Finding Remote Work as a Virtual Assistant

By Brianna Denterfield 

(This as told by essay omits names and contains fictionalized elements. It is intended for entertainment purposes only.)

I made the move from Seattle to Boca Raton for a better standard of living and a slower pace of life. After nearly a decade in the tech sector, I found myself ready for a bit of sun and some relaxation.

But arriving in Florida, I discovered that while the sun and the sea were exactly as advertised, the cost of living was a bit higher than expected. And the earning potential was considerably lower than I was used to.

So I decided to make money the same way I had while working for those tech giants in Seattle. I began working for some of the same companies online as a virtual assistant.

Make Money Online as a Virtual Assistant 

I took jobs not just for companies back in Seattle, but for companies in the UK and the Middle East too. Working online means no commute – which saves me plenty on gas.

Also as a subcontractor I am able to work from home. This gives me options I never had when working full-time in Seattle.

I can set my own hours and leave time for a trip to the beach, Yoga or anything else I want to fit into my busy day. 

And many of the skills I needed were much the same as they had been when I was working full time.

How Do You Find Clients as a Virtual Assistant Online?

Basically, I set up appointments, manage email, update social media, do some data entry and manage marketing campaigns.

These skills can prove easy to learn – even without a decade of experience.

Simply remain detail oriented and practice good time management. The rest should come very easy indeed.

You need a quiet place to work, of course. This goes double for those who do not live alone. Just set up in a kitchen, den, bedroom or guest room.

Make sure to choose somewhere insulated from outside noise allowing you to take calls when necessary. Also pick a location with good lighting and a plain background since you may occasionally need to jump on a video call.

Where Can You Find Virtual Assistant Jobs Online?   

Since I work remotely and not in an office, I gain flexibility I never experienced with an in person work setting. 

Clients hail from all over the world with different time zones and most work involves turnaround within a 24 hour business day.

This allows me to schedule a trip to the mall or to Wholefoods. I can even sneak in a dinner with friends. These simple options were impossible when I was stuck in the office all day often at the beckon call of an immediate supervisor.

Simply put, remote work gives me an incredible freedom I never had in the office. And the ability to step away and recharge my batteries makes me more productive when I am working.

Find a Remote Job and Set Your Own Hours.

More importantly, you need not do all that work yourself. As a contractor, you can subcontract with others to take on some of the more time consuming tasks.

Virtual assistant services make it easy to find other virtual assistants in countries like the Philippines.

So long as you have set your fees high enough, you can easily afford to hire extra part-time help to do data entry, email management or other simple tasks.

Just be sure to check their work since you are ultimately responsible for the services they provide. Use the extra time to find even more clients and continue to grow your business.

Hire Subcontractors for Your Virtual Assistant Business.

So there you have it. If you want to escape the nine-to-five and create a job with more flexibility, becoming a virtual assistant may fit the bill.    

I walk the beach for hours some days and see friends when I want.

Remote work has given me the option to arrange my own schedule. More importantly, I live and work where I want.

This means I don’t need to reside in an expensive zip code just to make a decent living. I can live where groceries and rent cost less while getting paid as if I lived in a big city.

Certainly becoming a virtual assistant won’t work for everyone. It requires discipline to find the right clients and finish projects on time.

But if you have the drive and discipline necessary, remote work as a virtual assistant offers a great option.

Find Your First Virtual Assistant Job Today.    

(We may receive affiliate compensation for some or all of the links in this article.)

Brianna Denterfield lives in Clewiston, Florida and enjoys fishing trips with her husband on nearby Lake Okeechobee when not online.