Becoming a virtual assistant is a great way to leverage ordinary office skills into a career with independence and flexibility. Virtual assistants work from home with their own equipment and can work full-time or part-time, managing a single client or scaling up their own business. Here’s everything you need to know about starting a virtual assistant business.   What is a Virtual Assistant?   A virtual assistant performs the same task that an in-office assistant performs. Just like with real-world assistant jobs, the client may have a range of expectations for the tasks they expect their assistant to perform. While every job is a bit different, a virtual assistant usually performs functions like: Managing calendars and schedules Making travel arrangements Organizing files and documents Answering and handling phone calls Transcribing documents Maintaining financial records and filing expense reports Performing online research To perform these functions, you will need a wide range of skills, including: Typing and light transcribing Proficiency in scheduling and calendar software Professional phone manner Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel Familiarity with major social media platforms Ability to organize and coordinate activities Proficiency in modern communication methods, including writing professional emails, chat and messaging, voice communication, virtual meetings, etc. Ability to work and solve problems independently Virtual assistants usually either work as employees or contractors directly for their clients or as part of an agency that provides assistance services to clients. Why Become a Virtual Assistant?   Becoming a virtual assistant is an excellent option if you are looking for a simple way to earn extra money from home. This type of work has several advantages, including:   Work From Anywhere   Virtual assistants have the freedom to work from home (or from a cafe or from a beach) as long as they have a reliable internet connection.   Set Your Own Hours   Virtual assistants need to be reliable and have a predictable schedule (they can’t just drop in and out of work whenever they like), but there is a vast range of scheduling options available, and you can choose the schedule that works best for you. So, whether you want to work full time, only in the evenings, or only a few mornings a week, there are virtual assistant roles that work perfectly.   Leverage Existing Skills   Most people who have worked successfully in an office environment already have the skills to be a virtual assistant. So while you may want to brush up on a few things or even earn a virtual assistant certification, for most people, additional training is not necessary to do the work.   Wide Range of Opportunities   Thousands of virtual assistant jobs can be found in hundreds of ways. Virtual assistants can find opportunities everywhere, so they aren’t locked into a single job, site, or agency.   Supplement Your Income   Being a virtual assistant isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. Virtual assistants in the US usually earn ~$20/hour, with an annual average of ~$36,000, although there are opportunities to make more. For many people, being a virtual assistant is a simple, flexible, reliable way to supplement their income.   What You Need to Become a Virtual Assistant   A good virtual assistant usually has: A computer or laptop with a reliable, highspeed online connection and a keyboard A modern mobile phone with a reliable online connection A decent webcam for virtual meetings A multifunction office machine (or individual devices) that can print, scan, copy, and fax A landline phone connection is often helpful A quality headset with good audio is recommended A quiet working space free from distractions Some jobs may have other requirements not listed here. For example, some clients may want their assistant to log into or use their network and software, or others may require that you install specific software on your device(s), so there may be requirements regarding your operating system or technology. You may also need to pass a skills test or quiz to prove your skills for some agency jobs.   Where to Find Virtual Assistant Jobs   Where to look for virtual assistant jobs depends on the type of virtual assistant you want to be. Here are some of the best options:   Work for a Virtual Assistant Agency or Staffing Firm   For beginners, choosing an agency or staffing company is a great way to get started. Working for a staffing firm allows you to: Learn the ropes of the business with coaching and feedback. An excellent virtual assistant agency will give you feedback and help you improve your skills over time. Established contracts and expectations. Instead of negotiating the scope of your activities, hours, and rates with each individual client, an agency will set up the contract for you. If there are doubts or questions, the agency will support you. Get matched with jobs. Agencies usually match their clients with virtual assistants who are the right fit, so you get pre-screened job offers. Simpler to get started. With an agency, you don’t have to spend time building a reputation and marketing yourself. Some great virtual assistant agencies you can apply for include: C-Suite Assistants Boldly Elite Virtual Assistants Sparent Zirtual To find these jobs, you can search for terms like “virtual assistant agency” or “virtual assistant company” and then see which companies are hiring and what their terms and requirements are. Find a Virtual Assistant Job   If you want the independence of working for yourself and feel you can negotiate a better deal than an agency offers, you may want to skip ahead to getting your virtual assistant job. There are two ways to go about it: Get hired for a virtual assistant job. In this scenario, you would be a regular employee of a company. As a result, you would have taxes withheld from your paychecks, may have regular performance reviews, and may qualify for employee benefits. Become a freelance or contract virtual assistant. In this scenario, you would find your own clients who

Like many people, you may have dreamed of becoming a writer, spending your days in a quiet office or a cozy cafe, and being creative for a living. While the world of being a freelance writer isn’t always as romantic as it may seem, there are thousands of ways to earn extra income as a writer, with the freedom and flexibility so many people dream of. So here is a brief guide to starting a freelance writing business.   What Do Freelance Writers Do?   It may seem evident that freelance writers write, but dozens of different types of writing exist. Each has a different level of demand, a different clientele, and a different skill set. Here are just some of the things that writers get paid to create: Business websites, brochures, and marketing materials Company or individual blogs, vlog scripts, and social media content Journalistic articles Technical writing and white papers Press releases Fictional novels and novellas Travel writing Ghostwriting Scripts and screenplays Research papers Grants Reviews, opinions, and criticism pieces Biography and memoir Instructional materials and curriculum Writers may also work in writing-related positions, like proofreading or copyediting. There are three types of writing careers:   Staff Writer   A staff writer may get a job at an advertising agency to write copy for a wide range of ads, at a publication where they write on topics assigned to them by an editor, a software company where they create user manuals and support guides, etc.   Freelance Writer   A freelance writer works on individual jobs or for individual clients. For example, companies may hire freelance writers to create content for their business blog, a freelance writer may be contracted to write technical manuals or textbooks, or someone may hire a freelance writer to ghostwrite their memoirs or autobiography.   Creative Writer   Creative writers often write something and then seek to sell it afterward. Novelists, poets, screenwriters, fiction writers, and other types of creative writers often don’t work for clients but instead may work with agents, publishing houses, and the like. Because these career paths, opportunities, and rewards are so different, we will focus on getting started as a freelance writer. What You Need to Become a Freelance Writer   To become a paid freelance writer, you need: Excellent grammar, spelling, and usage in any language you plan to write in A laptop or computer with a reliable internet connection Excellent understanding of different writing styles (professional, technical, AP, etc.) The ability to independently organize and motivate yourself to consistently meet deadlines and exceed expectations The ability to accept and adapt to notes and feedback Online writers should understand writing for search and the basic principles of SEO, including the natural use of keywords It is also helpful to type relatively quickly and accurately, perform online research with high-quality sources, and negotiate good contracts and work agreements, so you are paid fairly. Writers typically use software like Word or online document tools like Google Docs.   How Much Do Freelance Writers Make?   Freelance writers usually compete for jobs in the global marketplace. However, because some writers live in low-cost-of-living areas, they are willing to work for below-market rates, which drives down client budgets and writer rates for everyone. Therefore, it is vital to research the going rates for the proposed work and negotiate a fair rate. Freelance writers typically get paid in one of three ways:   By the Word   Many freelance writers who write blog posts and online content get paid by the word.   By the Character   Many print publications and magazines pay writers by the character.   By the Project   Many larger projects like technical manuals and websites pay writers a flat rate for the entire job. Freelance writers need to pay their own taxes and benefits, and writing rates need to be high enough to include non-writing tasks, like communicating with the client, making edits and revisions, pitching jobs, etc. This is also why hourly rates can pose such a challenge for writers. Some clients prefer to pay an hourly rate, but there are several reasons that this can backfire: Some writing tasks are easier than others. Because writing is essentially creative work, there are tasks (and days, and times of day) where it flows more easily than others. If you are having a great day and get the job done quickly, an hourly rate penalizes you for your productivity. Writing is thinking. Unfortunately, a lot of time writers spend “writing” may also involve simply staring at the page and thinking. This may look like a waste for clients who want productivity measured in time units. Administrative costs are higher. Writers who get paid by the hour must use accurate time tracking methods and share their records with the client. While all writers should track their time regardless, the need to create professional, accurate, shareable, billable time records is itself a time-consuming task. As a freelancer, you can price your work and negotiate the rates that suit your style and the project. It may be helpful to track and compare several different rate structures to find the one that suits you best. Because there is such competition and variation, here are some sample rates for different types of content:   Blog Posts   A standard blog post is 800-1000 words. Most blog posts are paid by the word or at a flat rate. Writers may make as little as $0.01 per word or as much as $100 for a finished post.   Web Sites   The average website has 5-7 pages, with 300-500 words per page. Writers who specialize in high-converting landing pages and can prove factors like conversions, clicks, and dwell times can charge up to $1,000 for a landing page. However, most basic writers charge less at $150-200 per web page or $1,000 for an entire business website.   Technical Writing   Writers with specialized technical, medical, or scientific knowledge, who are writing for an advanced