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Virtual Assistant Skills You Need To Become a Top VA

in demand virtual assistant skills

Also known as a virtual receptionist or a virtual professional, this person is usually an administrative assistant who does not have a fixed office space and performs the tasks of a secretary. For example, they might update the calendar, manage emails, social media and so on.

However, some virtual assistants fill in some more advanced roles due to their particular skill sets. 

For example, a virtual assistant might do copywriting, conduct SEO research, or create powerpoint presentations. Virtual assistants are often self employed or own their limited or LLC company. This means they work for themselves, and the company offering their services for is their client. Due to the low hourly rate, virtual assistants generally work for multiple companies at once.

In case you want to get hired as a Virtual Assistant, there are a few hacks you can do to land this type of job. We’ve written a detailed step by step guide with CV examples here.

Is a Virtual Receptionist the Same with Virtual Assistant?

Yes, it can be. Plenty of Virtual Assistants do the work of a Virtual Receptionist due to their skill sets that qualify them.

A virtual receptionist can do the work either in an office or anywhere in the world. For example, this person can be employed by a Virtual Office company and offer phone answering services or manage and scan the mail of clients as well as calendar management.

Alternatively, they can have their own company and be a Virtual Receptionist for different clients across the globe.

home setup virtual assistant

High Demand Skills for Virtual Assistant

This is probably one of the most loose job description you’ll ever see in the world. Virtual assistants can help companies or business owners with almost any kind of imaginable task. We’ve listed some of the most demanded skills for VAs below:

  • Writing
  • Editing and Proofreading
  • Marketing and PR
  • Communication
  • Organization and Time Management
  • Transcription
  • (Web) Design
  • Data Entry

Most Common Soft Skills for a Virtual Assistant (VA)

  • Trustworthy: Make sure you keep your word and try to deliver more than asked. Some testimonials can do wonder too!
  • On time: It’s not mandatory to be on the same timezone as the client. However, you must be on time in meetings and respect the deadlines no matter where you are located.
  • Good communicator: Since they work remotely, VAs have to be adept at communicating by email and phone.
  • Organised and disciplined: VAs have to be organized to keep track of assignments for different clients.
  • Tech savvy: The best VAs have a wide range of computer skills and are proficient at the most commonly used software programs.
  • Multi tasking: VAs need to be comfortable jumping from one task to another as individual clients make new requests.

Virtual Assistant Most Common Tasks and Responsabilities

  1. Newsletter Design and Content Creation
  2. Email Automation
  3. Marketing Automation Tools Assistance
  4. Social Media Ad Set-up and Management
  5. Content Creation Services (Copywriting, Updating)
  6. Landing Page Creation
  7. WordPress Updates and Management
  8. (Web) Design Changes
  9. Shopify Customer Support
  10. SEO Analysis and Research
  11. Webinar Setup and Planning
  12. Live Webinar Assistance
  13. Resume Writing
  14. Proofreading
  15. Transcription
  16. Telemarketing / Lead Generation
  17. Internet Research
  18. Customer Service
  19. Responding To Blog Comments
  20. Blog Traffic Analysis and Insights
  21. Maintaining Editorial Calendar
  22. Ghostwriting
  23. Social Media Graphic Design
  24. Video Editing
  25. Powerpoint Presentations
  26. Ebook Content And Design
  27. Creating Infographics
  28. Logo Design / Graphic Design
  29. Payments And Invoicing
  30. Accounting / Bookkeeping Services
  31. Email Reminders
  32. Calendar Management
  33. Creating / Managing Databases & Crm’s
  34. Scheduling Social Media
  35. Setting Up Affiliate Programs & Affiliate Management
  36. Running and Managing Contests And Giveaways
  37. Press Releases
  38. PR Management
  39. Travel Research & Booking
  40. Cold Calling and Emailing

Common Tools and Technical Skills  for Virtual Assistant

The job description of a Virtual Assistant can vary immensly (just like the skills needed) and therefore the digital tools used for the job can be extremelly variate too.

As a VA, you might be using only the WordPress CMS for some clients, but you could be using a plethora of data tools like Google Analytics and Ahref if your role is focused on insights.

Even if they might sound intimidating for a newbie Virtual Assistant, these skills can be easiy acquired by doing a quick course on Udemy or Skillshare.

And the cool part is…you’ll take them with you wherever you go and you’ll become an expert with time.

OK, now let’s see what tools you are more likely to use in a VA role

virtual assistants technical skills
  1. WordPress/Elementor – Content Writing and Editing VA roles
  2. Mailchimp/Constant Contact/Aweber – Email marketing VA roles
  3. Google Analytics/ Search Console – Data Analytics VA roles
  4. Ahrefs/SEM Rush – SEO Research VA roles
  5. Photoshop/Canva – Design VA roles
  6. Google Calendar/Outlook/ Office 365/Google Drive – Receptionist and Transcription VA roles
  7. Mention/Later/Buffer – Social Media Management VA roles
  8. Booking.com/Kayak/Sky Scanner – Travel and Booking VA roles
  9. Zendesk/Intercom/Livechat – Online Customer Support

Job Market Predictions for Virtual Assistants

According to a new study from Upwork, two million Americans have started freelancing in the past 12 months. This has increased the proportion of the workforce that performs freelance work to 36%.

As soon as the pandemic hit, the percentage of postings in the US that were temporary jumped from 24% to 34% according to  he job site ZipRecruiter.

Moreover, due to Covid 19 and the rise of determined contracts has pushed freelancing as a legitimate and respected career path. This is a very interesting development, especially for people looking into doing Virtual Assistant work.

Not very long ago, freelancers were regularly seen as less competent, as people who couldn’t find or keep a full-time job, or were freelancing until they found a permanent position. Not anymire. Upwork and other platforms point out that most full-time freelancers prefer continuing to freelance over full-time employment.

share of market freelancers

This is a great sign for freelancers and especially Virtual Assistants who are looking to work on their own terms and have flexibility in their schedule by working from anywhere. Yes, this type of gig economy doesn’t offer stability or too many employer benefits, but it sure does give you freedom. 

Covid 19 has given many areas of freelancing a significant lift. More individuals than ever before are attracted to the lifestyle and opportunity it offers, and have greater confidence that it can be a successful and satisfying alternative to full-time employment. As most experts see it, the freelance revolution is just shifting in a higher gear.

Almost certainly, as freelancing grows, it will attract more people from diverse backgrounds.

Even professionals who are full-time are increasingly demanding benefits similar to the ones of the freelancers. 

They are asking for greater flexibility their hours, more choice in the assignments they have to doand more opportunity to work remotely and find greater work-life balance. Not too mention saving up on the commute type.

As people get used to this new working environment, the switch to freelancing is just a question of time, not preferences.

Virtual Assistant- Payment and Working Schedule 

virtual assistant freelancer

When it comes to working the working environemnt, VAs typically work from home because most of their tasks are done over the internet or via telephone.

However, some virtual assistants preffer to rent space in a shared-office or coworking environment.

In terms of working hours, VAs can generally set their own hours. They may have to work evenings or odd hours and even weekends depending on the time zone of the client.

Virtual Assistant Salary

  • Median Annual Salary: $39,850 ($19.93/hour)
  • Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $65,510 ($32.76/hour)
  • Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $25,720 ($12.86/hour)
 

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019

virtual assistant salary US

So, are you ready to work as Virtual Assistant?

We’ve written a detailed guide with tips and tricks on how to obtain a Virtual Assistant role here.

What skills do you offer as a virtual assistant? What job titles did you have a Virtual Assistant in the past? Leave us your comments in the box below, we’d love to hear them!

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About Andrew Williams

Andrew Williams is the Founder of Remote Tribelife, an online magazine for digital nomads and remote working. Andrew has an extensive background in SEO and content marketing. His experience with digital marketing goes back to his early age in University when he founded a blog about startups and funding. He does his best writing in the coffee shops in Bali or in the condos of busy cities like Bangkok and Singapore. He is currently based in Singapore. You can connect with Andrew on his Linkedin profile and/or follow Remote Tribelife on Instagram.

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