I have been running this website for more than nine years. When I first began, I did all of the work myself. When I got to a point where I could afford it, I hired a Virtual Assistant. That was one of the best decisions I ever made!
I was fortunate enough that the person I hired was someone I knew. She was a former school teacher, so was organized and I had no worries about her grammar nor ability to learn how to do the things I needed.
For her, it was easy to find a job. However, for most people interested in becoming a Virtual Assistant, or VA, it is more challenging. You might not know what a VA will do or even where to start. Then, if you are ready to work, where do you find employment?
These are questions people just like you have when it comes to this type of work. Fortunately, there is a way to get the answers and help you need to start working from home as a VA.
Kayla Sloan has a great program called $10kVA. She makes great money as a VA and is sharing her secrets with others to help them learn how to get started in this line of work. If you have thought about becoming a VA, this course will teach you what you need to know to get you started on the path to working from home to make more money for your family.
I recently chatted with her and asked her the questions you may have as well. After all, you do not want to spend your money learning something that may not be a fit for you.
HOW TO BECOME A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
WHY SHOULD SOMEONE BECOME A VA?
There are so many great reasons why you should become a VA. For me it came down to a few things:
- I discovered I could earn WAY more money than I was making my 8-5 job. Most months, I earn 5-6X what I used to make at my day job. For me, this means I’ve been able to pay off debt and build savings so much faster!
- Flexibility! Even though I don’t have kids, it’s nice to have more flexibility in my work schedule. I can take time off for appointments, to get my hair cut, to work out in the middle of the day, and to help on my family’s farm without having to ask for time off or be judged by people in my office for taking time off.
- Unlimited earning potential. Coming back to the money side of things, you can work as much or as little as you want and you can make as much or as little as you want. You can do this part time or full time. I know a few stay-at-home moms who work only when their kids are napping, at activities like sports, or when they are in bed. It gives them a chance to have an identity besides just being a mom and also to provide some extra money for their family’s budget. Or, you can work full time as I do. You also get to raise your rates whenever you want, which means you aren’t stuck only getting a raise once/year (or less!) like at a traditional job.
CAN ANYONE DO THIS?
I would say ALMOST anyone can do this. 🙂 You do need to be organized, hard-working, and have some basic computer skills in place to work as a VA. BUT you don’t have to have a specific college degree or be an “expert” at anything to get started.
It’s NOT a get rich quick scheme. It definitely takes work, but it’s a great way to earn a living.
WHAT DO VA’s TYPICALLY DO?
I have done lots of different things as a VA. Some of the more basic things a new VA may do are:
- Scheduling posts on social media. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram are the main ones I see these days
- Email management and customer service, which may include replying to readers or customers who buy products from your client.
- Researching various topics.
- Managing your client’s calendar and scheduling meetings, trips, conferences, etc.
These are just a few things you may do, but there are literally hundreds of things you MIGHT do. Some tasks will pay more than others, too. I’ve made a free business planner kit, which includes a list of 100 services you can offer and a worksheet to help you narrow down your focus. (You don’t have to include this part if you think it pulls away too much from the course sales!)
WHAT EXPERIENCE OR BACKGROUND DO I NEED?
As I said, it’s more about your work ethic and very basic skills, like organization and communication than anything else. But, if you do have a background in anything technical or experience with blogging, you may be able to offer some services that can help you earn more money as a VA. Skills like WordPress knowledge can be very helpful.
DO I NEED SPECIAL EQUIPMENT?
One of the best things about starting a freelance VA business is that it’s such a low-cost business to start. All you need is a computer and a good internet connection. If you already have these, there are technically no startup costs. You can see profit in your very first month with your first client!
CAN I DO THIS IN MY SPARE TIME?
Absolutely! As I said, I know lots of moms who do this part-time around their kids’ schedules. I also started part-time and worked as a VA in the evenings and weekends before I decided to quit my job and take my business full-time.
DO I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO BLOG TO DO THIS?
You don’t need to know how to blog to get started. But, if you do know how to blog, it can be a huge bonus to help you get clients and offer higher-paying services.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET STARTED?
You can definitely get started on your own by marketing your business on social media, with a website, etc. and possibly even signing up on a job board to try and find your first client. But, if you work with a coach or take a course, you can get started even faster and avoid a lot of common mistakes that new VAs typically make.
It took me a year to earn $2k/month and quit my day job, and another 14 months to hit the $10K/month mark. I know I could have saved a lot of time growing my business if I would have had someone to go to with questions. It would have saved me from many, many mistakes as I grew my business.
WHAT TYPE OF INCOME CAN I EXPECT TO MAKE?
VAs in the United States will typically earn between $15-$35/hour, but if you have very advanced skills or knowledge in certain areas (like coding, technical knowledge, etc.), you may be able to earn much more.
HOW DO YOU FIND WORK?
I’m not a fan of job boards at all unless you have absolutely no other options to get your first client. Instead, I always recommend to new VAs that they start with their existing network. You can usually land a client with less competition, which means more pay. Plus, if they’re someone you already know, it may be easier to get started with less training. It also gives you the opportunity to work with clients you admire and work you believe it, which is always fun to be a part of something bigger than yourself. 🙂
Becoming a Virtual Assistant is a great opportunity for you to easily make money from home. You should check out Kayla’s course – $10kVA to learn all you need to know to get started in this line of work.
