How To Become A Virtual Assistant
Do you know you can make money by working as a virtual assistant? Yes you can!
Years before I started my blog, I work as a virtual assistant, though I wasn't steady as I worked only when I need some fast cash, I focused on Web designing and offering social media services, I make some cool amount of money and even till date I still work as a VA ( when I feel like and need money).
I discovered most people I've been searching for legitimate online jobs, so decided to share my VA experience so that interested persons would find it useful and probably learn a thing or two. This isn't the first article I'm mentioning virtual assistant or working online but this article is specially dedicated to guide aspiring VAs.
So if you're an aspiring VA or just looking for a work at home opportunity or even as a side hustle, then becoming a VA might be necessary as it's like making money from a skill you already have without stress or spending much money.
What does VAs do?
Most people think virtual assistant jobs is only administrative task like Replying Emails and Typing Documents but the range of task VAs are asked to do can nearly be unlimited. VAs works online and I think that's the only difference between Virtual Assistants jobs and your office job, okay maybe another difference could be the missed opportunity of entering vehicles to work and meeting friends. Though you'll meet online friends! Becoming a VA is so amazing and fun.
Below are some other task that's required from VAs.
Arranging meetings
Audio / video / photo editing
Bookkeeping
Consulting
Copywriting
Data entry
Desktop publishing
Editing
Email Management
Graphic design
Making phone calls
Managing a calendar.
Managing social media accounts
Monitoring emails
Online research
Planning travel
Project management
Programming
Researching
Transcription
Tutoring/counseling/coaching
Writing/Ghostwriting
The list of Virtual Assistants Jobs could go on, if you're organized, a good planner, and knows how to manage small scale business then virtual assistants would suit you. It's all about helping the busy entrepreneurs and getting paid.
How Much Do Virtual Assistants Earn?
The amount you as virtual assistant won't be much if you're starting new and the amount to be earned depends on the level of your skills and the particular VA task you're offering.
However, services like Transcribing may earn you $10 per audio hour but if you're specialised and have some expertise, you can earn $30 to $100 or even more but that figure doesn't come over night!😃
What's Required?
There are tons of things required to become a virtual assistant and work from home, but first and foremost you need a specific skill which should interest people (Not a crowd but some reasonable amount). Some other requirements are listed below but before the list lets look at something that's somewhat crucial!
What Kind Of VA Do you Want To Be?
There are basically two set of VAs which you may want to choose from, we have the Independent Contractors and the Employee/Freelancers. They're quite different and I'll take my time to explain their difference!
The Independent Contractors.
This one is amazing as you're your own boss, set your price and delivery time. Though this isn't an easy task, the most daunting part is finding your clients. Oh yeah as a Independent Contractor, you find your own clients which isn't too easy.
Furthermore, you will need to own a website (that's were your client will find you and your services). This website will contain list of services you offer, you can include a pricing or allow them contact you for the price but if you want to be straightforward with the price fine.
One advantages of being independent is the constant flow of income as clients will always contact you when you've built some good reputation and fame.
The Freelancers/Employees.
This one is also awesome and perfect if you want quick money, it isn't like the aforementioned where you're building business for yourself, this is more of hustling.
How it works, you contact a company, individual, or organization telling them of what you can offer that would be valuable to them, if they're interested in hiring you then fine. That's pretty all but you'll have to discuss the pricing if there isn't a fixed price already.
In addition, you can join some website that matches VAs with clients. There you can find those that are hiring and approach them. You can also see list of available jobs, if you can handle any you contact them.
Furthermore, Having a website for this isn't a must though most people recommends it, I also do. But to be sincere I didn't own a website, it was just my active email.
One advantage of going freelance is the quick approach to money, this helps a lot when you're so needing money.
I think you get the picture. Hence, I will be splitting this article into two sections, one will be on becoming an Independent VA and the other is becoming an Employee or rather a dependent/freelance VA.
How To Build Your Virtual Assistant Business As An Independent Contractor!
Welcome to the section, are you still doubting or you're in a confused state of mind whether to become an Independent Contractor? If yes then I will help you make that decision.
Are you an entrepreneur at heart?
Looking to establish yourself a business?
Will you be able to persevere and work hard?
Are you Ready to put your Clients First and please them?
Are You ready to withstand the UPs and Down attached to business?
If you've been answering yes then becoming an independent contractor might be a perfect choice.
This is more like starting your own business, there are many challenges attached to owning a business, I'm not telling you this to scare but to aware you. When starting new, your primary focus won't be making money but getting clients. So welcome and be ready!
Below are steps of Starting Your VA Business.
Find your Niche!
What will your VA Business be about? What kind of services will you offer? This is so crucial and why?
Clients need someone they can trust, you can offer all the skills you have but you won't be able to build trust. If you're focused, client will see you as an expert and won't regard you as jack of all trade. They're likely to do more business with you in the nearest future.
So focus on what services you'll be offering. If it's copy writing, Guest blogging, Web design, social media management and more. Just be specific!
Note: if it's writing, you can also decide on the type of article you'll be writing!
What will your VA Business be about? What kind of services will you offer? This is so crucial and why?
Clients need someone they can trust, you can offer all the skills you have but you won't be able to build trust. If you're focused, client will see you as an expert and won't regard you as jack of all trade. They're likely to do more business with you in the nearest future.
So focus on what services you'll be offering. If it's copy writing, Guest blogging, Web design, social media management and more. Just be specific!
Note: if it's writing, you can also decide on the type of article you'll be writing!
Build Your Website
After you've choose your niche, you should create a website where your client can find you and your services.. If you ain't good with web designing, you can contact a web designer to create one for you. This should be more of a portfolio website. Whether personal or team!
This websites should or may contain;
1.Your Skills.
You should list your skills and the kind of services you offer. Uhm including your name and qualifications if you have any!
2.Your Previous Works.
You should showcase your previous works on your website and a list of companies, organization or individuals you've worked for (if you've haven't done any VA job at the moment then should leave it blank while you find clients and fill the blank space as that's what most clients check when they visit your website). If you are a writer you can publish some article for your clients to feel and decide if you are good. This is most easy if you're a niche writer!
3.Testimonials.
When start working, you'll need to gather testimonies from clients about you service and showcase on your website....
For this, select only top and impressive testimony for display, and add to the front page of your website. The testimonials shouldn't be more than 10.. (It's even much, just top five will do for me).
4.A Detailed About Page.
You should create page where you clearly state what your page is about and kind of service you offer. If you have won awards include them. You can also add you've worked for and a work sample.
5.A Contact Page.
This is how you'll be contacted, so include a contact me page! Contacting you shouldn't be a pain in the neck, it should be easy!
In order to achieve aim faster, use WordPress.org for creating your VA biz website, it's flexible and has lots of support.
Warning: Don't attempt creating this website by yourself if you ain't a geek at codes. Pay a designer to create a professional website, if possible include means for paying for a service directly on your website.
Start Looking For Clients..
Once your website is ready, you can start pitching companies and ask if you can work for them. This can be made possible by networking with other VAs and engaging in Social Networks....
My Top Tips After You've Setup Your VA Business...
1.When messaging companies, individuals or organization to work for, always be helpful and look for ways you can add values to the company!
2.Be Cheap with deal, when starting out you'll hungrily look for clients and there's no other faster method of getting clients than being cheap. Offer your services at cheap rate than fellow VAs. This will bring you tons of clients.
While being cheap you should do deals, you probably will be needing testimonials from clients to showcase on your website, so may tell your clients the reason why you're being cheap is because you need a good testimony from them after you've offered the service and they find it interesting. This way your clients will give out good testimonies you can showcase on your website.
You also want to get more clients, So you can decide to be cheap in exchange of advert from your clients. The best method I have use is targeting top companies (websites) and offering to do a certain service for free (Yes free), after I have finished the service, I will politely ask them to recommend me on the website and say something good about me! This will help you get more clients.
3.Get An Email List, you really need to keep contacts of your clients and email listing is a good start, ask them to subscribe. It's not easy to make them subscribe, so you should offer promo to get subscribers, use lead magnet and more.
Offer something for free but require them to subscribe to get it. Something like this may work; We are offering services at cheaper price, enter email to get inform when next we will be giving out at cheaper rate! Be creative!
4.Don't Spam, you should not spam your clients emails, don't send irrelevant mails. Message them once in a while, when you have something free or cheap or an ongoing promo! Don't message everyday!
5.Join LinkedIn, this place can help you find more clients and meet business minded.
6.Join Other Social Networks, there are tons of other social networks, join them and mingle with fellow VA.. Facebook groups are best! Join Groups specifically for VAs.
Social Networks are many, we have Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Periscope, YouTube, Google+, LinkedIn and you can't devote all your time on these social Network. I will advise you to stick with those your potential clients hangouts. Plus you should use tools to make it easy for you. For pinterest and instagram you should use Tailwind , Facebook use crowdfire, Hoostuit or Buffer, For Twitter Read My list of twitter tools.
7.Don't Be Cheap!
When you've successfully built a good reputation and some level of fame, decide on how much to charge! Don't go too high but don't be cheap (Uhm I sometimes go too high with my price , it shows expertise but I don't do it always. know the best times).
In addition, set limit to pricing, have a figure you can't go beyond. This doesn't mean you shouldn't offer promos or discounts again but there's time for everything! If you're offering promo, clearly tell clients you're offering promo and that isn't the price for a service.
For payment, you can use any convenient method, whether PayPal, Bank Transfer and more!
8.Write Captivating Pitch! Your pitch to clients should be well written.. There are some things that matters in pitch. See below!
Price: if the price is cheap include it , if it's not don't (allow them contact you) especially when it's not your final price. Cheap price draws clients while High price is usually scary.
Value: Your pitch should add value to whom you're working for, solve a problem!
Extra skills: If you have extra skills include them.
Lastly, be polite and say what you can do!
9.Be Unique And Different, Brands may already have trusted clients, so look for ways you can offer better than their customers
10.Don't Give Up and Trust In God!
Congrats with your VA Business... Now lets see the next kind of VA!
How To Become A Freelance Virtual Assistant!
Welcome to the next and last VA section, Are you still doubting which to choose from? Let me help you here also.
Are a kind off that loves getting paid for their work ASAP?
You can't stress yourself finding clients or you probably don't have the time?
You are looking for quick money after work? If yes Freelancing VA might be your thing .
Freelance VA is simply like a side hustling job, you work and you get paid, you ain't establishing any business. It's payment after work! No need to stressfully find Clients.
What's required?
Niche: You need to specialised here also. Do you want to offer writing service, web design, transcription and more? Choose a particular feed and explore.
Website; Website isn't a must here, but I recommend it as it increases professionalism. If you want use can create one using the website tips I discussed above.
Once you have something to offer, the next thing is to start offering and earning... You can get started using the sites I mentioned in this article.
You can register any or all of the listed websites, and see virtual assistants works available and apply. There's competition in most of the sites and the more skillful and experience VAs get more job than the Newbies. So you need to build your reputation on this sites so that people will accept to hire you...
Note: This sites usually deduct their own share from any service offered, do read their terms and how much their commission is...
My Tips For Freelance VAs
1.Be Helpful; this is one way you'll be able to get enough rewiews on your profile. Solve problem, go cheap and free..
2.Network with other VAs: this will help you grow, learn and know what others are doing. Find them on popular social networks.
3.Advertise: If there's competition on mentioned sites then you'll need to advertise yourself to get contacts from clients. Advertise a service on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and more.. Use simple but yet captivating pitch like: see below!
"I can design your blog for cheap price of $2, Plus free SEO setup".
Your pitch can be posted to various social platforms!
4.Treat Clients Well: This is in order words saying you should do you work well. Clients will value your service!
5.Don't Do Jobs You're Not Comfortable with: Some jobs aren't comfortable maybe because of pricing or anything else, if you come across such don't do it to avoid some issues! Maybe unable to deliver or something of like nature!
My Overall Tips For Wannabe Virtual Assistants...
1.Niche: Virtual Assistants Topic Focus!
A must for Freelance VAs and independent.
2.Website.
A must for independent VA but recommended for freelance VA.
3.Network With Others..
A must for Independent VAs and Freelance VAs
4.Promote Yourself On Social Media
A must for Independent VAs and Freelance VAs.
5.Call To Action: You need to call clients to action, politely ask them to do something for you!
A must for Independent VAs and Freelance VAs
6.Add Extra Skills To Pitch, If you have extra skills include them in your pitch! Your client might like them!
7.Buy This Book To Master VA.
This book The Bootstrap VA by Lisa Morosky has lots of tutorials covering the two VA aspects, its a must for VA that are willing to succeed. The book comes with Free Facebook group to meet fellow VAs!
Lisa Morosky has been a VA for Years and she's successful. She has helped many personalities succeed as VA, Lisa is experienced and knows her stuff.
Another Great Resource for wannabe VAs is this online course by Gina Horkey, it's titled 30 Days or Less to Virtual Assistant Success. This is a step by step guide to virtual assistant, so take her course and learn.
8.Use Virtual Assistants Websites.. If finding clients seems hard for you as an independent contractor, you can do jobs from the websites mentioned in this article!
9.Don't Be Cheap! Set A Good Price Limit!
10.Don't Give Up And Trust In God!
Final Thoughts
Virtual Assisting is very lucrative if you get it right, whether as a business or side hustle. You should learn to be consistent and maximize every little opportunity.
The book I recommended is written by a professional Virtual assistants and it's must for any serious VA.. From the book you'll learn how to succeed in the VA world. It's written by Lisa who has worked as a Virtual assistant for many years. This books is approximately $10 on Amazon, somewhat cheap right? Yes it is! Grab your own VA bootstrap now!
Also the online course is something you don't wanna miss, one thing about online courses is you're opened to interaction and you're being guide when you stumble. So sign up Gina's 30 Days Or Less To Virtual Assistant Success!
Social media can be your home of success, join Facebook and LinkedIn groups that is specifically for Virtual assistants to grow yourself. Use hashtag for social network that support it. This helps you reach more people!
I have heard many people talked about starting out as a VA employee and afterwards move to become an independent contractor. But sincerely speaking I will advise you to decide on the part you want and stay focus. Moving as a freelance VA to becoming an independent contractor might not be too easy. So it's best you stay focused. Though I have tried working as both in the same time and it went well. So it's up to you.
Pin and Share this article, also leave a comment.
Have you worked as a VA?
What's holding you back?
What are your challenges? Share your VA experience!
Thanks for reading, Don't forget to subscribe for more and stay beautiful!😄
Do you know you can make money by working as a virtual assistant? Yes you can!
Years before I started my blog, I work as a virtual assistant, though I wasn't steady as I worked only when I need some fast cash, I focused on Web designing and offering social media services, I make some cool amount of money and even till date I still work as a VA ( when I feel like and need money).
I discovered most people I've been searching for legitimate online jobs, so decided to share my VA experience so that interested persons would find it useful and probably learn a thing or two. This isn't the first article I'm mentioning virtual assistant or working online but this article is specially dedicated to guide aspiring VAs.
So if you're an aspiring VA or just looking for a work at home opportunity or even as a side hustle, then becoming a VA might be necessary as it's like making money from a skill you already have without stress or spending much money.
What does VAs do?
Most people think virtual assistant jobs is only administrative task like Replying Emails and Typing Documents but the range of task VAs are asked to do can nearly be unlimited. VAs works online and I think that's the only difference between Virtual Assistants jobs and your office job, okay maybe another difference could be the missed opportunity of entering vehicles to work and meeting friends. Though you'll meet online friends! Becoming a VA is so amazing and fun.
Below are some other task that's required from VAs.
Arranging meetings
Audio / video / photo editing
Bookkeeping
Consulting
Copywriting
Data entry
Desktop publishing
Editing
Email Management
Graphic design
Making phone calls
Managing a calendar.
Managing social media accounts
Monitoring emails
Online research
Planning travel
Project management
Programming
Researching
Transcription
Tutoring/counseling/coaching
Writing/Ghostwriting
The list of Virtual Assistants Jobs could go on, if you're organized, a good planner, and knows how to manage small scale business then virtual assistants would suit you. It's all about helping the busy entrepreneurs and getting paid.
How Much Do Virtual Assistants Earn?
The amount you as virtual assistant won't be much if you're starting new and the amount to be earned depends on the level of your skills and the particular VA task you're offering.
However, services like Transcribing may earn you $10 per audio hour but if you're specialised and have some expertise, you can earn $30 to $100 or even more but that figure doesn't come over night!😃
What's Required?
There are tons of things required to become a virtual assistant and work from home, but first and foremost you need a specific skill which should interest people (Not a crowd but some reasonable amount). Some other requirements are listed below but before the list lets look at something that's somewhat crucial!
What Kind Of VA Do you Want To Be?
There are basically two set of VAs which you may want to choose from, we have the Independent Contractors and the Employee/Freelancers. They're quite different and I'll take my time to explain their difference!
The Independent Contractors.
This one is amazing as you're your own boss, set your price and delivery time. Though this isn't an easy task, the most daunting part is finding your clients. Oh yeah as a Independent Contractor, you find your own clients which isn't too easy.
Furthermore, you will need to own a website (that's were your client will find you and your services). This website will contain list of services you offer, you can include a pricing or allow them contact you for the price but if you want to be straightforward with the price fine.
One advantages of being independent is the constant flow of income as clients will always contact you when you've built some good reputation and fame.
The Freelancers/Employees.
This one is also awesome and perfect if you want quick money, it isn't like the aforementioned where you're building business for yourself, this is more of hustling.
How it works, you contact a company, individual, or organization telling them of what you can offer that would be valuable to them, if they're interested in hiring you then fine. That's pretty all but you'll have to discuss the pricing if there isn't a fixed price already.
In addition, you can join some website that matches VAs with clients. There you can find those that are hiring and approach them. You can also see list of available jobs, if you can handle any you contact them.
Furthermore, Having a website for this isn't a must though most people recommends it, I also do. But to be sincere I didn't own a website, it was just my active email.
One advantage of going freelance is the quick approach to money, this helps a lot when you're so needing money.
I think you get the picture. Hence, I will be splitting this article into two sections, one will be on becoming an Independent VA and the other is becoming an Employee or rather a dependent/freelance VA.
How To Build Your Virtual Assistant Business As An Independent Contractor!
Welcome to the section, are you still doubting or you're in a confused state of mind whether to become an Independent Contractor? If yes then I will help you make that decision.
Are you an entrepreneur at heart?
Looking to establish yourself a business?
Will you be able to persevere and work hard?
Are you Ready to put your Clients First and please them?
Are You ready to withstand the UPs and Down attached to business?
If you've been answering yes then becoming an independent contractor might be a perfect choice.
This is more like starting your own business, there are many challenges attached to owning a business, I'm not telling you this to scare but to aware you. When starting new, your primary focus won't be making money but getting clients. So welcome and be ready!
Below are steps of Starting Your VA Business.
Find your Niche!
What will your VA Business be about? What kind of services will you offer? This is so crucial and why?
Clients need someone they can trust, you can offer all the skills you have but you won't be able to build trust. If you're focused, client will see you as an expert and won't regard you as jack of all trade. They're likely to do more business with you in the nearest future.
So focus on what services you'll be offering. If it's copy writing, Guest blogging, Web design, social media management and more. Just be specific!
Note: if it's writing, you can also decide on the type of article you'll be writing!
What will your VA Business be about? What kind of services will you offer? This is so crucial and why?
Clients need someone they can trust, you can offer all the skills you have but you won't be able to build trust. If you're focused, client will see you as an expert and won't regard you as jack of all trade. They're likely to do more business with you in the nearest future.
So focus on what services you'll be offering. If it's copy writing, Guest blogging, Web design, social media management and more. Just be specific!
Note: if it's writing, you can also decide on the type of article you'll be writing!
Build Your Website
After you've choose your niche, you should create a website where your client can find you and your services.. If you ain't good with web designing, you can contact a web designer to create one for you. This should be more of a portfolio website. Whether personal or team!
This websites should or may contain;
1.Your Skills.
You should list your skills and the kind of services you offer. Uhm including your name and qualifications if you have any!
2.Your Previous Works.
You should showcase your previous works on your website and a list of companies, organization or individuals you've worked for (if you've haven't done any VA job at the moment then should leave it blank while you find clients and fill the blank space as that's what most clients check when they visit your website). If you are a writer you can publish some article for your clients to feel and decide if you are good. This is most easy if you're a niche writer!
3.Testimonials.
When start working, you'll need to gather testimonies from clients about you service and showcase on your website....
For this, select only top and impressive testimony for display, and add to the front page of your website. The testimonials shouldn't be more than 10.. (It's even much, just top five will do for me).
4.A Detailed About Page.
You should create page where you clearly state what your page is about and kind of service you offer. If you have won awards include them. You can also add you've worked for and a work sample.
5.A Contact Page.
This is how you'll be contacted, so include a contact me page! Contacting you shouldn't be a pain in the neck, it should be easy!
In order to achieve aim faster, use WordPress.org for creating your VA biz website, it's flexible and has lots of support.
Warning: Don't attempt creating this website by yourself if you ain't a geek at codes. Pay a designer to create a professional website, if possible include means for paying for a service directly on your website.
Start Looking For Clients..
Once your website is ready, you can start pitching companies and ask if you can work for them. This can be made possible by networking with other VAs and engaging in Social Networks....
My Top Tips After You've Setup Your VA Business...
1.When messaging companies, individuals or organization to work for, always be helpful and look for ways you can add values to the company!
2.Be Cheap with deal, when starting out you'll hungrily look for clients and there's no other faster method of getting clients than being cheap. Offer your services at cheap rate than fellow VAs. This will bring you tons of clients.
While being cheap you should do deals, you probably will be needing testimonials from clients to showcase on your website, so may tell your clients the reason why you're being cheap is because you need a good testimony from them after you've offered the service and they find it interesting. This way your clients will give out good testimonies you can showcase on your website.
You also want to get more clients, So you can decide to be cheap in exchange of advert from your clients. The best method I have use is targeting top companies (websites) and offering to do a certain service for free (Yes free), after I have finished the service, I will politely ask them to recommend me on the website and say something good about me! This will help you get more clients.
3.Get An Email List, you really need to keep contacts of your clients and email listing is a good start, ask them to subscribe. It's not easy to make them subscribe, so you should offer promo to get subscribers, use lead magnet and more.
Offer something for free but require them to subscribe to get it. Something like this may work; We are offering services at cheaper price, enter email to get inform when next we will be giving out at cheaper rate! Be creative!
4.Don't Spam, you should not spam your clients emails, don't send irrelevant mails. Message them once in a while, when you have something free or cheap or an ongoing promo! Don't message everyday!
5.Join LinkedIn, this place can help you find more clients and meet business minded.
6.Join Other Social Networks, there are tons of other social networks, join them and mingle with fellow VA.. Facebook groups are best! Join Groups specifically for VAs.
Social Networks are many, we have Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Periscope, YouTube, Google+, LinkedIn and you can't devote all your time on these social Network. I will advise you to stick with those your potential clients hangouts. Plus you should use tools to make it easy for you. For pinterest and instagram you should use Tailwind , Facebook use crowdfire, Hoostuit or Buffer, For Twitter Read My list of twitter tools.
7.Don't Be Cheap!
When you've successfully built a good reputation and some level of fame, decide on how much to charge! Don't go too high but don't be cheap (Uhm I sometimes go too high with my price , it shows expertise but I don't do it always. know the best times).
In addition, set limit to pricing, have a figure you can't go beyond. This doesn't mean you shouldn't offer promos or discounts again but there's time for everything! If you're offering promo, clearly tell clients you're offering promo and that isn't the price for a service.
For payment, you can use any convenient method, whether PayPal, Bank Transfer and more!
8.Write Captivating Pitch! Your pitch to clients should be well written.. There are some things that matters in pitch. See below!
Price: if the price is cheap include it , if it's not don't (allow them contact you) especially when it's not your final price. Cheap price draws clients while High price is usually scary.
Value: Your pitch should add value to whom you're working for, solve a problem!
Extra skills: If you have extra skills include them.
Lastly, be polite and say what you can do!
9.Be Unique And Different, Brands may already have trusted clients, so look for ways you can offer better than their customers
10.Don't Give Up and Trust In God!
Congrats with your VA Business... Now lets see the next kind of VA!
How To Become A Freelance Virtual Assistant!
Welcome to the next and last VA section, Are you still doubting which to choose from? Let me help you here also.
Are a kind off that loves getting paid for their work ASAP?
You can't stress yourself finding clients or you probably don't have the time?
You are looking for quick money after work? If yes Freelancing VA might be your thing .
Freelance VA is simply like a side hustling job, you work and you get paid, you ain't establishing any business. It's payment after work! No need to stressfully find Clients.
What's required?
Niche: You need to specialised here also. Do you want to offer writing service, web design, transcription and more? Choose a particular feed and explore.
Website; Website isn't a must here, but I recommend it as it increases professionalism. If you want use can create one using the website tips I discussed above.
Once you have something to offer, the next thing is to start offering and earning... You can get started using the sites I mentioned in this article.
You can register any or all of the listed websites, and see virtual assistants works available and apply. There's competition in most of the sites and the more skillful and experience VAs get more job than the Newbies. So you need to build your reputation on this sites so that people will accept to hire you...
Note: This sites usually deduct their own share from any service offered, do read their terms and how much their commission is...
My Tips For Freelance VAs
1.Be Helpful; this is one way you'll be able to get enough rewiews on your profile. Solve problem, go cheap and free..
2.Network with other VAs: this will help you grow, learn and know what others are doing. Find them on popular social networks.
3.Advertise: If there's competition on mentioned sites then you'll need to advertise yourself to get contacts from clients. Advertise a service on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and more.. Use simple but yet captivating pitch like: see below!
"I can design your blog for cheap price of $2, Plus free SEO setup".
Your pitch can be posted to various social platforms!
4.Treat Clients Well: This is in order words saying you should do you work well. Clients will value your service!
5.Don't Do Jobs You're Not Comfortable with: Some jobs aren't comfortable maybe because of pricing or anything else, if you come across such don't do it to avoid some issues! Maybe unable to deliver or something of like nature!
My Overall Tips For Wannabe Virtual Assistants...
1.Niche: Virtual Assistants Topic Focus!
A must for Freelance VAs and independent.
2.Website.
A must for independent VA but recommended for freelance VA.
3.Network With Others..
A must for Independent VAs and Freelance VAs
4.Promote Yourself On Social Media
A must for Independent VAs and Freelance VAs.
5.Call To Action: You need to call clients to action, politely ask them to do something for you!
A must for Independent VAs and Freelance VAs
6.Add Extra Skills To Pitch, If you have extra skills include them in your pitch! Your client might like them!
7.Buy This Book To Master VA.
This book The Bootstrap VA by Lisa Morosky has lots of tutorials covering the two VA aspects, its a must for VA that are willing to succeed. The book comes with Free Facebook group to meet fellow VAs!
Lisa Morosky has been a VA for Years and she's successful. She has helped many personalities succeed as VA, Lisa is experienced and knows her stuff.
Another Great Resource for wannabe VAs is this online course by Gina Horkey, it's titled 30 Days or Less to Virtual Assistant Success. This is a step by step guide to virtual assistant, so take her course and learn.
8.Use Virtual Assistants Websites.. If finding clients seems hard for you as an independent contractor, you can do jobs from the websites mentioned in this article!
9.Don't Be Cheap! Set A Good Price Limit!
10.Don't Give Up And Trust In God!
Final Thoughts
Virtual Assisting is very lucrative if you get it right, whether as a business or side hustle. You should learn to be consistent and maximize every little opportunity.
The book I recommended is written by a professional Virtual assistants and it's must for any serious VA.. From the book you'll learn how to succeed in the VA world. It's written by Lisa who has worked as a Virtual assistant for many years. This books is approximately $10 on Amazon, somewhat cheap right? Yes it is! Grab your own VA bootstrap now!
Also the online course is something you don't wanna miss, one thing about online courses is you're opened to interaction and you're being guide when you stumble. So sign up Gina's 30 Days Or Less To Virtual Assistant Success!
Social media can be your home of success, join Facebook and LinkedIn groups that is specifically for Virtual assistants to grow yourself. Use hashtag for social network that support it. This helps you reach more people!
I have heard many people talked about starting out as a VA employee and afterwards move to become an independent contractor. But sincerely speaking I will advise you to decide on the part you want and stay focus. Moving as a freelance VA to becoming an independent contractor might not be too easy. So it's best you stay focused. Though I have tried working as both in the same time and it went well. So it's up to you.
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