In my last blog, I shared why I chose to become a Virtual Assistant after 50.
It was about fear and doubt.
And that quiet moment in the kitchen when I realized I still wanted to work.
So for all of you who have these thoughts…
“Okay… I love this idea. But how do I actually start?”
That’s what this blog is about.
No fluff. No complicated tech talk.
Just clear steps. And the exact steps I did to launch my VA business.
If you’re sitting there thinking:
“I have experience.”
“I want flexibility.”
“I want to work from home.”
“But I don’t know where to begin.”
This is for you. Let’s break it down.
Step by step.
How to Choose Your VA Path
I have those thoughts as well. But having decades in the admin area it’s not rocket science to me to know the VA path is right for me. The thought of how much I will make as a VA is not the top of my questions. Instead I ask, “What do I already know”, “What do I enjoy doing”. “What can I learn easily”. These are simple questions that you can ask yourself. ‘
Many VAs begin as General VAs. Then move into a niche. I think that’s a smart way to start.
Step 1: The Different Types of Virtual Assistants (And Which One Is Right for You)
There are many types of VAs and each one serves a different purpose. Each one fits different skills and personalities.
Think of this as choosing your lane.
1. General Virtual Assistant (General VA)
A General VA handles everyday business tasks .This is the most common place to start. This role is perfect if you have admin or office experience. Tasks may include: Email and calendar management- Data entry -Customer support -File organization
2. Administrative Virtual Assistant
This is me. This is a more specialized version of a General VA.You focus on operations and office support
Your tasks may include: Managing inboxes -Handling contracts -Creating reports -Supporting executives -Organizing workflows
This role is perfect if you have worked in a corporate job and feel confident with professional communication. Your years of experience shine here. This is where maturity becomes your advantage.
3. Social Media Virtual Assistant
This VA supports brands and business owners online.You don’t need to be an influencer. Familiarity with social media platforms is a must. You may do: Scheduling posts -Creating simple graphics in Canva -Tracking engagement
4. Bookkeeping or Finance VA
If you have accounting or finance experience this could be for you. This niche often pays higher rates. It requires trust and accuracy.
Tasks may include: Invoicing, tracking expenses – Payroll support -Using tools like QuickBooks or Wave
5. Real Estate Virtual Assistant
Real estate professionals always need support. Always.
Tasks may include: Managing listings – Scheduling showings – Following up with leads
6. Marketing or Digital VA
This VA supports marketing tasks. This niche takes learning. But it opens big doors.
May include:Email marketing – Blog creation -SEO support -Analytics tracking
Specialized or Niche Virtual Assistant
A Specialized or Niche VA focuses on a specific industry or type of business. If you have experience in the industry, you can offer high value support as a VA. These VA offers specialized support and often earn more because they provide targeted expertise.
Podcast VA – Works with: Podcasters, content creators, and media brands. Supports episode scheduling, guest coordination, audio editing, show notes, and promotion
E-commerce VA – Works with: Online store owners and product-based businesses. Manages product listings, orders, inventory, customer service, and basic marketing
Travel VA – Works with: Travel agencies, travel advisors, and tourism businesses. Handles bookings, itineraries, client communication, research, and vendor coordination
Legal VA – Works with: Law firms, attorneys, and legal offices. Prepares documents, manages case files, schedules appointments, and supports client communication
Medical VA – Works with: Doctors, clinics, and healthcare providers. Schedules appointments, manages patient records, handles communication, and supports office administration
Coach or Course VA – Works with: Life coaches, business coaches, and online educators. Manages client onboarding, email campaigns, content uploads, and program support
2. Essential Tools Every Virtual Assistant Should Know📌
1. Calendly — Appointment & Scheduling
Purpose:
Automates appointment bookings without the back-and-forth. Clients pick a time, Calendly syncs with your calendar.
2. Google Workspace — Communication & Collaboration
Includes: Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Docs, Sheets
Purpose:
Handles email, files, scheduling, documents, spreadsheets, storage.
3. Zoom — Video Conferencing
Purpose:
Host online meetings, training sessions, and client calls.
4. Trello — Task & Project Management
Purpose:
Visual boards to organize tasks, deadlines, and workflows.
5. Asana — Project & Workflow Manager
Purpose:
Track complex projects and deadlines with multiple collaborators.
6. Canva — Graphic Design Tool
Purpose:
Create social media graphics, presentations, documents, flyers, and more.
7. Slack — Team Communication
Purpose:
Real-time messaging for teams, with channels and threads.
8. QuickBooks / Wave — Bookkeeping & Finance
Purpose:
Track income, expenses, invoices, and reports.
9. HubSpot CRM / Zoho CRM — Customer Relationship Management
Purpose:
Organize contacts, sales pipelines, follow-ups, and client data.
10. Mailchimp / ConvertKit — Email Marketing
Purpose:
Build email lists, send campaigns, automate sequences.
11. LastPass / 1Password — Password Management
Purpose:
12. Notion — All-in-One Workspace
Purpose:
Combine documents, databases, calendars, and notes in one place.
👉 Download the free VA Tools Starter Pack and start building your VA business today here.
Step 3: How Do I Price My Services💰
Another scary part. Let’s simplify it.
You can charge:
- Hourly (example: $20–$40/hour to start)
- Monthly packages (10, 20, or 40 hours)
- Project-based pricing
Start where you feel comfortable. Raise your rates as your confidence grows.
You are not charging for your time only. You are charging for your experience.
And that experience took decades to build.
Step 4: Create Simple Systems
Good systems save time and reduce stress. It also makes you look professional.
Think about:
- How clients contact you
- How you track tasks
- How you manage deadlines
- How you send invoices
- How you organize files
Examples of simple systems:
- A client intake form
- A weekly task checklist
- A shared Google Drive folder
- A time-blocking schedule
Step 5: Where to Find Clients
Now here’s the big part. Where will you find clients? Clients are out there. You just need to reach out. I personally use my own website and blog to put my name out there. Here are other ways to connect with possible clients.
Start with:
- Facebook groups for business owners
- Freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr
- Online communities
- Referrals from friends
- Your own social media
Don’t wait to feel “ready”. Start talking to people.
Final Thoughts
Choosing this path is not always easy. It wasn’t easy for me either.
Even with decades of experience, I still have to learn because I have never been a Virtual Assistant myself. I took some online courses, (VA courses, Bookkeeping, Digital Marketing, Creating a Website), and watched a lot, and I say it again, a lot of youtube tutorials. There is a lot of free resources out there, you just have to be diligent and focus, focus, focus. And alway remember, your background is not a weakness. It is your edge.
Whether you choose General VA, Admin VA, or a niche VA you are building something of your own.
Be patient, keep learning and be professional. It’s easy to get distracted with personal stuff while at home but never forget that even if you have the flexibility this is still work. This is serious work and it takes focus and discipline. You want to give your clients the best service possible.
Treat it like a business. And it will grow like one.
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