What do virtual assistants do? How did you get started with virtual assistant work? What does a virtual assistant actually do, and how much do they get paid? These are questions I get asked a lot. While I’m not an expert, I want to share what I know because my posts about making extra income seem to be quite popular.
Virtual assisting is something I recently started. It doesn’t make up a huge part of my extra income, but it’s still a nice addition. I like to have multiple income streams, just in case something happens to one of them.
Even though it’s not a big part of my income, earning extra money as a virtual assistant is great. I can work from home and see immediate results.
A virtual assistant, or freelancer (I’ll use these terms interchangeably for this post), helps a business run smoothly, all while working remotely. You might be hired for a one-time project like designing a blog, or for ongoing tasks like replying to emails and comments.
People often ask, “Why would anyone hire a virtual assistant?” or “What does a virtual assistant do?” Well, running a business is a lot of work, and outsourcing some tasks can help you focus on your main goals. One person can’t do everything, and trying to do so can hurt your business. That’s where a virtual assistant comes in.
Another common question is about pay. This varies widely. You might earn anywhere from $15 to over $100 per hour, or you could be paid per project. It depends on the tasks involved.
If you’re a virtual assistant, feel free to share what you typically earn. It would be helpful for everyone, and I could include your input in this post.
A virtual assistant can do many things, but today I’ll focus on how you can be a virtual assistant for a website. Here are some roles:
1. **Social Media Assistant**: Managing multiple social media platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and blogs to connect with the target audience.
2. **Website Design**: Designing websites, creating social media icons, logos, and banner ads. A good design sets the tone for a blog and helps with a strong start.
3. **Editor**: Managing the writing for a website, including editing, proofreading, and publishing articles. An editor might also handle SEO to improve search engine rankings.
4. **Market Research**: Understanding the target audience and how to reach them. A market researcher can help improve your business by analyzing competitors and suggesting strategies.
5. **Writer**: Adding fresh perspectives to a blog and making it easier to manage by handling some of the writing tasks.
6. **Personal Assistant**: Handling various tasks like replying to emails, comments, answering questions, and scheduling meetings.
So, how do you start? Many of you have asked how I find my virtual assistant work and who employs me. While I can’t share specific details due to privacy, I can help you find your own VA jobs. Stay tuned for next week’s post where I’ll dive into how to get these jobs.
Hopefully, this post gives you some ideas for earning extra income. Think about the skills you can offer! If you’re interested in becoming a virtual assistant, check out my follow-up post on how to get started. If you want to start a blog, I have a tutorial that can help you create one in just minutes.
Are you a virtual assistant? Have you thought about becoming one? Or have you ever hired a virtual assistant? Let me know!