Back in 2015, life was throwing all sorts of curveballs my way. Picture this: I was expecting my second child, juggling a toddler, and making ends meet in a cozy basement apartment. Sound familiar? Well, in the midst of all that chaos, I was on a quest for something that would let me build a business without draining every last ounce of mental energy I had. And that’s when a friend dropped a golden nugget of advice: virtual assistance. Which is the first of 7 easy freelance jobs to start today.

 

But hey, before we dive into the nitty-gritty, allow me to introduce myself properly. I’m Abbey Ashley, the founder of The Virtual Savvy. My mission? To empower folks like you to take control of their work-life balance by harnessing the power of remote work. So, if the idea of being your own boss and crafting your dream lifestyle sounds like music to your ears, you’re in the right place.

 

You may have heard me say this before, but it’s as true today as it ever has been. I believe that virtual assistance is the easiest way to earn money online.

 

I know, I know – there are so many options and decisions, it can make your head spin! But starting out as a VA doesn’t have to be hard.

 

One of the biggest hurdles most new VAs face is selecting what services to offer. Spoiler alert – most of them started with general, beginner services! Don’t get caught up into thinking that you have to specialize or niche right away. You have skills and you have what it takes. You just have to find the right fit!

 

Now, if you’re curious about dipping your toes into the world of freelancing but not sure where to start, you’re in luck. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on the most popular easy freelancing jobs—straight from my years of experience training over 6,000 freelancers. 

 

 

What is a VA?

But first things first — what is a virtual assistant?! You could ask 10 people to define a virtual assistant, and get 10 different answers. There is no cut and dry description, because virtual assistance is not one-size-fits-all. This is actually one of my favorite things about it!

 

Here at The Virtual Savvy, we consider a virtual assistant (VA) to be any type of remote assistant who provides administrative, creative, or technical support services for online or brick-and-mortar business owners. Virtual assistance is a lifestyle business. You can have your business fit around your life, and not the other way around.

 

So, buckle up as I spill the beans on my favorite easy freelance jobs you can snag as a virtual assistant. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!

 

If you are just getting started, then check out my Virtual Assistant Checklist and Starter Kit.  This is the same step-by-step process that I used when starting my own virtual assistant business.

 

Top Easy Freelance Jobs You Can Have as a Virtual Assistant

 

1 — Data Entry

 

Let’s kick things off with number one: data entry. Ah, the good ol’ gateway gig into the virtual assistant world. I vividly remember my first job as a VA—I was a bundle of nerves, questioning my abilities and wondering if anyone would actually pay me for this seemingly mundane task. But lo and behold, fate (or perhaps a stroke of luck) led me to a massage therapist drowning in business cards, desperately in need of someone to organize them into a neat spreadsheet. And just like that, I found myself knee-deep in manual data entry, spending hours meticulously inputting information.

 

Now, you might be thinking, “But Abbey, isn’t data entry a thing of the past with all these fancy apps and software?” Well, yes and no. While technology has certainly streamlined some processes, there’s still a plethora of data entry projects out there waiting to be tackled by savvy VAs like yourself. From organizing spreadsheets to conducting research and compiling essential information, the world of data entry is vast and ripe with opportunities.

 

Take, for example, the research I did for this very blog post. Yep, even I needed to roll up my sleeves and dig into keywords to ensure I’m hitting the mark. There’s always a demand for meticulous minds willing to dive headfirst into the world of data and information organization.

 

So, if you’re looking for an easy entry point into the freelancing game, data entry might just be your golden ticket. 

 

2 — Calendar Management

 

Now, let’s talk about the second easiest freelancing job: calendar management. Calendar management is all about taking the reins of your client’s schedule and steering it towards smooth sailing.

 

Maybe you’ve dabbled in this before, whether as an admin whiz in your past job or simply managing your own jam-packed schedule. You know the drill—juggling appointments, meetings, and social engagements like a pro, making sure everything fits together like a puzzle.

 

Now, you might be wondering, why would anyone need a virtual assistant for something as seemingly simple as calendar management? Well, my friend, it’s all about efficiency. By offloading these small yet time-consuming tasks, you’re freeing up valuable mental real estate for your client to focus on the big-ticket items that drive their business forward.

 

There are two ways you can approach calendar management as an easy freelance job:

 

• Personal Calendar Management — This includes managing day-to-day appointments, Zoom calls, and meetings for them, and staying organized is key. We love using tools like Calendly or Acuity (now housed inside of Squarespace) for this. With these tools, individuals can book appointments with you without having to email back and forth. However, sometimes manually scheduling appointments will be necessary too. Some clients may ask you to give them daily reports, like, “Hey – here is what you have going on today!”
• Big Picture Calendar Management — This one is more marketing-oriented and can house all your clients’ marketing content or even marketing plans for the entire year. We love using the calendar function on ClickUp to collaborate together as a team on our content calendar and month-to-month marketing planning. You can plan upcoming blog posts, events, conferences, and more. It’s great for a high-level view of the content that is going to be produced in the business.

 

 

So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just dipping your toes into the freelancing waters, calendar management is a great easy freelance job to start with. 

 

3 — Community Management

 

Now, let’s dive into the third easiest freelancing job: community management. Online communities are the lifeblood of many businesses, providing a space for customers, clients, and enthusiasts to come together and engage. Whether it’s a bustling Facebook group, a lively LinkedIn community, or a bespoke platform like Circle, these digital hubs thrive on the energy and interactions of their members. 

 

But many business owners, especially online content creators or course creators, don’t have the energy or bandwidth to admin their own online communities. And for any community to thrive, it needs to stay consistently active. As a community management VA, you can take this work load off your client’s plate. 

 

So, what exactly does a community manager do? Your duties can include approving and welcoming new members, posting conversation starters, responding to comments and questions, enforcing community guidelines, and ensuring that discussions remain constructive and on-topic. It’s all about fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels heard and valued.

 

Here at The Virtual Savvy, our Facebook group — The Virtual Savvies — is the heartbeat of our community, with over 120,000 aspiring and current virtual assistants. But with great numbers comes great responsibility, which is why we rely on our dedicated team of community managers to keep things running smoothly.

 

 

From approving new members to moderating discussions and directing inquiries to relevant resources, community management is a multifaceted role that requires a blend of organization, communication, and empathy. So, if you’re passionate about building and nurturing online communities, this could be the perfect easy freelancing job for you. 

 

4 — Social Media Scheduling

 

Next easy freelance job on our list: social media scheduling. This one’s a game-changer for busy entrepreneurs who want to maintain a strong online presence without getting bogged down in the nitty-gritty of day-to-day posting (or getting sucked into an Instagram rabbit hole watching videos of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce — we all know it happens!).

 

But first — we’re labeling this as an easy freelancing job because we’re ONLY talking about the scheduling here. Being an actual social media manager — where you’re deep in the weed of Instagram strategy and trends and creating original content — is a very different job than just scheduling the content. It requires more experience and expertise, and we wouldn’t recommend it for those brand-new to virtual assistance.

 

For this post’s purpose, we’re talking about social media scheduling only. So, what exactly does social media scheduling entail? Well, it’s all about taking the content that your client has already created—whether it’s blog posts, videos, or eye-catching graphics—and scheduling it for publication across various social media platforms.

 

The beauty of social media scheduling lies in its simplicity. You don’t need to be a design whiz or a wordsmith or the strategy mastermind to excel in this role. Instead, you’ll be leveraging the scheduling features built into platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to streamline your client’s content calendar.

 

So, if you’re organized, detail-oriented, and love helping businesses amplify their online presence, social media scheduling could be the perfect fit for you. Plus, it’s a great way to earn some extra income while keeping things simple and straightforward.

 

5 — Email Management

 

Now, let’s dive into the fifth easy online job on our list: email management. Believe it or not, managing emails can be a life-saver for overwhelmed entrepreneurs drowning in their inbox.

 

Here’s the deal: email management isn’t just about sorting through messages and hitting “reply.” It’s about providing top-notch customer service, diffusing tense situations, and keeping the lines of communication running smoothly—all while ensuring your client’s inbox stays organized and clutter-free. These are invaluable skills!

 

For me, email management is a personal favorite for easy freelance jobs. As much as I’d love to respond to every single email that lands in my inbox, the reality is, I need to focus my time and energy elsewhere—like creating content for you!

 

But for the right person—someone with strong writing skills, a knack for calm customer service, and an organized brain—email management can be the perfect path. In fact, I’ve seen virtual assistants build thriving businesses solely around this service, replacing their entire income in the process.

 

There are two main ways that email management works:

• Personal Inbox Management — This involves going into your client’s personal inbox to organize, respond to, and filter emails.
• Customer Service — This is more about responding to customer service questions via email with an advanced email inbox system like HelpScout. You can create templates, canned responses, and automatic replies. There is even a tag feature to track and monitor different types of emails, subjects, actions we take, and more.

 

So, if you’re looking for an easy yet highly valuable freelancing gig to add to your repertoire, email management is definitely worth considering. Entrepreneurs everywhere, no matter their industry, are in desperate need of someone like you to help tame their overflowing inboxes.

 

6 — Basic Graphic Design

 

For beginner virtual assistants who have some creative experience, dipping their toes into the world of freelance graphic design could be an easy freelance job! The online basic design tool Canva is the perfect place to start — we love Canva! With its user-friendly interface and plethora of design templates, Canva has become the go-to tool for aspiring designers and non-designers alike. From crafting eye-catching ebooks to designing engaging social media graphics, Canva offers a versatile platform where imagination knows no bounds.

 

One of the most enticing aspects of Canva is its simplicity. Even those with limited design experience can quickly grasp its intuitive features and start producing professional-looking content in minutes. Whether it’s designing Pinterest pins, creating captivating Instagram Stories, or laying out sleek e-book designs, Canva empowers users to bring their ideas to life with ease. Moreover, with Canva’s extensive library of templates and design elements, the possibilities seem endless, allowing beginners to explore various styles and formats effortlessly.

 

Plus! Canva now has video features, making it a great place to create simple videos for Instagram content like reels and stories and even YouTube videos. They even have an extensive stock photo and video library built right into the platform, so you have thousands of high-quality options at your fingertips. It really is a powerhouse! 

 

In fact, look at all of these fun options that pop up when you just type in “Instagram post” into Canva’s design template search bar:

 

 

7 — Visibility and Outreach

 

Last but not least — for novice virtual assistants looking for an easy freelance job, offering visibility and outreach services can be a great option. Clients are constantly seeking ways to amplify their presence and reach a wider audience, and as a beginner VA, you can step in to fulfill this crucial need. The concept is simple yet impactful: assist clients in garnering attention and exposure for their businesses through strategic outreach tactics.

 

One effective avenue for boosting visibility is podcast outreach. With countless podcasts covering diverse topics, there’s ample opportunity to pitch clients as potential guests, allowing them to share their expertise and story with engaged audiences. If you’re a natural researcher and a compelling communicator, you can dive into podcast research, identifying shows that align with your client’s niche and pitching them compellingly. By crafting personalized pitches highlighting why your client would be an ideal fit for each podcast, you can help secure valuable opportunities for exposure and networking.

 

Another powerful tool at your disposal is Help a Reporter Out (HARO – now part of the site Connectively), a platform that connects journalists with sources for their stories. Despite its simplicity, HARO holds immense potential for beginners to land their clients in major media outlets. By monitoring HARO queries relevant to your client’s expertise and promptly responding with insightful contributions, you can position them as authoritative voices in their industry. 

 

Whether it’s securing features in online publications or landing coveted spots on television, HARO presents a golden opportunity for beginner VAs to make a significant impact on their clients’ visibility and credibility — this is one of our great easy freelance jobs!

 

Even for beginners, for newbies, for someone with no PR experience — you can get your clients on some major media! I’ve been featured on CBS news before, simply because I responded to a HARO request! What?!

 

Lastly — MY PRO TIP!

 

Now remember, one of the best phrases that you can learn and use as a new virtual assistant is…

 

“I don’t know how to do that, but I can figure it out! I’m a fast learner!”

 

It’s one of my best pro tips! It doesn’t matter if you have all the skills. What matters most is — are you reliable? Do you have the tenacity to figure out a new skill? Trust me, that is so much more valuable to clients than knowing all the things! Start with the skills you already have, they’re more valuable than you might think!

 

 

What’s Next?!

 

Now, you might be feeling pumped and ready to jump into offering these easy freelance services, but you’re probably wondering, “What’s the next step?” Once you decide on what types of services you’ll offer your clients, the next step will be setting your hourly rate and designing irresistible packages for your clients. Pricing your services can feel a bit daunting at first, but with the right guidance, you’ll be setting rates like a pro in no time.

 

Consider offering different packages to cater to the diverse needs of your clients. Maybe you’ll have options like 10, 20, and 40 hours per month, giving your clients the flexibility to choose the level of support that best suits their needs. By diversifying your offerings, you’ll not only attract more clients but also build a solid foundation for your virtual assistant business.

 

You may also find our free Virtual Assistant Checklist & Starter Kit to be helpful as you start your journey — you can download it for FREE right here! It’s my exact step-by-step plan that I used to start my own virtual assistance business.

 

 

And here’s the beauty of it all: once you start landing clients and delivering top-notch service, word will spread like wildfire. Before you know it, you’ll have a roster of satisfied clients singing your praises and referring you to others in their network.

 

I’ve witnessed it time and time again—our students replacing their traditional 9-to-5 incomes by offering these types of easy freelance jobs. So trust me when I say, the possibilities are endless when you dive into the world of virtual assistance.

 

Once you’ve nailed down your services, got your pricing strategy locked in, and designed your irresistible packages, it’s time to tackle the next crucial step: marketing your business. And guess what? We’ve got you covered with our free training!

 

I’m talking about our Become a Booked Out Virtual Assistant training. In this hour-long intensive session, I spill all the beans on the exact methods I used to replace my income as a virtual assistant. From crafting compelling marketing strategies to attracting your dream clients, this training is packed with valuable insights to help you skyrocket your business.

 

So don’t miss out! Click the link right here to dive into the training and kickstart your journey to becoming a fully booked virtual assistant.