6 Benefits of Being a Virtual Assistant Remote Worker

As of 2021, approximately 58.6 percent of American employees were working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As work operations return to normal, many employees are reluctant to return to the office.

Did you know that you can become a remote worker permanently as a virtual assistant?

While being a VA comes with the benefit of working from home, the job perks don’t end there. Continue reading to learn why becoming a virtual remote assistant is a popular option and how you can get started.

What Is a Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant is a person who is typically self-employed and operates as a remote worker. This means that instead of being an employee of a company, the company is considered their client.

Their skills relate to administrative, technical, and creative tasks such as managing schedules or social media accounts. They offer their expertise to companies like law firms, real estate agencies, and even individual entities.

1. Manage Your Schedule

One of the most attractive benefits of becoming a virtual assistant and a remote worker is the freedom to manage your schedule. You can tell clients when you’re available since you work for yourself.

You can choose to work full-time, part-time, or even seasonally as long as you can find clients to work with. This can help you create a better work-life balance and make more time to do what you love.

2. Set Your Rates

Being a VA also comes with the benefit of being more in control of your income. You no longer have to create a long list of achievements to convince your boss to give you a well-deserved raise.

However, you have to be sure that your rate speaks to your value so that you’ll attract clients as well as satisfy them. If you’re not sure what your rates should be, do research regularly to remain competitive.

3. Work From Home

Virtual assistant work doesn’t require trips to a brick-and-mortar office. That means you can set up your workspace in the comfort of your own home.

While many workers started working from home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ll become a permanent remote worker as a virtual assistant. This has the added benefit of being able to work more efficiently.

Higher Efficiency

Some people worry that becoming a virtual assistant and working from home could mean becoming less productive. However, many workers find the opposite to be true.

One survey found that 60 percent of workers found themselves more productive and engaged while working from home than they expected. For many companies, this could mean relying more on remote workers in the future.

4. Save on Transportation

Becoming a virtual remote assistant means saving on transportation in terms of time. Some workers spend hours of their day sitting in traffic, especially in large cities, which means less time with family and friends.

This also means spending more on transportation. Whether you drive to work or use public transportation, you’re losing money on bus passes and gas. A virtual assistant doesn’t have to worry about these expenses.

5. Relax While You Work

With more people working from home than ever, workers are finding ways to enjoy their work more, which includes being more comfortable. Formal business wear can be restrictive and uncomfortable which is distracting.

Being able to work in your favorite sweatpants while wrapped in a blanket is not only more comfortable but may also help you relax and improve your focus.

6. Work While You Travel

After years of travel bans and harsh restrictions, two-thirds of Americans are planning trips this year. As a virtual assistant and remote worker, you have more freedom to do so than the average worker.

Instead of being limited by PTO, you can take your work with you while you travel. You can also arrange your schedule to accommodate traveling more frequently and for extended periods.

How to Become a Virtual Assistant

Being a VA doesn’t require any special education or experience. However, if you want to become a virtual assistant and remote worker, you need to develop certain skills, get the right equipment, and find the right clients.

Consider Your Skills

Having the freedom to structure your work as a virtual assistant also allows you to decide which skills you want to offer your clients. Some of the most sought-after skills are listed below.

• Computer proficiency
• Written and verbal communication
• Scheduling and organization
• Attention to detail

Those with the most well-developed skills in these areas are the most competitive to employers and can help you land the best clients.

Get Your Equipment

It doesn’t matter if you plan to be a remote worker part-time or full-time, you should separate your personal equipment and your work equipment. You can invest in new equipment or dedicate current equipment to your work.

Essential supplies for a virtual assistant include a reliable internet connection (wireless or wired), a computer, and a cellphone. However, you may also find a dedicated workspace, additional monitors, and a headset useful as well.

Find the Right Clients

The key to success as a virtual remote assistant is finding the right clients to work with. There are two ways you can get started including on your own or with a recruiter.

Starting on Your Own

If you want to try becoming a remote worker on your own, you should expect to start slowly. There is a lot of competition to become a virtual assistant and you may lose larger jobs to more experienced VAs.

As you gain experience, be comfortable accepting lower-paying opportunities as you work your way up. The more experience you gain, the more you’ll be able to set your rates.

Working With a Recruiter

The second option is working with a recruiter to match you with clients. When you apply with a recruitment company you gain access to a pool of clients that are looking for someone with your experience and hourly rate.

Start as a Remote Worker Now

Becoming a virtual assistant and remote worker can offer you more freedom, less stress, and better opportunities. Getting off to the right start and finding the right clients can lead you to success quicker.

If you want to get access to better opportunities as a virtual remote assistant, you can apply as a freelance virtual assistant today.