👨🏽💻 5 Tips on How to Become a Virtual Assistant
Are you looking for a job whilst traveling that allows you to make your own hours? Do you have excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and a knack for customer service?
If so, you may be interested in becoming a remote-based Virtual Assistant (VA).
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Izaac Somers
👩🏽💻 What is a Virtual Assistant (VA)?
A virtual assistant (VA) is a self-employed individual who provides online services to businesses and professionals from a remote location.
These services can range from administrative tasks such as scheduling meetings and managing emails, to more complex tasks such as website design, video editing, or copy-writing.
☀️ Why a Becoming a Virtual Assistant is a Perfect way to Make a Remote Income.
Being a VA is the perfect way to make ends meet whilst on your digital nomadic journey for a number of reasons...
There are many opportunities that don't require previous experience (meaning well paid work is easy to fine), there's minimal start up costs, and as long as you have reliable internet access and a working computer, you can work from anywhere!
⭐️ What are the skills required to be a Virtual Assistant?
We compiled a list of skills that your future client might be looking for in their Virtual Assistant. Make sure you’re prepared to demonstrate each skill in your first interview.
📑 Organizational Skills
- Organizational skills are essential for a Virtual Assistant. VAs are responsible for managing their clients’ schedules. They must be able to stay organized and track multiple projects at once.
👀 Attention to detail
- Attention to detail is vital for Virtual Assistants because they have to keep track of many different things simultaneously.
😇 Customer service
- A Virtual Assistant must provide excellent customer service. This means being friendly, helpful, and responsive to client needs. VAs often act as the first point of contact for their client’s customers, so they must be able to represent the company in a positive light.
⌛️ Time management
- Virtual Assistants must manage their time effectively to complete all tasks assigned to them within the deadlines. This means prioritising tasks, staying organised, and using their time efficiently.
💻 Technical skills
- Depending on the client’s business type, a virtual assistant may need some technical skills. For example, they may need to be able to use email marketing software, Customer relationship management (CRM) systems or manage various social media platforms.
✍️ Writing skills
- Writing skills are essential for Virtual Assistants because they may be required to write emails, social media posts, or even blog articles on behalf of their clients. Therefore VAs must be able to communicate effectively and concisely in writing.
📖 Proofreading skills
- Proofreading skills are essential for Virtual Assistants because they may be required to proofread and edit documents before they are sent to their clients. This includes checking for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
📚 Research skills
- Virtual Assistants may be required to research on their client’s behalf. This could include finding information about a product or service, researching potential customers, or looking for new marketing opportunities.
How to become a Virtual Assitant in 5 steps.
Now that you know what skills you need for the role, let’s look at some steps you could take to become a Virtual Assistant.
🔎 #1 Research the industry
Before you can begin working as a VA, it’s essential to understand what the job entails. Read articles (like this one), watch videos, and talk to other VA's to learn as much as you can about the industry.
🎓#2 Consider taking some online courses
Although it’s not necessary, taking a few courses related to VA work can help you feel more confident in your abilities and better understand what clients expect.
There are many different online courses available that can teach you the skills you need to be a successful VA.
Below are a few suggestions for courses you might find valuable...
⚡️ Recommended courses from Udemy
🔥 Recommended courses from Coursera
👨🏽💼 #3 Create a professional profile
A professional profile is essential for marketing yourself as a VA. Include your skills, experience, and areas of expertise on your profile page.
At a bare minimum, you should create a Linkedin Profile and a nicely designed resume – check out our article “How to Write a Cover Letter and Resume for a Remote Job.”
🤝 #4 Start networking
Networking is key when it comes to finding clients as a VA. Attend industry events, join online forums, and connect with other professionals on social media platforms.
📣 #5 Start pitching your services
Once you’ve built up your portfolio and network, it’s time to pitch your services to potential clients. When pitching, outline your services, what makes you unique, and how you can help clients meet their goals.
As mentioned earlier, whilst pitching don't forget to leverage testimonials from past clients to show that you have experience and can be trusted.
💰 How much do Virtual Assistant's earn?
According to PayScale, the average hourly rate for a VA is $16.48. However, VA's with more experience can charge upwards of $50 per hour.
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Conclusion
Becoming a Virtual Assistant is a great way to generate a remote income stream whilst traveling. It’s a role in high demand as it allows businesses greater flexibility than traditional employees.
With some hard work and dedication, you can land a high-paying remote job with a reputable company. If you have questions about becoming a Virtual Assistant, feel free to DM us on Instagram - @remotevagabond