{Work-at-Home} Virtual Assistant

After deciding to leave my teaching career to be a stay-at-home mom, I knew I still needed to do something that would bring in additional income. For me, I didn't want to spend time doing surveys only to earn a few dollars, I wanted something that would be comparable to what I would be making if I were still teaching.

So, I began working as a Virtual Assistant and LOVED the fact that I could be at home but still have a career. (I have since stopped working as a VA because I wanted more time with my family.)

Although being a Virtual Assistant (VA) would not work for every at-home parent, it had been a blessing for my family so I thought I would share a bit about this type of work-at-home opportunity...

What is a Virtual Assistant? Virtual Assistants (typically abbreviated to VAs), are entrepreneurs who provide professional administrative, technical, or creative (social) assistance to clients from a home office. VAs usually support other small businesses, entrepreneurs, and consultant groups.

Skill Set:

Highly Organized
Self-Motivated
Strong Leader
Self-Starter
Excellent time management skills
Great communicator
Needs very little or no direction
Computer Savvy - Must be highly proficient in Office, email, Internet, etc.

Getting Started:

Getting started as a virtual assistant requires a few simple steps. There is no formal credential process to become a virtual assistant, but there are several companies who offer training and their own certifications, such as AssistU. Although it is not absolutely necessary to become certified as a virtual assistant, it can be helpful in your quest to find new clients since programs like AssistU offer this kind of support. Before you sign up for any program or course, do your due diligence and investigate the company. Get recommendations from other successful virtual assistants and consider finding a mentor who can help you get started.

Equipment Needed:

Home office (quiet space)
Computer/Internet
Printer/Copier/Scanner
Possible Fax
Phone Line (Unlimited long distance a plus - we use Vonage)
Website for marketing

Pay Range:

This depends on several factors: your skills/training, your industry (administrative vs. technical) and possibly your location. The range can be anywhere from $12 all the way up to $65 an hour, with $20/hr. being a pretty standard rate.

When setting your fees, you'll need to remember that you will have to pay your own Self-Employment Tax (social security), insurance and other “benefits” so you should definitely charge more than the same position would pay an employee.

You can also charge by the project, or you can charge a “retainer” for a certain number of hours per week that would cover any projects your client assigned.

PROS:

A huge bonus is that you get to work from home. You'll save money on work clothes, gas, lunching out, etc. And, best of all, you'll be home for your family.
You can start with very little funds.
You get to decide how many hours you work and when. You're your own boss.
You decide who your clients are. While it may be trying to get those first few clients, you have the luxury to decide if it's working out or not.

CONS:

Probably one of the most difficult things for new VAs is finding your first client(s). If you spread the word and market yourself to friends and family, the clients may come to you rather easily. Other resources online can assist you in finding clients (see below). The good news is that once your start building your reputation, your clients will refer new clients to you.
Juggling the work load at home - While being home is a bonus, it's also a struggle. I know it was a struggle of mine. Unless you have excellent time management and set clear priorities, you'll likely spend as much time in your home office as you would outside the home. If you have children, you'll have to be diligent about setting aside time for them and working around naps and in the evenings.
As your business grows, it's likely that your expenses and equipment will grow too.
You are responsible for your own taxes, health insurance, etc.

Bottom Line: Starting a virtual assistant business is just one of many ways to be a Work-at- home entrepreneur. If you have experience as an administrative assistant, or can offer virtual services to business clients, then you are a prime candidate for having a successful virtual assistant business.

For more information about starting your own Virtual Assistant business, you can visit these resources: