5 Perks of Working From Home as a Virtual Assistant

Work from home and work for yourself positions are becoming increasingly common. These roles are freelance and contract and leave individuals free to dictate their work functions. There are many reasons to consider working as a virtual assistant, including increased flexibility. Let's get to it!

What is a Virtual Assistant?

Virtual assistants provide remote technical and administrative services. For example, they can range from services offered by office assistants and clerks to those supplied by office managers. VA services can involve:

• Managing phones and email accounts
• File organization
• Document transcription
• Data entry and managing spreadsheets
• Editing and proofreading
• Generating sales leads and limited marketing

In short, virtual assistants take on tasks and small jobs that business owners need them to do. This gives VAs the ability to work independently without direct supervision and management, and business owners can save money by not hiring extra staff.

Perks

VAs must be disciplined to meet deadlines without direct supervision, have communication skills, and office proficiency. Working as a virtual assistant offers many perks, benefits, and growth opportunities.

Telecommuting

Working from home is one of the top reasons people choose to work as virtual assistants. It’s a great way to work remotely and skip the commute.

Enjoy calmer mornings instead of rushing out the door to make it to the office by nine. For instance, for those who have children or pets, working from home offers the chance to spend more time with them.

Work Hour Flexibility

Being a virtual assistant doesn’t have to be a nine-to-five job unless you want it to be. Depending on the employer’s needs, virtual assistants can change their hours to suit them and their schedules, leading to an excellent work-life balance.

Freedom

Virtual assistants decide what tasks they want to take on, allowing them to complete jobs that appeal to their strengths and avoid positions that play to their weaknesses. In short, assistants choose which services they provide to clients and decide when or if they will change their policies.

Financial Freedom

Working as a virtual assistant provides financial freedom by cutting out the middleman, as you get to charge by the hour. That money goes directly to each freelancer, minus any business expenses (equipment upgrades, marketing, classes, software, internet, phone bills, etc.), which are also tax-deductible.

Hourly, the salary range for a VA is $10 – $40, depending on the services provided and experience in the field. The average reported to Indeed is roughly $20 an hour. While a new virtual assistant might not start with charging $40 an hour, you will have the right to decide how much, or how little, you’re willing to accept to work for someone.

Rewarding Work

Working in virtual assistant services has the potential to be gratifying work. Remote work eliminates the troubles that come along with working in an office.

Working as a virtual assistant places you, your needs, and your expectations at the center. You have the power to choose how you spend your time, to play to your strengths, and set your expectations not only for yourself but for your employers.

For example, if an employer refuses to follow the guidelines laid out, you have the option to close the contract and walk away at any time.

Final Thoughts

Working as a virtual assistant can give you freedoms that traditional workplaces will not offer you. To sum up, it can provide you with a unique opportunity to make money on your terms if you’re ready to take control of your career and income.

Can you name any benefits of hiring a virtual assistant?