How to Work From Home as a Virtual Assistant

You may not be a skilled programmer or have a degree in business management, but that doesn't mean you can't work from home as a virtual assistant. 

Virtual assistants perform administrative tasks for businesses and entrepreneurs all around the world.  All you need to get started is an internet connection, computer access, and some training on how to use popular software like Microsoft Office.  You also need to know your way around social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook - essential tools for spreading the word about your services!  Virtual assistants offer companies administrative support by performing any number of different tasks: scheduling appointments, typing up documents, answering phones...the list goes on and on! The sky's the limit when it comes to what you can do with your virtual assistant business.

READ: Top 12 Tips for Becoming a Virtual Assistant to Earn Money Online

Common Services Virtual Assistants Complete:

Let's get to the important stuff. Virtual Assistants are an amazing way for businesses and entrepreneurs alike, they can do anything from answering phones or delivering packages! Here is a list of services that will make your day go much smoother:

• Making phone calls  
• Email management  
• Web research  
• Any type of Data entry 
• Scheduling appointments 
• Editing 
• Content Writing 
• Bookkeeping 
• Marketing 
• Blog management 
• Proofreading 
• Project Management 
• Graphic Design 
• Tech Support 
• Customer Service 
• Event Planning 
• Social Media Management

Employee, Freelancer, or Entrepreneur? Which Route is Right For You?

The right route for you to work as a virtual assistant is dependent on what kind of person you are and your goals. If you’re looking for a steady paycheck, then being an employee might be best. But if you want more freedom in scheduling and assigning clients, working as a freelancer or independent contractor might suit better. You can set up your own business by following these steps: 

• Get the materials needed including phone line/cellphone, computer with high speed internet access, printer/scanner, website to market your services   
• Set up your business website   
• Visit the outsourcing website fiverr to market your services and begin getting clients

If you want to work as a virtual assistant, but aren’t sure which route is best for you and your goals, then try them all. Work as an employee first and then take on freelancing or start up your own business after gaining experience.

Where Do You Find Virtual Assistant Jobs?

Now that you're aware of the different types of work arrangements and their advantages, here is a list where to find VA jobs.

1. Online freelancing sites like upwork or fiverr: These sites connect employers with freelancers in a variety of fields including virtual assistant jobs, web design services, translation services, graphic design etc. The site takes care of all billing related to payments for projects taken up by employees. Freelancers get paid through their PayPal account directly without any involvement from either party beyond signing up on the website. However there is no guarantee that an employer will hire an employee after reviewing their profile because these websites are more of a connecting platform rather than an employment portal. However you can apply to multiple jobs on your profile and wait for employers to contact you.

2. Freelance websites: Websites like PeoplePerHour, Guru etc. give you a large pool of employers to choose from. They also directly connect you with an employer and charge them based on your experience and skill set so there is no confusion about terms of payment. However the service charges a fee for the entire process and this may not be very economical depending on how much you can charge as a salary for yourself.

Another disadvantage is that since this service does not provide you with a direct avenue of communication you cannot discuss what your employer needs from the next time and the quality standards they expect.

3. Virtual assistant associations: These are groups of VA’s that have come together to attract employers who are specifically looking for virtual assistants or support staff. Some examples are International Virtual Assistants association, World Virtual Assistants Association etc.

The major advantages are that you get to meet other VA’s who work in similar areas and share experiences with each other, there is direct communication with employers so you get more clarity on what they expect from you in terms of quality, skills required etc., this also helps you get to know what kind of pay you can expect for yourself.

The major disadvantage is that this association does not act as an intermediary so charges more than freelancing websites but gets you more requests from employers at the same time.

4. Social media: This is one of the most common ways people use to find virtual assistant jobs because it helps in increasing visibility and getting more exposure. You can use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to post your resume and link it with your blog or website to make it easier for employers to identify you. Another effective tactic is to ask previous employers if they know anyone who needs help to contact you directly. This ensures that people find out about your skills and services even if they do not have a profile on one of the freelance websites.

The major advantage is that you get to choose from a variety of employers and decide who you want to work with, however this means you will also have to sift through quite a bit of information before zeroing in on serious employers. Social media can prove beneficial as you can create a dynamic profile and make yourself visible to as many people as possible.

The major disadvantage is that it costs you time and efforts to keep your social media profiles updated with fresh content and this may not be an effective strategy if the kind of work or salary does not interest you. You also do not get any direct contact with employers in this method.

5. Freelancing websites: We know that you cannot directly collaborate with employers through freelancing websites but there are many advantages of making yourself visible to them and letting your resume be part of their search results when they look for assistants like you. Some such sites are Fiverr, PeoplePerHour etc. which do not charge any fees but connect you with employers based on your skills and minimum price.

The major advantage is that it works without charging you anything and since this service does not act as an intermediary between the two parties so either side can negotiate the terms of payment. The major disadvantage, however, is that since there are no guarantees for employment or salary you may end up working for peanuts!

6. Blogging: Whether you want to work as an assistant part-time or full-time, blogging is one of the best ways to showcase your skills and start making money right away. You can create a blog under your name (like this one!) or opt for a subdomain like http://helpingothers.blogspot.com or virtualassistantservices.blogspot.com and promote your services there.

The major advantage is that you get to create a unique brand for yourself on the web and anyone looking for help can contact you via your blog, respond immediately so communication is not an issue anymore! And since you have your own website people are more likely to take you seriously and pay you the rates you deserve.

The major disadvantage is that maintaining a blog takes time, effort and dedication which can be quite tedious if this kind of work does not interest you at all. As with social media it costs money in terms of hosting fees etc., but in case blogging interests you it can prove to be an excellent way of working as a virtual assistant.

7. Craigslist: This is a great site to find work with individuals, businesses and students who need help for various projects including transcription, taking notes in class or at meetings/conferences etc., research work, pet walking and so on. You can place an ad for your services, set the terms of payment and wait for people to contact you. This site is also free to use but may not be as popular as other sites so you may have to put in a lot of effort describing what kind of help you can provide with skills that match those required by clients.

The major advantage is that you can place an ad for your services and work for anyone who needs help without having to find them through other means. You will get to keep the full amount of money you charge and there are no hidden charges here.

The major disadvantage is that since this site was not designed specifically for virtual assistants it may be difficult to find work here. In addition, you need to have a wide range of skills to be able to work on general projects and must provide value for money if you want clients to contact you again.

8. Liveops: This service is designed for remote workers who can sell their services by answering calls from home. When a client needs virtual assistance all he has to do is call the toll-free number and in turn they get connected to your phone line. An automated attendant system acts as an interface between you and the client, in addition to giving you information about the nature of the work required by them.

As with most other sites here too you need to register yourself along with your skills so you can be found by clients looking for people with similar skills. Once you get registered then the client needs to go through a verification process and only then can they discuss projects and terms of payment with you.

The major advantage here is that employers post their projects for free but they pay a monthly fee to use your services. The major disadvantage is that this site is not specifically designed for virtual assistants hence the scope of work may be limited.

9. Callmart: This is another service that works by connecting businesses or individuals with people who are registered on this site, in order to provide assistance through phone calls. There are no specifications when it comes to what kind of work you can do or how much you can charge here.

All you have to do is register yourself along with your skills, set the terms of payment and wait for clients to contact you. The major advantage here is that this site does not focus on VAs or VA-related services so there are no limitations in what kind of work you can do here. The major disadvantage is that this is not a free service and the fees may be high as compared to other sites.

10. Freelancer: This site has been especially designed for virtual assistance projects, which means that it is better suited for VAs than others listed here. You can register yourself on this site along with your skills and then create a profile for yourself. Client profiles are also available here along with their requirements and you need to contact them directly if your skills match those required by them. Clients pay freelancers the money that is bid by them after negotiating rates, which means that if you set a low price then it will be difficult for you to convince clients to pick your bid over another.

The major advantage here is that the site itself has been designed for VAs and it focuses on projects related to VA services. There are also a lot of registered members and you can find work easily if you set your rates realistically. The major disadvantage is that this site charges fees from both clients and freelancers, which may make it less popular among the clients.

11. Zirtual: This site is very similar to Freelancer in that it specializes in projects related to virtual assistance and gives enough freedom for VAs/VAEs to define their own rates and work hours. You can sign up on this site and then create a profile for yourself which includes your skills, areas of expertise and your rates.

As soon as you get registered then clients can see all the VAs/VAEs who are available for them and contact whichever one they choose to complete their projects. You need to set up a separate account if you want to manage your billing, accept or reject new projects and keep track of expenses since this site does not manage money.

The major advantage here is that this site does not charge any fees, which means you can fix your own rates and negotiate with clients directly. The major disadvantage is that the number of registered members on this site may be limited due to its target market being VAs specifically. There are also no guarantees if a client chooses not to pay for completed work.

There are plenty of other sites that offer virtual assistance services but they either charge fees or just do not focus specifically on this type of work. The list mentioned here contains only those sites that specialize in virtual assistance and include features like free membership, no limitations regarding skill levels and availability hours, no restrictions on work or payment methods and don't charge fees.

How Much Do Virtual Assistants Earn?

Virtual assistants can make anywhere from $10 – 100 an hour, depending on what services they offer and how long you’ve been working in the field. If running your own VA business is something that interests you there are several different ways it might work; by task or project rather than time-based pricing for example (which many people find more reasonable). Explore all of these options to see which works best with clients while still providing value!

What Training Do You Need to become Virtual Assistant?

While you don’t need any specialized training to work-from home as a virtual assistant, the internet has made it easier than ever before. You do however need excellent communication and time management skills in order for your business venture of being an independent contractor from home be successful! It can also help establish your credibility in the field if there's no job experience before this one!

Prefer to Start Your Own VA Business?

 If you are looking for a career change, starting your own VA business might be the answer. To start your own VA business, you will need to educate yourself on best practices and file all necessary paperwork. Once that is done, you can focus on the fun parts of running your business! 

Below is a helpful link to help you get started: http://www.virtualassistantjobs.com/resources/

Conclusion

Now, with the right attitude and motivation you could be earning a living while working from home! You'll find legit positions for beginners as well as experts alike. Whether it's part time work or full-time employment there are many different arrangements that will fit within your schedule – all it takes is taking one step towards making this dream come true by starting today!