The Simplest Way to Start Working from Home: Become a Virtual Assistant

If you’re anything like me, you want to be a present mom who is there for all of the important moments in your children’s lives, but you also need to provide an income for your family.

Not too long ago, I was a burnt-out teacher who dreamed of staying home with my daughter. I was tired of spending hours after school or on the weekends prepping lesson plans, and just feeling underappreciated by admin, parents, and even the students.

However, I knew we couldn’t meet our goals on one income, so I started exploring my options. I worked with an MLM company for three years, but while that’s great for some, it never provided a significant income for us, so this wasn’t an option. Then, out of nowhere, I came across the world of Virtual Assistance. I don’t believe in coincidences, and I know this was God giving me the answer I had been looking for.

So What Exactly is a Virtual Assistant?

A Virtual Assistant, or VA for short, is someone who does different tasks for businesses and entrepreneurs from a remote location. A Virtual Assistant is most often an independent contractor, which means that they’re not an employee, but work on a project basis for their clients. VAs typically work with a variety of clients around the globe.

The term “Virtual Assistant” has been around for years, yet there are still many out there who do not know what it is. A VA is much more than a virtual secretary. As a VA, you get to choose what services you offer, which depends on your skills and interests. One of the biggest benefits about becoming a Virtual Assistant is that you don’t need a ton of experience or even a degree in order to get started!

What Types of Services Can a Virtual Assistant Offer?

There are two types of services that a Virtual Assistant can offer their clients.

1. One-off projects: These are services that are “one and done”, like a logo, a PDF design, or a website design.

2. Monthly-retainers: These are services that continue month-to-month.

As a Virtual Assistant, you’ll want to choose at least a few services that are ongoing (monthly retainers), which gives you that steady stream of income that you can rely on. Then you can pick up one-off projects along the way to boost your income even more.

Note: One-off projects can turn into a monthly retainer if the client is happy with the services you provided!

There are what seems like endless possibilities for what services a virtual assistant can offer, and as I said before, it’s all based on what you want to offer! There are some Virtual Assistants that are more generalized and complete a variety of tasks for their clients, while others decide to “niche down” and offer only a few services, such as social media management, website design, graphic design, etc.

To get an idea of some of the services you can offer as a Virtual Assistant, make sure you check out my FREE Workshop: The Number 1 Way to Start Working from Home.

How Much Do Virtual Assistants Get Paid?

One of the best things about working from home as a Virtual Assistant is that you get to set your own rates!

As a new Virtual Assistant, you should charge at least $25 an hour. You can also raise your rates as you gain more experience. My suggestion? Once you land one client for a service and have done that service for a couple months, bump those rates $5 an hour for the next client.

Another option is setting package rates instead of hourly. I suggest pivoting to this option as soon as possible, because:

• It can be a pain to track the hours you’ve worked.

• If we quote our clients at a set amount of hours, we may miscalculate and then end up trying to complete the project without asking for more hours (and more compensation), or have to have the awkward conversation of asking for more pay.

There are two very important things I’d like to note here:

1. There are some potential clients who may think that your rates are too high.

These are not your people. Virtual assistants are invaluable for businesses and you are saving your clients an incredible amount of time by completing these services for them. Therefore, your services are worth your rates. If the potential client does not think your services are worth the value you’ve set, chances are they’re not going to value you. I want to save you time and stress by reminding you to stick to your guns and do not settle for a lower rate. Been there, done that. Don’t do it!

2. Get paid up front!

Never ever complete a project for someone without receiving compensation first. I’ve heard too many horror stories of people completing tasks and not getting paid. I don’t say this to scare you, but merely so you can protect yourself. Again, if the potential client doesn’t want to pay you up front, then they are not your people.

You probably started working as a Virtual Assistant because your previous job was stressful. You don’t need to add more stress to your life by working for clients who don’t value you. Sometimes we see that potential paycheck and we ignore the red flags, but taking on a client who is not a good fit is not in your best interest.

But What if I Don’t Have Any Skills That I Can Use to Become a Virtual Assistant?

When I hear this, I want to lovingly shake you by the shoulders and tell you to knock it off. No matter your work history, you have skills that can apply to becoming a Virtual Assistant. The only skills that I recommend you have when you start is a fast learner, somewhat good at being organized, and a basic understanding of how to navigate the online world.

In case you missed it, I was a kindergarten teacher.

I taught five and six year olds how to use scissors, walk in a line, and how to read. When I first learned about the Virtual Assistant world, I didn’t understand how these things could apply to working as a VA. But, as I analyzed it further, I realized these things:

1. Teachers are AMAZING multitaskers which is a great skill to have as a Virtual Assistant.

2. Teachers are (usually) very organized.

3. Teachers can take an idea (ie. a state standard) and build an engaging activity from scratch to teach that idea.

4. If a teacher doesn’t have the answer, you can bet your buttons that they’re going to do what they need to do to figure it out!

There are so many businesses that are willing to hire someone who is new to the Virtual Assistant world because:

1. They can pay them a little less than an expert.

2. They can train the VA to complete the task the way THEY want.

Also, your client may be willing to pay for you to take an online course to learn how to complete the task. For the right client, your energy, willingness to learn, and attention to detail will be much more important than knowing how to use a specific software.

My Suggestion:

If you see a job opportunity that seems like the perfect fit but you’ve never used the software/program they’re talking about, you can search for some how-to videos for how to use that program online. Then, when you’re talking to the potential client, let them know that you’re familiar with the program, that you have never used it yourself but are excited to learn. This willingness to learn is a great trait of a Virtual Assistant and will show your potential client that you will do what it takes to complete the task!

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Virtual Assistant?

You can absolutely start your Virtual Assistant business with little start up cost. The only thing you HAVE to pay for is to register your business with your state. You can register as a sole proprietor (lower cost option) or an LLC (higher cost but more protection). I went the route of a sole proprietor when I first started. The fee for this varies by state, but I paid roughly $25 for mine. There are free resources (like my podcast, the Virtual Assistant Mama Podcast) where you can get advice on the steps to take to replace your income as a Virtual Assistant.

If you’re looking to build your Virtual Assistant business quickly and avoid making common mistakes, I highly recommend investing in a program (like the Virtual Assistant Mama Academy) that will guide you through the steps.

The benefits of taking this route are:

• You will be given small, actionable steps from someone who has been through this before.

• You will receive advice and tips for pitching yourself to clients, packaging your services, and setting your prices.

• You’ll learn effective strategies to keep yourself organized and productive.

• And so much more!

This is the great thing about becoming a Virtual Assistant. You have the choice based on where you’re at. Whether you want to go the DIY route, or whether you want to invest and build your business faster, the choice is up to you.

What Next Step Should I Take in Order to Become a Virtual Assistant?

As you can see, becoming a Virtual Assistant is a great choice for anyone looking for a work from home job, especially moms who are looking for a flexible job that will work with their schedule, while still providing financial stability for their family. There really isn’t anything a Virtual Assistant can’t do!

I would love to hear from you! What are you doing now, and what do you hope to gain by starting your own business as a Virtual Assistant? What questions do you still have? I would love to support you as you start your journey into becoming a Virtual Assistant! Here are a few free resources to help you get started:

1. Send me a DM on Instagram with any questions you have!

2. Register for the FREE workshop: The Number 1 Way to Start Working from Home

3. Listen to the 250+ free episodes of the Virtual Assistant Mama Podcast to help you get started.

All it takes is a little belief in yourself, a whole lot of trust in God, and a few steps of faith to achieve your dreams of working from home.

Arianna Vernier is a mama and former elementary teacher turned business mentor for women who want to quit their 9-5 and start working from home as a Virtual Assistant.

Arianna was able to quit teaching right after giving birth to her daughter, and began working from home as a Virtual Assistant. Within a very short time she replaced her teaching income, and it is her mission to help other moms do the same so they can be there to witness all of their children’s firsts and build a business that works around their schedule.

She is the host of the Virtual Assistant Mama podcast, where she shares tools, tips, and strategies to help you start your journey out of your 9-5.