Is Being a Virtual Assistant for Small Businesses a Profitable Career?

Post-pandemic remote work has been a common thing. Even many full-time employees work remotely or go to the office once or twice a week. This has opened up new opportunities for individuals who have skills but don’t want to commute to their workplace. 

Virtual assistants (VAs) are professionals that offer their services remotely at flexible hours. They can help with day-to-day tasks as well as niche fields. But is becoming a virtual assistant for small businesses a promising career?

Let’s find out:

What are the Opportunities of Virtual Assistants for Small Businesses?

With the entrepreneurship and startup culture increasing, many businesses prefer to hire staff who are flexible. They need assistance with various kinds of tasks. If you have experience in any of these fields, then you can become a virtual assistant for small businesses: 

• Administrative tasks: This involves tasks like managing emails and the inbox, scheduling appointments, data entry, document formatting, etc. 

• Bookkeeping: Many small businesses struggle with bookkeeping. Individuals with a finance background can apply for such positions. The common tasks are updating ledgers, calculating salaries, payroll processing, preparing tax forms, etc.

• Digital marketing: Creating a digital presence is important for brands of all types, and even more so for small businesses. As a virtual assistant, you will be helping them with designing creatives, managing social media, etc. 

• Legal support: Small law firms also often hire VAs to help them with case law research and compilation, information gathering, legal transcription, billing, and invoicing. 

• Customer support: Businesses can’t be successful without their customers. So, offering strong customer support is essential for businesses of all scales. As a customer support virtual assistant for small businesses, you will be chatting live, offering telephone support, and managing social media responses. 

You may read: An Overview of Virtual Administrative Assistants in 2025

Should You Work Via Agency or Solo?

When starting out as a virtual assistant for small businesses, a common dilemma is whether to join an agency or go freelance. Check out both the pros and cons in both scenarios:

Working through an Agency

Pros:

• Agencies pre‑vet clients and VAs, handle contracts, invoicing, and issue resolution.

• They provide a consistent stream of work and payouts.

• Many agencies offer frequent training, support, mentorship, and sometimes benefits. If you are new to the industry, this will be very helpful.

• Working with an agency will reduce admin burden and risk if a client doesn’t pay

Cons:

• You may earn less per hour, as there is a typical commission fee. 

• You might have less control over rates, clients, schedules, and task types.

Working Independently (Direct Client)

Pros:

• When you work individually, you can earn 100% of your earnings. You can also set your own hourly/project rate

• Freelancing gives you more flexibility and autonomy to choose clients, set work hours, and build your own brand.

Cons:

• You have to find your own clients via platforms, social media, and networking.

• Income can be irregular if you can’t create a customer base that returns to you for your services.

• You will have to manage everything, from payment to other administrative tasks.

• There might be a greater risk if the client doesn't pay or is difficult.

Who Should Your Ideal Clients Be?

Knowing your clients is the first step to becoming a successful Virtual Assistant. Here’s who you should target:

Small Business Owners or Solo Entrepreneurs

They often need help with admin, email, scheduling, light marketing, and bookkeeping. Tend to value flexibility and cost-effective solutions.

Niche Solopreneurs or Consultants

Look for coaches, writers, therapists, and trainers who need ongoing email, scheduling, social media, or client onboarding support.

Early-stage Startups or Solopreneurs

With limited staff, they need assistance in marketing, customer support, or operations. VAs who can offer marketing or technical skills add strong value.

Specialized Roles (higher-paying)

Clients in need of SEO, web design, content marketing, bookkeeping, or project management support pay premium rates for those specialized skills.

So, is it worth doing?

Yes, being a virtual assistant for small businesses offers strong potential for profitability, especially if you carefully plan your niche, work model, and client base. It’s a low‑cost business to launch, with scalable profit margins and a flexible work setup.