Virtual assistants (VAs) provide remote administrative support to businesses and entrepreneurs. It's one of the most accessible ways to start earning online with skills you likely already have.
What Virtual Assistants Do
- Email and calendar management
- Data entry and organization
- Customer service responses
- Social media management
- Research and reporting
- Travel and booking arrangements
- Content creation and editing
- Bookkeeping basics
Specialized VA Roles (Higher Pay)
- Executive VA: High-level support, $35-75/hour
- Social Media VA: Content and engagement, $20-50/hour
- Bookkeeping VA: Financial tasks, $25-60/hour
- Real Estate VA: Property management support, $20-40/hour
- Tech VA: Website and tech support, $25-60/hour
Skills You Need
Essential Skills
- Strong written communication
- Organization and time management
- Basic computer skills
- Attention to detail
- Self-motivation
Tools to Learn
- Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Calendar)
- Microsoft Office
- Project management (Asana, Trello, Notion)
- Communication (Slack, Zoom)
- Scheduling (Calendly)
Where to Find VA Jobs
- Upwork: Largest freelance platform
- Fiverr: Create service packages
- Belay: US-based VA agency
- Time Etc: Established VA company
- LinkedIn: Direct outreach to entrepreneurs
- Facebook Groups: VA job postings
Getting Started
- List your skills: What can you do right now?
- Choose a specialty: General or specialized VA
- Create profiles: Upwork, LinkedIn, Fiverr
- Set your rates: Start at $15-20/hour, increase with experience
- Apply consistently: 5-10 applications per day
- Deliver excellent work: Build reviews and referrals
Pricing Your Services
- Entry-level: $15-25/hour
- Experienced: $25-50/hour
- Specialized: $50-100+/hour
- Retainer packages: Monthly rates for consistent clients
Income Potential
- Part-time (10-20 hrs/week): $800-2,000/month
- Full-time (40 hrs/week): $3,000-6,000/month
- Specialized/Executive: $6,000-12,000+/month
Virtual assisting is flexible, in-demand, and a great way to earn from home. Start with what you know and grow your skills!