Is Virtual Assistant a Good Side Hustle? How to Decide if It’s Right for You
Athika Rahma
SEO Specialist Virtual Assistant at SGBVA
It’s no secret that earning a decent income is essential to living a better life and enjoying the things we love. Often, one income stream isn’t enough, which is why many people turn to side hustles.
One of the most popular side hustles today is becoming a Virtual Assistant (VA). You’ve probably heard this term on various platforms. As a VA, you have the opportunity to work remotely from anywhere. But the question is: is virtual assistant a good side hustle?
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The Opportunity of Becoming a VA
To determine whether becoming a VA is a good side hustle, it’s important to first understand what a virtual assistant does. A virtual assistant is a remote worker who provides administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients, either part-time or full-time. VAs offer their expertise to help businesses meet their needs.
So, is it like being a personal assistant, but online? Not exactly.
There are many types of VA roles, including:
- Social Media Management (SMM) VA: Helps public figures or businesses promote their products or services on social media, building engagement with ideal clients or customers.
- Administrative Task VA: Assists busy individuals (such as business owners or people juggling multiple projects) by managing their administrative tasks.
- Project Management VA: Helps businesses manage their client projects efficiently.
- Email Marketing VA: Supports business growth through email marketing campaigns.
- Lead Generation VA: Helps businesses generate consumer interest in products or services with the goal of converting interest into sales.
And that’s just the beginning! There are many more opportunities in this growing field.
The Growing Demand for VAs
With so many types of VA work, is there really a high demand for virtual assistants?
According to a report by INSIDEA, the global virtual assistant market is projected to reach $25.63 billion by 2025, with an impressive annual growth rate of 30%. This growth is being driven by several key factors:
- More Remote Businesses Than Ever Before
These days, more and more companies are going remote or adopting hybrid work setups, and that’s where virtual assistants (VAs) come in handy. Businesses still need help but often don’t want the hassle of hiring a full-time person to work in an office. That’s why VAs are becoming a go-to solution—companies can get the support they need without the commitment of a full-time hire.
- The Gig Economy Is Booming
With so many people looking for flexible work, the gig economy is bigger than ever, and VAs are right at the center of it. Virtual assistants offer their services on a freelance or contract basis, which is a win-win for both sides. Companies can hire a VA just when they need one—for specific projects or tasks—without any long-term obligation. This is especially appealing for startups and small businesses that have fluctuating workloads.
- A More Affordable Option
One of the biggest perks of hiring a VA is that it’s often cheaper than bringing on a full-time employee. For businesses in countries with high labor costs, hiring a VA from places like the Philippines, India, or Indonesia can be a real money-saver. It’s a cost-effective way to get the help they need without breaking the bank.
- Demand for Specialized Skills Is on the Rise
The role of a VA has grown way beyond just managing emails or scheduling. Now, businesses are looking for VAs with specialized skills like digital marketing, social media management, content creation, and project management. As more companies rely on digital tools to grow, they need talented VAs who can help manage these important areas.
- A Lifeline for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur, you know what it’s like to juggle a million things at once. From marketing to customer service to handling finances, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Hiring a VA can be a game-changer—it frees up your time so you can focus on growing your business and working on the big-picture stuff, while the VA handles the daily tasks. No wonder so many entrepreneurs are turning to VAs for help.
- Saving Time Where It Counts
Business owners, especially those in startups, often find themselves buried in routine tasks like managing emails, scheduling meetings, and handling customer service. It can eat up hours of your day. This is where VAs step in, taking on those time-consuming jobs so owners can focus on more important things, like innovation and strategic decisions. The more business owners see how much time they save with a VA, the more popular this service becomes.
- The World Is Your Talent Pool
Thanks to globalization, businesses aren’t limited to hiring people in their local area anymore. They can now tap into a global pool of talent, meaning they can find the perfect VA from anywhere in the world. For virtual assistants, especially those in developing countries, this opens up huge opportunities to work with clients across the globe. It’s a big reason why VA services are booming internationally.
Why Now is the Right Time to Start VA Business
Given the growing demand for virtual assistants, now is the perfect time to start your VA business. You can build your brand and develop your skills, so you’re ready to take full advantage of the booming VA market as it continues to expand.
Before 2025, you have the chance to establish yourself in this rapidly growing industry. As businesses increasingly rely on virtual support, those who are well-prepared with the right skills and experience will have a competitive edge. Whether you’re skilled in administrative support, social media, project management, or other specialized areas, there’s a high demand for your services.
The growing market, combined with the flexibility and freedom that comes with being a VA, makes it one of the most attractive and viable side hustles today!
How Much Can You Earn as a VA?
Virtual assistants play a key role in a business’s overall strategy. Their tasks vary widely based on the client’s needs, which means that earnings can differ significantly.
Factors that affect a VA’s earnings include:
- Experience and reputation
- Specialized skills
- Type and complexity of the project
- Software and equipment needed
- Market demand
- Geographical location
For example, tasks like digital marketing, which require specialized skills, typically command higher fees than basic administrative support. In Southeast Asia, basic administrative tasks might pay between $5 and $10 per hour, while more specialized services, like digital marketing or project management, can earn between $10 and $25 per hour.
If you’re wondering how to set your rates as a VA, check out our article here where we provide a detailed guide on calculating your potential earnings, conducting market analysis, and determining your Minimum Acceptable Rate (MAR)!
So, Is Virtual Assistant a Good Side Hustle?
By now, you know the different types of VA work, the demand for VAs, and the earning potential. So, is virtual assistant a good side hustle?
According to the same INSIDEA research, 59% of virtual assistants are employed full-time, while 41% are part-time or freelance. Many VA roles, such as Digital Marketing VAs, require full-time commitment to handle tasks like campaigns across multiple platforms. Others, like Project Management VAs, manage client projects on a daily basis.
However, if you’re already employed full-time or can only dedicate a few hours per day, there are plenty of VA opportunities that only require 2-4 hours of work daily. Even with limited hours, being a VA can still be highly profitable.
For instance, many VAs in Indonesia earn a significant income working part-time for foreign clients. If they charge $10 per hour and work three hours a day, they can make $600 per month, which is more than the minimum wage in many major cities in Indonesia.
Similarly, VAs in Malaysia and Singapore earn substantial income by working with clients from the US, Europe, and other countries with stronger currencies. Specialized services like Digital Marketing, Lead Generation, and Email Marketing also offer higher income potential.
So, if you ask whether being a VA is a good side hustle or not, the answer is YES, IT’S A PERFECT SIDE HUSTLE! Moreover, being a VA can transform your entire career if you choose to focus on it full-time!
How to Start Earning as a VA
If you’re interested in earning more as a virtual assistant but don’t know where to start, consider joining our free webinar. In this webinar, you’ll learn from our mentor, Tania Gromenko, who managed to grow her income 20 times in 2021 by becoming a VA. She’ll share insights on:
- How to generate additional income and set your rates
- The most popular virtual assistant services to offer
- Steps to becoming a highly-paid virtual assistant
We invite you to join this free event if you are:
- A young parent wanting to work remotely while spending time with your family
- A corporate employee looking to escape the 9-5 grind
- A freelancer seeking to enhance your skills and increase your value
Just sign up with your name, email, and phone number by clicking this link. You’ll receive your invitation to the free webinar as soon as possible. See you!
Learn 5 Steps to Become a VA
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