Thinking about becoming a virtual assistant but not sure where to start?
If you’re looking for a flexible, work-from-home career that doesn’t require a degree or years of experience, virtual assistance might be the perfect path for you. Getting started is easier than you think and knowing what a VA does, what skills you need, how much you can earn, and how to get started with confidence is the name of the game!!
Let’s get started!
What Is a Virtual Assistant?
Basically a virtual assistant (VA) is someone who provides administrative, creative, or technical support to clients or businesses remotely. Instead of working in an office, you can work from anywhere—your kitchen table, a coffee shop, or even while traveling.
So many businesses need help with admin and scheduling tasks both online businesses and physical businesses. You can offer your skills to friends or family to get started or join up and look online for other opportunities out there.
VA roles vary depending on the client, but here are some common tasks
- Email and calendar management
- Social media content scheduling
- Customer service or inbox support
- Data entry or research
- Booking appointments or travel
- Managing spreadsheets or documents
Many virtual assistants choose to specialize in areas they enjoy, like social media, tech support, or creative tasks like blog formatting or Pinterest pinning. Think about where your skills might match and make this your first area of VA work to get started in. As you build your client list and confidence you’ll be able to learn on the job. Feeling a bit lost? Take a course to get you on track and feeling confident with your VA skills.
What Skills Do You Need to Be a Virtual Assistant?
You don’t need a fancy resume to get started—but you do need to be reliable, organized, and willing to learn.
Helpful skills include:
- Good written communication
- Time management and self-motivation
- Familiarity with tools like Google Workspace, Canva, or Trello
- A positive, problem-solving attitude
If you’ve worked in admin, retail, customer service, or education, you likely have transferable skills that make you a great VA already!
How AI Is Changing the Game for Virtual Assistants
AI tools are making VA work faster and smarter than ever. Instead of replacing virtual assistants, AI is helping them work more efficiently—especially with repetitive or time-consuming tasks. My tip is to get familiar with AI and what it can do to help you in your work.
Learning to use ChatGpt or similar will change how you look at tasks. It can help you solve general tasks throughout the day and help you learn how to use different programs to make your VA work easier! Whatever you do, don’t just copy and paste it! AI is great but still has hallucinations and can give information that isn’t correct. Use it to help but not replace you!
Here are a few ways as a beginner VA you can use AI in your work.
- Content Creation: Tools like ChatGPT can help draft emails, blog outlines, or social media captions. Remember to humanise it!
- Scheduling: Platforms like Motion or Calendly use AI to streamline calendars and book meetings. It’s also important to get comfortable with tools like Google Calendar, Google Spreadsheets, Google Drive, and content planners like Postoplan, Tailwind, and other social media schedulers. These are tools many clients already use—and being familiar with them can set you apart.
- Inbox Management: Tools like Superhuman or SaneBox organize emails and prioritize important messages.
As a VA, your value comes from knowing how to use these tools strategically for your clients. Don’t be afraid of AI—learn to work with it.
Do You Need Training to Become a VA?
Not always, but training can give you a big head start—especially if you want to feel confident landing clients or charging more. Being a skilled VA is one thing and running your business so you actually make money is another.
Knowing your worth is important- if you are skilled, proactive and can complete tasks on time you will become a highly valued VA. Have confidence in your current skills and take the time to learn new ones. If you are unsure- take a course, invest in yourself, this is the best way to move forward fast!
I recommend checking out Fully Booked VA. It’s a comprehensive training program that teaches you exactly how to:
- Choose your VA niche
- Set up your business
- Find and land paying clients
They also offer a free VA Starter Kit, which is a great way to explore if VA work is right for you.
How Much Do Virtual Assistants Make?
Beginners usually start around $10–$25/hour, but as you gain experience or specialize, you can charge $30–60+/hour depending on your niche.
Some VAs even create monthly retainers or packages that give them stable, recurring income. Again it will depend on your skills and experience. Build up your hourly rate as you get more confident and have the experience to back yourself.
Don’t ask for big money then flake, that’s not cool to your client or to you! You want to be successful and make this a real thing then take the time to get properly trained and set up your business. Be the real deal!
Where to Find Virtual Assistant Jobs Online
You can find VA gigs on freelance platforms, job boards, or through your own network. Start here:
TIP: Once you’re ready, don’t be afraid to pitch yourself to local businesses or solo entrepreneurs who clearly need support.
Final Tips to Get Started as a VA
- Don’t wait until you feel “ready”—you learn as you go.
- Saying that- if you don’t have skills take a course and get some 🙂
- Start with a few services you feel confident in.
- Keep your client communication professional and clear.
- Use templates and systems to save time (you’ll thank yourself later!)
- Create a digital CV- a small website, an Upwork profile.
And most importantly—just start. The sooner you jump in, the faster you’ll learn what works for you. Learn as you go, be open minded and flexible with feedback.
Ok, one more tip before I finish haha! On your Upwork profile don’t copy AI output straight into there. It stands out soooo much!! And if you can upload a video of you talking about what you can offer. This gives the clients a feeling for who you are and that you can communicate easily. This will make you stand out of the crowd!
Ready to Become a Virtual Assistant?
If you’re serious about learning how to become a virtual assistant, now is the perfect time to dive in. Remote work is growing, and more businesses than ever are looking for reliable VAs to help with admin, content, and support tasks.
Want more remote work ideas? Check out our Flexible Remote Work hub for beginner-friendly tips and tricks. We want to help you make the most out of working online.