Being a virtual assistant is a flexible way to make money on the side.
Even though working from home is growing, many people don’t understand what a virtual assistant (VA) does and how they are key to the growth of a business. The truth is that they can do tasks associated with administrative work.
The list of services that a virtual assistant can offer is hugely diverse.
So, if you want to work for yourself and build your freedom, becoming a VA might be the perfect option!
What as a virtual assistant?
Virtual assistants are people who perform administrative and technical assistance to businesses for a fee. One of the main features of being a VA is that you can work from anywhere you want.
Usually, a company outsources work to virtual assistants so they can focus on boosting their company’s growth.
Because VAs provide affordable, effective solutions to completing daily tasks, business owners have the time to scale their business.
The best part?
You don’t need a degree or any type of certification to start working as a VA!
What virtual assistants do
The specific tasks of a VA will depend on the client’s needs and the terms of the contract. For instance, you might manage bookkeeping duties, respond to email, or do data entry while others might be in charge of social media or writing articles for a blog.
Others may also handle travel arrangements, appointments, customer service, and online file storage.
How much can you make as a VA?
How much you can do as a VA will depend on several factors, like:
- Experience – The more skills and knowledge you have, the more you can charge
- Type of Service – How much you can charge will depend on the types of services you offer
- Deadlines – When something needs to be done ASAP, virtual assistants usually charge more
Virtual assistants can charge anywhere from $1 to $100 per hour.
Usually, you can expect to earn between $15 and $30 per hour for administrative assistant services and $40-$75 per hour for higher-level marketing or financial tasks.
6 steps to becoming a airtual assistant
1. Take a VA training course
The best way to become a virtual assistant is by taking a course. I highly recommend the $10kVA course by my friend Kayla Sloan.
I paid for and took the course and was amazed at how comprehensive it is. You’ll learn everything you need to set up your business, including:
- What services to offer
- How much to charge
- How to work more efficiently
- How to pick up new skills and expand your niche
- How to get clients
2. Pick your services and rates
As a VA, you will need to consider what services you want to provide. To decide on your niche, you should ask yourself:
- What are you good at?
- What are your talents?
The key to success is to make yourself different.
One of the most challenging things to decide is how much you are going to charge. You have two options:
- Charge by the hour
- A flat rate for the project
If you are a beginner, charging by the hour is a great way to start.
3. Choose a name for your VA business
For almost every VA, deciding on a business name is one of the most challenging things to do. A great business name should be:
- Simple
- Descriptive
- Memorable
You might stick with something simple like your name: Sandy Smith Virtual Assistant.
Or use a name that describes your services, such as Apex Virtual Support or Virtual Edge.
4. Set up your website
You must have a professional online presence if you want to market yourself as a VA.
There are many things you can do to achieve this, but the most important one is to develop a dedicated website promoting your services and skills.
A good business website should include:
- Homepage
- About You
- Services Page
- Rates Information
- Testimonials
- Contact Details
I have a guide that walks you through setting up a website. Use this link and start on step #2.
5. Find Your Ideal Clients
Figure out the types of businesses and industries you want to work with, start networking, and pitch services to potential clients.
Make sure to tell everyone you know about your business. It is not the time to be shy!
Once you have a few clients under your belt, don’t forget to reach out to them each month to offer your services. They will be happy to hear from you.
