Virtual Assistant Jobs for Beginners (EASY!)
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Abbey Ashley
Virtual Assistant jobs are everywhere… we just have to be looking for them in the right places.
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! 🤪
Starting out as a VA doesn’t have to be hard.
I’ve trained over 2,500 students how to launch, grow, and scale their own VA businesses from scratch.
One of the biggest hurdles is usually selecting 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!
There are so many Virtual Assistant Jobs that you can do as a beginner, and I want to tell you about 7 of my favorites.
Are you ready?
Table of Contents
First things first…What is a Virtual Assistant?
In case you’re new here, I wanted to cover what a Virtual Assistant actually is.
You could ask 10 people to define a Virtual Assistant, and get 10 different answers.
There is no cut and dry description, and Virtual Assistance is not one size fits all.
This is actually one of my favorite things about Virtual Assistance! 🎉
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.
There are so many things you can do as a VA, that sometimes it’s hard to choose where to start.
But, that’s just it…
You choose your path!
You can learn more about Virtual Assistance, and how you can become one in 5 easy steps here.
Job #1: Data Entry
First up on our list is data entry.
Are you good at typing? Are you familiar with the keyboard? If so, go right ahead and add data entry to the list of Virtual Assistant jobs you can offer right away!
There are so many ways you can utilize this skill, and most often, with data entry projects, you will be going into a system that already exists.
One of my very first jobs as a Virtual Assistant was literally just taking the information from a big stack of sheets and manually entering it into a spreadsheet.
Seriously, it can be that easy!
Job #2: Email Management
This one is HUGE and definitely one of the best Virtual Assistant jobs for beginners.
Email management is actually one of the first things that many clients will handoff in their business.
Can you type proficiently? Can you write a good email? Do you have a knack for digital organization?
These are invaluable skills.
There are two main ways that email management works.
- You might be going into your client’s personal inbox. This could include organization, responding to emails, filtering emails.
- You may be utilizing a more advanced system. We use HelpScout here at The Virtual Savvy, to answer our customer service emails. We can create templates, canned responses, and automatic replies. There is even a tag feature so we can track and monitor different types of emails, subjects, actions we take, and more.
There is so much that you can do with email management, depending on the needs of your client.
Job #3: Calendar Management
Another easy, beginner job is calendar management!
Personal Calendar Management
Often, you will be asked to manage a client’s personal calendar.
We love using tools like Calendly or Acuity here at The Virtual Savvy.
With these tools, individuals can book appointments with you without having to email back and forth.
However, sometimes that’s necessary too.
Sometimes they may reach out and say, “Hey, can your client meet at two o’clock?” And you might say “No, but they can meet at 2:30!”
In these cases, you would be manually adding the meeting to their calendar.
Some clients may ask you to give them daily reports, like, “Hey – here is what you have going on today!”
Big Picture Calendar Management
Calendar Management can be more than appointments, meetings, and zoom calls.
You might be tasked with creating a content calendar!
Here at The Virtual Savvy, we love teamup. It’s a group calendar where multiple users can view the same calendar.
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.
Job #4: Facebook Page Management
Up next, Facebook Page Management!
You already know how to use Facebook, right? Why not get paid for it?!
Most businesses have a Facebook page, and they need YOU.
Trust me!
They need somebody to post content, respond to messages, and respond to comments.
You might be responsible for coming up with a content plan.
This would include how many times you will post, what the copy will be, and what graphics or images will be used.
It could simply be giving your client prompts, and then they make the posts themselves.
Maybe they already have posts, and they just need you to schedule them! Facebook has a native scheduling tool that is super easy to use.
Page Management can mean so many different things, but it is definitely a job we recommend for beginners!
Job #5: Facebook Group Management
We’ve already established that you likely have Facebook skills – but they don’t end at Page Management.
You can offer Facebook Group Management!
We have a Facebook Group of over 50,000 members and let me tell you, it is a LOT of work to manage!
Facebook Groups need admins – and they need to be active.
Many clients just don’t have space or energy to actively admin their own groups.
And as an admin for your client, the goal is to take some work off their plate.
Things like responding to comments and posting inside of the group are so simple but can take a good chunk of time.
You can create events for them and engaging posts.
You can process member requests and let new members into the group.
There is now a feature where you can create a set of questions that Facebook users answer when they request access to the group. You might be manually reviewing these questions, and making sure that they are a good fit for the group.
That’s something that’s pretty time intensive but can be so essential to your client’s business.
These are all things that you can do to help your client not only grow their Facebook group but make sure it remains healthy and keeps its purpose.
Job #6: Canva Skills
I love Canva. Seriously, it’s one of my favorites tools!
It is the design tool for non-designers.
Not only is Canva a great stand-alone skill, but you will likely find yourself utilizing it in many other Virtual Assistant jobs, too!
If you can create it, chances are you can create it – easily – inside of Canva!
- Logos
- Social media graphics
- Pinterest pins
- E-book designs
- Branding boards
- Insta Stories
- and MORE!
Canva even has some trainings built directly into the platform. 🤯🎉
You could also use Canva’s new (and super cool!!!) content planner to design, plan, and schedule social media posts.
Job #7: Visibility and Outreach
One more…and this one is so, so important!
As a beginner, you can easily offer Visibility and Outreach services.
What does that mean?
Simply put, your clients want to get their name known. They want to get eyes on their business.
With Visibility and Outreach services, you can help!
One easy option is to get them on podcasts. You can reach out to various podcasts that would be a good fit for your client, and pitch them. Tell them why you think your client is a good fit.
Another option is HARO, Help a Reporter Out.
HARO connects journalists seeking expertise to include in their content with sources who have that expertise.
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?! 👏🏻🎊
My Pro Tip
Now remember, one of the best phrases that you can learn 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 that can 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, and take that step.
It’s the first thing standing between you and success!
The BEST way to start a VA business is with my Free Virtual Assistant Checklist and Starter Kit. This is the same step-by-step checklist I used when starting my virtual assistant business.
Meet Abbey
Abbey Ashley is the Founder of The Virtual Savvy. She helps aspiring virtual assistants launch and grow their own at-home business from scratch. She's since gone on to grow a multi-six figure business and retire her husband ALL from her at-home business. It's now her passion to help others start their own VA business so they can taste the freedom and flexibility of entrepreneurship as well.
This free one-hour training combines thousands of hours of research, years of experience in growing a virtual assistant business!
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I love connecting people to clients that are a great fit for each other, that’s how I helped other Real Estate agents grow their businesses when I was an agent. When I believe in someone or something, I want to help get the word out so Visibility and Outreach Services and HARO are my two top choices!
YES! I love this! Thanks for sharing!
Dear Ashley,
Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou for this email. I was up at 3am reaching out on a VA Facebook site (haha it may have even been yours) asking for advice on how to face my fear and take that first scary step. I awoke to your email – perfect timing.
During the time it took me to drink half my coffee, I went from thinking I had no skills to offer to, I can do that, that and that!!!
Today is the day I start my VA business. Thankyou is such a lame English word that doesn’t express how I feel, but Thankyou so very much for volunteering you time, energy and know-how to help people like me.
I am not in a financial position to sign up for your course (just yet!) so I really appreciate your free tips, encouragement and advice to get my very small ball rolling.
I hope you have as good a day as I’m going to have 😀
Andrea – OMG! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing! You can totally do this and we are here to support you every step of the way. Please keep us updated on your journey 🙂
All of these are simple services to offer, especially since I am using all of them already so I already have experience lol!
Calendar management, Facebook and Facebook Group management are a great idea. I will definitely add these to my profile.
Thank you Virtual Savvy!
Hooray! You are so welcome. Happy to help! Can’t wait to watch you succeed!
I would like to do CALENDAR & EMAIL Management, DATA ENTRY & FACEBOOK GROUP MANAGEMENT.
GREAT choices! 🙂
Thanks for your very informative posts and emails. It’s truly very helpful for beginners like me. I truly appreciate your being generous. Again, thank you so much.
Nendy, you are so welcome! That’s what I am here for. You can totally do this thing 🙂
I’m not 💯 sure as of this moment. I have been wanting to start a blog do to personal and work related topics. But I don’t have the money to do that. I’m interested in working from home. But I never thought of any of these personally. I’ve had others tell me about data entry, Facebook admin opportunities. As for picking one tonight I’d say maybe calendar management or email management, but not 💯 sure. Just trying to think off the top of my head. I take care of my dad with dementia and assist my husband as he needs help. So, that’s why I thought a blog.
What I love most about Virtual Assistance (ok, I love all the things) is that it is so flexible! You just have to find what excites you and what you want to do. The options are endless!
I’m a newbie and excited about jobs #s 2, 3, 4, 5. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
YEAH! You are so welcome! Thank you for sharing.
I liked how you thoroughly explained how it is to be a starting VA. Yes, it may be scary as not all of us is that technologically knowledgeable but with everyone has their smart phones already it is actually not that hard. The lists stated are very beginner-friendly. Just remember, your clients are businessmen. Help them grow.
Thank you! YES! You can always learn the skills if you have the determination!
Thank you for this list. I am just starting to venture VA career now and so happy I got some ideas on what should I focus on as a start-up.
No problem!!! Congrats on getting started as a VA, that is SO exciting!!!
Abbey,
Thank you so much for ALL the VERY helpful information that you share with us. You’re a great mentor!
Hi Miranda 💛 SO GLAD that I can be helpful to you!!!
This is very helpful. I am working on being a VA in the shortest time possible and I find this very helpful!
YESSS 🎉🎉🎉 I love to hear that!
I would like to become a VA soonest.m excited about calendar Administrative services.
You got this Norah!!!
Hi Abby
I am from South Africa and my daugther keeps on telling me to do VA!! I am scared to try it but after I have seen your introduction video just now am I eager to start. I am excited but really scared because I think that I would not be good or experience enough to offer my services, so I have just now decided to start with the simple one that I should be able to manage for now and that is the Data Entry.
So now I am going to following your guidance to start.
Will keep you inform how I progress.
Kind Regards
Wilna Shead
Hi Wilna…that is SO exciting!!! Congrats on starting your journey. Don’t worry, you can do this!!! My team would love to hear about your progress, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]
Hi Dear Abbey Ashley Madam
Your Email is really great one for me. I have read out and understood that. I am very expert in Data Entry work and this is my current job in Bangladesh. Could you please help me how to start step by step to go ahead? This question includes how to start? How to creating proposal? where to find this job? how to win a client? Looking forward for your helpful replies
Hello there! Thanks for your questions. I have a free training that you can check out here: thevirtualsavvy.com/bbo
This will help you get started 🙂
Hey Abbey, I just found you! Am really excited. I like the way you teach so effortlessly, you share with us like you would with your sister. I love this mail and am gonna practice most of it.
Hi Valentine, Thank so much for your kind words. We’re rooting for you! – Team TVS
Hi Abbey! I am a newbie VA myself. There is so much more to learn. I enrolled in an online course to help me gain more knowledge. Thank you for your encouragement to take that step.
Way to go, Joh! Taking that first step takes courage! – Team TVS
This article does a great job of breaking down the concept of a Virtual Assistant (VA) and the flexibility it offers. It highlights the versatility of the role, showing that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all definition. The beauty of virtual assistance lies in its adaptability—whether you’re doing data entry, managing emails, or handling social media, you can tailor your services to fit your strengths and the needs of your clients. The article also emphasizes the importance of being resourceful and willing to learn, which is key for anyone looking to start or grow their VA business.
Great summary! Thanks for reading! – Team TVS