Do you realize that Companies can save up to 78% on expenses by utilizing virtual assistants, according to a study conducted by 99firsms?
The benefits of hiring a virtual assistant can be seen from home or the first month itself.
As Virtual Assistants work from anywhere at any time depending on their client’s requirements.
They use internet connection for communication with their clients.
It varies based on the type of work they do.
So, here in this blog post, we will get to know what is a virtual assistant and how does it work as well as how to become one?
What Is A Virtual Assistant?
A virtual assistant is an employee for hire that provides various types of administrative support to clients based on their needs.
These employees are usually hired because they work remotely and don’t require physical office visits.
There are also many times when they can be more cost-effective than hiring a full-time, in-office worker.
In order for a business to have the best experience with their new employees, it’s important that they know what type of tasks the VA will complete on a regular basis and what skills he or she needs to possess in order to be effective in the role.
How Does A Virtual Assistant Works?
A Virtual Assistant usually works from home and doesn’t need office space.
They literally work remotely, meaning a client can hire a virtual assistant to be based anywhere around the world.
These professionals will communicate with you via phone, email, or even video chat, depending on what makes sense for your business needs.
A good Virtual Assistant would also have excellent communication skills as he or she is going to be working closely with clients throughout their regular day-to-day tasks.
On average, most virtual assistants are hired to complete assignments that typically take about 8 hours of time each week to complete.
However, it’s not unusual for some specialized VAs to help out more frequently if they possess the right skill set needed for certain projects you may have in mind.
What Type Of Work Does A Virtual Assistant Do?
A Virtual Assistant can help with a wide range of different tasks, but there are a few common roles that they take on over and over again.
Here is the list of work that virtual assistant generally does:
Manage Social Media: There are many Virtual Assistants who take care of all aspects of social media marketing, such as posting to multiple different platforms and conducting market research for target audiences.
Write/Edit: Whether it’s writing blog posts or proofreading a proposal, there are VAs that do these types of tasks regularly to help their clients succeed. They can also craft compelling copy that will impress customers and draw in more sales.
Data Entry: From pulling financial records to inputting content into a spreadsheet, virtual assistants handle this type of work every day. This enables you and your team to focus on taking care of other important matters instead. You can even train them so they know what information needs to be entered where and they can track it.
Social Media Marketing: From promoting your website and social profiles to writing compelling copy, virtual assistants can also handle these tasks as well. They’re great at making sure content gets seen by the right audience, which is key to driving more traffic and sales for your business.
Call Center: If you own a physical location where customers may come in or call then having a Virtual Assistant work out of that space might be something you want to consider. They’ll assist with phone calls and inquiries so you don’t have to spend time taking care of those details yourself if it’s not possible for you to do so.
What Are The Benefits Of Becoming A Virtual Assistant?
Today, businesses are more competitive than ever before.
It’s no longer enough to have a great product or service if you can’t get your brand in front of the right audience.
Customers want to buy from companies that are socially responsible and they’re looking for brands that take care of their needs.
As a Virtual Assistant, you’ll be directly helping these types of companies succeed by working remotely with them on a daily basis.
You might work with an organization that helps families in need or another business that is looking to make the world better one step at a time.
Instead of spending money on having someone sit in their physical location all day long, hiring remote workers gives businesses access to these professionals 24/7.
There are also many benefits to becoming a virtual assistant :
1. Work From Home.
Working from home means that you’ll never have to worry about commuting issues or steaming because of overcrowding on the subway.
You can even dress in pajamas if you’d like!
With flexible schedules, you can make sure your family members are still getting taken care of while also excelling at your job.
However, if you do need to be more involved with those around you, there are also virtual assistant jobs for stay-at-home parents and other types of remote workers as well.
2. Freedom And Flexibility.
With a virtual assistant position, you’ll have the freedom and flexibility to work whenever and wherever you want.
Your boss is just going to expect results from you.
There are no set hours of operation either, which means if it’s 5:00 pm on Friday night and your friends are getting ready for a big evening out but you need to put in some extra hours at the office then it’s okay!
You can get everything done before anyone notices what time it is.
3. Choose Who To Work With.
You aren’t just going to have one boss that you work for.
Instead, as a virtual assistant, you’re going to be working on a number of different projects with a variety of clients who all have different needs and requirements.
You’ll also get the opportunity to build rapport with each company so once everything is all said and done you can select which types of projects or organizations you want to work with in the future.
4. Set Your Own Rates.
You’re going to have to do a bit of research when it comes to how much you’re going to charge for your services.
However, as long as the client is happy, then that’s all that matters!
You’ll be able to grow your rates over time which gives you an opportunity for starting a side hustle and increasing your income even more so if things are going well for you this could quickly become a thriving business.
5. The Costs Of Starting A Virtual Assistant Business Are Minimal.
The cost of virtual assistant services is typically based on an hourly rate.
On average, virtual assistants can be expected to charge $20 – $35 per hour depending on several factors.
How To Become A Virtual Assistant?
There are many different ways for you to become a virtual assistant.
We have spoken with several assistants who simply started out as stay-at-home moms who wanted to bring in some extra income to help pay their bills.
Here is the info you need to get started with:
1. Identify Your Skills.
The first thing you’re going to want to do is to figure out which of your skills are the most marketable.
For example, if you have great communication skills then marketing might be a good route for you to take.
If staying organized and juggling several tasks at once comes naturally to you then customer service is another option that could really set you apart from the competition.
However, if you’re looking for something that is a little bit more well-rounded then administration or management might be your best bet.
2. Build A Portfolio.
Once you have identified the skills that are most important to your future as a virtual assistant, it’s time to start creating an online presence.
This can be done through writing blog posts about these areas on sites like Blogspot or WordPress.
You could also create social media accounts around these topics where you can share articles and advice with others who are interested in getting started too.
Another option would be to set up shop on sites like Indeed so potential employers know what services you have to offer.
As long as you have written proof of your work ethic and skill set, then this will help give you an edge when it comes to finding the right company for you to work with.
3. Decide What Services You’ll Offer And Your Pricing Structure.
Now that you’ve figured out what your skills are, it’s important to keep this in mind while determining which services you’re going to offer.
Perhaps you’re really good at administration and time management but feel like you lack some of the marketing or event planning know-how that other virtual assistants might have.
Don’t be afraid to subcontract! You aren’t doomed to failure just because there is one area of expertise where your strengths don’t exactly shine.
Reach out to someone who has the skills (and more importantly, people) on their team who does and they can work with you!
4. Obtain Any Necessary Equipment Or Software.
While most virtual assistants just need a computer with an internet connection to get started, you might also want to consider obtaining some equipment such as printers and scanners if needed.
You could eventually purchase your own headset and webcam if working calls are in the cards for you too.
Once all of this is set up and ready to go, it’s time for you to start building your client base!
Reach out to businesses in your area who may be looking for someone like you and let them know how much you can do for them with virtually no overhead or startup costs.
5. Search For Jobs Related To Virtual Assistant Work.
The best way to find jobs as a virtual assistant is through word of mouth.
Tell everyone you know (even strangers) that you are looking for some extra work and many people may come forward with offers to help you get started.
However, if this isn’t your speed there are other ways to find out about potential opportunities.
Use job boards like Indeed to search for jobs related to your skillset.
There are also sites like Upwork where you can post your profile and then bid on projects that companies need help with.
It’s important to note that these gigs might not always be paid (or even if they are, the pay won’t always be very good), so don’t get discouraged if you have a few unpaid or low-paying gigs under your belt before landing something full-time.
6. Market Yourself To Potential Clients.
If you’re like most people, you don’t necessarily want to sit around all day fielding phone calls and emails from companies regarding your services.
A great way to get around this is by marketing yourself through promotional materials that will catch the eye of some business owners who might be interested in what you have to offer.
You can make flyers for your local community center or library which advertise some of the services you provide along with some contact information so people know how to reach you.
You could also make a brochure or poster highlighting even more ways that virtual assistance can help businesses grow.
7. Consider Specializing In A Particular Industry.
Since the virtual assistant field is still relatively new, many companies might not realize what you can do for them unless they have been educated.
In these cases, it might be worthwhile to specialize in a certain type of business such as startups or online stores that could benefit from some extra assistance with their administration and marketing needs.
How To Hire A Virtual Assistant For Your Business?
There are some very easy steps that can guide you through the hiring process for a virtual assistant.
Here are some ideas:
1. Document The Tasks You Want To Outsource.
The first step to finding the right person to work with is clearly documenting some of the tasks you want help with.
Make a list of things that aren’t especially difficult but take up an inordinate amount of your time.
This might include social media management, emailing clients, scheduling appointments, photo editing, or transcription among other things.
2. Create A Job Description.
After you know the types of tasks you need assistance with, create a job description for your potential virtual assistant.
Make sure to include all relevant qualifications and skills so your applicants can see if they are qualified or not.
You might also want to consider putting together an application that candidates must fill out before applying due to how extensive it might be.
3. Post Your Job Description Online.
There are many different ways to find good virtual assistants on the internet.
The best way is through sites like Odesk or Freelancer where you can post a job description along with your budget and wait for applicants to come flooding in.
Another strategy is by using social media sites like Reddit, Twitter, or Facebook to spread the word about your job to anyone you might know that may be interested.
4. Review Applications And Schedule Interviews.
Once the flood of applications starts coming in, you will need to decide who is the most qualified and who would be a good fit for your company and culture.
After whittling down your list of applicants, set up interviews to talk about the job better and ask any questions they might have for you before handing over some work.
It’s important to note that not every applicant is going to be a good fit for your company and that’s okay.
Once you’ve found the right person, give them some tasks to complete as a test run.
If they end up doing well with those projects, then you can give them more work or hire them full-time depending on your needs.
5. Give Your Top Candidates A Test Run.
One of the best ways to determine if someone is good at their job or not is by actually delegating some work to them and seeing how they do with that task.
You can also use this time to ask them any questions about what they would do in a situation you might be facing so you know who would be the most qualified person to hire.
6. Give The Best Candidate A Trial Period.
Some employers might be hesitant to hire someone who isn’t already working for them full-time, but the virtual assistant field is very new.
As a result, many people are unaware of how beneficial it can be to both companies and employees if they outsource some of their menial tasks.
If you feel like your top candidate has the skills needed to benefit your company, consider giving them a trial period so you can see what kind of work they produce and how well they get along with everyone else in the office.
Best Platforms To Find Work As A Virtual Assistant?
As a Virtual Assistant, You can find work on various platforms that will ultimately have a great impact on your business.
We have given you the list of platforms below:
1. Upwork.
Virtual assistants can find work on Upwork, a freelance marketplace where clients and contractors find each other.
Paired up with their “freelance expert” service to help you market yourself and take care of the legal paperwork, Upwork is a great place for VA’s looking to get their foot in the door.
If you’re a VA looking for work, then Upwork is a great place to start and gain some experience.
2. Fiverr.
Many virtual assistants use Fiverr as their source for clients since it’s incredibly easy to find work on the platform.
While many of the jobs available through Fiverr aren’t always long-term (most gigs are one-time deals), it can be a great way to make some extra cash whenever you need it.
We personally like Fiverr because it’s simple & all sorts of jobs that need to do can easily be found here at good prices.
Many VAs have built their career from this site only! So If you haven’t signed up yet then visit now.
3. Craigslist.
Designed for local trades, Craigslist is a great place to find jobs that you can do virtually.
From graphic design to programming and even some telemarketing gigs – there are all sorts of opportunities available on the platform.
Craigslist holds many job opportunities online for virtual assistants, so make sure you check it out before moving forward.
4. Reddit.
The good ol’ Reddit community might not seem like an obvious source of work as a virtual assistant but there are subreddits devoted entirely to finding VA gigs.
Although most posts will be outdated by now (and sometimes scams), there’s bound to be stuff that comes up on a daily basis that could give your resume some shine if it catches the attention of someone in charge.
Worth checking out!
5. VANetworking.
VANetworking is a job board designed exclusively for virtual assistants.
It’s not the biggest of platforms but if you’re looking to get work from companies that are already working with VAs, then this is definitely where you want to turn.
This website provides an authentic source of virtual assistant jobs as it’s run by the active members of the VAs network. It also gives access to companies who are hiring virtual assistants, so make sure you sign up for this site.
6. WAHM.
You can search for virtual assistant jobs on WAHM, which serves as a job board for women who are working from home.
There is an integrated search bar concerned with google, so you can easily find virtual assistant jobs on WAHM.com through Google search.
Besides VA jobs, you can also get some long-term basis jobs from here, which will undoubtedly help you build your career.
7. Zirtual.
Having started in early 2010, Zirtual has quickly become the go-to online platform for hiring virtual assistants.
With a dedicated staff and clear rules of engagement, it’s no wonder that this is one of the more popular sites to find work.
Zirtual provides you with all sorts of tasks that must be completed in a stipulated time frame.
This will definitely help you in your future projects also because once you have gained enough experience then only your service will be superior.
8. HireMyMom.
HireMyMom is a blog that focuses on helping moms find work-from-home jobs, including virtual assistant opportunities.
This can be an excellent source of insight for VAs looking to get their foot in the door or even full-time VA’s who are looking to brush up on their skills.
Besides this, you will also get all sorts of resources here which you must need as virtual assistance so visit now.
9. Other Freelance Websites.
Freelancer.com, Guru, etc, are some other freelancing sites that you can use to find jobs as a virtual assistant.
Although most of the platforms listed on this page usually have more extensive lists of available work & greater dependability, these four serve as great starting points for those who are completely new to this occupation or just looking to gain some extra experience before they begin applying for full-time VA positions with companies directly.
We personally suggest that if you’re only going to attempt one freelance site then make it work, but be sure to research out all sites, and as some people have had success finding jobs on these sites!
However, You never know where your next opportunity will be so it’s always a good idea to have as many sites bookmarked as possible.
One of the most important pieces of advice from our side is to not just settle for any random job that comes your way.
Take your time to browse through listings and see if you’re willing to work with the company or not because it should be a win-win situation for both parties involved.
Conclusion.
So, virtual assistants are everywhere now.
It is becoming quite popular among internet users to hire a VA just because of their busy schedule and they need help on daily basis.
There are several websites that provide you with a list of potential customers who are looking for virtual assistance so you can easily save time by browsing through those sites.
If you’re looking to get into the virtual assistant business, then you can start your journey from the beginning of our article.
If you can follow these instructions, hopefully, you will get your first job as soon as possible.
