Being a virtual assistant is often viewed as one of the simplest ways to start making money online. It can be the first step towards creating your own online empire and a great way to make connections in the business.
Here are a couple of reasons why a virtual assistant job could work for you:
- You can work from anywhere– A lot of people who get bit by the travel bug tend to make their first few bucks by getting a job as a virtual assistant. It is an easy way to get started and there are tons of opportunities available. This post shares 27+ services to offer from home.
- You could get your foot in the door– As I mentioned before, online businesses are booming and being a virtual assistant for a blogger or online business is a great way to learn the ropes so that you could launch your own someday.
- You will never get bored!– Virtual assistants do everything from admin work to managing social media so there is no chance of you yawning with frustration.
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What exactly does a virtual assistant do?
A virtual assistant pretty much signs up for any work that can be done remotely which could be monitoring heavy email flow, managing posts, editing posts, scheduling social media posts, communicating with freelancers, etc.
You are essentially acting as the backend of the business.
Since there is a list of jobs most virtual assistants see themselves taking on, it is important to have something that sets you apart. What service do you provide that exceeds expectations?
Chances are if you work for a bigger company they will ask you to specialize in something which is why it is always good to have a service you excel it. Here are some of the most common services VAs offer:
- Content Creation
- Bookkeeping
- Finance
- Email Management
- Social Media
- Proofreading
- Facebook ads
- Admin Support
- Website Management
If you are ready to get started, here is a step-by-step method to set up your virtual assistant business:
1. Research and Understand your Role
If you were taking on any other job, you would probably need a degree or some qualification to get your future employer to believe in your abilities. Getting a position as a virtual assistant is no different.
Taking a course that can teach you the ropes is a good first step for anyone who wants to start applying for jobs. Some courses will also give you a certificate at the end which is a good addition to your resume.
If you are looking for a course that covers it all, the VA Handbook has one available that is a great starting point. This DIY Virtual Assistant course covers a bunch of stuff but here is what stands out. This is not an affiliate link but just a great source for virtual assistants.
- Financial and Legal Guidance- Tips on how to get paid, create invoices, file taxes, abide by GDPR laws, set up a business bank account, etc.
- Private facebook group
- Productivity Calendar- A step-by-step approach to staying productive while you are self-employed.
- Marketing and Finding Work- The best approaches to getting new clients, where to find them, and how to market yourself.
As you can tell, this course is super thorough so if you are looking to take the leap and invest in your future- this is a good one. If you are just starting out and want to set up a VA business, you can also check out this free course.
If you are looking for something on the cheaper end, you could consider taking one of the Udemy courses for virtual assistants.
The best affordable course
A couple of good ones include Work From Home as a Virtual Assistant or Social Media Management. Both of these are under $20 since they are heavily discounted at the moment.
You could consider looking into Facebook Blueprint which teaches you how to run Facebook ads for businesses and much more. This could come in handy if your client wants you to manage their established Facebook page or group.
2. Take a good look at your finances
Before you jump headfirst into your new life as a VA and book your ticket to Mexico, make sure you check your financial situation.
Can you afford to quit your job and go freelance?
I would suggest having at least one client lined up before you quit your current job. Your first few months will probably be hectic since you will be juggling work and a new side hustle but that is the most responsible way to get started.
When you do finally decide to go full-time, make sure you have got enough money in the bank to keep you comfortable for at least 3 months.
3. Decide what services you are going to offer
We have already covered the various services that virtual assistants offer and there are tons of them.
Before you start applying to every job you lay eyes on, make sure you are up to the task. Can you write great content? Is social media your thing? Do you love marketing?
Do not take on a client that wants a service you know you cannot provide. Being upfront from the get-go will help you more than you know.
Whatever freelance service(s) you choose to provide should be something you know you can do every day with the same standard and passion as the last.
You might want to check out some virtual assistant tasks in this list. It gives you lot of ideas on what virtual assistants usually do.
4. Set your rates
The average salary for a virtual assistant is just over $60,000/year with a newbie VA normally pulling in about $20/hr when they are getting started.
When you narrowing down on a rate, take into account that your client (in all probability) will not be providing health insurance, a pension plan, a 401k plan, dental insurance, maternity,…all of these costs will be covered by you.
So, when you are setting a rate, what may seem high could turn out to be much less than you thought.
Don’t forget that people can send money from all over the world to wherever you are. Just account for the exchange rate and make it clear what rate you charge in. This way, if they send in foreign currency, it will need to be of equal amount to what you charge in your currency.
An easy way to make sure you are on the right path is by looking to others for advice.
If you are trying to set a rate that works for you, make sure to check what other VAs are earning so you can average that out and settle on a fair rate for yourself.
You can do this by adding yourself to VA communities that get together on a Facebook group, using Google, checking out available statistics, etc.
5. Set yourself up for business – get everything ready
Being a virtual assistant means going freelance which is why you need to get certain legal aspects of your new job in order. This will include deciding whether you want to file taxes as an LLC or a sole proprietor and also creating a contract that you can use when taking on clients.
What do you need?
A contractor template. Amira from aselfguru has this reusable independent contractor template that you can buy as a one-time purchase for $100.
<<Here’s what you get inside the contract>>
6. Figure out what sort of clients you want
Do you want to work for small businesses or bloggers? What industry interests you?
You need to figure out stuff like this beforehand so you can gear yourself towards finding clients you want to work with. I would suggest looking back on your past work experience and trying to find what you are good at so you can land the job of your dreams.
7. Create a website to promote your services
Whether you are a freelance writer or a virtual assistant, having a website to feature your testimonials and offered services will always make you look more professional.
It is one of the cheaper ways to up your game and learning how to start a blog isn’t that hard at all. You can follow this easy start-a-blog guide to get started today.
Or, you can read these tips to kickstart your freelance writing career.
8. Start applying for jobs
Now that you have got everything set up, it is time to take the plunge and start applying for jobs. Here are some of the best places to start looking:
- FlexJobs – Flexjobs’ has a team that reviews every job posting to make sure it is not scammy or low-paying. You will get the best options and great companies to work with if you use this job board. Highly recommended freelance job marketplace.
- Social Media – Facebook groups, Twitter, and Linkedin are all great places to connect with people who may be looking for a new VA.
- Network within the community- Being proactive within the VA community is really important because you will soon discover it is a gold mine for information and opportunities. Treat fellow VAs as your fellow employees rather than the competition and you will go a long way.
- Local Businesses- Local businesses are always looking for ways to save money and time. Having a virtual assistant that is still near enough to drop by from time to time is an offer they could very easily consider.
- Take a look at these freelance job sites.
Are you looking for a free facebook group? Come, and join ‘Bloggers Camp’ and participate in weekly threads to get new opportunities and collaborations.
Become a virtual assistant and make money online
Deciding to become a virtual assistant is a cheap investment to make with a good future ahead of you. For people that crave flexible work schedules and more time to themselves, taking on work as a VA is one of the best legitimate ways to make money online.
It also needs very little to get started. It is one of the few jobs that need no qualifications and nothing but an internet connection along with some drive and passion.
So, what’s stopping you from taking an action?