How To Become a Virtual Assistant & Land Your First Remote Job

Technology is rapidly changing the way entrepreneurs approach business. Many business leaders are turning to virtual assistants for help with administrative support tasks that can be done online.

Freelance virtual assistants can often maintain a work-life balance while using their skill set to make money from anywhere with an internet connection. In many cases, becoming a successful virtual assistant doesn’t require an advanced degree and is more about mastering programs you may already know. This makes it a cost-effective solution for businesses looking to outsource tasks that would otherwise be time-consuming for full-time employees.

Read on to discover whether becoming a virtual assistant is right for you. We’ll introduce you to different services to help you find the right match and fill you in on everything you need to know to get started.

What is a virtual assistant?

A virtual assistant is a self-employed professional who provides remote administrative support services to clients. Common tasks include scheduling appointments, handling internal or external communication, and calendar management. To be successful in this role, you’ll need to be tech-savvy and proficient in various software applications, including the Microsoft Office suite.

Some virtual assistants offer specialized skills such as bookkeeping, analytics, lead generation, graphic design, or digital marketing in addition to standard administrative tasks. The good news is that virtual assistants of all skills are in demand among clients from a wide range of industries and backgrounds.

What you do and how you specialize is up to you. The important thing is to have a good idea of the tasks you’re comfortable doing before applying for a virtual assistant position.‍

What services does a virtual assistant provide?‍

Virtual assistants have all kinds of duties. Sometimes, you may only perform a few specific tasks for a small business owner or department manager. Other times, you might play such a vital role in a company’s primary operations that you feel like part of their core team.

Virtual assistant jobs come with plenty of freedom and flexibility. You may prefer to consistently work with new clients from different industries or focus on providing services in a certain niche full time.

Rest assured that you’ll rarely (if ever) be expected to perform all the duties outlined below at once. These common duties are intended to give you an idea of the many opportunities available. They include:

General admin work. Common administrative tasks include calendar and email management, answering phone calls, and making appointments.

Project management. Some virtual assistants manage projects for business owners, including tracking team updates or creating progress reports. Sometimes, you might help the project stay on time or within a budget.

Bookkeeping. Small businesses and companies often hire virtual assistants if they need help processing payments, checking expenses, verifying payroll, and creating regular budget statements. This can be a good place to start if you’re good with numbers.

General research. Depending on your client’s industry, you may research things like e-commerce markets or real estate properties.

Blogging and writing. Some virtual assistants help clients with content creation. This could include anything from blog or social media posts to web content or e-commerce copy.

Customer support. Customer service involves using your communication skills to answer customer questions, look up information, and take messages.

Data entry and transcription. Data entry is organizing and entering information into a computer. Transcription typically involves transcribing written recordings or note-taking during live meetings.

Order management. Many e-commerce companies use virtual assistants to help them understand and manage current orders, such as finding customer tracking numbers or restocking products.

Email marketing. This typically goes beyond responding to individual emails and involves using a client’s customer relationship management (CRM) system to create email campaigns for lead generation or customer engagement.‍

Social media management. Virtual assistants specializing in social media management help clients create and maintain their digital presence across multiple platforms. Their duties range from content creation and scheduling to interacting with customers or moderating a client’s Facebook group.

Social media marketing. Unlike most social media managers, social media marketers are directly involved in a brand’s social ad campaigns. These specialists may help map out advertising strategies, manage ad spend, or use analytics to track a campaign’s success.

Website management. Virtual assistants often make basic website updates, post content, proofread, and more. You might need WordPress or other content management skills to shine here.

Executive assistance. Executive assistants usually work directly under high-ranking executives. They typically specialize in more tasks, from making travel arrangements and scheduling important meetings to project management and fielding referrals.

How much do virtual assistants make?‍

Freelance virtual assistants charge a wide range of hourly rates, usually depending on their experience level and areas of expertise. Independent contractors on Upwork generally charge between $10 and $20 per hour.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median hourly rate for administrative assistants is around $21, while the median rate for executive assistants is around $34.

What are the most in-demand virtual assistant services?

We’ve found these eight tasks and requirements to be some of the most in-demand services offered by freelance virtual assistants and virtual administrative assistants.

Customer service

An increasing number of companies are outsourcing administrative tasks like answering customer calls or chat questions. Some companies will even provide you with service templates to answer common questions. You may also use software that can help you route calls to the correct departments.

Internal email communications

If you’re fluent in multiple languages, mention it on your resume. Even more job opportunities may be available to virtual assistants who can communicate with international customers or reliably translate foreign language documents.

Time management

Plenty of clients, from small business owners to CEOs, hire virtual assistants to help them keep their schedules in order. In these cases, scheduling and calendar management will be essential to your daily duties. Clients may rely on you to help them stay on top of meetings with anyone from business partners to potential leads.

File management and maintenance

Organization is another important virtual assistant skill. Companies often rely on virtual assistants to organize important files and documents on their file management platforms. Let potential clients know if you’re familiar with Google Drive, Dropbox, or other cloud storage solutions.

Social media marketing

Social media has become an increasingly important part of branding. Some virtual assistants offer a blend of administrative and social media marketing skills that can be valuable to the right client. Highlighting any experience in organic or paid social media marketing can be a great way to get your foot in the door.

LinkedIn lead generation

While technically a sub-niche of social media marketing, any experience you may have with LinkedIn is worth highlighting. LinkedIn is a particularly popular lead generation platform for B2B companies, making it a great niche to specialize in.

General weekly reporting

Technology enables businesses to make better-informed decisions. Plenty of clients could use your skills if you’re good at turning data into actionable insights. Learning to craft clear reports and presentations can be a great way to set yourself apart from the competition.

How to become a virtual assistant with no experience

Launching a business as a virtual assistant may sound intimidating, but a few steps can go a long way toward finding your first client.

1. Determine the work you like and can do

Start by exploring the various virtual assistant services offered in the industry. Research job boards, freelance platforms, and professional websites to understand the typical expected tasks and responsibilities. List skills and services that align with your interests and existing abilities.

Next, create a realistic inventory of your work experience and special skills. Consider your past jobs, education, hobbies, and personal projects. Identify transferable skills valuable in a virtual assistant role, such as organization, communication, or proficiency with certain software.

Be honest with yourself about your capabilities. Only include skills you’re confident performing, as clients may request these services. Remember, it’s OK to start with a smaller skill set and expand your offerings as you gain experience in remote work.

2. Take training courses

The next step toward becoming a successful virtual assistant is to understand the job and its requirements. Signing up for an online course is a great way to accomplish both goals.

Fortunately, plenty of online courses are on platforms like Udemy and Alison. Professional organizations, such as the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) and the Virtual Assistant Networking Association (VANA), also offer training courses and resources.

3. Determine what to charge

IIt can take time to nail down the correct pricing for your virtual assistant services. Visiting pages highlighting top freelance virtual assistants or showcasing jobs can be a solid way to get a good idea of standard rates for your skill set.

While you’ll shoot for prices high enough to cover your expenses, keep in mind that your rates will likely grow along with your experience. Client referrals are valuable, so be sure to do your best for clients at every price point.

4. Create an online presence

You’ll need to build a robust virtual presence to be a virtual assistant. If you plan to offer your services on Upwork, take advantage of the opportunity to build a portfolio that makes a strong first impression. You should also showcase your past work, certifications, and relevant skills.

5. Start applying to jobs

Now you have to start looking for those clients! The first thing to do is look on job boards for positions that offer the opportunity to work from home. Work marketplaces like Upwork are helpful for finding available virtual assistant jobs.

Remember to stay professional and be responsive. People want you to communicate quickly and clearly, so they’ll expect a fast reply to any phone call, email, or message.

6. Learn about yourself and your clients

The last thing to do is treat all this information as a learning experience. As you start to work, you’ll find there are people, companies, industries, business types, and tasks you enjoy and others you don’t.

Use this knowledge to help you specialize and pitch your services. You’ll be ready to provide your best work in environments you enjoy, leading to positive experiences and reviews.

This is your business, so focus on what matters to you to have the best chance of success.

FAQs about becoming a virtual assistant

When considering a career change, having questions is natural. We’ll start you on the road to answers with some common virtual assistant FAQ.

Can I become a virtual assistant without experience?

The trick is to remember that every virtual assistant once started with no experience. While courses or certifications can help, plenty of entry-level jobs exist for people hoping to build their VA resumes. Don’t be afraid to start small and work your way up.

Are there any certifications that would make you stand out as a VA?

While certification doesn’t guarantee you’ll find a job as a virtual assistant, getting one may help your resume stand out. You can get a certificate by passing exams like the Certified Virtual Assistant (CVA) exam or the IAAP’s Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) exam. VANA also offers experience-based certification.

Are there part-time job opportunities as a virtual assistant?

The beauty of becoming a virtual assistant is that there are plenty of part-time, full-time, and temporary job opportunities available.

Find your first freelance virtual assistant job today

Ready to take the first steps toward becoming a virtual assistant? Sign up with Upwork today to start connecting with new clients from all over the world.

Looking to hire a virtual assistant for your business? Upwork can connect you with top virtual assistants who have the skills you need to scale your company.