Becoming a Virtual Assistant: Frequently Asked Questions
There are a lot of people who are considering becoming a virtual assistant. The two most common questions that come up in this process is how much can you earn, and if it's worth it.
We hope to answer these questions by providing information on what being a VA entails, the different types of jobs that exist as VAs, and the best ways to break into this field.
Write an introduction to an informative article titled "Types of Virtual Assistants".
There are countless opportunities available for anyone who is willing to dedicate their time and energy into becoming a digital nomad.
Deciding to become a virtual assistant is a great decision if you want to earn money in the comfort of your own home, while also doing something you enjoy. The best thing about VA work is that it is flexible, and can be done from anywhere in the world as long as you have access to the internet.
Write an introduction to an informative article titled "The Types and Levels of VAs".
When someone thinks about what a virtual assistant does, they often think about someone who does secretarial-type work. However, there are many different types of jobs that a VA can do.
Some common job titles that people think about when they hear the title "virtual assistant" are:
- Content writing, editing and curating
- Blogging and social networking networking tasks
- Transcription services, audio and video calling and recording (You can find these online for free)
Write an introduction to an informative article titled "The Best Way to Find Work".
Finding work as a virtual assistant is really just like finding work any other job. However, being a VA allows you to be much more flexible in your search than someone who is looking at traditional jobs.
You can apply to jobs that you find on Craigslist or other job boards, but there are also a couple of really cool job search engines that are specific to VA work. These sites allow you to set up profiles and upload your resume so employers can find you easily and view your skillset.
Write an introduction to an informative article titled "Tools Every VA Should have".
Many jobs as a virtual assistant require using technology to get the work done, and having dedicated tools can really save a lot of time.
The most important things you will use as a VA are:
- A computer or laptop that allows you to be online for long stretches of time. (This is going to be your main "work station" where you'll be doing most of your work)
- Email, and strong passwords. (You'll want to use Google Apps for email, and a strong password) This will allow you access to your email while traveling, at home, or on the road. It's also a good idea to have a few different passwords just in case one of them is lost/stolen
Write an introduction to an informative article titled "The Cost of Being a Virtual Assistant".
Being a virtual assistant is all about working at your own pace and being able to take on jobs as they come in, which means that you can set your own hours. Taking on a full-time virtual assistant job can be very lucrative. You can set your hourly rate between $15-$50, with an average of $25 per hour in most cases.
A twenty-four hour day doesn't offer the same options that some other jobs do, but if you work really hard and are someone who really focuses and get's things done, you can make $1,000 a day doing this for someone if you are really focused.
Write an introduction to an informative article titled "Tips for Getting Started".
When you are first starting out, it's very easy to be overwhelmed with all of the information that is available. Many people get stuck at this point because they can't decide where to start.
The best way to get started is to find out what you want out of your experience, what you are willing to do, and also what your skills are. If you learn quickly and are always improving yourself and learning new things, then you never really need to stop searching.
Write an introduction to an informative article titled "General Information on Becoming a Virtual Assistant".
FAQ
What is a virtual assistant?
A VA is someone who works on the internet and helps people in their day to day lives. As a VA, you deal with all kinds of tasks, such as: research, filing, writing, content curation and editing or social networking. The type of work that you do depends on what skills you have and what kind of experience you have. Some jobs are very simple while others can be very complicated. It all depends on how experienced you are at doing the tasks.
How much do VAs make?
Usually, VAs make anywhere from 15-50$ per hour. Depending on what kind of hourly rate your employer will provide you with and the hours you work, it will vary. You are always free to negotiate your own hourly rate with your employer.
What is a VA degree?
A degree doesn't really matter but it is a good idea if you want to become more well known in this field and to have more opportunities for higher paying jobs.
Can I get a VA job without any experience?
It's always good to have some experience in a related field before trying to enter into this type of career. It will help you to decide if you really want to do this type of work. However, if you are really interested in this kind of work, then it's a good idea to get some mentor and start placing some ads on Craigslist.
How do I become a virtual assistant?
There are many different ways that you can reach out to people and start getting VA jobs. You could order some services online such as transcription or experience research or even cleaning your computer or downloading software. You could use an online resume service such as the ones provided by DigitalJobsFreeResume or VACareerOps. You can also place some ads in online classifieds such as Craigslist or OnlineOfficeJobs.
What do I need to be a virtual assistant?
You don't really need anything special to start doing this kind of work. You'll just have to find a computer with an internet connection and access to your email. You'll need a computer that is suitable for long periods of time online and in order to find the jobs you will be doing, you'll want to use Google Apps for search and also for email, as well as Google Drive for word processing documents and spreadsheets.
Conclusion
Hopefully you have learned that there are a lot of opportunities for those who want to make some extra money online. The only thing you'll need to do is become more confident in your abilities and get out there and start looking for work. There are many different ways that you can do this and the only real way to learn how is by doing it.
Take your time as you go out into the world, talk to people, and improve yourself with every new opportunity that comes your way. You can reach out to a trained VA mentor if you want to learn more or find people in your area who might be willing to help or refer you out.