Looking to put your organizational skill to work? A virtual assistant could be your next work from home opportunity. Most Virtual Assistants are contract or freelance workers who conduct their job remotely and focus on administrative, social and some technical tasks. A "VA" can work on an as needed basis or provide part and fulltime services. Being a virtual assistant is perfect for someone with great organizational, time management and communication skills, able to multitask and customer service focused.
Companies and entrepreneurs can use virtual assistants for everything from managing email/correspondence, preparing reports and presentations to travel arrangements, reservations and event planning. Here's a list of some items a VA could be asked to perform:
List of some work from home opportunities:
- Data entry
- Schedule appointments
- Customer service calls
- Social media management
- Research for professional projects or personal needs
- Track expenses
- Send gifts
- Project management
- Editing
Pay rates for a virtual assistant range from $12 to $30 per hour. Depending on your skills and expertise, a VA can make upwards to $100 per hour.
If you're interested in becoming a virtual assistant, you will need to have an appropriate home office set up. While most people think a desk is mandatory, working on the couch, kitchen table, out in the garden is perfectly acceptable. After all, isn't that a perk to working from home to be able to pick your work spot and not work within the confines of a cubicle? You will need to ensure you have a reliable computer, preferably with a webcam and high-speed internet. While a cell phone is usually acceptable, some companies may require you to have a landline.
Virtual assistant jobs can be found on almost all major job boards such as ZipRecruiter.com and Indeed with even more listings on niche boards; Upwork, Flex Job, Belay Solutions, Virtual Assistant USA. It's also important to become involved with social media outlets where potential clients are looking for their next VA. The Bootstrap VA is a reputable virtual assistant group on Facebook. This is a great opportunity to network with fellow virtual assistants and find leads for future work.
