client coming. You don’t have to say yes just because you’re scared to say no.
4. Never Pretend You’re Okay Being Underpaid
This one stings, but it’s real.
You might say you’re okay with your current rates. You might convince yourself that “this is just temporary” or “at least I’m getting experience.” But deep down, you’re frustrated—and it shows.
You hesitate to log in. You dread checking your inbox. You feel a pit in your stomach every time that client asks for one more thing.
You’re not a charity. You’re not a volunteer. You’re running a business. And you’re allowed to get paid well for your time, your brain, and your ability to help someone else succeed.
Undercharging won’t lead to respect. It won’t build confidence. It won’t lead to better clients. It just trains people to expect more for less—and that is the fastest way to burn out.
You don’t need to charge $100/hour on day one. But you do need to stop pretending that being underpaid is no big deal.
5. Never Say Yes to Work You Hate Just to Get the Job
You’re not stuck in your 9–5 anymore. So stop rebuilding it inside your VA business.
If tech support drains your soul, stop offering tech support. If you absolutely dread writing captions, take social media management off your services list. You didn’t leave your last job just to take on a client who makes you miserable.
One of the biggest benefits of running a Virtual Assistant business is the freedom to choose what you do. And yet so many VAs say yes to work that makes them groan, just to land the client.
Here’s the deal: when you fill your calendar with work you hate, you’re not making progress—you’re just rebranding your old burnout.
Pick services you enjoy. Build packages around what you're good at. And trust that clients who need those exact skills are looking for someone like you.
6. Never Ghost a Client—Even a Bad One
This is where boundaries and professionalism matter.
You don’t have to stay in a toxic client relationship. But you do have to end things clearly and respectfully. Ghosting a client—even a disorganized, demanding, or disrespectful one—hurts your reputation more than theirs.
If you’ve committed to a project, finish what you promised—or give clear notice with a reasonable exit. Set the boundary, document it, and move on.
Clients talk. And the way you leave relationships is just as important as how you start them. Be firm. Be kind. Be clear. Walk away like a pro.
7. Never Think You Have to Do This Alone
Building a Virtual Assistant business can feel isolating—especially in the beginning. You’re learning new systems, navigating imposter syndrome, and trying to figure out how to get clients while also setting up workflows, pricing your services, and managing a business for the first time.
It’s a lot.
And you’re not supposed to figure it all out by yourself.
Mentorship matters. VA coaching matters. Being around other women who are building businesses and taking bold steps matters. Whether it’s inside a program like VA 365, a mastermind, or a group of business besties, you need people in your corner who actually get it.
You don’t need more information. You need clarity, feedback, and accountability.
You need a place to say, “Hey, is this normal?” and get an answer from someone who’s been there.
Don’t white-knuckle your way through this. You’re allowed to get support.
Stop Waiting for the “Perfect Time” to Launch
If you’re nodding along to this list—feeling a little called out but also relieved that someone finally said it—good. That means you’re paying attention. You’re self-aware. You’re ready to make real changes.
If you’re waiting until you have the perfect logo, the polished website, the exact right service suite, or a fully built-out portfolio before you tell people you’re open for business, you’re going to be waiting forever.
Meanwhile, someone with half your skill set and none of your prep work is out there landing clients.
Perfection is just procrastination with a mask on. Starting before you’re ready is how you learn. It’s how you build confidence. It’s how you figure out what services you actually enjoy offering and what clients light you up (or drive you nuts).
Your Virtual Assistant business doesn’t need to be perfect, but it does need to be intentional. You don’t need a full brand board or a marketing plan. You need a clear offer and the courage to tell people about it. Everything else can evolve.
Start messy. Start now.
Want help building a Virtual Assistant business that actually pays you well and feels good to run?
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Let’s stop playing small. Let’s build the business you actually want.
