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What does a Virtual Assistant Do?
I can’t tell you how many times in the last two years I have been asked “What is a Virtual Assistant? What do you actually do?” Most of my work is Social Media Management and Website Maintenance, but there are so many options for Virtual Assistants now.
Already on the blog, I have interviewed a VA who specializes in helping leaders in the direct sales industry, a VA who focuses solely on her client’s email inboxes, and a VA who does general office work and makes house calls! The type of work a Virtual Assitant does depends on the skills they already have or are willing to learn.
RELATED POST: Ultimate Guide to Online Training for Virtual Assistants
What is a Virtual Assistant?
“A Virtual Assistant, or VA, is an administrative professional who provides immediate professional support, services, and skills to busy entrepreneurs and business managers via the Internet.” – VAnetworking.com
A Virtual Assistant is a self-employed virtual administrative professional who works from a remote location.
Any work that can be done over the internet can be done by a VA. And actually, some of them even do work that can’t be done over the internet, like mailings, organizing paperwork, creating files, etc.
A Virtual Assistant can work for many different types of businesses. Some specialize in Real Estate or Law, some focus on artists and creatives, and some perform tasks for a variety of companies.
Virtual Assistants can work on retainer for a long period of time or be hired to complete one job, it all depends on what the client is looking for. I have some clients on a set monthly package, some I bill by the hour and a few come to me with one-off projects that I quote ahead of time.
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There are other forms of online assistants who specialize and have different titles. Project Managers help with, well, projects. Online Business Managers (OBM) help with the overall management of a business and sometimes manage other VAs via an agency. Social Media Managers help small business with all their social media marketing needs.
Who hires a Virtual Assistant?
There are many, many kinds of businesses that hire VAs. Some solopreneurs hire them to keep the smaller tasks off their plates so they can focus on what actually makes them money. Some small businesses have work that needs to be done but not enough to justify an employee.
As a self-employed professional, virtual assistants are able to provide administrative services for less than hiring, training and retaining an employee. This makes it very cost effective for many small to medium businesses.
RELATED POST: How to Score Your First Virtual Assistant Client
How much does a Virtual Assistant make?
This is a tricky question to answer. It depends on the type of work, where the VA lives and the types of clients they take on. I have seen as low as $15 and as high as $100 per hour. The average is between $25 and $40 per hour.
If the VA has special training or skills that allow them to perform specialized tasks they can charge more, just like a trained employee. Also, many VAs increase their hourly rate as they gain experience and regular clients.
RELATED: How to Price Your Virtual Assistant Services
What Tasks can a Virtual Assistant Do?
- Social Media Management
- Website Maintenance
- Editing/Proofreading
- Calendar Management
- Email Inbox Management
- Answering Phonecalls
- Tech Support
- Database Design/Management
- Market Research
- Event Planning
- Travel Planning
- Transcription
- Meeting Minutes
- Creating Powerpoint Presentations
- Reply and Manage Blog Comments
- Booking Clients
- Client Follow-up
- Bookkeeping
- Real Estate Document Management
- Creating and Mailing Client Documents
- Preparing Webinars
- Creating Landing Pages
- Copywriting
- Managing Facebook Groups
- Writing and Sending Newsletter or eNewsletters
- Graphic Design
- Project Management
- Secretarial Services
- Word Processing
- Product Launch Mangement
- Creating Ads for Social Media
- Video Editing and Uploading
- Podcast Editing
- Client Invoicing
- Public Relations
Want more?
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This is great information. I know lots of moms that would love to work at home. Sharing this.
Thanks for sharing! It is a great way to work from home.
That’s some great information. I’ve considered doing some VA work and sometimes wondered what I would need to do to start. Maybe I need to take that free course during my next span of unallocated time!
The course is great, I highly recommend it!
This information is very helpful, and being a VA sounds like a great job for someone who is seeking flexibility in their schedule. Do you think most VAs are doing this full time or part-time, and do you think there is enough opportunity to do it full time?
There are many who do this full time! I have worked part time for the last two years doing various VA work for small businesses in my area.
I know several people who have used VAs. They really do alot of work! I can totally understand why someone would want to hire a VA, especially to help out in social media.
I do VA work for others but I dream of a day I can hire someone to help me out 🙂
I had no idea that a virtual assistant job could vary so much!
And this only covers a portion of jobs that VAs can do!
Wow so many positions for a VA, who knew! Sounds like a great course. Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Have a great week!
Kim
Thanks for stopping by!
I love that list of everything that a VA can do! Thanks for sharing this with us at the Home Matters Link Party, hope to see you again next week:) #HomeMattersParty
Thanks so much for stopping by!
This is great information!! Thank you. Is the free course still available? If so, where is it?
Hi, I tried to access the free programs mentioned in the video, but was not able to. Can you please direct me to the links?
Thanks,
Katy
Katy,
I’m sending you an email 🙂