You don’t HAVE to be an introvert to be a successful VA but I’ve noticed that a lot of happy virtual assistants ARE introverts. On the surface, it makes perfect sense, right?

But what if you're an extroverted VA? How can you not only survive but THRIVE in this traditionally quiet and solitary profession?

What are introverts and extroverts?

First, let's clear up what exactly introverts and extroverts ARE because I see a lot of incorrect assumptions about them, like "all introverts are shy" and "all extroverts love being on stage."

According to MyersBriggs.org:

Introverts get their energy from dealing with the ideas, pictures, memories, and reactions inside their head, in their inner world. They prefer doing things alone or with one or two people they feel comfortable with.

Introverts take time to reflect so that they have a clear idea of what they'll be doing when they decide to act. Ideas are almost solid things for introverts and sometimes they like the idea of something better than the real thing.

Extroverts like getting their energy from active involvement in events and having a lot of different activities. They're excited when they're around people and extroverts like to energize other people.

They like moving into action and making things happen. They generally feel at home in the world and often understand a problem better when they can talk out loud about it and hear what others have to say.

The main difference and which one are you?

The main difference between the two is that extroverts get energized by interacting with others while introverts, after being social, are instead drained and need time alone to "recharge" before they can interact with people again.

So introverts dislike small talk while extroverts thrive on it.

If you’re not sure which type you are, take a free online Meyers-Briggs personality test like this one. While not totally scientific, it may give you some insight into what personality type you are and, therefore, whether you’ll enjoy being a VA just based on your inherent personality type.

Introvert VAs: It's a Natural Fit

I'm sure most people realize that virtual assistants largely work alone. Before you become a VA, you probably picture interacting with clients and other team members - instead of in person - via phone, Skype, Zoom, etc.

What you may not think about is that if your client uses an online project manager (like Trello, Asana, Teamwork, etc.), you may not even speak with them or other team members to get your assignments; it could all be automated or e-mailed.

Personally, I’m an introvert so VA work is perfect for me. I’m also shy and pretty reserved and private, so it’s a refreshing change for someone like me to NOT have to be in an office all day - with co-workers talking loudly, stopping by my desk, chit-chatting in the break room – or having to attend meetings, going into the boss’s office for assignments, etc.

That kind of thing used to drain me every day to the point where I’d get home and want to recharge my batteries by reading or watching TV by myself. But I’d force myself NOT to do that because I love my family and missed them all day.

It was a constant struggle against my inherent personality and, looking back now, I can see how much it added to my level of unhappiness at working outside the home.

As you can see, a work-at-home profession like virtual assistance is definitely geared toward an introvert's personality. But what if you're an extrovert yet you still want to be a successful, happy Virtual Assistant? Well, let's talk about ways you can survive in the VA world as an extrovert.

Extrovert VAs: Let's Make It Work

If you’re an extrovert who enjoys the busy office environment, gets bored when working alone, needs “an audience” or gets your batteries charged by being social, virtual assistance may not be the ideal career for you - at least on the surface.

However, I have some survival techniques to share that should help you tremendously, whether you're an extrovert aspiring or existing VA who's struggling with the concept.

This post may contain affiliate links meaning I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure.

8 Survival Techniques for Extrovert Virtual Assistants

If you’re an extrovert doing the Virtual Assistant thing, here are some suggestions to make it all work.

Note: This post was originally written in 2019 and is being reposted in 2020. Obviously. things have changed drastically due to Covid-19 realities. Hopefully, restrictions on spending time together, in public places, etc. will ease some time in 2021. In the meantime, please follow all rules and recommendations in place for your area, regardless of what the tips below say! 

1. Co-Working Space

The most obvious solution is to join a co-working space. If you're not familiar with the term, ...

Coworking is an arrangement in which workers of different companies share an office space, allowing cost savings and convenience through the use of common infrastructure, such as equipment, utilities, and receptionist and custodial services, and in some cases refreshments and parcel acceptance services. It is attractive to independent contractors, independent scientists, telecommuting and work-at-home professionals, and people who travel frequently. Additionally, coworking helps workers avoid the feeling of isolation they may experience while telecommuting, traveling, or working at home alone, and eliminate distractions. Most coworking spaces charge membership dues. - Wikipedia.com

This is the best of both worlds for an extroverted VA! Check out a site like Coworker.com to find co-working spaces near you.

2. Working in other public spaces

Other places where an extroverted virtual assistant can work "out in the wild" include coffee shops like Starbucks, the public library, the park, the beach, or even the lobby of a nice local hotel.

I'm an introverted VA but even I need to get out the house sometimes and I often go to hotel lobbies :)  I've found that as long as you buy some food or drink and go during a non-busy time, staff doesn't mind or even ask if you're a hotel guest. Because you're making purchases, you don't need to feel guilty about using their facility either.

3. Connect online

You don't even have to leave your house to interact with others, and in the case of the internet, you can really target those interactions with people specifically like you - other business owners, virtual assistants, entrepreneurs, etc.

Use a free scheduling app like Acuity to plan 15- or 30-minute "coffee chats" with people you connect with in Facebook business groups, on LinkedIn, etc.

{Pssst! These are REALLY good for your VA business too; take my word for it}.

4. Join/create online masterminds or get an "accountabilibuddy"

You can also find mastermind groups online, paid or free, where a group of like-minded entrepreneurs get together. They meet up at pre-set times on a video conference app like Zoom  to discuss issues, strategically plan, share expertise, and provide support to each other.

If you have a "biz bestie" or cohort you really get along with, you could meet or check-in regularly and be each other's accountabilibuddy!

5. Attend in-person Meetups

If you go to Meetup.com, you can search your local area for in-person meetings of your fellow small business owners, freelancers, etc. They're sometimes run by business coaches so you'll not only serve your extroversion but you may also get some free (or paid) coaching.

6. Schedule a 4-day workweek

Knowing that working home alone all week is going to be a challenge, you could arrange your schedule so that you have, say, every Wednesday off.

Instead of working 6 hours a day, Monday through Friday, you could work 7.5 hours a day and take Wednesdays off. Choosing Wednesday can make it feel like you only have a TWO-day work week!

On your weekday off, make sure to get out of the house, meet up with friends, take your mom to lunch, run your errands, etc. VAs are creative; I'm sure you have LOTS of ideas of how to spend that time to feed your extroversion.

7. Do an activity or hobby

One of the greatest things about being a virtual assistant and owning your own business is that, like I said in #6, YOU get to decide your schedule. So if the local book club meets on Thursdays at 11am, no problem - you're there!

When I say hobby, I don't mean sitting home alone knitting, lol. Do an activity that gets you interacting with others. Not only is Meetup.com great for finding local business groups, as mentioned in #5, but you can also find an endless variety of other activity groups - sailing, indoor rock climbing, learning a language, geocaching, and more.

8. Join your local Chamber

Here's another "best of both worlds" idea: Join your Chamber of Commerce. They have regular meetings and social events where local business owners come together to learn about and promote each others' businesses.

You can attend CoC business coffees, dinners, cocktail mixers, fundraisers, and more. Make sure to have some business cards; you may just book some clients while you're out getting your extrovert on!

Bonus tip: Some CoC's allow you to join even if you don't live in or base a business in that city. So potentially you could belong to several and that multiplies your opportunities for networking and events. Call Chambers in your surrounding areas and see if they'll let you join!

Other Ways to Survive as an Extrovert VA?

Well, I thought of these 8 ways and I'm an introvert! 😆 I'm sure you extrovert virtual assistants have used or can think of even more ways to survive and thrive in this profession.

One last thing: According to the personality test linked above, I'm an INTJ. Take the test and see what type you are. Sometimes you'll even find clients looking for a specific personality type, so write down your results or save the screenshot so you don't forget your type!

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