How I Started as a Virtual Assistant

It was in October 2011 when I started my first online jobs through odesk.com. With my frustration and stress in the office routine, I turned to attend a series of webinars hosted by Mr. Jomar Hilario, a well-renowned online marketing guru in the Philippines. There were days when I wanted to participate in one of his live seminars/workshops on how to become a virtual assistant, but my schedule does not permit me to do so. Good thing he offered an audio version of his How to Become a Virtual Assistant seminar and I quickly purchased it online. After I finished the audio seminar and after I have read blogs of people who had the similar dilemma as mine, I got so inspired and confident that I can change my life 360 degrees and become a full-time Virtual Assistant.

Soon as I learned about odesk.com in 2011, I started out my profile but never really paid attention to how to improve it. I was not that determined. Thus, I left it hanging incomplete for quite some time. When I learned more about how to boost my "marketability" in odesk, I quickly overhauled my odesk profile and took the tests which will reflect my expertise in writing. Writing is my passion, and I was thinking that I ought to make a career out of it if I am going to pursue my Virtual Assistant career. 

My first gig as a Virtual Assistant (online writer) was to blog about a variety of topics. It was for an American client who is maintaining a sort of Wikipedia website (Usenet) hence, I started with the work in October 2011, and up until now, I am still writing articles for this client. Then, I realized I can manage to handle some more work perhaps, try out the fixed-price contract available in odesk. I did get a few and found it very fulfilling when clients are very pleased with the articles that I submit, and some would even pay me a bonus. Opportunities and job offer came in one by one, and I was definitely happy about how things are working out for me as a newbie Virtual Assistant. I admit that starting at a lower rate per hour was a stepping stone. So, as I gained more experience and confidence, I eventually increased my hourly rate. 

Now, I am happy to be working on a part-time basis for several clients whom I am writing articles for website content and some as a research assistant. What I even appreciated more is the fact that I can use my background in Psychology for some projects I handled. I also get to have my fair share of demanding clients, and when they ask too much of my effort which I know I cannot accommodate, I just end the contract rather than carrying on with the project which I cannot deliver on their expected schedule. But overall, my Virtual Assistant experience is indeed an eye-opener that I can actually start a career by working at home as long I have the determination, motivation, and yearning for change. It is just a matter of time to hone my skills and brave the world of becoming a full-time Virtual Assistant.