To be a successful Virtual Assistant, you need to learn the right skills. Skills that are in-demand right now. In this post, you’ll discover what those leading skills are and where you can learn them.
I’m going to introduce you to the most in-demand Virtual Assistant skills you should know so you can be on the fast-track to having a career that not only pays well but can be done anywhere.
Not only will you discover what those skills are, you’ll see where to learn them.
– Some are free.
– Some you have to buy.
– All cover specific skills.
– All of them are in-demand right now.
But first, how do I know these skills are in high demand ?
I took a hard look at the needs of prospective clients – businesses and individuals. Because, after all, they’re the ones who need to have stuff done and they’re willing to pay. So, I looked on freelance platforms to see what services are in need. I also scoured through several Virtual Assistant companies to see what services they advertise they provide.
Disclosure: I proudly affiliate myself with some of the resources mentioned in this article. If you buy something through the links on this page I may get a small commission…at no extra charge to you. Thanks !
The Most In-Demand Virtual Assistant Skills
Here are 8 Virtual Assistant skills in-demand right now – plus where to get the online training you need to become a Pro:
- Blog Management
- Content Creation for Blogs
- Podcast and YouTube Editing and Management
- Social Media Management
- Online Outreach
- Email Marketing and Management
- Online Marketing
- Financial services
Here’s Where You Can Learn Virtual Assistant Skills
#1 Blog Management
Blog management is a pretty wide-spread job, where you manage post publication dates, search engine optimization (SEO), redirections, broken links, and WordPress updates. You may write some blog posts and source images.
Where to Learn how to do Blog Management:
WordPress For Beginners
WordPress is (arguably) the most popular blog management platform, with over 455 million websites and blogs using the platform.
So, if you know WordPress, you can easily manage blogs.
What the Course Covers:
This online course walks you through the steps to starting a WordPress blog and covers everything you need to know to successfully manage that blog, including:
- A tour or WordPress.
- How to install WordPress on your computer without having to buy hosting or a domain name.
- How to install WordPress on a host account (ie: your client’s).
- WordPress settings, plugins and themes
- Navigation and security of a WordPress blog
- Site structure
Then, you’ll go through the process of setting up a real blog and adding posts, images, and working with plugins.
Check out WordPress For Beginners here.
#2 Content Creation for Blogs
Being a Content Creator is similar to Blog Management (see #1) but you’re a little more in the nuts and bolts here. You write blog posts, source and create images, perform keyword research and organize the structure of articles.
Where to Learn Content Creation for Blogs:
Complete Freelance Writing Online Course: Beginner to Pro
Looking through freelance platforms, article writing is a common service offered by Virtual Assistants. But don’t worry…there are more bloggers needing articles than there are good writers.
So yeah…freelance article writing is a VA skill in high demand.
I know for a fact that a lot of bloggers are willing to pay people to write articles for them. I’ve done it in the past and I personally know of many other bloggers who do the same. In fact, the Problogger job board is full of blogs in need of writers.
What the Course Covers:
The only prerequisite for this course is the ability to string a few sentences together. In this online course, you’ll learn…
…How to write effective press releases and distribute them online,
…How to pitch for different types of work and clients,
…How to set up, create, and promote your own professional writer’s website,
…How to write effective blog posts that win and keep regular clients,
…How to make your writing search engine friendly to impress and keep clients,
…How to combine your skills and expertise to offer more value to clients and earn more money.
Check out Complete Freelance Writer Online Course here.
Canva Master Course
It’s no secret that one of the most requested Virtual Assistant service has to do with creating graphics and images. And it’s no wonder, with so many Pinterest boards, social media cover art and blogs that require new and creative images.
And one of the best image design tools out there is Canva, which you can easily learn with this Canva Master Course.
What The Course Covers:
Once you learn the basics and understand all the elements Canva has to offer, you’ll see how to create effective branding and visuals for just about every graphic need.
This 8 hour, 60 lecture video training course covers everything you need to know to create eye-catching images even if you never thought you could be a graphic designer.
Check out Canva Master Course here.
#3 Podcast / YouTube Editor Or Manager
To be able to successfully manage or edit Podcasts and Youtube videos, you need knowledge of the right editing tools. You’ll manage the podcast or YouTube video, doing everything from ensuring the lighting is good to trimming clips as well as fine-tuning audio and perfecting the entire podcast or video.
Where to Learn Podcast / Youtube Editing and Managing:
Premier Pro CC: Video Editing
With over 13,000 students, this course has garnered a 4.6 out of 5 star rating.
And why not ? It goes into great detail showing you how to master the video editing software known as Adobe Premier Pro. Which, by the way, is one of the most widely recognized video editing program used today.
What the Course Covers:
One of the requirements you must meet before taking this course is to have Adobe Premiere Pro installed on their computer so you can follow along and participate in the practice test. And there are a lot of them. Don’t have Premier Pro ? You can get it here.
This online course shows you how to use this editing software, including:
- Understanding the software and what it entails,
- How to stabilize shaky camera syndrome,
- Importing and organizing video clips,
- Keyboard shortcuts,
- Adding and cutting clips
- Adding titles
- Adding audio
- How to export your video.
Check out Premier Pro Video Editing here.
#4 Social Media Management
Social media management is more than posting on social media platforms and creating images for each platform. You need to know how to maintain engagement and manage profiles.
Where to Learn Social Media Management Skills:
Social Media Marketing Mastery
If you want to become a Virtual Assistant specializing in social media skills, this online training course is a great choice.
What the Course Covers:
In this course, you’ll learn the principles and strategies to build highly converting ads on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google, YouTube, LinkedIn, Tumblr, WordPress, Blogger…basically covering any marketing via social media.
The course is over 8 hours, self-paced, and goes into detail about how to optimize 10 of the most popular social media platforms.
I have found that some of the information is pretty basic, like how to set up social media accounts, and some information can be found online. BUT, if you want it all in one place, this course does that.
Check out Social Media Marketing Mastery here.
Certified Facebook Marketing
Facebook is still a top revenue generator for many online businesses, and for Virtual Assistants a highly sought-after skill.
What the Course Covers:
If you have a basic knowledge of Facebook, you can use this course to learn how to brand your client’s business through proper optimization and content creation while identifying your own niche as a Virtual Assistant.
Although this course is directed at growing your brand, all the information can be used on your client’s business. You’ll learn how grow your (client’s) Facebook reach, create engagement strategies, and develop a selling strategy.
Check out Certified Facebook Marketing here.
Facebook Ads Masterclass
This easy to follow course can be used in conjunction with the Certified Facebook Marketing course I mentioned above. In it, you’ll learn the ins-and-outs of creating effective Facebook Ads, such as:
What the Course Covers:
This easy-to-follow online course goes into detail on what makes a perfect ad, including
- How to create ads with proper targeting and well-produced content.
- You’ll learn the different types and formats of ads.
- Hacks for efficient Facebook product marketing
- Location settings for more targeted audience
- Cost caps and why they’re necessary
- How to develop Facebook event interaction engagement ads
Check out Facebook Ads Masterclass here.
Facebook Blueprint (free)
We know that having Facebook skills is a big plus for Virtual Assistants, so what better place to learn all you can about the platform than directly from Facebook ?
What the Course Covers:
The Facebook Blueprint website is a free online training guide designed to walk you through all the steps to advance your VA career. The self-paced courses cover topics on ads, fundraising, growing a business through Facebook, and even growing / advertising with Instagram.
What I like best about the Facebook Blueprint training courses is the fact there are advanced courses in addition to beginner level material.
There’s a lot to learn here…you’ll be reading for days !
Check out Facebook Blueprint here.
Email Marketing Free Certification Course (free)
Offered by Hubspot, a leader in software designed for marketing and sales, this free online course will only take you a little over 3 hours to complete but is full of valuable information. Completing this course will get you going towards being an email marketing pro., teaching you how to create a winning email marketing strategy.
What the Course Covers:
Not only will you learn how to send the right type of email, you’ll learn how to develop relationships via email and be able to test your marketing strategy.
Take a look at Hubspot’s free Email Marketing course here.
#5 Online Outreach
Every business wants a ton of customers and the best way to get them is with outreach. And with online outreach, a business can gain even more customers.
As a Virtual Assistant focusing on Online Outreach, you will do all the lead generating, reaching out to advertisers and sponsors, and engage in conversations with fellow bloggers as a means to boost the customer retention and bottom line of your clients.
Some of the tasks you’ll do include: participating in relevant forums, generating leads, reaching out to advertisers / sponsors, and engaging in conversations with fellow bloggers.
Where to Learn Online Research:
Online Outreach Free Article (free)
Note: even though this is not a training course, it is still a great read.
Take a look at Hubspot’s Online Outreach article here.
#6 Email Marketing and Management
Email Marketing and Management is the process of managing the subscriber list, writing and sending emails to subscribers, and designing email templates. You’ll also draft replies, organize incoming emails, manage spam, flag important emails, and follow-up on emails.
Where to Learn Email Marketing and Management:
The Complete Mailchimp Email Marketing Course
Mailchimp, used by millions of blog and website owners to garner more sales for their businesses, is an email marketing service all Virtual Assistant should know how to use.
What the Course Covers:
This course will teach you the principals and strategies used to build email marketing campaigns and is frequently updated to flow with the changes in Mailchimp.
The self-paced, 4 hour long course goes into great detail on how to use Mailchimp…more info. than I was able to find online for free.
Check out The Complete Mailchimp Email Marketing Course here.
SPI’s Epic Guide To Email Marketing (free)
Email marketing is an in-demand Virtual Assistant skill that many bloggers happily pay to have managed.
And arguably one of the best resources is SPI’s (SmartPassiveIncome.com) email marketing guide.
What the Course Covers:
The 7 chapters are well organized and easy to follow, focusing on how to market products and services to an audience through email. With lessons covering tips, mistakes to avoid, email marketing tools, and why having an email list and sending out an occasional email isn’t enough to support a business, you’re bound to learn A LOT.
This course was created to improve your email marketing strategy BUT all the information can be used with any business wanting to improve their email marketing tactics.
Check out SPI’s epic email marketing course here.
#7 Online Marketing
Online Marketing is an in-demand Virtual Assistant skill that is not going away any time soon. You’ll create landing pages, create sales pages, manage promotions and new product launches, create brochures, and set-up paid advertising campaigns.
Where to Learn how To Do Online Marketing:
Intro. To Online Marketing
This is a thorough, 18+ hour long online marketing training tutorial geared for first-time online marketers and it goes into detail on everything you need to know.
What the Course Covers:
You’ll learn marketing techniques for:
- Social media platforms
- SEO
- Google ads
- Youtube
- Podcasts
And you’ll also learn:
- How to do website sales copy
- How to write press releases
- How to get involved with influencer marketing
- How to perform online review management
Find the Intro. to Online Marketing course here
Affilliate Marketing Bootcamp
Affilliate marketing is one of the most sought-after virtual assistant services because it requires a lot of expertice.
What the Course Covers:
In this 3 hour long course, you’ll not only learn what affilliate marketing is, but you’ll see the best ways to use it to generate online traffic that’s willing to spend money.
There are 8 lectures in total, designed to show you only the things you need to know. Each lecture gives you the basics so that you can start your journey the right way with a very solid foundation.
Check out Affilliate Marketing Bootcamp here
#8 Finance
Anything related to finance, including forecasting, tax, basic accounting, and bookkeeping is a popular request for Virtual Assistants. If you have experience in finance, such as processing payments and preparing tax forms, this is a great opportunity for you.
Where to Learn How to Be a Finance Virtual Assistant:
Complete Finance Bookkeeping And Accounting
What the Course Covers:
If you’re looking for a well-organized online course to learn the fundamentals of bookkeeping and accounting, this one has you covered. I will say this though: bookkeeping is boring. And so is this course. But stick with it and you’ll learn a lot.
Check out Complete Finance Bookkeeping And Accounting here.
How To Pick Your VA Service Niche
It’s really simple to pick your service niche and only takes a minute or two.
Start by taking another look at the services I listed and answer these questions:
- What can do?
- What do you like to do?
- What do you want to do?
- What are willing to learn to do?
Then, decide if you need complete training or you can jump right into a specific skill.
Learn How To Become A Virtual Assistant From The Ground-Up:
Starting with the best Virtual Assistant training programs – the ones that walk you step-by-step through the process from inception to getting paid – these resources will fast-track your VA career as you learn from those who have gone through “it all”
Complete Virtual Assistant Courses
Note: If you want to know which ‘complete’ Virtual Assistant course is right for you, this post details my side-by-side comparison of the best Virtual Assistant courses.
#1, Least expensive and geared towards complete beginners
Work From Home As A Virtual Assistant
When it comes to well-established Virtual Assistants, the creator of this course – Tina Hilton – is one of the best. She’s been doing VA work since 2007 and even has a successful VA coaching business where she helps people learn valuable Virtual Assistant skills.
Her top-rated course, Work From Home As A Virtual Assistant, shows you how to launch your VA business with easy-to-follow modules.
What the Course Covers:
You’ll learn the steps to prepare for your first client, how to best equip your office, and all the essentials for creating your business like setting your rates and finding your VA niche.
The time-saving client intake, assessment, and consultation forms offer even more value, making this course well worth the price (which is currently $12.99).
Check out Work From Home As A Virtual Assistant here.
#2,All-inclusive VA training that goes into detail about everything, including service niche training
Fully Booked VA
If you want to know how to start a Virtual Assistant business from the ground up, this is the course for you.
Considered to be the heavy-weight of all the virtual assistant training courses available, Fully Booked VA was created by a virtual assistant who has been instructing successful VA’s since 2011.
What the Course Covers:
This virtual assistant course is geared towards total beginners and was re-vamped to include a ton of actionable material that used to be sold separately.
LOADED with information, this online course walks you step-by-step through the entire process to set up a successful VA business.
Some of the things you’ll learn are:
- Where and how to get clients (what are the right job boards and which social groups have job postings).
- How to make money as a VA, including how to set your prices and offer services.
- Examples to help you figure out an ideal niche.
- How to choose your specialty and write your VA resume.
- The importance of creating an online presence and how to do it.
- Cold pitching know-how including templates and best practice tips.
How to work with clients….the good, the bad, and the ugly.
There are plenty of checklists, quizzes and templates that’ll eliminate a lot of the guesswork while guiding you through pitching your services, creating client contracts, and onboarding new clients.
And…
…Fully Booked VA also includes a job leads community where new virtual assistants can get leads to clients and seek advice from ‘seasoned’ VAs.
The price for this course is subscription-based, at $199.00 a month or $1195.00 a year…and there often are price discounts !
Although it may seem expensive, a lot of people claim they make their money back within a few weeks, like this new VA’s:
Check out Fully Booked VA here.
#3, Thorough training that teaches how to start a VA business from absolutely nothing to $10,000 a month.
$10K VA
Kayla Sloan is a real live virtual assistant who has been in “the business” for several years. She created the course $10K VA so aspiring Virtual Assistants can follow the exact process she used to earn up to $10,000 a month doing virtual assistant work.
What the Course Covers:
Laid out well, this course has 3 training packages that contain at least 7 modules, broken down into several lessons:
- Basic package, which has 7 modules and covers what you need to know to start a VA business, find jobs, price your services and build client relationships.
- Standard package, with all the modules of the Basic package plus 3 1/2 hours of interviews with other VA that offer insight and great tips.
- Pro package, which has everything from the Standard package plus two one-on-one calls with Kayla Sloan, the course creator, AND access to her connections to find clients.
$10K VA is pretty thorough, with most of what you need to know in the basic package. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised that it covered how to find VA jobs in the basic package…like, where to look for jobs, how to make a great pitch, and how to get more clients.
The price of $497.00 is pretty comparable to the few other complete VA training courses.
The one main con I have with this course is this: there is NO return policy. There’s no guarantee you’ll make a lot of money, but Kayla Sloan, the creator, can guarantee it’s possible to earn at least $10,000.00 a month because she claims she does it.
Check out $10K VA here.
#4, A very popular Virtual Assistant training program that goes into great detail to make sure you’re a success.
The Savvy System
Created by Abbey Ashley, this self-paced Virtual Assistant training program gives you step-by-step instructions to launch your VA business. You’ll receive the infrastructure and hand-holding to get your butt in gear and start making pretty good money.
What the Course Covers:
This course consists of 3 main segments with 102 classes covering how to launch, grow and scale your new Virtual Assistant business. Some of the highlights are:
- The course is easy to navigate, even through the numerous topics and sections.
- Abbey doesn’t just throw you to the wolves; she helps you nail down the services you should offer based on your skills and talents.
- There are action steps after most sections so you can get a ‘virtual’ hands-on feel of how things work.
- The Facebook group is very active with many current VA’s giving supportive tips and feedback. Abbey even does some live events.
- Because Abbey, the creator of the course, wants you to succeed, she’s very present in the Facebook group.
But there are some cons, for example:
- It’s only open a few times a year.
- It’s expensive…even though it’s very thorough.
This VA training course is expensive, at $997.00…BUT it’ll cover everything. You can opt to make payments of $97.00 / month, which is a lot more do-able than one large chunk, if ya ask me !
Check out The Savvy System here.
Learn The Right Virtual Assistant Tools You Need
Now that you know the most in-demand Virtual Assistant skills, it’s time to go over the best resources to get the right tools so you can be a successful VA.
#1, VA Toolbox
This is the companion to the Savvy System VA training program and includes a lot of great information about tools that every VA should have, including several contracts and templates you’ll need to legally cover and protect your business.
At a price of $97.00, I think it’s a good investment for new Virtual Assistants who have not gone through any paid training.
Check out The VA Toolbox here.
#2, Must Have Tools For Virtual Assistants
This is an inexpensive resource to learn more than the basic tools needed to be a valuable VA. Erin Booth, the creator, has been in the Virtual Assistant business for over a decade, specializing in high-end travel arrangements for clients. Her course is over 3 hours long and goes over the most widely used apps and online tools to help you with:
What the Course Covers:
Recently updated, this online course covers a ton of tools every Virtual Assistant should have and know how to use to become a successful Virtual Assistant.
- Creating contracts
- Time tracking
- Security
- Finances
- Calendar and scheduling
- Communication
- Social Media
- Spreadsheets
- Project Management
If you’re new to the VA industry and a little overwhelmed trying to figure out all the right tools, this course has you covered.
It has tutorials that show you how to set up accounts for each tool and what makes each product so unique and handy. The course is designed so you can follow along, create your accounts and learn the basics of how each tool functions.
Check out Must Have Tools For Virtual Assistants here.
Free Virtual Assistant Catch-All Courses:
Become A Booked-Out Virtual Assistant
The first Virtual Assistant training webinar I thought was worthy of this list is this one from Abbey Ashley, creator of The Savvy System (see above). She’s been a VA since 2013 and – while on maternity leave – was able to double her corporate salary within a month
This webinar is over an hour long…and I listened to the entire thing. To be honest, though, I fast-forwarded through the first 6 minutes while she did her “hellos”, introductions, and VA basics.
This webinar does cover quite a lot of information, starting with showing how to “up level” yourself as a Virtual Assistant by offering high-end services.
She goes into these topics:
- Choosing a niche
- Devouring your subject
- Identifying your dream client
- Creating your proposal
- Why you should NOT ask for the sale
I gotta say, this workshop is pretty thorough and definitely worth the time. Not only that, she’s fun to listen to !
The Virtual Assistant Business Jumpstart
Another great free resources from Abbey Ashley of The Virtual Savvy, is this VA Business Jumpstart livestream. Although the livestream is only ‘live’ a few times a year, you can get all the replays via email…which I recommend doing. Simply sign up to receive the emails here: free 5-day VA Business Jumpstart.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
– Lesson One: 2020 Goal Planning
– Lesson Two: Do I have what it takes to start my own business?
– Lesson Three: Revolutionize Your Time in 2020
– Lesson Four: The WORST Business Mistakes You Could Make in 2020
– Lesson Five: Virtual Assistance: The Ultimate Crash Course
Also, at the end of the email, is a simple checklist that quickly walks you through the things you need to consider when starting your VA business.
NOTE: The 5-day VA Business Live Stream isn’t always ‘open’ but you can get all the information via email by signing up here: VA Business Jumpstart
The VA Handbook
Created by Joanne Munro from the UK, this blog contains a LOT of no-nonsense, straight-to-the point blog posts that’ll teach you a ton of Virtual Assistant skills.
Basically, everything you need to know to become a Virtual Assistant.
But that’s the downside…because it’s a blog all about becoming a Virtual Assistant, there’s a lot of reading. Fortunately, one article links to another creating a nice flow of information.
In addition to the tips you’ll read about in the blog posts, The VA Handbook offers several downloads and training courses, which go into greater detail about starting and running a VA business. Some are free and some for a small fee.
If you don’t mind going through a ton of information, this blog is for you. If you feel this blog is too overwhelming, then feel free to check out some of the other items I listed above.
Learn VA Skills With These Online Courses and Start Making More Money
A lot can be learned from other Virtual Assistants and marketing professionals who have already made their way in their field. These hand-picked training courses cover a lot of the skills you need to start making your way, too.
After all, it’s easier to follow someone who’s already been successful than try to muddle you way on your own.
Are you ready to start working as a Virtual Assistant ? Still thinking about it ?
Either way, leave a message below to let me know.
