In today’s fast-paced world, small businesses and entrepreneurs are struggling to keep up.
To keep their heads above water, they rely on virtual assistants to manage daily tasks and keep their biz running smoothly.
You might think of a specific type of work when you think of the word “virtual assistant”.
But in reality, there are TONS of types of virtual assistant jobs out there.
No matter what your interests or skill sets are, there is something you can offer clients for money.
Trust me, after helping 100+ aspiring VAs get started, I still can’t believe the opportunities out there.
And the best part is, the demand for VAs is skyrocketing. So if you take your work seriously and do your job well, there will always be clients out there waiting to pay you.
To help you research and laser in on the best path for you, here are some of the absolute best virtual assistant types.
Table of Contents
- 13 types of virtual assistants in high demand
- 1. Administrative virtual assistants
- 2. Technical virtual assistants
- 3. Creative virtual assistants
- 4. Marketing virtual assistants
- 5. E-commerce virtual assistants
- 6. Customer support virtual assistants
- 7. Financial virtual assistants
- 8. Research and data analysis virtual assistants
- 9. Real estate virtual assistants
- 10. Social media virtual assistants
- 11. Writing and Editing Virtual Assistants
- 12. Blogging Virtual Assistants
- 13. Event Planning Virtual Assistants
- Which types of virtual assistant jobs are right for you?
13 types of virtual assistants in high demand
1. Administrative virtual assistants
Administrative VAs are the backbone of any organization, providing essential support in areas like:
- Email management. Organizing inboxes, responding to simple questions, and flagging important emails.
- Calendar management. Scheduling meetings, sending reminders, and coordinating suitable times for attendees.
- Data entry. Typing up and updating information in spreadsheets or databases.
- Document preparation. Creating professional and on-brand reports, slideshows, or letters.
- File organization. Keeping digital files organized for easy access.
- Meeting coordination. Setting up agendas, taking meeting minutes, and following up on action items.
Niching down even further: Executive VA
You don’t need any experience to start working as an entry-level admin VA. Once you have some experience under your belt as an administrative assistant, you shift inter higher-paying work as an executive VA.
An executive VA works closely with top-level management, handling tasks like booking flights, managing itineraries, and preparing reports. As a manager’s trusty sidekick, you have to keep info confidential and know how to maximize your boss’ time.
2. Technical virtual assistants
Tech virtual assistants specialize in offering support for technology-related tasks. These include things like:
- Fixing tech problems. Helping out with any issues related to computers, software, or internet connections, and giving easy-to-understand advice on how to avoid these problems in the future.
- Building and updating websites. Creating and making changes to websites using simple coding languages, and working with user-friendly tools like WordPress or Drupal to manage the site’s content.
- Setting up and updating software. Installing and updating apps on computers, making sure they work well and don’t cause any problems with other programs.
- Keeping data safe and organized. Making sure important files are backed up, protecting sensitive information from hackers, and keeping everything organized and easy to find.
Niching down even further: Web Developer VA
A web developer VA creates and maintains websites, making sure the design and functionality help their clients achieve their goals.
As a web developer VA, you need to be skilled in coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript — all things that can be learned with an extra-long free trial of Skillshare.
Esther Inman also recently released an epic course called Tech VA in a Day that teaches you how to master the art of funnels and other backend tech wizardry.
If you’re looking to level up your VA income by specializing, check out my Tech VA in a Day review, where I give an insider look at the course.
3. Creative virtual assistants
Creative virtual assistants bring artistic flair to their client’s brands. As a creative VA, you’re in charge of things like:
- Designing cool graphics. Creating eye-catching visuals for websites, social media, and marketing materials that really grab people’s attention.
- Crafting engaging content. Writing fun and interesting articles, blog posts, or social media updates that people actually want to read and share.
- Video editing magic. Taking raw video footage and turning it into polished, professional-looking videos for YouTube, ads, or presentations.
- Brainstorming ideas. Coming up with creative concepts for projects or campaigns that help businesses stand out from the crowd.
Niching down even further: Graphic Designer VA
The bread and butter of a graphic design VA are things like logo designs, website layouts, social media graphics, blog infographics, and other promotional materials.
You need a keen eye for aesthetics and experience with design software — whether that be free, easy-to-learn virtual assistant tools like Canva, or more advanced tools like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
Discover 100+ virtual assistant service ideas you can start offering clients today
Stuck on what your niche should be? Wondering how you can stack your services to charge more? This mega list of VA service ideas has you covered.
4. Marketing virtual assistants
Digital marketing virtual assistants are experts in helping businesses grow online and reach a wider audience. They specialize in things like:
- Social media marketing. Managing social media accounts, posting cool stuff, and engaging with followers to grow a loyal fan base.
- Search engine optimization. Following SEO best practices to get your client’s content at the top of the search results.
- Email marketing. Crafting catchy email newsletters and campaigns that people actually want to open and read.
- Analyzing data for insights. Checking out the numbers to see what’s working and what’s not, then making data-driven decisions to improve marketing efforts.
- Running ads. Setting up and managing online ads to get the word out about a business, while making sure they reach the right people.
Niching down even further: SEO Specialist VA
An SEO specialist VA focuses solely on optimizing websites and content to rank higher in search engine results.
As an SEO VA, you’d spend your days doing keyword research, on-page optimization, and testing link-building strategies.
5. E-commerce virtual assistants
E-commerce virtual assistants help E-commerce store owners manage their online stores. They take care of things like:
- Product listings. Adding new items to online stores with attention-grabbing descriptions and photos that make people want to buy.
- Order management. Keeping track of orders, making sure they’re shipped on time, and handling any returns or issues that pop up.
- Customer service. Answering questions, solving problems, and making sure shoppers have a great experience from start to finish.
- Inventory management. Keeping an eye on stock levels, reordering products when needed, and making sure everything’s up to date.
Niching down even further: Amazon VA
An Amazon VA specializes specifically in managing Amazon FBA businesses. You need an in-depth knowledge of the platform’s rules and best practices to make sure your clients’ store crushes it.
Here’s how to become an Amazon virtual assistant, step-by-step.
6. Customer support virtual assistants
Customer management virtual assistants are the friendly voice at the end of the line (or chat) whose job is to keep customers smiling. They do things like:
- Answering questions. Helping customers with their doubts, making sure they have all the info they need, and leaving them feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
- Solving problems. Handling any issues that come up, finding solutions quickly, and turning unhappy customers into happy ones.
- Tracking feedback. Paying attention to what customers are saying, gathering their input, and sharing it with the team to make improvements.
Niching down even further: Helpdesk VA
A helpdesk VA manages support tickets, answers customer questions, and troubleshoots issues. If you’re a social butterfly with top-notch communication skills, this could be right up your alley.
7. Financial virtual assistants
Virtual financial assistants help businesses with bookkeeping and accounting. They keep records accurate and up-to-date so owners can make informed decisions, and they help by:
- Crunching numbers. Keeping track of income and expenses, making sure everything adds up, and spotting any financial trends.
- Wrangling invoices. Creating and sending out invoices, following up on payments, and making sure everything’s up to date.
- Planning budgets. Helping with budget creation, monitoring spending, and making sure a business stays on track financially.
- Prepping for taxes. Organizing all the financial info needed for tax season, making it a breeze to file on time and without any surprises.
Niching down even further: Bookkeeper VA
A bookkeeper VA maintains financial records, processes invoices, and reconciles bank statements. These are all things that every small business needs to do, but many do not have time for them.
To become a Bookkeeper virtual assistant, you need to learn accounting principles and software — such as QuickBooks or Xero. These are things you can teach yourself online with a little determination.
8. Research and data analysis virtual assistants
Businesses need data. And research VAs help them gather and analyze that data. As a virtual research assistant, you may be responsible for things like:
- Data scraping. Digging through loads of data, finding patterns and trends, and turning those insights into actionable information.
- Creating charts and graphs. Turning raw data into easy-to-understand visuals that help explain what’s going on.
- Database management. Cleaning up and organizing messy data sets so they’re accurate and ready for analysis.
- Making reports. Summarizing data findings in clear, concise reports that help businesses make smart decisions based on the numbers.
Niching down even further: Market Research VA
A market research VA specializes in gathering and analyzing data about competitors, market trends, and buyer preferences.
They help their clients understand their target audience and make strategic decisions that grow their business.
9. Real estate virtual assistants
Real estate virtual assistants support agents and brokers so that they can focus on the tasks that make them the most money. Real estate VAs take care of things like:
- Listing properties. Putting together eye-catching property listings with great photos and descriptions that make buyers want to take a closer look.
- Scheduling appointments. Setting up property viewings and meetings between agents and clients, making sure everyone’s on the same page.
- Gathering paperwork. Helping with all the documents needed for buying or selling a property, keeping everything organized and easy to find.
- Market research. Keeping an eye on the real estate market, staying up-to-date on trends, and helping clients make informed decisions about their properties.
Niching down even further: Transaction Coordinator VA
A transaction coordinator VA takes care of the administrative tasks involved in real estate transactions. This includes things like contract preparation, document organization, and communication with buyers and sellers.
Basically, they are the grease in the wheels that make sure the deals go smoothly for everyone.
10. Social media virtual assistants
Social media assistants help businesses grow their online presence and connect with their audience. They spend their days on tasks like:
- Creating great content. Coming up with fun, engaging social media posts that get people talking and sharing across all social media platforms.
- Community building. Interacting with followers, answering their questions, and making them feel like part of a super cool online family.
- Post scheduling. Planning and scheduling social media content in advance, so there’s always something fresh and interesting to share.
- Tracking success. Keeping an eye on social media stats, figuring out what works and what doesn’t, and tweaking strategies to get even better results.
Niching down even further: Pinterest VA
A Pinterest VA is just like what it sounds — an expert specifically in Pinterest. If you show potential clients that you have a Pinterest strategy that drives traffic and gets results, they’ll be lining up to hire you.
Here’s how to become a Pinterest VA for beginners.
Put yourself in your client’s shoes. If you wanted to grow your Pinterest traffic, would you hire a jack-of-all-trades social media management VA? Or would you want a VA that is lasered in on just one platform?
This is why it often pays to niche down as a virtual assistant.
11. Writing and Editing Virtual Assistants
These VAs’ zone of genius lies in creating awesome content for blogs, websites, podcasts, Youtube channels, and other content marketing materials. They are skilled in:
- Writing. Writing fun articles, blog posts, or marketing copy that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.
- Editing. Going through content, fixing any errors, and making sure everything reads smoothly and clearly.
- Research. Digging up interesting facts and figures to include in content, making it even more engaging and informative.
- Formatting. Giving written pieces a polished, professional look by making sure they’re formatted consistently and look great on the page.
Niching down even further: Podcast VA
Podcasts are all the rage these days. Many companies see the value in starting a podcast, but most don’t have the capacity to manage it themselves.
That’s where you come in — the podcast expert — to save the day.
You can learn a lot about podcast editing and management online, and it is also included in various training programs for virtual assistants.
12. Blogging Virtual Assistants
Blogging virtual assistants are an important piece of the online business assembly line. After content is written, they take over with tasks like:
- Finding the perfect images. Searching for eye-catching photos or graphics that complement blog content and make it even more appealing.
- Formatting content. Ensuring blog posts are well-structured, easy to read, and look great on any device.
- Uploading to WordPress. Adding new blog posts to the website and taking care of all the technical details so everything looks professional.
Niching down even further: AI image VA
As AI image creation gains popularity, we no longer have to waste time sifting through thousands of images to find what we’re looking for. Companies can now “create” the exact image they need.
The problem is, learning how to prompt AI to create what you want takes practice. But if you’re willing to learn, it is a valuable skill to offer clients.
13. Event Planning Virtual Assistants
Event planning virtual assistants organize and coordinate events, from small gatherings to large conferences. They are skilled in:
- Venue scouting. Finding the perfect spot for events, whether it’s a cozy meeting space or a big, fancy ballroom.
- Organizing all the details. Taking care of everything from invitations and catering to decorations and entertainment, making sure every event is one to remember.
- Keeping everyone on track. Managing timelines, budgets, and to-do lists, so nothing falls through the cracks and events go off without a hitch.
- Handling RSVPs and guest lists. Keeping track of who’s coming, making sure they have all the info they need, and helping guests feel welcome and excited about the event.
Niching down even further: Conference Coordinator VA
A conference coordinator VA manages the planning and execution of conferences. They handle tasks like venue selection, speaker coordination, and marketing.
Your main job is to make sure the event leaves a lasting impression on everyone that attends.
Which types of virtual assistant jobs are right for you?
As you can see, there are TONS of types of virtual assistants.
For a new VA, this can actually be a bit intimidating.
The good news is, you’re not locked into any decision you make.
As a virtual assistant, you can sample different types of gigs, then double down on what you like best.
Before making your choice, it also helps to look at some of the pros and cons of being a VA as well as recent virtual assistant trends and statistics.
If you want to get started ASAP, I recommend choosing a service that you already know how to do (even if it’s not the highest-paid option).
Once you get your foot in the door, you can gradually expand to higher-paying opportunities.
If you’re struggling to land clients or aren’t sure which virtual assistant type is best for you, check out this free training on becoming a booked-out VA.
Mitch is your typical nomadic backpacker. Or at least, he was. But after stopping in Colombia to take “one week” of salsa lessons, his life took a sharp left turn. He met a cute Colombian girl in dance class, fell in love, and got married. Over half a decade has passed since he left his career to travel the world as a digital nomad, and he’s never looked back.
Nowadays, he’s the blogger behind Project Untethered — where he runs an awesome email newsletter and Youtube channel teaching adventure-craved wanderlusters how to escape the rat race, earn money from anywhere, and build an “untethered life”.
His advice has been featured in Forbes, USA Today, Yahoo, MSN, Reader’s Digest, Condé Nast Traveler, and more.
Mitch's Travel Recommendations:
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Going Cheap Flights Newsletter - Get flight deals from your airport up to 90% off sent straight to your inbox.
Safetywing Insurance - This cheap travel insurance has saved me over $15,000 in medical bills.
Booking.com - Book accommodation without adding your credit card (in case you need to cancel).
Trusted House Sitters - Take care of pets in exchange for free (sometimes luxury) accommodation.
Flexjobs - Find remote jobs without having to sift through crappy ones.
Skillshare - Free trial to take unlimited classes that teach digital nomad skills.
Wise - Send and receive money abroad cheaply (great for freelancers).