How to Start a Virtual Assistant Business

Starting a virtual assistant business can be a great opportunity if you want to work from home and be your boss!

Sadly, though, it’s not as easy as it sounds.

As the world shifted and changed in the last decade, the demand for flexible work opportunities has never been higher.

With that, many entrepreneurs and companies built their businesses around this trend, which included VA service.

Because of that, there’s significant competition in both the job market and the clients’.

Fortunately, there’s still a way for you to stand out from the crowd and build your business empire.

Today’s guide will help you learn how to start a virtual business, what you need to consider, and why it’s essential to have a solid plan.

How Profitable is Owning a Virtual Assistant Business?

Owning a virtual assistant business is a very lucrative idea.

That’s because specialists valued the virtual assistant market at $4.12 billion from 2022–2025.

Also, according to Tech Navio estimations, the virtual assistant business will grow by a 37.29% rate from 2022–2027.

Hence, you have two credible and solid reasons to invest in the VA business!

As for the nitty-gritty details, a virtual assistant business owner’s salary can vary according to many factors.

Elements like the virtual assistant jobs you offer, your pricing, and the number of clients can affect the total profit number.

Of course, this is without even mentioning the intense competition in the market.

Regardless, as a VA business owner, your profit margin could start as low as 40% and go as high as 90%— both of which are incredible numbers.

What You’ll Need to Start a Virtual Assistant Business [& Associated Costs]

Many individuals think starting a VA business is a case of buying software and waiting for the cash to flow.

But the truth is that it takes a bit of money and a lot of time to get your business rolling.

For instance, you need to keep the following costs in mind:

1. Equipment

The best way to run a VA business is by using advanced technology. High-tech laptops and tablets allow you to do all your tasks with ease.

A tablet can cost anywhere from $400 to $600, while a computer can cost up to $1000.

You should have at least $20,000 for equipment and accessories, depending on your company size.

2. Software

Because this is virtual work to its core, you’ll need multiple software to help your employees and clients.

Some programs help with time tracking, communication, planning, and more!

These software can cost you around $1000–$2500 annually.

3. Marketing

Of course, because of the many competitors in the market, you need to get your name out and attract attention.

While many people do this themselves, it’s best to hire a marketing agency to help you formulate and implement a strategy.

The hourly rate for a marketing agency ranges from $95–$350.

4. Team Members

As your business grows, you’ll hire more virtual assistants to help ease the workload.

Plus, you’ll need project managers to coordinate the work and manage the team.

VAs earn an average hourly salary of $10–$20, while project managers can go up to $38.

5. Paperwork

Thankfully, starting a virtual assistant business doesn’t require a lot of paperwork.

You’ll need around $1000, but there’s a huge chance you won’t spend all of it.

Do I Need a License or Certificates to Start a Virtual Assistant Business?

Unlike what many people believe, you do need a few licenses and certificates to start a virtual assistant business.

Here are the main ones:

1. Entity Formation (there are four types: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and Limited Liability Company)
2. General business license
3. Federal Employer Identification Number

Why You Should Consider Starting a Virtual Assistant Business As a Side Hustle

There’s a massive difference between a full-time job and owning a business that you can side-hustle.

These differences are what make owning a virtual assistant business so appealing.  For instance:

• Flexibility: Being the big boss means you no longer have to worry about committing to a 5–9 schedule. Jobs on virtual vacations. You can organize your workload however you like and spend more time with friends and family.
• Low overhead costs: Starting a virtual business means you won’t have to worry about expenses like rent or electricity bills. This can save you a lot of money as you go along, allowing you to invest in expanding the business.
• Excellent growth potential: Being virtual means you get to connect with everyone worldwide. You have no limitations set by geography, so your business can quickly grow outside its location bubble.
• Ability to work from anywhere: The virtual assistant business basically creates what you’d call jobs on virtual vacations. You can work from home or visit a lovely cafe and spend your day there. It doesn’t matter where you are as long as you can get your work done.

How to Start a Virtual Assistant Business in 6 Simple Steps

Now that you know why you should start a virtual assistant business, it’s time to learn how to open one! All you need is to follow the steps below:

1. Market Research

As this is a billion-dollar industry, you’ll find yourself surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands, of competitors.

Each of those companies has a particular set of services and benefits catering to a specific audience.

Your mission here is to analyze these sets and outline their weaknesses and strengths, then see how to use them to your advantage.

After that, look for the market gaps that you can fill.

There’s bound to be a niche or two that need your services, allowing you to identify your target audience.

2. Pick Your Services

Now that you know your target audience’s needs, how will you offer it to them?

Put simply, there are many ways in which you provide the market with your services.

You can offer designing, marketing, accounting, scheduling, e-mail management services, and so much more.

Some VA businesses provide just one service, while others cover the whole package.

Because you’re just a startup, you can pick the service closest to you and your team’s expertise.

From there, you can bench out into other services or stick to what works.

3. Create a Business Plan

Your business plan is your map to success.

The plan guarantees you have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and how you will get there.

It includes the following elements:

• Executive summary
• A detailed company description
• Industry analysis
• Management
• Services
• Marketing strategyFinances

Placing all these factors in front of you can help hone your focus and define your action plan.

4. Set up the Necessary Tools and Start Hiring

You need various tools to get your virtual assistant business up and running.

For example, you need tools for:

• Time tracking
• Bookkeeping
• Communication
• Project management
• Calendars

Making a list of all the necessary software and equipment can help you move on to the next step, which is setting up your finances.

After that, you can start looking for possible VAs to hire.

You best handle the interviews personally and ask questions like what’s your definition of a virtual assistant and the like.

If you like the candidate but think they need more training, there’s a guide to becoming a virtual assistant that may help.

5. Set Up Your Pricing Plans

Before you write down your price, look at your competitors and what they offer.

You’ll want to ensure you’re not overcharging or undercharging your clients.

After that, you can set your pricing format, which includes the following:

• Hourly rate: You price your services by the hour.
• Flat rate: You charge a fixed amount for the requested projects.
• Package rate: This plan lets you entice clients by offering many services at a reasonable price.
• Retainer rate: Here, you can set a monthly retainer where the client pays upfront for your services, no matter the required work.

Things to Consider When Building a Virtual Assistant Business

Before diving in too deep and starting your VA business, make sure you’ve considered these points:

Can You Run a Virtual Assistant Business By Yourself?

At first glance, the VA business can seem easy. But as you go deeper, you’ll find yourself dealing with things like freelance business licenses, taxes, hiring, and more. Hence, you must read up on the required skills.

Can You Set the Proper Boundaries?

One of the best features of virtual work is its flexibility, but it has one drawback: freedom.

We know it’s odd to set freedom as a drawback, but having complete freedom over setting your schedules and managing your time can be challenging.

Are You Comfortable Dealing With People?

As a VA business owner, you’ll have to deal with many clients from different cultures and backgrounds and their problems.

This can be incredibly stressful if you have the right communication skills.

INSPIRATION: Virtual Assistant Business Ideas

If you need some unique and creative ideas for your virtual assistant business, here are some to get you started:

• Virtual Event Planning: Almost every business or entrepreneur eventually faces the challenge of assembling an event. And that’s where you come in! You can help them coordinate their events and plan everything from location to drinks.
• Travel Planning: Many individuals dream of traveling the world but stop when realizing how much effort it’ll take. Marketing your services to cater to these individuals can be profitable.
• Social Media Management: Looking at any business right now will show you that online presence is critical to success. This is an unlimited market that can provide you with a steady stream of customers.
• Health and Wellness Virtual Assistant: Another industry you can tap into is the health sector. Many individuals seek someone to help them plan their diet, stay healthy, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Your business can provide them with the proper guidance and advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Similar Business to Consider Starting

Consider exploring these alternative options if you don’t feel the virtual assistant business is the right fit for you:

• How to Start a Consulting Business: If you know you’re a professional in a particular skill, why not turn it into a business? You can earn a living by advising people on a contract basis.
• How to Start a Tutoring Business: Similar to consulting, tutoring is a great way to earn more money while teaching people valuable skills.
• How to Start a Marketing Business: one of the keys to any business’s success is how it markets itself. That’s why starting your marketing business can be a lucrative option for you.

Wrapping Up

How did you find our how to start a virtual assistant business?

If you liked it, tell us in the comments and share it with your friends!

To give you the TL;DR summary, go ahead if you plan on starting a virtual assistant business! Though the field is full of competition, it’s a very profitable business if you know what you’re doing.

Just don’t forget about researching, planning, and marketing yourself correctly! If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments below.