How To Become a Virtual Assistant From Home in The UK 2024

Last updated: 04/01/2024 Written by: Ruby Layram

Becoming a virtual assistant is a great way to start your own business from home in 2024. According to Workable, there will be a spike in demand for virtual assistants between 2020 and 2025 which makes not the best time to make a name for yourself in the industry.

Whenever there is a new work-from-home trend, it is always the early starters that benefit the most. This is because it is easier to see results during the early stages when the market is less saturated.

If you’re interested in making money as a virtual assistant in 2024, this guide will walk you through the process of getting started.

Our team spent time studying different methods tips and strategies of some of the most successful virtual assistants out there including Jessica Hawks who has built multi 7-figure business around her virtual assistant career.

Keep reading to find out how to become a virtual assistant from home in 2024.

A virtual assistant is a remote worker who provides administrative, technical, or creative support to individuals or companies from their laptop.

They utilize various online communication platforms such as email, messaging apps, and video conferencing to complete their tasks. Virtual assistants can be hired for a wide range of roles, including managing calendars and appointments, answering emails, organizing travel arrangements, conducting research, creating and maintaining databases, and managing social media accounts.

They can work on platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or directly with clients. Being a virtual assistant offers the flexibility to work from home and become self-employed, making it an attractive option for those seeking to earn money while maintaining a work-life balance.

Also read: The best remote side hustles

Are Virtual Assistants in demand in the UK?

In the last 5 years, there has been a significant rise in remote working. With this, the demand for virtual assistants and other remote working employees has also risen.

The reason that the demand for virtual assistants is high is because they are extremely beneficial to companies. Most Virtual Assistants work on a freelance basis which means that companies can pay for the exact amount of work that they need completing. This means that companies can reduce spend. In fact, Virtual assistants can save companies up to 78% in operating costs.

Furthermore, outsourcing tasks to virtual assistants can increase the efficiency and productivity of full-time employees. Virtual Assistants can complete tasks that would distract other employees from their primary tasks.

According to an article by Business Wire, the Virtual Assistant market is expected to grow by more than 4 billion by the end of 2025. This proves that the industry still has room for significant growth.

Virtual Assistants complete digital tasks on behalf ad companies and individuals. Usually, these tasks involve administrative work but can also involve more industry-specific jobs.

The requirements of a VA will typically vary day-to-day. Most Virtual Assistants also work on a freelance basis which means that the amount of work that they do each week/month can fluctuate.

To get a better understanding of what a Virtual Assistant does in the UK, here is an overview of some common tasks that are given to VAs:

1. Administrative Support: One of the primary roles of virtual assistants is to handle administrative tasks. This could include scheduling appointments, managing email correspondence, organizing digital files, preparing reports, and coordinating meetings.

By taking over these time-consuming activities, virtual assistants enable their clients to focus on more strategic and revenue-generating activities.

Also read: Best data entry side hustles in the UK

2. Social Media Management: Social media management involves creating and scheduling posts, interacting with followers, monitoring analytics, and curating engaging content. These tasks help businesses to build brand awareness and increase customer engagement.

3. Customer Support: Virtual assistants can also provide valuable customer support services. They may handle queries and complaints through email or live chat, ensuring prompt and professional responses.

4. Research and Data Analysis: Gathering information and conducting research is a time-consuming task that is often given to capable VAs.

They can assist with market research, competitor analysis, data collection, and report generation.

5. Travel and Event Coordination: One of the most in-demand skills for a Virtual Assistant is organization. VAs must be adept at managing travel arrangements such as flights, accommodations, and itineraries. They can also assist in planning and coordinating events, both in-person and online, by handling activities like venue bookings, vendor management, and participant registration.

6. Content Creation and Editing: Virtual assistants proficient in writing and editing can support clients in developing high-quality content for their websites, blogs, newsletters, or promotional materials.

They can help with content ideation, drafting, proofreading, and even managing editorial calendars to ensure consistent and engaging content delivery.

7. Personal Assistance: Virtual assistants can extend their support beyond professional tasks and assist with personal responsibilities.

This might involve managing personal calendars, organizing personal finances, researching holiday destinations, or even handling personal shopping requests.

To become a Virtual Assistant with no experience in the UK, you will need to pen the perfect cover letter, create a social media page or website that shows off your expertise, and know where to find entry-level jobs.

In the following section, we will take a closer look at how to become a Virtual Assistant in the UK 2024.

Step 1: Create a portfolio

The best way to show that you’re capable of performing the role of a Virtual Assistant without any previous experience is to create a portfolio that showcases your skills.

There are a number of ways to do this including starting a social media page, building a personal website or starting a blog.

In 2023/2024, we found that social media was the most effective way to build authority as a VA. A lot of the most successful VAs have TikTok, Instagram or YouTube accounts on which they share tips and insights into their work.

You could use social media to showcase your knowledge by creating informative posts about VA-related topics. For example, you could create content about how to improve a social media strategy or optimize workplace efficiency.

Step 2: Create the perfect cover letter template

To land jobs as a Virtual Assistant, you will need to formulate the perfect cover letter that you can use when emailing potential employers or applying to freelance jobs.

A good idea is to create a template that you can customize for each job that you apply for. You should create templates for:

• An email

• A freelance job application (cover letter)

• A social media message

In your letter/message, you need to sell yourself as a Virtual Assistant. Firstly, you should carefully consider what the company might look for in a Virtual Assistant and address these points. This is made a lot easier when applying for a job opening because the employer will usually reveal what they’re looking for in a VA.

After this, you should describe your skills and experience. Try to think outside the box here and discuss skills that are unique to you. You could use anecdotes to back up your points and provide some depth to what you’re saying.

The next part of your application should clearly explain how you could save the company time or make them more money. These are the main reasons that VAs are hired so this must be clearly addressed.

If the job/company that you are applying for has niche requirements, make sure to include your ability to meet these. For example, some companies might use specialist software or require their VAs to have technical knowledge.

Also read: How to become an online tutor

Social media message template

As mentioned above, it is also a good idea to prepare a template that you can use to reach out to potential clients on social media.

The message should contain everything that you would put into a cover letter but in a condensed form. However, the message should be slightly less formal.

Also, it is a good idea to start the conversion with a generic introduction before providing details about the services that you offer. A simple ‘Hi, how are you?’ is a great way to open up a conversation and create a relationship between you and the potential client that you are reaching out to.

Step 3. Get the right equipment

Virtual Assistants should have access to the best software and tech to streamline their processes and increase efficiency.

Before you start applying for jobs, you should spend time making sure that you have everything you need to deliver the best VA services. This should include a powerful laptop or PC, a fast wifi connection, organization tools, data entry software, social media editing tools and more.

The exact equipment that you need will depend on the type of VA job that you are applying for.

Step 4. How to find Virtual Assistant jobs

The next step is to start finding Virtual Assistant work. There are several routes that you can take here including applying to VA jobs on freelance platforms, reaching out to potential clients on social media, and reaching out to potential clients via email.

Finding VA jobs on freelance sites

The easiest way to become a virtual assistant as a beginner is to apply for jobs on platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr. These jobs usually offer lower rates but are a great way to gain enough experience to be able to apply for higher-paying roles.

It is normal to apply for several jobs before seeing any success. Our founder used Upwork at the beginning of her own freelance journey an applied to 14 job openings before landing her first client.

Finding Virtual Assistant work on social media

Another good way to find VA clients is to advertise your services on social media. You could use your page to establish yourself as an expert and attract potential customers.

Spend time interacting with people and reaching out to potential clients directly through messages. Use the template that you created earlier here.

It may take a while to find any work through social media however, it is possible to charge higher rates by finding work this way. You should post regularly and try to reach out to potential clients every single day. Consistency is key.

Reaching out to potential clients via email

Once you have built up some experience, you could start reaching out to potential clients via email. This is a good way to land bigger clients who may be able to offer more permanent contracts and pay a higher rate.

Again, consistency is key here. You may have to email several companies before finding any success. This method is also better suited to more experienced VAs who can show client testimonials and a good track record.

Step 5: Managing jobs and clients

It will probably take several weeks of trying before you land your first job as a VA. However, once you start finding work, you will need to manage jobs and clients efficiently.

Before you start your job search, you should be clear on the hours that you can realistically work. If you’re looking to start a VA side hustle around another job, you may only be able to work for a few hours each week. On the other hand, full-time Virtual Assistants might be able to fit in 30-40 hours per week.

A good idea is to use a spreadsheet to keep track of your hours and jobs. Organization tools like Trello are also a great way to organize tasks and keep on-top of work that needs doing.

Also read: How to choose the best side hustle for you

Step 6: Register your business

In the UK, you must adhere to tax regulations that require everyone to pay tax on their earnings over £12,500. As a virtual assistant, this means registering as a sole trader or limited company with HMRC and filling out a self-assessment tax return each year.

1st Formations is a good option to consider when registering a virtual assistant business in the UK comes with a range of benefits. With a straightforward process that consists of only 4 steps, setting up your business becomes efficient and hassle-free. What sets 1st Formations apart is their commitment to offering personalized 1-to-1 services.

This approach ensures that new business owners receive the necessary guidance and support to guarantee their business is established correctly from the start. By choosing 1st Formations, aspiring virtual assistant entrepreneurs can navigate the complexities of starting a business in the UK with ease, paving the way for a successful venture.

It is possible to apply for entry-level Virtual Assistant jobs with no qualifications. However, most employers will expect you to have good IT skills, social media experience, and a good understanding of how to complete administrative tasks.

Entry-level jobs often pay less than roles that have stricter requirements. Therefore, it may be useful to invest in a VA course or qualification to help you land higher-paying roles.

Some jobs may require you to have industry-specific knowledge. This is normal for roles in the finance, tech or medicine industries. For these jobs, you my need a qualification or evidence of experience.

According to Talent.com, the average salary for a full-time Virtual Assistant in the UK is £28,942 per year. However, there are many reports online of successful VAs earning more than this.

A lot of the VA salaries that were higher than £3000 per month came from Virtual Assistants who also had other forms of income. For example, we found income reports from Miranda Nahmias who earns £8000+ per month through working as a Virtual Assistant as well as blogging.

Many successful VAs that we came across during our research use other streams of income to top up their earnings. This could include blogging, creating an online course of even Virtual Assistant coaching.

Conclusion

The easiest way to become a virtual assistant with no experience in 2024 is to apply for entry-level freelance jobs on Fiverr or Upwork. However, during our research, we found that the highest-paying roles can be found by reaching out to potential clients directly via social media or email.

You do not need any specific qualifications to become a VA however, it helps to have good organization and IT skills. Most jobs also require Virtual Assistants to have knowledge of social media best practices as well as the ability to quickly understand and use new software.

In this comprehensive guide, we have covered exactly how to become a Virtual Assistant with no experience in 2024. It is important to understand that it can take a long time to land your first job and start making money. Therefore, we recommend keeping your current job before leaving it to embark on your freelance Virtual Assistant business.

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