Key Takeaways
💼 You can start as a VA with zero experience or degree.
🏠 Work remotely, on your schedule, from anywhere.
💰 VAs can earn $15 to $100+ per hour based on skills.
🌐 Top platforms like Upwork and Fiverr make finding clients easy.
🚀 Specialising (like social media or eCommerce) boosts income fast.
I was working a 9-to-5 job, trying to balance my responsibilities, and wishing I had more freedom in my life. That’s when I thought about becoming a virtual assistant.
Starting today, I work from home (or even a cafe with good Wi-Fi!) and choose the clients I want to work with. I also make a full-time income.
I can help you figure out how to make money by doing virtual assistant jobs online.
Let’s jump in.
What is a Virtual Assistant?
A Virtual Assistant (VA) is someone who helps clients with administrative, creative, or technical tasks from a distance. You don’t work in an office; you work from anywhere in the world.
Common Virtual Assistant Tasks Include:
- Managing emails and calendars
- Booking travel or appointments
- Data entry and spreadsheet creation
- Social media management
- Customer service
- Creating reports and presentations
- Content writing and proofreading
Why Virtual Assistant Jobs Are So Popular in 2025
Here’s why so many people (like me!) are jumping into this field:
- 🌍 Remote Work: You can work from anywhere, whether that’s your living room or a beach in Bali.
- 💸 Low Start-up Costs: All you need is a laptop, stable internet, and basic software.
- 🧠 No Fancy Degree Required: If you’re organised, reliable, and willing to learn, you’re already halfway there.
- ⏰ Flexible Hours: You set your own schedule. Want to work only mornings or weekends? Totally doable.
- 💼 Variety of Clients: From small business owners to busy professionals, there’s no shortage of people who need help.
How I Got My First Virtual Assistant Job
Starting was the scariest part. I didn’t have a fancy resume or tons of experience. But I took a few smart steps that helped me land my first client in just two weeks.
Here’s What I Did:
- Created a Strong Profile on Upwork & Fiverr: I focused on what I could do (organizing emails, managing schedules) and kept my profile clean and friendly.
- Took a Free VA Course: Sites like Coursera, Skillshare, and even YouTube have great beginner content. I learned how to communicate better and use tools like Trello, Slack, and Asana.
- Offered My Services at a Discounted Rate: My first job was only $8/hour, but it gave me a solid testimonial and experience I could showcase.
Top Skills Every Virtual Assistant Should Have
You don’t need to know everything, but having a few of these skills will definitely make you stand out:
🛠️ Technical Skills:
- Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets)
- Microsoft Office
- Canva for basic graphics
- Trello or Asana for project management
- Zoom and Slack for communication
🧠 Soft Skills:
- Time management
- Communication
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Confidentiality
How Much Can You Make as a Virtual Assistant?
This was one of my biggest questions when I started.
💰 Beginner VA Rates:
- $8 – $15/hour
💼 Intermediate:
- $20 – $35/hour
🧑💻 Specialized VAs (tech, marketing, bookkeeping):
- $40 – $100+/hour
And yes—some virtual assistants even earn $5,000+ per month working part-time!
The Best Platforms to Find Virtual Assistant Jobs
There are dozens of platforms out there, but these are the ones I personally use (and trust):
| Platform | Best For | Website |
| Upwork | General admin & specialized tasks | upwork.com |
| Fiverr | Creative gigs, quick tasks | fiverr.com |
| Freelancer | Competitive bidding but lots of clients | freelancer.com |
| Belay | Higher-paying US clients | belaysolutions.com |
| Time etc | Long-term VA work | timeetc.com |
| OnlineJobs.ph | Great for Filipino VAs | onlinejobs.ph |
Niche Virtual Assistant Services That Pay More
If you want to make a significant amount of money, consider niching down. When I specialized in social media management, my rates nearly doubled!
Here are high-paying niches:
- Podcast Virtual Assistant
- eCommerce Support (Shopify, Etsy, Amazon)
- Real Estate VA
- Bookkeeping VA
- Email Marketing & Funnels
- SEO & Blogging VA
- Pinterest Management
What Tools I Use Daily as a Virtual Assistant
Here’s my daily VA toolkit:
- ✅ Google Workspace – Docs, Sheets, Calendar
- ✅ Canva – Designing social media posts & templates
- ✅ Trello – Task management with clients
- ✅ Grammarly – Proofreading emails and posts
- ✅ Loom – Recording quick video instructions
- ✅ Slack – Client communication
How to Set Your Rates (Without Underselling Yourself)
When I started, I had no idea what to charge. Here’s how I learned to price myself fairly:
- Know Your Value: If you’re saving your client time, that’s valuable.
- Start Low, Then Increase: Start at $10–$15/hour if you’re new, and raise rates after 2–3 successful projects.
- Offer Packages: Instead of hourly, offer fixed-price services like “10 hours/month of support for $300.”
How to Avoid Scams and Bad Clients
There are some red flags I learned to watch out for (the hard way):
🚩 Clients who ask for free samples
🚩 Jobs that sound too good to be true
🚩 Poor communication
🚩 Refusal to use a trusted platform or pay upfront
Always use platforms with escrow systems like Upwork, or ask for 50% payment upfront on independent gigs.
My Weekly Schedule as a Virtual Assistant
People often ask me: “What does your day really look like?”
Here’s a typical week:
| Day | Tasks |
| Monday | Client check-ins, email inbox clean-up |
| Tuesday | Social media scheduling, Canva graphics |
| Wednesday | Content writing, research tasks |
| Thursday | Admin tasks, calendar updates |
| Friday | Wrap-up calls, send invoices |
I usually work 4–5 hours per day, and the rest of my time is mine. That flexibility is gold.
Tips for Staying Organized as a VA
Organization is your superpower as a virtual assistant. Here are some tips:
- Use color-coded calendars
- Set daily to-do lists in Trello or Notion
- Use Zapier to automate repetitive tasks
- Keep communication clear and professional
- Store all documents in shared folders like Google Drive
How to Build Long-Term Relationships with Clients
One-time jobs are okay, but long-term clients = stable income.
Here’s how I keep clients coming back:
- Deliver work before the deadline
- Communicate proactively
- Be flexible when needed
- Offer suggestions to improve their workflow
A happy client will refer you to others. Most of my new clients now come from referrals!
Is Being a Virtual Assistant Right for You?
If you:
- Love organizing things
- Enjoy helping others
- Prefer working from home
- Want to be your own boss
Then YES! This might just be your ideal career path.
It changed my life—and it can change yours too.
Final Thoughts: You Can Start Today!
Earning money from virtual assistant jobs isn’t just a dream—it’s real, and people (like me!) are doing it every day. You don’t need a degree. You don’t need years of experience. You just need the willingness to learn, a laptop, and a little bit of hustle.
Take that first step. Sign up on Upwork or Fiverr. Offer to help a local business with their admin work. Start small, but think big.
Your VA journey starts now. 🚀
