How to Become a Virtual Assistant

Being a virtual assistant is like being a partner to your client. You provide administrative support to businesses and entrepreneurs, working closely with them on various projects. As the name suggests, you work remotely, available during normal work hours or as specified in your contract.

What Does a Virtual Assistant Do?

A virtual assistant is a jack-of-all-trades. You handle basic admin tasks to higher-level work, making you an invaluable resource. You might find yourself doing customer support, administrative tasks, social media management, content creation, email management, follow-up calls, answering customer queries, project coordination, market research, calendar management, lead generation, data entry, typing, and even graphics design.

You can work across various industries. Everyone can use an assistant, so no matter your field, there’s someone out there looking to hire a virtual assistant for their business.

Who Needs a Virtual Assistant?

Clients who want to free up time for high-priority work often outsource to virtual assistants. Entrepreneurs, small business owners, executives, and even larger companies can benefit from the services of a virtual assistant. They might need help with tasks they do not know how to do, do not want to do, or simply do not have the time for. From handling emails and scheduling to managing social media accounts and customer support, the roles a VA can fill are vast and varied.

How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Make?

Your earnings as a virtual assistant depend on how you price yourself, your skills, and the projects you take on. You can choose to price per hour, per project, or even on a retainer basis. You can set your rate as high as you want as long as it matches what you’re offering. You can charge anywhere from $25/hour to $300 a month or more per client.

How Do Clients Find You?

Clients are everywhere. You can find opportunities on freelancing and remote work platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal. They are also on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Threads. You can also reach out to clients using this pitch template or if you choose Upwork, you can use this upwork proposal template to write a winning proposal to prospective clients.

Make sure your profile is optimised with the keywords your client may be searching for to increase your visibility.

Who Can Become a Virtual Assistant?

Anyone can become a virtual assistant, but it’s particularly attractive to stay-at-home parents, college students, and new graduates. If you’re someone who enjoys organising, communicating, and problem-solving, this could be a perfect fit. It’s also an excellent option for remote workers looking to diversify their income streams. 

If you’re a recent university graduate, starting as a virtual assistant can help you build a versatile skill set and gain experience in various industries. This role offers flexibility, allowing you to work part-time or full-time, and can be a stepping stone to other opportunities in the global job market.

Essential Soft Skills for Virtual Assistants

• Communication skills
• Organisation skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Time management
• Attention to detail
• Patience
• Flexibility

How to Start a Virtual Assistant Freelancing Career

You don’t need any capital to start a virtual assistant business. You can begin your career today with the skills you already have. Everything you’ve done in your past can be utilised in your role as a virtual assistant if you can do it remotely and charge for it. Use this portfolio template to build a virtual assistant portfolio that shows clients what you’ve done in the past and can do for them.

If you enjoy writing blogs, creating social media content, or engaging with people online, you can become a virtual assistant who manages social media for clients, creates Canva designs for LinkedIn/Instagram/Facebook, crafts blogs and articles for product launches, writes website copy, and answers customer questions via DMs or email. All of these services are chargeable.

You can work part-time or full-time, on short-term projects or ongoing support, all of which can scale depending on the changing needs of the business owner.

Pro Tips for Aspiring Virtual Assistants

1. Say Yes to Opportunities: In your first year, say yes to every opportunity. This will help you grow your skills and decide what you enjoy doing the most.
2. Use Productivity Tools: Use tools like Trello, Asana, Google Workspace, and Slack to streamline your workflow and increase efficiency. These tools are essential for managing tasks, communication, and project coordination.
3. Trustworthiness and Confidentiality: As a virtual assistant, you must be trustworthy and keep your clients' information confidential and safe. You’ll likely have access to their social media accounts and financial information, so integrity is crucial.
4. Join a Community: Join a mentoring or freelancing community to learn the ropes from experienced virtual assistants. This can provide valuable insights and support as you navigate your career.
5. Set Up a Multi-Currency Account: As a virtual assistant, you’ll work with clients worldwide. Set up a multi-currency account to receive payments easily. Use platforms like Geegpay to get an instant bank account in EUR, GBP, USD, and your local currency. Share these accounts with your clients to get paid seamlessly.
6. Leverage Different Keywords: Use various keywords in your profile like "operations manager," "development manager," and "project coordinator" to increase your chances of being found by potential clients.

Virtual assistants handle tasks their clients don’t know how to do, don’t want to do, or don’t have the time to do. It’s a demanding job requiring you to be a fast learner and open to trying new things. This skill is in high demand and can lead to a fulfilling career. While it might seem challenging, you already have what it takes and can begin your career today.