How to Start A Virtual Assistant Business Mini Course

Hey mama!

In this blog post, I’m going to walk you through how to become a Virtual Assistant and work from home—with your babies running around in the background, during nap time, or even before they wake up in the morning.

One thing I’ve learned? Clients don’t care that you have kids at home. They just want the work done—and it doesn’t matter what time you do it. You get to choose when and where you work. As long as the job gets done, that’s all that matters.

Disclaimer:

The content shared on this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is based on my personal experience. It is not intended as professional, legal, or financial advice. Please do your own research and consult with a licensed expert to ensure any decisions you make are right for your business and comply with local laws and regulations.

Some of the links on this blog may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you choose to make a purchase through them. I only recommend products and services I personally use and believe in. For more details, please read my full disclaimer here.

Step 1: Get Your Business Set Up Legally

You want to cover your butt as soon as possible so you start on the right foot. I wrote a whole blog post that goes into more detail about what you’ll need.

👉 Click here to read the post about setting up your business legally

Step 2: Choose a Name for Your Virtual Assistant Business

This should be easy… but for some reason, naming things is hard! I went with my first and middle name. A lot of people use their first and last names. If you love coming up with names, have fun with it and choose something that reflects your personality.

Step 3: Decide What Services You’ll Offer

You can offer so many services as a Virtual Assistant—the possibilities are honestly endless!

Here are some ideas to get your wheels turning:

• Email Management
• Social Media Graphics
• Data Entry
• Systems Setup
• E-book Creation
• Copywriting
• Calendar Management
• Project Management
• Video Editing
• Graphic Design
• Podcast Editing
• Email Marketing
• Social Media Scheduling
• Customer Service
• Answering Calls

Think about your previous jobs and what experience you gained. Before I was a stay-at-home mama, I was a Human Resource Specialist in the military—so admin tasks came naturally to me.

If you’re not confident in your experience, don’t be afraid to try something new or be honest with your clients. Many don’t mind training you on how they want things done. Every client is different, and if you’re teachable, you’ll be just fine. As a Virtual Assistant, you’ll always be learning and leveling up.

Step 4: Choose a Client Management System & Project Management System

Client Management System (CMS)

This is where you’ll keep track of contracts, invoices, payments, and client details. It keeps everything organized in one place.

I’ve used HoneyBook, and Dubsado (I don’t use them anymore, but they are great options) Another one is Bloom.io

Project Management System

This is where you’ll organize your tasks, content calendar, recurring to-dos, and even team communication as your business grows.

I personally love ClickUp (click here to check out ClickUp). I use it for both my home and business.

👉 Check out this post on how I run my home like a business

Other great tools with free plans:

• Asana
• Trello
• Notion
• Airtable

Test them out and see which one fits your brain best. One of the fun parts of being a VA is trying out different systems—you get to explore and find your groove.

Step 5: Create Your Virtual Assistant Packages & Pricing

You can offer services hourly or through a retainer package.

Let’s say your hourly rate is $25/hr. A 40-hour monthly retainer (about 10 hours per week) would be $1,000/month.

Retainers are great because they offer consistent income and more flexibility. You’ll still want to track your time to understand how you’re spending it, but this setup gives you more freedom.

Customize your packages based on what your client needs—which you’ll figure out through conversations.

Step 6: Set Up Your Social Media Profiles

Pick one platform to start promoting your services and create a business account under your business name.

Make sure you add your lead capture form from Dubsado so people can easily inquire about your services.

👉 I’ll be writing a blog post on how to set up your systems before onboarding clients—so be sure to join the SAHM Plug Email list to get notified when it drops!

A tool that will help you make graphics and more is Canva.com. They have a free version that’s perfect for getting started.

Step 7: Have a Virtual Assistant Contract

This is a must! You need to protect yourself when working with clients.

I recommend contracts from The Boutique Lawyer—they’re super detailed and tailored for online businesses.

Click Here to Use my 10% discount code for The Boutique Lawyers Contracts

Follow her on Instagram and join her email list—she runs great holiday sales and drops a lot of gems on keeping your business protected.

Step 8: Get Your First Client!

I know this part can feel intimidating, but it’s not as hard as it seems. Try these ideas:

• Post on social media (literally just say: “If anyone is looking for a Virtual Assistant, let me know.” That’s how I got connected with a VA agency!)
• Search “Virtual Assistant” on Indeed
• Join Facebook groups that post VA jobs
• Be in community with other entrepreneurs (memberships, masterminds, even free spaces—people are always looking for help)
• Network and don’t be afraid to show up and talk about what you do
• Sign up for Internship opportunities
• Do a service swap with someone, offer your Virtual Assistant Services in exchange for a service you may need for your business

That’s it, mama! Follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way.

I’m so proud of you for starting your business—congratulations!

Here are some other blog posts that will help you on this journey:

• Setting Up Your Business Legally
• 3 Tips for Running a Business as a SAHM
• How to Work on Your Business at Home with Little Kids