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Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing. Camille Pissarro

Home > What Does a Virtual Assistant Do?

What Does a Virtual Assistant Do?

9 July 2014

This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Also, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases through them as well.

So what does a virtual assistant do, anyway? Read on to find out!

I get this question sometimes when people ask what I “do” (because being a stay-at-home mom isn’t “doing” something, I guess? πŸ™‚ ). When I tell them that I’m a virtual assistant, or “VA,” the next question I get is something along the lines of “huh?” I actually hesitate to say that I’m a “virtual” assistant because it sounds a little cheesy to me. Like I’m one of those women you find on stock photography sites with a headset and perfectly coiffed hair and makeup ready to take your call! (Sidenote:Β I did wear a headset for a number of years when I did actually do customer service, but I don’t think there has ever been a day in my life that I’ve had perfectly coiffed hair and/or makeup.Β I’m more of the hair-pulled-back-in-a-bun, sweatpants-wearing, sitting-cross-legged-at-my-tiny-desk-in-the-closet, will-never-wear-a-headset-again-if-she-can-help-it kind of “virtual” assistant. And that’s okay by me!)

To ask what a VA (in general) does is kind of like asking what a teacher does. Well, what kind of teacher? What kind of VA? I could try and cover all of the different types of VAs out there, but instead, I’ll give you a little glimpse into what I do as a VA and you can use your imagination for all the other types out there. πŸ™‚

I consider myself a blogger VA (some have relabeled themselves blog assistants or blog helpers). My primary client base consists of bloggers. I have helped real estate agents and Etsy shop owners in the past, but right now I focus on bloggers. I chose this path for a number of reasons, mainly becauseΒ I’ve been blogging myself for half of my life, so I know, to a certain extent, the ins and outs of blogging, and have a good knowledge of the major blogging platforms (eg. WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr, TypePad, Movable Type, etc.). I also have experience doing technical support at a blogging company, which isn’t a bad line to be able to add to my rΓ©sumΓ©.

My jobs vary greatly, especially depending on the clients I’m currently working with. For those who have hired me on a long-term basis, my daily responsibilities, in a nutshell, include the following:

  • filter/respond to emails from site visitors
  • handle various requests from site contributors (eg. updating profiles, changing posting dates, etc.)
  • maintain posting schedulesΒ (for sites that have multiple contributors)
  • minor technical support
  • minor code/mark-up editing
  • moderate/respond to comments
  • approving/denying/paying ebook affiliates
  • post editing
  • page editing
  • creating graphics
  • taking photos
  • ebook compiling/editing
  • ebook promotion/sales
  • sending various reminders to clients
  • maintain various spreadsheets with data pertaining to maintenance of the site

In essence, I’m sort of a catch-all. Whatever needs to be done, I do it. Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive by any means, but you can get a general idea of the types of tasks a long-term blogger VA does. I think the very common items are moderating comments and sorting emails. The rest of the tasks really depend on the blogger you’re working for. I kind of think of myself as a remote secretary where I pay attention to the day-to-day running of the blog, so my clients can focus on the bigger-picture things and be more successful.

For other clients, I’ve been hired for specific projects such as assisting with ebook bundles in whatever capacity needed, creating graphics for blog posts and special promotions, and helping with ebook compilation and editing.

If you’re looking into becoming a blogger VA yourself and aren’t sure what some of this stuff even is, don’t be discouraged! Many of the skills needed to perform the items on this list are easily learned,Β or even picked up while you’re working on other tasks for clients. The easiest thing you can do just to get a feel for these different tasks is to create your own blog (WordPress.com offers free blogs and is the most common blogging platform right now) and explore. You’d be amazed at what you can learn just by looking around!

To make my job a LOT easier, I’ve found a great little collection of tools on the internet, both free and some paid, that have been absolutely invaluable to me in my business. I think I would actually go bonkers if I didn’t have these at my disposal.

Resources

  • WordPressΒ (free) – If you’re looking into becoming a blogger VA, knowledge of this is an absolute must. Most bloggers use this platform, or, if they don’t already, are planning on moving to it. As I already mentioned, WordPress.com offers free blogs, but if you want to explore more of the technical side of blogging with WordPress, I’d recommend getting your own domain and website (I use DreamHost as it’s one of the more affordable options). You can then installΒ Wordpress for yourself and learn about the various plugins (Akismet and WP-Affiliate being two very popular ones, among others, for bloggers) and themes that may not be available on WordPress.com.
  • Photoshop ElementsΒ ($70)Β (orΒ Adobe Photoshop, which you can get as part of the Adobe Photography Plan for $9.99/month – TOTALLY worth it!) – if you’re going to offer graphic design services to clients, I recommend using PS Elements or Photoshop. You can use things like Canva or PicMonkey, but these programs don’t offer the customization and high level of quality that you’ll get with Elements or Photoshop. At $9.99/month, Photoshop is now completely affordable for most people, especially as this can be considered a business expense for tax purposes (though you should confirm with your accountant on that). If nothing else, use Elements which is a one-time cost of $150Β and is also somewhat easier to learn.
  • Code AcademyΒ (free) – If you’re wanting to learn more about writing HTML, CSS, PHP, Javascript, and other types of code and mark-up, you can “enroll” in these very short, easy-to-use, online tutorials. They range from very basic mark-up (like how to make links in HTML), to more complex stuff.
  • Harvest (free for 1 user, 2 projects, 4 clients, and unlimited invoices – $12+/month after that) – I use this for my invoicing, keeping track of expenses, and keeping track of hours. I honestly have no idea how I would handle the financial side of my business without it.
  • Dropbox (free up to 2GB of space) – This is great for sharing large or many files and collaborating on projects with clients. Even if you aren’t looking into becoming a VA, Dropbox is still helpful for sharing files (like pictures) with family and friends.
  • Genesis ($59.95) – Simply put, this is the very best theme framework you can get for WordPress. This is absolutely not necessary by any means, but if you’d like to make a professional website to advertise your services, this is a great place to start.
  • Studiopress ($499.95) – Definitely not a must, but this is a great set of themes that run on the Genesis framework. Every so often they have a fantastic sale where you can get all the themes (and any future ones they release) for a low price.
  • Restored 316 (various) – If you’re looking for just a single, beautiful, feminine theme to advertise your own services, I absolutely love Lauren’s designs and their very user-friendly and easy to set up! My blog currently uses one of her themes.
  • AsanaΒ (free)Β – I use this to keep track of projects and tasks that I’m currently working on for clients.
  • Google DriveΒ (free) – Another good tool for collaboration with clients. In particular, the spreadsheet tool has been invaluable.
  • Google CalendarΒ (free) – Great for keeping track of deadlines and posting schedules.
  • Creative Market – This is where I get my pre-made graphics, fonts, etc. They also give away several items for free each week and offer just generally high-quality products.
  • Unsplash (free) – Great for finding free, beautiful stock photography for making things like blog headers and Pinterest images.

If you’re interested in becoming a VA for bloggers and can offer a service like one of the options mentioned above, reach out to a few of your favorite bloggers to see if they’re in need of any help. This is how I got my very first job as a virtual assistant and though it didn’t work out right away, eventually my name made it to another blogger who was looking for a VA and the rest is history!

This job is pretty much perfect for me in so many ways and I am so, so thankful for the opportunity to earn a little extra income and do something that I truly enjoy, while still being able to stay home with my babies. πŸ™‚

Related Posts

  • A Blogging History
  • A Blogging History
  • A Day in my Life...(20 March 2013).

Life, Reb, Virtual Assisting
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Hello! I'm Rebecca. Wife to E, homeschooling mother to B and C, and currently living in Colorado. I have a degree in art history and find joy in being able to offer art-related resources to homeschooling families as well as a gentle, Charlotte Mason-Inspired Kindergarten Curriculum. I also share our own homeschooling journey in the hope that it can be a help to others! Read More…

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  • Western Region NPS Junior Ranger Programs (AZ, CA, NV)
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  • My Favorite Resources for Charlotte Mason Homeschooling: Art and Handicrafts

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Summer is almost over, but there's still some time Summer is almost over, but there's still some time for more adventures! It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of our National Park Service. In particular, I love the Junior Ranger Program they offer, and any family vacations we take usually revolve around going to new parks and collecting more Junior Ranger badges for B and C. The parks are one of my happy places, and I love visiting them.​​​​​​​​
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The Park Service does have a page with a list of Junior Ranger programs at different parks, but in the past, it has not been complete, and I like to see them broken down by state and region. So this week on the blog, I thought I'd offer a list of all the Junior Ranger programs at parks in the Western region, which includes Arizona, California, and Nevada. I'm also including an interactive map so you can figure out which ones are closest to you. If you happen to be taking a vacation this summer in any of these states, I highly recommend stopping at a park to earn a badge!​​​​​​​​
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You can find the list at the link in my profile!
"It is well that we should choose our authors with "It is well that we should choose our authors with judgment, as we choose our friends, and then wait upon them respectfully to hear what they have to say to us" (Charlotte Mason, Philosophy of Education). One of my favorite CM quotes. πŸ˜Šβ€‹β€‹β€‹β€‹β€‹β€‹β€‹β€‹
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Patreon friends, your monthly printables are ready!​​​​​​​​
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#charlottemason #charlottemasonquotes
"For we are an overwrought generation, running to "For we are an overwrought generation, running to nerves as a cabbage runs to seed; and every hour spent in the open is a clear gain, tending to the increase of brain power and bodily vigour, and to the lengthening of life itself. They who know what it is to have fevered skin and throbbing brain deliciously soothed by the cool touch of the air are inclined to make a new rule of life, Never be within doors when you can rightly be without." Charlotte Mason (Home Education)​​​​​​​​
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I like to revisit this entire quote in Home Education every so often because what she said was true in 1886 is also acutely accurate today: we are an overwrought generation. And it feels that each successive generation is becoming more so. I know that when I feel overwhelmed and think there is no time for a hike or a walk or even some time out in the backyard with my feet in the grass, that is precisely when I need those things the most. I have experienced firsthand the calming effects of being out in nature, away from screens and radios and all the distractions this world shoves in our faces. I think her suggestion for a new rule of life is an excellent one.​​​​​​​​
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This has become my favorite hiking shirt, and it's available in my shop! You can find it at the link in my profile!​​​​​​​​
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#charlottemason #charlottemasonquotes #homeschoollife #homeschoolingfamily #homeschoolgear #charlottemasonhomeschool #charlottemasoneducation"
"Musical Appreciation, of course, has nothing to d "Musical Appreciation, of course, has nothing to do with playing the piano. It used to be thought that 'learning music' must mean this, and it was supposed that children who had no talent for playing were unmusical and would not like concerts. But Musical Appreciation had no more to do with playing an instrument than acting had to do with an appreciation of Shakespeare, or painting with enjoyment of pictures. I think that all children should take Musical Appreciation and not only the musical ones, for it has been proved that only three per cent of children are what is called 'tone-deaf'; and if they are taken at an early age it is astonishing how children who appear to be without ear, develop it and are able to enjoy listening to music with understanding." Charlotte Mason (Philosophy of Education)​​​​​​​​
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Continuing with the series I began in April listing my favorite resources for Charlotte Mason homeschooling, this week I'm sharing my favorite resources for music! This includes composer study, folksongs, and hymns. You can find it at the link in my profile!​​​​​​​​
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#charlottemason #charlottemasonhomeschool #charlottemasoneducation #charlottemasonmusic #charlottemasoncomposerstudy #composerstudy
If Vincent van Gogh had what he considered a "happ If Vincent van Gogh had what he considered a "happy place," this bedroom in the yellow house at Arles was one of them. About it he wrote in 1888: β€œThis time it’s simply my bedroom, but the colour has to do the job here, and through its being simplified by giving a grander style to things, to be suggestive here of rest or of sleep in general. In short, looking at the painting should rest the mind, or rather, the imagination.​​​​​​​​
The walls are of a pale violet. The floor β€” is of red tiles.​​​​​​​​
The bedstead and the chairs are fresh butter yellow.​​​​​​​​
The sheet and the pillows very bright lemon green. The blanket scarlet red.​​​​​​​​
The window green.​​​​​​​​
The dressing table orange, the basin blue.​​​​​​​​
The doors lilac.​​​​​​​​
And that’s all β€” nothing in this bedroom, with its shutters closed.​​​​​​​​
The solidity of the furniture should also now express unshakeable repose. Portraits on the wall, and a mirror and a hand-towel and some clothes.​​​​​​​​
The frame β€” as there’s no white in the painting β€” will be white.”​​​​​​​​
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After he left Arles and admitted himself to an asylum in 1889, he revisited this room in his imagination and repainted it two more times.​​​​​​​​
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I made a picture study video walking through this piece a few years ago that you can find at the link in my profile. I also have a Vincent van Gogh Picture Study Aid and art prints available there as well!​​​​​​​​
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#charlottemason #charlottemasoneducation #charlottemasonhomeschool #charlottemasonpicturestudy #picturestudy #arthistoryforhomeschoolers #homeschoolarthistory #homeschool #homeschooling
Sealed into an album somewhere in my house is a ph Sealed into an album somewhere in my house is a photograph of an art gallery wall. In the middle of this gold-toned wall is a tiny rectangle with the barely-discernible image of a woman enclosed in it. She is behind thick glass, and her green-hued features are difficult to see in detail at such a distance. However, the lack of proximity is explained by the sea of people in the bottom part of the photograph. Even at that distance, however, her unmistakable form is easily recognized.
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This was as close as I got when I visited the Louvre 23 years ago to a Leonardo da Vinci original. The oft-professed "most famous painting in the world." La Giaconda. The Mona Lisa.
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I would honestly love to see more of his pieces. The only one in all of the Americas is Ginevra de' Benci's pale face at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. I have read in various places, and believe entirely based on what I've seen with paintings by other artists, that reproductions can not even remotely give his originals justice. There is something about experiencing a piece in person, not only the true colors with my own eyes but seeing the brushstrokes. The fingerprints. The work itself.
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Leonardo himself was the ultimate tortured genius, and this is part of what I truly appreciate about him: the frenetic pace of his mind. He moved from one project to another project, from one medium to another medium, from one study to another study, from one city to another city. He was so consumed by the myriad paths his mind traveled that many of his pieces were unfinished. Aside from the creations we have in his journals, had he been gifted with more regular patrons or even a little more self-discipline, it's incredible to think about the things he may have accomplished.
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Today I'm excited to announce that I am now offering a Leonardo da Vinci Picture Study Aid and art prints! You can find it at the link in my profile!
A month or two ago, I posted about how I've been a A month or two ago, I posted about how I've been adding more recipes from Nourishing Traditions to my meal plan lately. It's a book I've had for over a decade now, but there are still so many recipes I haven't tried.​​​​​​​​
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In that same post, a few of you asked what some of my favorite recipes from that book are and I tried to list them in the comments, but I don't think IG liked how long it was. πŸ₯΄ So, I'm replying with pictures of the tried-and-true recipes we've been using from Nourishing Traditions for several years!​​​​​​​​
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Today's is breakfast. Clockwise from the left we have homemade yog(h)urt (p. 85) which is what my kids get with their breakfast. We top it with honey from a local beekeeper for the added seasonal allergy benefits. On the top is milk kefir (p. 86) which is what I have with my breakfast or first thing in the morning if it'll be a while before we have breakfast. For both of these, I use vat-pasteurized milk (Kalona Supernatural Whole Milk) because our raw milk is pretty expensive and the yogurt is being heated anyway. (I do have a recipe for raw milk yogurt on my website if you're interested in that too!)​​​​​​​​
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On the bottom is oatmeal (p. 455). I soak this in water and a little kefir overnight in our microwave which is above our stove and stays nice and warm from the stove surface light. In the morning, I dump it all in a pan, cook it until it's thick, add a pat of butter and 1 tb of ground flax seeds and mix it together until the butter melts. I then scoop it into bowls and add more butter, then everyone can add however much cinnamon or maple syrup they want.​​​​​​​​
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This isn't all we have with breakfast, but these are the specific recipes from Nourishing Traditions that we have nearly every day!​​​​​​​​
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#nourishingtraditions #westonaprice #wapf
I am a firm believer that the kindergarten year sh I am a firm believer that the kindergarten year should not be complicated. In fact, there is a lot of evidence that suggests taking a "better late than early" approach to beginning more formal lessons with your kids is more beneficial to them than starting too early. (I linked to a post on my website about this last month with the studies I found, but it's back up at the link in my profile if you're interested in reading it!)​​​​​​​​
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You’ve probably heard the saying that childhood is not a race, and this is especially true for kindergarten. Children at this age don’t need worksheets, flashcards, and standardized tests, they need unstructured time (especially outside!), open-ended toys, art supplies, and good books read to them. They need to be allowed to take in the world in their own ways. They need to be allowed to be little kids for a little while longer.​​​​​​​​
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With all this in mind, I feel like we kind of need a kindergarten revolution to break away from the idea that we have to do "all the things" during the kindergarten year. If you're interested in how simple it can be, I have a printable book list available on my website to help you build your own kindergarten year! You can find it at the link in my profile!​​​​​​​​
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(Also, the 2022-2023 Charlotte Mason-Inspired Kindergarten Curriculum is back in stock! Those on the waitlist should've received an email notification. You can also find it at the link in my profile!)​​​​​​​​
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#charlottemason #charlottemasonhomeschool #charlottemasoneducation #charlottemasonkindergarten #cminspiredkindergarten #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolingkindergarten #kindergartenhomeschool
"...we know that the human hand is a wonderful and "...we know that the human hand is a wonderful and exquisite instrument to be used in a hundred movements exacting delicacy, direction and force; every such movement is a cause of joy as it leads to the pleasure of execution and the triumph of success. We begin to understand this and make some efforts to train the young in the deft handling of tools and the practice of handicrafts. Some day, perhaps, we shall see apprenticeship to trades revived, and good and beautiful work enforced. In so far, we are laying ourselves out to secure that each shall 'live his life'; and that, not at his neighbour's expense; because, so wonderful is the economy of the world that when a man really lives his life he benefits his neighbour as well as himself; we all thrive in the well-being of each." Charlotte Mason (Philosophy of Education)​​​​​​​​
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I love, love, love this quote, especially the last part...."not at his neighbor's expense." ❀️​​​​​​​​
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Continuing with the series I started in April going over our favorite resources for Charlotte Mason homeschooling, this week I wrote about art (a subject dear to my heart!) and handicrafts! You can find read all about it at the link in my profile!​​​​​​​​
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#charlottemason #charlottemasoneducation #charlottemasonhomeschool #picturestudy #handicrafts #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolhandicrafts

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