So you’re planning to become a virtual assistant? Awesome! Over the past few years, the virtual assistant (VA) industry has grown quite well in the United States. According to an article published in The Week, there are more than 1,00,000 virtual assistants listed (jointly) on platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, Guru, and PeoplePer Hour.
Since a lot of business owners, bloggers, and solo entrepreneurs prefer to outsource their tasks to virtual assistants, VAs have become a well-paid job in the country.
According to Indeed, the average salary for a VA in the United States is $16.51 per hour. However, with the right combination of dedication and determination, you can definitely make more than this amount.
In this guide, we will walk you through steps you need to take to become a virtual assistant. So read this guide till the end.
Step 1: Take a Professional VA Training
Though anyone with experience in an administrative and clerical job can become a virtual assistant, taking professional training will put you at an advantage. As per your convenience, you can take VA training from Udemy or join a virtual assistant certificate course at a nearby university.
Step 2: Choose the type of service you will Offer
Once you have taken the professional training, your next step should be determining what kind of service you will offer as a virtual assistant. If you’re not sure about it, make a list of jobs you think you can do.
For instance, if you manage your own blog or website, you may add this job to your list. The bottom line is, you have to choose the work you’re better at. It can be anything, ranging from checking emails to posting blog posts to scheduling social media posts.
Step 3: Choose Your Pricing Structure
You can set your pricing structure based on the type of work you choose, your skillset and experience. No matter what type of service you provide, you should stay competitive and profitable in the market.
You can set your pricing structure as per the following.
- You can set an hourly rate and get paid for the amount of time you work.
- You can ask your client to pay a flat fee for a one-time project.
- You can get hired on an ongoing weekly rate for a certain set of tasks.
Step 4: Get a Professional Business Name
Like every business, your VA business must have a professional name. No, we didn’t mean that you have to choose a super creative name; any easy to spell and memorable name will work fine.
You can make a list of names that you find relevant to your business and ask your friends and family what they think of these names.
Don’t forget to check the availability of the name as well. It shouldn’t be already in use or trademarked.
If you’re not getting good ideas for a business name, you can take the help of some online name generators such as Oberlo, Cool Name Ideas, and Name Mesh.
Step 5: Decide on the Type of Clients You Want to Work With
Once you have decided on the type of service you will offer, it’s time to determine the type of clients you would like to work with. Are they bloggers or small business owners? Understanding this will make sure that you select clients who you will be comfortable working with and can deliver the quality they are looking for.
Step 6: Check out the Legal Requirements for Your Business
It is one of the most challenging steps in setting up a virtual assistant business. After all, it involves dealing with a lot of legal matters and agencies. Some of the significant things you may need to do include:
- Determine whether you want to run your business as an LLC or as a Sole Proprietorship.
- Get the required permits and licenses.
- Prepare client contracts.
Step 7: Get a Professional Website
Though you don’t need a website to work as a virtual assistant, having a website will make you look more credible. After all, clients expect that a reputable business has an online presence.
Don’t worry; setting up a website won’t break your bank. There are a lot of website builders out there that let you create a professional website at an affordable price. You can go with any of the following website builders that best suit your needs and budget.
Step 8: Create an Outstanding Marketing Plan
Marketing is essential for every business including for virtual assistants. There are plenty of ways you can increase your visibility and credibility in the industry.
For example, you could use email marketing or social media campaigns. However, it’s advisable not to invest a large budget on marketing initially.
Take advantage of your social media accounts to share knowledge about your virtual assistance services to your clients. You can join professional networks on Facebook and LinkedIn to promote your business.
If you have a website, you can create compelling blog content to get visibility in search engine results. Learn how to start a blog.
Also, connect with other virtual assistants to get some tips and ideas for generating leads. You can join other virtual assistants on online forums like LinkedIn and Facebook.
Step 9: Maintain Relationship with Your Clients
Marketing alone won’t help you get business; you also need to form better client relationships. Remember, a good customer relationship is essential to business success.
Step 10: Find VA Jobs both Online & Offline
Finding regular clients could be the hardest part for a lot of new virtual assistants. Here are some quick tips to get VA jobs.
- Find virtual assistant positions on popular freelance websites like Upwork and People Per Hour.
- Share your list of virtual assistance services on social media with your friends and professional network.
- List your business on popular business listing sites such as Google Business, Bing, etc.
- Search LinkedIn job postings
- Work with an influencer to improve brand awareness and trust among your existing clients as well as prospects.
So these were the steps to become a virtual assistant. If you have any questions about becoming a virtual assistant, do comment in the comment section, we will strive to resolve your query.
