When first beginning as a virtual assistant, it’s easy to ‘play it safe’ by simply providing general VA services. Honestly, there is nothing wrong with that, but eventually, most virtual assistants specialize in a certain niche.
Why do virtual assistants (or online freelancers) specialize?
When you specialize you become an expert in a specific area or niche. By focusing on one specialized task, you are able to stay up on current trends, develop packages that showcase your skills, and advertize as an expert…because you are.
If you are a high school teacher, you are familiar with the concept of nicheing down your services. High school teachers are specialists in one area of education. As a matter of fact, I had to get an English major and a minor in Education to teach at the high school level. I’m not qualified or certified to teach in Math or Science, but I am an expert at teaching English and Language Arts.
Being a general VA is kind of like being a substitute teacher. As a sub, you get to try out lots of different classrooms and see how each teacher operates. As a general VA, you get to see into a business from the ground floor. From that vantage point, you see all the different parts of a business where an owner will want a specialist doing the work.
When I was a general VA, I got better at skills I was already good at, but I also tried out skill sets I would later go on to specialize in.
Being a Virtual Assistant allows you opportunities to try lots of different tasks and figure out what you like best.
What tasks might a virtual assistant do?
Virtual assistant tasks vary in each niche and you can see some of the general administrative tasks that may be passed on to a VA in this post.
But I like to provide you with information from my own experiences, so these are the tasks I performed as a virtual assistant:
- Content creation
- Pinterest pin creation
- PDF development and creation
- Putting together landing pages
- Linking blog posts
- Writing blog posts
- Sending pitch emails to podcasters
- Reviewing scripts for courses
- Editing and updating blog posts
- Editing and updating resources and pdfs
- New digital product creation
- Creating video tutorials
- Editing videos
- Uploading videos, pdfs, and images into courses
- Brainstorming course content
- …and the list goes on and on.
I have learned valuable systems and processes working as a general VA, and although the pay is less than being specialized, it gives me experiences in so many different areas!
But…this post isn’t about being a general VA. This post is about specializing in your skills, so you can ask for more money for the services you offer.
The truth of the matter is that people are willing to pay you more NOT TO TRAIN YOU.
A person who is knowledgeable and up-to-date on common practices in a specific skillset is highly valued and more likely to be referred on to more clients.
So…how can a virtual assistant specialize?
What skills can a virtual assistant (or online freelancer) specialize in?
- Pinterest Management
- Pinterest Ads Management
- Facebook Ads Management
- Social Media Management
- Copywriting (Marketing Copy/Funnel Systems)
- Copywriting (Blog Management)
- Copyediting
- Funnel Systems Management
- Podcast Management
- Video Editing
- Graphic Design
- Photography
- Branding
- Web Design
- Course Creation + Development
- Online Business Manager (OBM)
- Bookkeeping
Note: this is not an exhaustive list, for as the industry changes and adapts, so do the skills needed to keep the online business industry going.
#1| Pinterest Management
As a Pinterest Manager, you will probably do some combination of creating pin images and scheduling pins. Pinterest is a search engine, so you will implement a certain level of strategy as a Pinterest Manager. The number of pins created per post or product, the words used to describe the pins, the name of the pins, and how often the pin is scheduled are all details that will be determined by the Pinterest Manager.
Since the role of a Pinterest Manager ebbs and flows based on changes to the Pinterest algorithm, this is an area where I strongly recommend taking a course to stay on top of the strategies. The course I took is called Pinning Perfect. I loved this course as it provides a detailed outline of how to best support a business with Pinterest including creating boards, designing multiple pins quickly, using schedulers like Tailwind, and creating a strategy for pinning regularly.
Podcast Recommendation: Simple Pin Podcast
#2| Pinterest Ads Management
A Pinterest Ads manager is someone who works within Pinterest, but they specifically run and set up Pinterest advertising. Just like any business, Pinterest needs to make money, and one of the ways they do that is by allowing their pinners to pay money for better pin positioning and frequency.
Promoted Pins are still relatively new, so finding people who specialize in Promoted Pins can be difficult. That’s good news for you though because a freelancer who specializes in this skill is viewed as highly valuable.
Unlike general Pinterest Management, the course I took on Promoted Pins no longer exists as the creator decided to shift her business in 2020.
Podcast Recommendation: Simple Pin Podcast
#3| Facebook Ads Management
As a Facebook Ads Manager, you are managing someone else’s ads. This usually means you are helping to write ad copy, decide on images, split testing images and copy, and keep track of the return on investment related to each ad. Sometimes businesses have multiple ads running at the same time.
As a specialist, Facebook Ads is a great gig. It’s challenging and data-heavy, and includes an element of thrill as you figure out the best way to capture leads.
Honestly, it reminds me of gambling.
I have never been a Facebook Ads specialist, but I love listening to the Brilliant Business Mom’s podcast. She does not run a course, but she does an intensive with product-based business owners. I hope to be a part of her intensive within the next year! #businessgoals
Podcast Recommendation: Brilliant Business Moms
#4| Social Media Management
Social Media Management is definitely a growing business. I know a lot of business owners who despise the social media part of their business. They feel their time is best spent on content creation or engaging with their current clients. This means there are lots of online business owners out there looking for people to take over their social media.
Typically social media managers are asked to create content calendars (a calendar of ideas for posts and content-repurposing based on the ebbs and flows of the business), create images and posts, and schedule the posts using a scheduler.
What platforms do people typically consider for social media management?
- TikTok
- Snapchat
- Plus whatever the newest channel is (currently that is Clubhouse)
#5| Marketing Copy (Funnel Systems)
A funnel system is basically the customer’s journey from first learning about the business until they buy the business’ core product or offer.
As a marketing copywriter or funnel developer, you are taking the customer on a journey. You help the customer get to know the business and products, dissect their own wants and needs, and make sure they get what they need when they need it.
Typically this type of copywriter is writing email sequences and landing pages. An email sequence is the series of emails that are sent after the customer performs a certain action. For example, if you sign up for a free pdf, you will then recieve a series of emails that introduce you to the company and the other free and paid products the company has to offer. That series of emails is called an email sequence.
The other part of the equation is writing landing pages. Landing pages are the pages designed to sell a specific product. There is an art form to creating good landing pages, and if you become good at developing landing pages, you can easily prove your worth to a client.
The copywriting course I am taking is The Copy Cure with Marie Forleo and Laura Belgray.
#6| Copywriting/Blog Managment
Blogging is a form of content marketing.
Content marketing is when a creator is distributing free content while earning the trust of someone they hope will someday be a customer. They typically do this through a blog, podcast, YouTube, social media, or email newsletter.
In business, I heard a lot about the ‘know, like, and trust factor.’ This is a piece of business marketing I took back to the classroom. When I talked to my students about writing and creating content (like class podcasts and plays) we discussed improving our ‘know, like, and trust’ with our audience.
A copywriter who specializes in blogging focuses on providing free content to the reader while also subtly promoting the image of the business and products the audience member may find useful in their customer journey.
This is a skillset I have developed organically without the help of a course. I had to learn the backend of WordPress and other website developers, but the writing was something I caught on to quickly.
The hardest part of blogging as a ghostwriter is being able to write in the voice of the client. As a ghostwriter, I would study my client’s former blog posts. I identified key terms + phrases they used often, so I could do a better job mimicking their style.
I mentioned *ghostwriting* a couple times in this section, so I want to take a moment to clarify. A ghostwriter is someone who writes on behalf and in the voice of the brand and business owner. This is different than guest posting, which means that your name will be on the byline of the post.
#7| Copyediting
Basically being a copyeditor means that you are editing copy (duh, right?). This means you are both making changes to the original document and suggesting changes to the original writer. With the rise of self-publication on Amazon, being a good copyeditor can be lucrative if you get in with someone who writes several books a year.
Editing services are useful in almost any industry. Teacher-authors who publish resources on TeacherspayTeachers or their own websites often look for editors to look over products, and realtors hire copyeditors to look over postings and double-check paperwork. These are just two quick examples of businesses that may hire a copyeditor, but editing and grammar is something a lot of people fret about and they often hire out a second set of eyes to make sure they look and sound professional.
#8| Funnel System Management
Developing funnel systems can be a full-time job. More than just writing the copy, someone who specializes in funnel management will be familiar with different email management platforms and will help the business owner develop funnel systems that convert, meaning they consistently gain new leads (or email addresses) and result in people paying for a product.
A single business creates new product and email funnels often. When they are not developing a new funnel, a funnel manager may be analyzing data or testing different elements of the funnel (font style, use of colors, different images, etc.).
Personally, I don’t market my services as a funnel manager, but I love the level of strategy and thought that goes into a good funnel system.
#9| Podcast Management
Podcasting is a growing form of content marketing. Many online businesses and entertainers are turning to creating podcasts as a way to reach new audiences. Also, some course creators are using audio versions of their lessons and private podcast channels to serve their customers in new ways. As a person who likes to learn while walking, I think this is brilliant!
As a Podcast Manager your tasks may include editing, posting, and marketing podcast episodes. One the most well-known podcast originals is Pat Flynn. I adore Pat Flynn as a person. Although I have never taken any course in podcasting, I fully support his business and suggest that anyone interested in podcast management learn from him.
Podcast Suggestion: SPI (Smart Passive Income) with Pat Flynn
#10| Video Editing
Video editing is a popular, high value service. From video pin creation, courses taught almost entirely with video, and content creators who use YouTube as their primary means for acquiring new customers, using video as a means of sharing and marketing content is common and growing. We need more and more people who are adept at video editing.
Although I haven’t taken any courses specifically in video editing, I use both Loom and WeVideo for video editing in my business and both seem to do the trick. I hope one day to add a few other programs to my repertoire.
#11| Graphic Design
Graphic designers create everything from logos to websites to opt-ins and pdfs. You do not have to go to a traditional school to be a graphic designer. Using design software like Canva can make creating graphics much easier, but being able to use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is a great way to set yourself apart from other graphic designers.
Although I never took courses in graphic design, I do graphic design often. For me, it is easy to look at the designs my clients already use in their business and adapt them to new products.
One of my clients really likes clean designs with straight lines and blocks of color. Another client uses bright colors and jagged lines and boxes and highlight effects. I can use these tendencies to create other images, logos, and branding packages for products that stay consistent to my clients’ brand.
I had many skills from the classroom that served me well in the graphic design world. Creating worksheets and posters isn’t a far cry from many of my graphic design tasks. Just like kids, adults like images mixed in with the words, and the use of headers help with making documents scimmable. I left the classroom with these skills and continue to use them daily with clients.
Note: I do not market myself as a graphic designer, but clients ask me to do this work frequently. If I was going to call myself a graphic designer, I would take a more in-depth course in graphic design elements. I’ll keep an eye out for a good one for you!
#12| Photography
Good photographers can make a killing online. Photographers could sell services taking brand photos, creating flat lays and stock photos, doing product photography, and offering photo editing, a photographer could stay very busy in a single business.
Another option is to specialize in any one of these areas and create a more specific niche for yourself.
For example,
- In the TeacherspayTeachers world, teacher-authors are frequently looking for people to take pictures of their resources.
- Realtors may pay you to edit personal items and photographs out of photos used for listing.
- Etsy owners frequently need fresh images of their products for different seasons and uses.
- Course creators look for stock photos for specific niches and in brand-specific colors.
Pick a niche and go for it!
#13| Branding
The first thing many business owners pay for is someone to help them with branding. Branding includes picking colors, fonts, images to create logos and other designs for the business.
Interestingly, businesses frequently undergo rebranding as they figure out who they want to appeal to and fine-tune their products and offerings. Entrepreneurs also have a tendency to create more than one element in their business, so they may need more than one brand created.
#14| Web Design
Designing a website is often something business owners are willing to hire out for because it is an element that many people are incapable of or unwilling to learn themselves.
A web designer can create sites and then walk away or they can stay on with a business on a monthly retainer-based package after developing the site. As a monthly retainer, the web designer will do monthly updates, run stats, build and design new pages and templates, and keep track of site security, plugins, and loading speed.
Web designers often need to have design skills and technical skills, this one-two punch makes web designers hard to find, but also a very lucrative specialty for people who can handle both skill sets.
If you want to try your hand at creating a website to see if it is something you enjoy, we have a course called Websites By Day. Websites By Day is a step-by-step, click-by-click course that will help you set up your website in just 3 weeks. This course is great for setting up a website to showcase your services, offer tutoring sessions or camps, sell resources or anything else you might need a website for!
#15| Course Creation + Development
Online courses are one of the main ways online businesses scale these days, and unlike teachers who know how to scaffold skills to help students be successful, many entrepreneurs need help outlining and focusing all of their ideas into cohesive lessons.
This is a super-specialized skill set. These skills are desperately needed and perfect for a classroom teacher, but it takes time to do the networking necessary to start getting clients.
#16| Online Business Manager
An OBM is a systems specialist. Systems are what keep a business running. Systems allow business owners to hire on new team members and keep the business running as the number of employees and freelancers grow. The OBM is in charge of these systems. They help create and implement the systems for the business. They are constantly analyzing the efficiency of the business and how they can improve the processes.
OBMs also help to hire new contractors and employees into the business. Where many freelancers operate on the outskirts of a business, only focusing on their key role in helping the business be successful, an OBM works deep within the business and very closely with the business owner.
#17| Bookkeeping
If you like numbers and budgets, bookkeeping may be a good specialization to consider. Entrepreneurs are not typically budget and numbers kind of people (again, they often prefer to be creating or developing ideas) and as their business grows, they are looking for someone to take over the money side of their business, so they can focus on what they do best…create.
Although I have never done bookkeeping outside of my own business, this will be one of the primary positions I will hire for in the future because it is one of my least favorite things to do!
How do you know where to start?
The crazy thing about online business and being an entrepreneur means that you can literally create the job you want. If you want to just make things look pretty all day, you can. If you want to take pictures and work on your photo editing, you can. As you develop new skillsets, you can market them and begin working in the field immediately.
Take courses to specialize your skills
As I’ve mentioned several times, courses are common in the world of online business. You can find a course for literally anything you want to learn. Online courses are often more accessible and affordable than courses at a college. Plus, you can start applying the new skills immediately without a degree or diploma.
Be careful not to overdo it when purchasing courses. It is really easy to buy a course, but ultimately you have to finish it, so take it one course at a time. Learn the skills, practice the skills, and then make money from the skills. Once you learn something new, move on to the next thing you are interested in.
You can also wait to learn a skill until you have a need to learn it. During my early days as a VA, I paid attention to what my clients needed. Once I identified a need, I worked to add that skill to my skillset. That is how I got into Pinterest. I had a client who didn’t have a Pinterest presence and wanted one, so I took Pinning Perfect.
Once I took the course and knew what I was doing, I added on more Pinterest clients. The course paid for itself within one month.
I have mentioned some of the courses I have taken in this post, and as I take more, I’ll keep adding more. If you have a course you have taken that you would recommend, let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear what other Teacher VAs are learning!
Don’t forget, this post is part of a 5 post series, check out the other posts in the series below!
#1: What is a VA and who is hiring one?
#2: What tasks are virtual assistants often hired for?
#3: How can a VA specialize? (This is the post you’re on now!)
