You’ve been Googling “work from home jobs” in an attempt to ditch the 9-5 grind. You have come across a Virtual Assistant (aka VA), but maybe you’re thinking being a VA means you have to work with admin or be a PA – and that’s not you!
Well … I have some great news for you, a VA role is ridiculously flexible and wide-reaching – you can pretty much do any “work from home” job under the umbrella of a VA.
And, if you’re wondering whether becoming a Virtual Assistant will give you the flexibility to build the balanced lifestyle you’ve been craving.
The simple answer… “Yes”.
Not only do you get to work from home (or anywhere else you choose), but you also get to set your own hours. Do tasks you enjoy. And, work with people you actually like. What’s not to love?
You just need to believe in yourself, know your strengths and learn the basics. If you can do all that, you’ll be able to set up your own VA business in no time!
What is a Virtual Assistant?
A VA is someone who provides help to businesses from a remote location. Thanks to high-speed internet, cloud-based systems, and conference calling, VA’s are in high demand.
With many people moving their businesses online (thanks COVID), having someone assist them remotely provides greater flexibility, lower fixed expenses, and the option to scale up and down.
If you’ve still got questions, I wrote a whole blog post answering all the FAQ’s on becoming a Virtual Assistant.
What types of work from home jobs can a Virtual Assistant do?
It’s a common misconception that Virtual Assistants only provide administrative services. But, that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are VA’s for EVERYTHING! Think of a task, there will be a VA out there doing it. I’ve even heard of people managing clients’ tinder profiles and hooking them up on dates.
This list of 100 Virtual Assistant services is a good place to start. You’ve probably already got some skills you can easily transfer, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to find something that appeals to you.
Here are 10 examples of Virtual Assistant Services you can offer from home…
1. Social Media Manager
Are you always scrolling on social media? If so, why not get paid for it! There are a ton of different things you can do as a Social Media Manager. To get your foot in the door and learn the ropes Community Management is a great place to start. This involves responding to comments/ DM’s, scheduling content and admitting members into groups.
Once you’ve found your feet, you could start moving into Social Media Strategy. This involves identifying trends, tracking data and looking for ways to drive results.
2. Transcriptionist/ Translation
Are you a quick typer and a good listener? If so, transcription could be a good option. Transcription jobs involve listening to audio recordings and turning them into written reports. These could be from general meetings or interviews. Or, they could be more specialised subjects such as law and medicine. If you happen to be fluent in another language, translation is another popular option.
3. Tech Support
If your stomach just flipped at the thought of having to code, don’t panic! Yes, being a bit tech-savvy is obvs going to be a big bonus, but you don’t need to know to build Ai data systems.
Small businesses are often one-man-bands. They have to contend with websites, SEO, booking systems, email campaigns, and a long list of other techy things. Having to figure all that stuff out is time-consuming and incredibly overwhelming. That’s where a Tech VA comes in to save the day. They connect, automate and look after the back-end running of the business.
4. Copywriter/ Content Writer
Have you got a natural flair for words? Then, the writing possibilities are endless!
Written content, known as ‘copy’ the kind of art people don’t always appreciate. But, whether it’s a description on the back of your shampoo bottle, daily horoscopes, or a social media ad – they all have to be written by someone.
Copywriters focus on ‘selling’. They directly address the customer’s problem, promises entertainment, or evoke an emotion, with intention of driving action.
Content writers, on the other hand, educate and build relationships (play the long game). They do this with longer-form content such as blog posts and articles.
5. Creative VA/ Graphic Design
Not everyone has an eye for design. If you’re one of the lucky ones who do, this is a super in-demand skill!
If you’re not sure where to start, go and stalk the people you’d love to work with. Look at the types of graphics they’re posting on their blogs and social media accounts, then try and replicate those styles.
Take advantage of free online classes on sites such as Canva. Have a play around, and start getting some samples together to add to your portfolio.
6. Project Manager / Business Manager
This is often the natural progression for Virtual Assistants who love the management side of the business. They assist with the day-to-day operations of the company, including project management, team management and streamlining processes.
Online business managers tend to work closely with the business owner to ensure that their strategy is implemented efficiently.
7. Podcast Manager
Every man and his dog has a podcast these days. And, there’s a lot of work involved. Not only does the host need to record it, but they also have to: find guests, edit audio, write show notes, upload to the host, and market it. As a manager, you can take on all of these roles or just one of them!
To get started read blogs and watch some tutorials on how to edit audio. Have a play around with Audacity (free audio editing software) and add some samples to your portfolio
8. Bookkeeper
Many people confuse Bookkeepers and Accountants. But, they’re actually very different! Accountants often require a degree or certification. Whereas Bookkeepers don’t need any formal education.
Bookkeepers assist accountants by taking charge of the daily financial operations. This could include paying bills, sending invoices to customers, reconciling bank statements and creating financial reports.
9. Website Manager
Websites require regular maintenance. This could be formatting, editing, creating, and scheduling blogs for the client’s website on WordPress or another CMS (Content Management System). Moderating and responding to comments. Repairing broken links and carrying out regular website maintenance chores.
10. Video Editor
Video marketing is HUGE! And, it’s continuing to grow. There are influencers, marketers, and other businesses all trying to put out as many videos as possible. But, it’s time-consuming and they need help.
Your computer probably already has free video editing software (e.g. iMovie) or you can find free ones online. You are not applying to work on a Hollywood film set, so it doesn’t matter if it’s basic. Just get watching some tutorials and practice.
Next steps to start your work from home journey
Have a read through the 100 Virtual Assistant services you can offer and start to whittle the list down. Don’t be tempted to choose things you already have experience in (unless you want to). Challenge yourself and pick the ones you’re most likely to actually enjoy.
It doesn’t matter where you’re starting from, the most important thing is to just start. If you want to work from home and make your own rules, becoming a VA is one of the most powerful ways to break open the entrepreneurial doors.
And if you are ready to start earning money whilst sitting in your PJs at home or sipping your pina colada from a beach in Mexico, but you’re not sure where to start – get in touch and let’s create a plan for you that aligns with your lifestyle and goals.
