Imagine having the freedom to work from anywhere in the world, on projects of your choosing, needing nothing more than your laptop and a wifi connection. 

That’s the freedom that comes with learning how to become a virtual assistant (VA). Whether you dream of having more time at home or working from the beach in Thailand, starting a virtual assistant business could be your path to the laptop lifestyle. 

The best part? You don’t need experience to start working as a VA (in fact, it’s one of the Best Digital Nomad Jobs for Beginners!). Keep reading to find out why becoming a virtual assistant is one of the best online business opportunities, and how you can get started today–no experience required!

For more on how to become a virtual assistant, check out the Laptop Lifestyle Blueprint, a free 30 day guide to starting the online business of your dreams!

What does a virtual assistant do?

A virtual assistant is someone who provides online services for an entrepreneur or business owner. Their tasks might consist of customer service, social media management, email marketing or all of the above.

Many VAs choose to specialize in a specific niche (ie. admin, content creation, social media), based on their skills and preference. This also helps them command expert rates as their experience grows. If you want to become a virtual assistant, you’ll need strong organizational and communication skills, as well as the initiative to reach out to new clients!

What services can you provide as a virtual assistant?

Here are just a few examples of VA services you can offer:

• Inbox management
• Calendar management
• Organization and systems
• Executive and administrative support
• Customer support
• Graphic design
• SEO writing
• Marketing outreach
• Pinterest
• Social media management
• Content creation
• Podcast management
• And so much more!

You could choose to start with one of these services, or try out several until you find what you most enjoy. Really, the possibilities are endless!

Related Post: How I built my online business from a laptop on the beach

How to Become a Virtual Assistant in 5 Steps

1. Craft your offer.

Take a look at the list of services above and think about which ones caught your eye. Is there something on that list you already know how to do, or want to learn more about? 

Remember you don’t need experience to become a VA–just a willingness to learn! Everyone has to start somewhere. 

If you’re starting from scratch with no experience, make sure you do your research and take the time to build up your skills (try Udemy, Skillshare or Youtube to get started). I recommend picking one skill to start, spending a focused 30 days learning that skill and then shifting your focus to getting clients. You can keep learning more skills in the background but you need to put yourself out there to start building your brain and getting experience.

After you pick your one skill (and spend some time learning one if needed) you can start crafting an offer (ie. what service(s) you’ll provide and for what price). VAs typically charge by the hour, but some also offer monthly or project based packages.

In some cases, your client will set your starting wage, but it’s good to know what the industry norm is regardless. Don’t undersell yourself! Do a bit of research online and see what you can charge for your services. 

Related Post: How to Launch a Business in 30 Days

2. Establish your online presence.

The next step is to get your website and social media up and running. People can’t hire you if they can’t find you! It’s okay to keep your website basic to start, but make sure you have a clear SERVICES page. As your business grows, you can come back and expand your website to include testimonials and more detailed information.

While you’re designing your website and social media pages, it’s important to think about who your ideal client is. That way you can tailor your marketing specifically towards people you want to work with. 

Related Post: 5 Social Media Post Ideas for Business

3. Start pitching and networking.

Once you have your website and/or social up, you can start selling! Join Facebook groups, engage on Instagram, and start reaching out to potential clients. Come say hi in the Laptop Lifestyle Entrepreneur Facebook group!

Related Post: How to Start an Online Business in 2021

4. Keep your clients happy.

Once you’ve signed your first client, it’s time to get to work! Make sure you’re clear on each task you’ve been assigned. Every client has slightly different expectations, so when in doubt, over communicate. 

Good communication is key for virtual assistants!

Focus on doing a good job and building a relationship with your client. Check in with them, provide regular updates on how things are going, and ask for feedback in return.

5. Growing your VA business.

Once you’ve established a relationship with your clients, ask for a testimonial for your website or see if there’s anyone they would refer you to. Most VA jobs come from this kind of networking. And if you’ve done a good job, your client will be happy to help!

As your business grows and you transition from freelancer to entrepreneur, you’ll need to start introducing systems and processes to your VA business. Staying organized during this stage is crucial!

Check out the video below for my favorite online business tools for everything from content creation to bookkeeping.

Related Post: How to Plan Your Week as an Entrepreneur

Final Thoughts on How to Become a Virtual Assistant with No Experience

The best way to start your virtual assistant business off right is by joining Laptop Lifestyle Bootcamp, my signature group coaching program that covers everything from brand design to tech systems, ideal client, sales, crafting your offers and more. You’ll work with a community of expert coaches and like-minded female entrepreneurs to build the foundations of a six figure online business.

If that sounds like your jam, check out Laptop Lifestyle Bootcamp here. You can also follow me on Instagram and subscribe on Youtube for more free business tips! 

Keep Reading

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Online Business

How to Quit Your 9 to 5 and Travel the World Full Time 

11 Lessons Learned My First Year in Business  

5 Business Tips for Success as a New Entrepreneur 

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