If you decide to become a virtual assistant, you will work as a freelancer or independent contractor assisting one or more clients from your home.
The most successful assistants are self-starters with the ability to perform a variety of tasks quickly and efficiently while remaining trustworthy, professional, and reliable.
Companies of all sizes have always hired office assistants and clerical workers to handle a variety tasks, but many small business owners and entrepreneurs cannot afford to pay assistants to work in their homes or offices full-time.
Outsourcing tasks to virtual assistants, otherwise known as VAs, allows business owners to get the help that they need without the cost of full-time, in-office staff; and it allows virtual assistants the flexibility to work from home for multiple clients if they choose.
What Do Virtual Assistants Do?
It’s easy to think of a virtual assistant as the online version of a secretary, but VAs are often assigned tasks that go beyond answering phones and filing paperwork.
For instance, some assistants handle all social media updates and responses on behalf of their clients while others write ad copy, blog posts, and real estate listings. Virtual assistants can take on any tasks that their clients don’t have the time, desire, or expertise to handle.
When you decide to become a virtual assistant, you must also decide whether you want to specialize in one field or accept clients from multiple fields.
You’ll also need to choose whether to offer general services like answering phones and data entry, or specialized services like social media management or marketing.
Virtual assistants may handle any of the following for their clients:
- Accounting
- Market research
- Information research
- Creative or technical writing
- PowerPoint presentations
- Video editing
- Blogging or vlogging
- Social media management
- Marketing
- Organization & time management
- Scheduling & appointment booking
- Sales and sales support
- Customer service
- Receptionist services
- Data entry
- Real estate agent support
- Web and graphic design
You can expand this list with any additional skills that you have to offer. If a task can be completed remotely, there’s a chance that you will find clients interested in outsourcing that type of work.
Not sure what services you would offer as a virtual assistant? Here is a list of over 150 VA services ideas to get you started.
How Much Are Virtual Assistants Paid?
Virtual assisting is an interesting career field because there is extraordinary potential for growth.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for VAs is just over $57,000 per year.
Ultimately, your pay will depend on who you work for – yourself, an outsourcing company, or a “traditional” employer.
If you work with an outsourcing company, you may be paid a small amount per task or a set hourly rate. Working as an employee typically means a set rate per hour or a salary, but this is also usually accompanied by a full benefits package.
If you work for yourself, you can set your rate at whatever you like depending on your skills, clients, and the specifics of the project (in many cases this may be $20 or much more per hour).
It is not uncommon for experienced virtual assistants who work for themselves to exceed the income they earned in previous careers.
How to Become a Virtual Assistant
You can start out working for an virtual assistant outsourcing company, like Fancy Hands or eaHELP. Fancy Hands offers the opportunity to work your way up to higher paying assignments or receive a promotion to a managerial role with higher earning potential.
Many virtual assistants are freelancers working for themselves, setting their own hours, and working according to their own terms. You will be a business owner, and you’ll need focus and the ability to market skills independently.
If you work as a freelancer, you can take on clients from a variety of fields.
You may work with a real estate agent interested in building a stronger online presence or an entrepreneur starting a new business from their home.
If you go this route, you could set up your own website and social media accounts to find clients. The more time you spend working your business, the more likely you are to find dedicated clients willing to deliver long-term work.
Not sure how you would start your own VA business? Scroll ahead to Start Your Own Virtual Assistant Business below!
If you prefer to work with an outsourcing company, try to find organizations with a long history of operation and good reputation.
Companies That Hire Virtual Assistants
eaHELP
Hires executive assistants as independent contractors. You must have at least 5 years experience as an executive assistant or a similar role.
Fancy Hands
Hires independent contractors. You can work whenever you like and choose your tasks as long as work is available. There is the potential for promotion to managing other assistants.
Red Butler
Virtual concierge, assistant and travel service provider. It doesn’t appear that Red Butler conducts hiring campaigns, but you can always apply for the Concierge Specialist position.
Time Etc
Hires freelance virtual assistants with at least 2 years experience working in an assistant role. Must be willing to work part-time Monday-Friday at least 5 hours per week.
Zirtual
Zirtual hires both full-time and part-time “ZAs” as independent contractors.
Belay
Work full-time or part-time from anywhere.
24/7 Virtual Assistant
Primarily part-time VA work.
Virtual Gal Friday
Hires virtual receptionists and assistants. You will hired as an employee.
Worldwide 101
Work a maximum of 25 hours per week at approximately $20 per hour.
Vicky Virtual
Perform basic receptionist duties and appointment booking for Vicky Virtual’s small business clients. You will be hired as an employee.
VaVa Virtual Assistants
Part-time work starting at approximately $15 per hour.
You may also choose to create a profile on the following freelance marketplace sites to sell your services – Guru, Upwork, or Freelancer.
If you would rather start as an employee, then major job boards, such as Indeed, are a great option for conducting your search.
Though you will technically be a business owner while contracted with most of the companies listed above, you will still be required to adhere to company polices about the number of hours you work per week, what times you work, your pay, and other requirements.
Which leads to the next point…
Start Your Own Virtual Assistant Business
If you truly want to be your own boss, set your own rates and hours, and choose your clients and projects, here’s a great course to help you start your own virtual assistant business.
Get the blueprint for becoming a successful VA, and get started in a minimal amount of time.
Start And Grow A Virtual Assistant Biz (From Scratch) In The Next 30 Days!
Virtual Assistant Qualifications
In general, most clients and companies expect:
- Internet proficiency
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to quickly adapt to client needs
- Proficiency with one or several of the following – Google Suite, Microsoft Office, project management software, basic HTML
- Specialized skills – general assistant, bookkeeping, customer service, social media, project management, customer management, etc.
- Excellent organization
- Ability to type quickly and accurately
- Positive, proactive attitude
- Reliable, up to date computer
- Fast internet connection
- Dedicated business phone line
- Availability during regular business hours
While some virtual assistants are successful without any official VA training or certification, many get their start by completing administrative assistant training programs online.
Keep in mind that most companies do not offer training, as they expect candidates to be experienced and ready to work.
Virtual Assistant Resources
Here are a few helpful resources whether you are looking for virtual assistant work from home jobs or if you want to start a business.
International Virtual Assistants Association Non-profit organization dedicated to the professional education and development of VAs.
Virtual Assistant Forums Forum and networking community for VAs.
VA Networking Offers resources, networking, and training.
Do you plan to become a virtual assistant, or do you already work as a VA? Share your experiences in comments!
Updated: February 2019
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