What is Virtual Assistant and How to Become a Virtual Assistant?

Divya Stuti

Divya Stuti, with over 5 years of experience in Digital Marketing & Content Writing, has a knack for turning complex Marketing strategies, trends, and jargon...

After COVID-19, everything turned to the virtual world, then why not assistance? You will be surprised to know that the visual assistant market was valued at $4.12 Billion in 2020 and was predicted to grow at a CAGR of 24.4%. With this striking number, the popularity of virtual assistants can not be overstated. 

Let’s understand what a virtual assistant is, the roles and responsibility they have, and steps to become one. 

What is a Virtual Assistant? 

A virtual assistant is a person who works remotely to support businesses in various different kinds of tasks. The term was first coined by Tim Ferriss in his book “The 4-Hour Work Week” that was released in 2009. The concept was related to the offshore contractors who only spent time on high value tasks. They were mostly free and enjoying life while travelling, reading, swimming, and more. Though with the rise of the freelancer economy the concept gained more traction and more people started trying their hand on remote working. 

Virtual Assistants generally work on contract-based projects, and they bear their cost of device and internet connections. While they do have access to other necessary resources required for the assigned tasks. VAs don’t receive the same benefits as that of permanent, full-time employees, and their payout and benefits are different, and most depend on the client. 

Roles and Responsibilities of VA

VA can be responsible for a wide range of roles, and that totally depends on with whom you are working and what are their requirements? Some of the most common roles of a virtual assistant are: 

1. Managing and Scheduling Meetings
2. Conducting Online Research and Making Presentation 
3. Data Entry and Bookkeeping 
4. Handling communication over call, chat or email
5. Offering administrative or technical supports 
6. Securing space for in-person meetings
7. Making travel bookings and arrangements 
8. Transcribing meeting and creating the minutes of meeting 
9. Handling social media platforms 
10. Keeping records, file management and document organization 
11. Keeping track of payments, expenses and vendors

And the list doesn’t end here; the KPIs and KRAs can extend beyond this list depending upon the requirement of the clients. 

Qualifications For Becoming VA

The qualification to become a virtual assistant is very basic and anyone can try, but they just need to have the following things: 

1. Education

A bachelor’s degree is one of the basic criteria for becoming a VA. However it is not mandatory and some businesses don’t worry about your educational background. On the other hand some businesses require technical handling and thus they may look for someone with a high educational degree or a technical degree. 

2. Training 

If you are planning to start your career as virtual assistant, then you should take training in following things: 

• Database handing, 
• Spreadsheets, 
• Business management, 
• Social media management,
• Website designing, 
• Graphic Designing

3. Certifications

Most of the people looking for this candidate, prefer those who are certified from recognised institutes. Here are some certificate courses that you should consider to become a VA: 

• Certified Virtual Assistant: It  is the most renowned certificate for VA. For applying in this, you must have one year of experience as a VA and thus it is not for beginners. 

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Excelling Microsoft Office Suite can be a great way to enter this role. It is available in three levels, namely Specialist, Expert, and Master.  Moreover, you will get the certificate only if you complete the course and pass the exam. 

• Google Ads: Nailing online advertisements can help you get this job like a breeze, as ads are in the trend and every business wants to run ads to promote itself. 

• Language Certification: Adding foreign language skills can boost your resume and help you get international clients. 

4. Skills 

Some skills that are must have for becoming a virtual assistant is listed below: 

• Basic Computer knowledge
• Good Communication 
• Organizational skills
• Multitasking 
• Time management 
• Interpersonal skills 

How to Become a Virtual Assistant? 

If you’re ready to be a VA, follow these steps.

1. Assess your skills and expertise

Take stock of your existing skills and experience. Consider past roles, even if not directly administrative, and identify transferable skills like organization, communication, or technical proficiency that can be valuable to clients.

2. Define your services and niche

Based on your strengths, determine the specific services you’ll offer. Consider specializing in a particular industry or service area to stand out. For instance, you could focus on social media management for real estate agents or administrative support for e-commerce businesses.

3. Develop your portfolio

Showcase your skills and accomplishments by building an online portfolio or website, notes Indeed. Include examples of your work, testimonials from past clients, and a clear list of your services.

4. Market yourself and build your network

Create a professional website and utilize social media platforms like LinkedIn to highlight your expertise and drive traffic to your services. Network with other VAs and professionals to expand your reach and learn from experienced individuals, notes Indeed.

How Much Can You Earn As A Virtual Assistant? 

There is no bar to how much you can earn as a virtual assistant. However, the better clients you get, the more you can earn. The national average pay for a virtual assistant is $26.20 per hour according to Indeed. This pay is for basic administrative jobs. For more skilled roles, the payout is higher. 

The Bottom Line

A virtual assistant career can be empowering for you as it offers a path to flexibility, autonomy, and a rewarding career. You can utilize your existing skills, define your niche, and commit to continuous learning to build a successful VA career.

Also Read: How To Use Google Data Studio For Maximum Benefit

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Divya Stuti

Divya Stuti, with over 5 years of experience in Digital Marketing & Content Writing, has a knack for turning complex Marketing strategies, trends, and jargon into interesting and easy to digest blog posts. Whether she’s breaking down the SEO, Social Media or decoding campaigns, Divya knows how to make marketing feel exciting and easy to understand. Armed with a sharp eye for strategy and a storyteller’s instinct, she writes with clarity, creativity, and just the right dose of wit.

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