You may not be familiar with the term “virtual assistant,” but it is actually a very popular online profession. Similar to an administrative assistant you would find in a brick and mortar building, a virtual assistant supports and helps their employer grow their business.
A virtual assistant, also known as a VA, may handle the following types of tasks: answering email or data entry, website maintenance, internet research, and affiliate management, which could include finding affiliate programs for their clients to promote or assisting affiliates and recruiting new affiliates for their client’s own affiliate program, as well as marketing, writing, transcription and even web design.
With so many options available to them, it is not uncommon for a virtual assistant to specialize in one or two types of tasks. Instead of calling themselves “virtual assistants” they may go by a title more suitable to their specialty, such as “internet marketing assistant” or “affiliate manager.”
Since there are so many types of work that can be done, it is hard to say what skills a virtual assistant will need. There is literally a specialty for every type of personality. In general, a VA will need good language skills, be able to type accurately at a reasonable pace, and have a basic administrative background.
When starting a VA business, you will need a computer, high speed internet, and a phone. It is a good idea to have Microsoft Office, as most businesses use it and you’ll need to work with what is compatible to them. For those that choose to specialize in an area such as website maintenance or transcription, additional software would be needed.
Virtual assistant jobs can be found by visiting job boards and freelance work sites. Another option is putting in an application to an online staffing agency. Networking online with other business owners can also help you find available jobs. Don’t be afraid to ask your current clients for referrals; chances are, they know and associate with other business owners and can recommend new clients to you.
As with any job, the pay rate for a virtual assistant can vary greatly. In general, a VA can expect to earn between $10 and $15 per hour when they are starting out. After they have gained experience and have established a good reputation they can charge more.
This can be a great way for someone to start working from home. More and more people are starting websites and need people to help them handle their business affairs.