In today’s world, where remote work has become the norm for many sectors, one of the fastest-growing professions is that of virtual assistant. But after all, what does a virtual assistant do? How do you get started in this area, even without experience? And is it really possible to make a good living from this new digital profession?
In this article, you will understand what it takes to become a virtual assistant, how to find clients, which tools to use and how to transform this activity into a lucrative and sustainable career. Let’s go?
What is remote work as a virtual assistant?
A virtual assistant (or VA) is a professional who offers management, administrative, technical or creative support to companies or entrepreneurs remotely, that is, from a distance (the famous Home Office).
This means that you can work from anywhere with internet access, be it your home, a café or even another country.
The duties of a VA vary greatly and may include:
- General secretarial work.
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Scheduling medical appointments and other matters.
- Email and telephone management.
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General customer service.
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Basic financial control.
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Content production.
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Social media support.
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Market research.
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E-commerce support.
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Text translation and proofreading.
- Sales.
With the digitalization of businesses, especially small entrepreneurs and information producers, the demand for this type of service has skyrocketed.
Why is the remote work market as a virtual assistant on the rise?
With the (Covid) Pandemic, the popularization of home office and the search for reducing operating costs, many entrepreneurs have chosen to transform, or hire remote assistants instead of permanent employees.
In addition, the growth of information producers, small digital businesses and startups favors the hiring of self-employed professionals, such as AVs.
Relevant data (real):
According to a survey by Upwork (global freelance platform), around 36% of the US workforce already works freelance and other countries follow the same trend.
What skills are needed to have a remote job as a virtual assistant?
You don’t need to have a specific degree, but rather a set of skills practices and a lot of willingness to learn. See the most important ones:
Technical Skills
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Good typing and writing skills.
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Organizing documents (Google Drive, Dropbox.)
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Familiarity with tools such as:
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Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Calendar.)
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Trello, Asana or Notion.
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Canva and basic design tools.
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Platforms customer service (such as WhatsApp Business, Zendesk, etc.)
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Behavioral Skills
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Proactivity.
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Having a routine, organization and discipline.
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Good communication.
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Ability to work with deadlines.
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Empathy with the client and team.
- Don’t procrastinate.
(Procrastination is the habit of delaying or postponing tasks that need to be performed, either by performing other more common or less important tasks, or by distracting oneself with unrelated activities.)
Step by step: How to get started as a virtual assistant
1. Choose a niche
You can be a generalist or a specialist VA, but specializing can likely make it easier for you to enter the market and charge more.
2. Create your basic work structure
Have a quiet space to work, even if it’s simple, and invest in:
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Computer or notebook.
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Good quality Internet.
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Headphones with microphone.
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Professional email account (Gmail or your own domain.)
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WhatsApp Business account with catalog and automatic messages.
3. Develop your portfolio and resume
Even without formal experience, you can:
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Create simulations of tasks (responding to emails, creating spreadsheets.)
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Offer services to acquaintances for a nominal fee.
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Create a portfolio in Canva with your skills and fictional cases.
4. Sign up for remote work platforms
Some good options:
5. Promote your services
Create a profile on Instagram, LinkedIn or TikTok with content about your work and partner with small entrepreneurs to promote your services.
What is the average earnings with remote work as a virtual assistant?
Earnings vary depending on experience, niche, and the number of clients. On average in the United States:
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Beginners: $15 to $25 per hour.
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Intermediate: $25 to $45 per hour.
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Specialized VAs: $45 to $100+ per hour.
Some professionals offer monthly service packages, charging between $500 and $2,000 per client, depending on the scope of work and hours included.
How to get clients for remote work as a virtual assistant?
In addition to platforms and social networks, a great strategy is to use:
● Networking
Talk to friends and family about your new service. Often, your first clients come from your inner circle.
● Entrepreneur groups on Facebook
Look for groups like “Mulheres Empreendedoras”, “Empreendedores Digitais Brasil” or “E-commerce Brasil”.
● Freelance marketplaces
As we mentioned before, platforms like Workana, Upwork and 99Freelas are great places to start.
● Offer a “free trial” (This is the best option!)
Offer a free day of support for the client to try. Many hire after seeing your performance.
Essential tools for remote work as a virtual assistant
Working as a VA requires mastery of basic tools. See some:
Essential Tools for Remote Work as a Virtual Assistant
Working as a VA requires mastery of basic tools. Here are some of the most commonly used ones:
| Tool | Main Function | Free? |
|---|---|---|
| Google Calendar | Managing appointments and client calendars | Yes |
| Canva | Creating artwork, presentations, and visual materials | Free and Paid |
| Trello / Notion | Organizing tasks, projects and workflows | Yes |
| Zoom / Google Meet | Online meetings with clients or team | Yes |
| WhatsApp Business | Quick service, with automatic responses and labels | Yes |
Extra tip: Take a qualification course
To stand out, invest in courses that teach practical virtual assistance techniques, such as:
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How to work remotely and not die trying
Click here to see more about this course!
These courses teach from scratch and are aimed at the real market.
Practical example of a routine for remote work as an assistant virtual
Monday:
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08:00 to 09:00: Client email conference.
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09:00 to 10:30: Social media updates on Canva.
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10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Customer service for an online store.
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2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Organization of the weekly meeting schedule.
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4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Preparation of a financial control spreadsheet.
Each customer may have a different demand. Therefore, organization and clear communication are essential.
Real example of remote work as a virtual assistant:
“From motherhood to success as a virtual assistant”
Julia Morgan, 32 years old.
Specialization: Remote secretary for medical clinics.
Julia Morgan is 32 years old and lives in Austin, TX – USA. Before the pandemic, she worked as a receptionist at a physiotherapy clinic, but with the birth of her first son, Miguel, everything changed. Without a support network and unable to afford daycare, she found herself unemployed and without prospects.
“I needed to be close to my baby, but I also wanted to contribute to the household income. That’s when I discovered the profession of virtual assistant,”says Julia.
She decided to specialize as a remote secretary for medical clinics, taking advantage of her previous experience in the health sector. With a basic computer, cell phone and internet access, it began offering services such as:
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Scheduling and confirming appointments.
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Organizing medical records and digital files.
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Service via WhatsApp and telephone.
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Issuing of invoices and collections.
Julia started working at a small clinic recommended by a friend. Then, through word of mouth and a professional profile on Instagram, she started to win new clients. Today, she works at four different medical clinics, balancing her routine between work and caring for Miguel, who is now 2 years old.
“I work from home, set my own hours and have a better income than when I was a CLT employee. And the best part: I can follow every stage of my son’s life,”, she says, excitedly.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about remote work as a virtual assistant
A computer, stable internet, basic organizational skills, and a willingness to learn. Courses help a lot.
No. This market values practice, skills, and professional attitude more than a diploma.
Platforms like Workana, Upwork, Facebook groups, and personal networking are the best starting points, but you can walk around your neighborhood and see opportunities to offer your services.
It depends on the workload, experience, and niche. On average, from $1,000 to $4,000 per month.
You can scale your work by offering service packages, putting together a small team to serve more clients, or specializing in areas with greater added value, such as copywriting, paid traffic management, or sales funnels. By professionalizing your brand and creating efficient processes, you can increase your income without proportionally increasing your working hours.
Certifications in areas such as productivity (e.g. Trello, Notion, ClickUp), digital marketing (Google, HubSpot), customer service (Zendesk, Freshdesk), as well as remote secretarial courses, are highly valued. Platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, Alura and Sebrae offer useful and accessible training for this niche.
Always delivering on time, being transparent in communication and maintaining professionalism. Tools such as weekly task reports, well-defined contracts, alignment meetings and constant feedback are fundamental practices for retaining customers for the long term and generating referrals.
Conclusion: Is it possible to make a living working remotely as a virtual assistant?
Yes, it is entirely possible to build a solid career, or simply earn extra income as a virtual assistant, even without a college degree or prior experience. With focus, discipline and dedication, many professionals are changing their lives with this remote activity.
And if you want more freedom, autonomy and quality of life, this might be the ideal next step for your professional career!
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