What are the Steps to Becoming a Virtual Assistant

Are you someone who wants to strike a balance between work and life without having to suffer financially? Learning to become a virtual assistant might be a better option if you want more freedom with your time in terms of work.

You see, being a virtual assistant will allow you that kind of balance because you have the power to pick who you'll work for, set your own working hours, and the best part is you can work from a location of your choice—the comforts of your own home or even the beach!

Discover how to become a virtual assistant, and you'll only thank yourself in the future. Continue reading to learn how to become one without any prior experience! 

What kind of Work Does a Virtual Assistant Offer?

For starters, in case you are not aware of what a virtual assistant is, they are professionals who help businesses or business owners improve their daily operations, from doing administrative work to customer service, etc. Most VAs are independent contractors, working on various projects from different clients at once in a remote setting. Below are some of the main tasks a virtual assistant normally does. 

1. File Management

Many businesses require organized individuals to maintain their files and records so that everything is accessible to everyone. Virtual assistants come in very handy in this situation because your duties will entail quickly reviewing documents, placing them in the appropriate folders, and labeling them properly. So if you are someone who pays really close attention to detail and can follow orders to a T, then these kinds of tasks would just be simple for you

2. Email Management

Due to the fact that several clients are now more likely to respond to emails than to phone calls, some businesses have shifted from mobile sales to email connections. Email is another technique to provide customer support as they might not have access to regular phone lines. Alternatively, you may create sales messages to send to clients, your company's newsletter, or promotional offers.  Also, as a VA, it is also part of your task to manage your client's emails, from responding to emails sent to them to organizing and sorting them out.

3. Social Media Management

If a business wants to increase its reach, one of the most effective strategies is through social media. Thus, having a social media presence is a must-have. However, not all business owners have the time to curate and manage their social media accounts. Thus, hiring social media managers is their resolve. That being said, a VA can also be a social media manager. The primary task is to create and upload content materials to various social media platforms such as Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, TikTok, and more. But more than that, if you want to become a social media VA, it is important to showcase the company's kind of branding and reflect them on your posts.

4. Scheduling

Scheduling your client's calendar is one of the more common and crucial tasks of a VA. This task involves scheduling your client's meetings and appointments, arranging trips, and following up on other engagements. To complete this task, you have to be organized in arranging their schedule, aware of their priorities and engagements, check their emails for schedules, and monitor their timetable. Most of the time, you can schedule their events on Google Calendar or their preferred scheduling and calendar platforms.

5. Cold Calling

Cold calling is when you call up people to try and get them interested in a product or service. What makes it “cold” is that the people you call haven’t previously expressed interest. You’ve likely heard this called telemarketing. In these jobs, you’ll typically make a lot of calls each day, follow a sales script, and have a very specific goal, such as ‘sell product X’ or ‘get them to agree to watch a demo.’ To succeed, a VA will need to be able to handle rejection well. Working from home can make that a little easier, though.

6. Customer Service

Many companies are outsourcing their phones for administrative tasks. This means you’ll get a phone dialer or number and be responsible for answering when someone calls. Depending on the company and call, you might provide customers information or be required to look up details—such as order information—for callers. Often, you’ll route calls to the correct person after understanding the caller’s request. This requires a good understanding of business departments and the ability to think on your feet.‍

How to become a Virtual Assistant with no experience?

1. Identify your Skills

The first step to becoming a virtual assistant is determining which skills are your strengths. A resume that highlights your administrative abilities will show employers that you’re qualified to do the job, even if you have minimal experience. The most common skills a virtual assistant needs include computer proficiency, excellent written and verbal communication, time management, and multi-tasking skills.

2. Take Training Courses

You’ve got to prepare for working as a VA and running your online business. The best place to start is to find some online training focused on VAs. There are many free and paid courses and skills tools available to you right now. When you find some that you like, look for reviews or ask other VAs what might help. Learning from experts is a fantastic way to build the right skills and understand what will be expected of you when you land your first job.

3. Decide what Services you'll Offer and your Pricing Structure

You can better target potential clients and earn jobs by knowing beforehand what tasks you can and are willing to perform. Besides identifying your services, you should also determine your fees. Some virtual assistants charge hourly, daily, or weekly rates, while others get paid per task completed.

4. Obtain any Necessary Equipment

Determining the services you'll offer will also help you determine the kind of equipment you’ll need to perform those services. Some virtual assistants may use only their laptop and cell phone, but depending on the type of work and the number of tasks you accept, you may need additional computers, monitors, or phones. Common equipment a virtual assistant may need includes a headset, dedicated landlines, and a machine for printing, copying, and scanning. All virtual assistants need a reliable internet connection.

5. Build a Portfolio

The best place to start is to create an online portfolio or resume to showcase what you’ve done in the past, relevant work skills, and any certifications you got from your training courses. Having a website and social media presence can make it much easier for people to start finding you.

6. Search for Jobs

Begin your career as a virtual assistant by getting clients. You may need to start by accepting small, lower-paying jobs until you build experience and positive reviews. You can also refer to your professional network for job openings or search for job listings online.

7. Market Yourself

Success as a virtual assistant depends on your ability to sell your services. Use social media and professional profiles to make yourself visible online. You can create your own website to showcase your portfolio and skills to potential clients.

How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Make?

Freelance virtual assistants have a wide range in their salaries and hourly rates. For many basic jobs and skills, such as data entry, you’re likely to start in the $8-$12 per hour range. Higher rates for freelance administrative assistants average around $30 to $35 per hour, though some experts are able to find plenty of work for more.

In the U.S., the average virtual assistant makes $18.89 per hour. However, by working as a freelancer, you’ll be able to work for clients anywhere in the world. Often, clients in more expensive cities and countries can afford to pay higher rates.

Conclusion

The steps to becoming a Virtual Assistant are fairly easy. It is only finding that first client where most virtual assistants find it challenging, and it is because of the high demand of this job — which means a lot of people also want to be a VA. That being said, follow the steps mentioned above and become a virtual assistant in no time. Lastly, if you think you’re already cut for the job and want to work with clients immediately, you can also submit your application to us!