What do virtual assistants do? Many readers ask how I began working as a virtual assistant, what the role involves, and how much virtual assistants earn. I’m not an expert, but I’ll share what I’ve learned from experience. My posts about extra income have been popular, so here’s a focused look at virtual assisting as a source of supplemental earnings.
If you haven’t seen them yet, I’ve written longer summaries about my extra income and several guides such as 75 Ways To Make Extra Money, Ways to Earn Extra Income Part 1, and So You Want to Be a Freelance Writer? These resources cover a wide range of side-income ideas and practical tips.
I recently started offering virtual assistant services. It isn’t my largest income source, but it’s a useful, flexible way to earn extra money. I like having multiple income streams so I’m not dependent on a single source—though I recognize most of my income is online and not fully diversified in that sense.
Even when it’s a smaller portion of overall income, virtual assisting has advantages: I can work from home, adjust hours, and often see results quickly. For this post I’ll use the terms “virtual assistant” and “freelancer” interchangeably. A VA can be contracted for one-off projects (like blog design) or ongoing tasks (such as responding to emails and comments).
Why hire a virtual assistant? What does a virtual assistant do?
Simply: why wouldn’t someone hire help? Running a business takes a lot of time and energy. Outsourcing tasks frees the business owner to focus on strategy and growth. One person cannot realistically handle every role well. When too much is delegated to one person, quality often suffers. A virtual assistant fills gaps, preserves quality, and helps a business scale without the overhead of on-site staff.
How much do virtual assistants make?
Rates vary widely depending on skills, experience, and the task. Hourly pay can range from roughly $15 up to $100+ per hour. Some VAs are paid per project—per article, per design, or per deliverable. Because responsibilities differ so much, there’s no single standard rate. If you have experience or current rates you charge, sharing them can help others set expectations.
Below are common virtual assistant roles specifically for websites and blogs. I’ll focus on these since that’s where my experience lies; other fields like bookkeeping or data entry follow different patterns.
What does a virtual assistant do for a website?
1. Social Media Assistant. Social media management can be time-consuming: Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, and blog promotion all require consistent attention. A social media VA creates content, schedules posts, engages with followers, and helps grow a target audience across platforms.
2. Website Designer. Design matters, especially for new blogs or businesses that need a professional look. Web designers create site layouts, logos, banners, and social media icons. I hired a designer for one of my sites and it made a big difference—these skills are often outside a business owner’s strengths and are worth outsourcing.
3. Editor. Editors manage content quality: proofreading, editing, formatting, and publishing posts. They may also handle on-page search engine optimization (SEO) so articles reach more readers. A good editor improves readability, consistency, and the site’s search visibility.
4. Market Researcher. Research helps businesses understand their audience and competitors. A market researcher identifies target demographics, recommends content or product ideas, and finds strategies to reach customers more effectively. This role supports strategic decisions that improve growth and engagement.
5. Writer. Adding staff writers brings fresh perspectives and more frequent content. Writers can be contracted per post or on retainer. They allow a site to publish regularly without overloading the owner, and they often take on related tasks like topic research and content planning.
6. Personal Assistant. This broad category covers admin tasks: answering emails, replying to comments, scheduling, and handling routine inquiries. Many small business owners rely on VAs to manage day-to-day communications so they can focus on higher-level priorities.
Related: How To Become A Bookkeeper
How do I start?
Many readers ask how I find VA work and who I currently work for. For privacy I don’t list specific clients, but I’ll share how to find opportunities in a follow-up post. That post will cover finding clients, setting rates, writing proposals, and building a portfolio. For now, think about what skills you can offer—social media, design, writing, research, or administration. Those are in demand for site owners and businesses.
Hopefully this overview helps you brainstorm ways to earn extra income as a virtual assistant. If you’re considering starting a blog to showcase your skills (an excellent idea for VAs), I’ve published tutorials on creating a blog quickly and affordably.
Are you a virtual assistant or considering becoming one? Have you ever hired a virtual assistant? Why?