Feeling stuck in the 9-to-5 grind or looking for a flexible way to earn extra income? Virtual assistant (VA) side hustles might just be the perfect solution.
With businesses around the world turning to remote help, the demand for skilled VAs is booming, offering endless opportunities for you to jump in and start earning.
Whether you’re great at organising, love creating content, or have a flair for customer support, there’s a VA side hustle out there that fits your skills and schedule.
The best part? You don’t need years of experience or fancy tech setups to get started. All you need is a laptop, an internet connection, and a willingness to learn.
In this blog, we’re breaking down 15 virtual assistant side hustles you can start today.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some skills to build on, these ideas will help you find a hustle that works for you.
Ready to take control of your time and income? Let’s get into it!
15 Virtual Assistant Side Hustles You Can Start Today
1. Social Media Management
Tasks:
As a social media manager, your responsibilities can include a mix of creative and organisational tasks. These often involve:
- Content Scheduling: Plan and schedule posts to ensure clients maintain a consistent presence across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Pinterest.
- Community Engagement: Reply to comments, respond to DMs, and engage with followers to build a loyal audience.
- Content Creation: Design graphics, write captions, and create short-form video content, such as Reels or TikToks.
- Analytics Tracking: Monitor social media performance, track metrics like engagement and reach, and provide reports to help clients refine their strategies.
Tools to Use:
The right tools make social media management a breeze:
- Canva: For creating eye-catching graphics and templates.
- Metricool: To schedule and track the performance of your posts across multiple platforms.
- Hootsuite: A powerful tool for scheduling, monitoring, and managing multiple accounts.
- CapCut or InShot: For editing short-form video content.
Who It’s Perfect For:
This hustle is ideal for creative individuals who are:
- Trend Savvy: You’re always in the know about the latest social media features, trends, and content styles.
- Organised: Juggling multiple platforms and posting schedules doesn’t faze you.
- Creative Thinkers: You have a flair for designing engaging content and writing captions that resonate with audiences.
Social media management is a versatile side hustle that’s in high demand, with plenty of opportunities to niche down (e.g., working exclusively with Instagram influencers or small business owners).
It’s a great starting point if you want to grow into other digital marketing roles.
2. Email Management
Tasks:
Email management involves keeping your client’s inbox under control and ensuring smooth communication. Common tasks include:
- Inbox Organisation: Declutter messy inboxes by sorting emails into folders, flagging important messages, and archiving old ones.
- Responding to Emails: Handle customer queries, schedule meetings, or send follow-ups on behalf of your client.
- Automated Campaign Setup: Create and manage email sequences for newsletters, promotions, or onboarding processes.
- Unsubscribe Management: Help clients tidy their inboxes by removing irrelevant subscriptions and blocking spam.
Tools to Use:
Streamline your email management duties with these tools:
- Gmail or Outlook: For day-to-day inbox organisation and email correspondence.
- MailerLite or Kit: To set up and automate email sequences for marketing campaigns.
- Clean Email or Unroll.Me: Tools to declutter inboxes and unsubscribe from unwanted emails efficiently.
- Trello or Notion: To track email-related tasks and deadlines, such as follow-ups or campaign schedules.
Who It’s Perfect For:
Email management is a fantastic option if you are:
- Detail-Oriented: You can easily spot important details and ensure no message goes unanswered.
- Organised: Sorting, tagging, and structuring inboxes comes naturally to you.
- Efficient Communicator: You’re good at writing professional, clear, and concise messages.
This side hustle is ideal for those who enjoy bringing order to chaos. Email management is especially valuable to busy entrepreneurs, executives, or small business owners who struggle to keep on top of their inboxes.
It’s also an excellent entry point into more advanced VA services like customer support or email marketing.
3. Calendar and Appointment Management
Tasks:
As a virtual calendar and appointment manager, your role is to help clients stay organised and on schedule. Tasks may include:
- Scheduling Appointments: Arrange meetings, calls, or events and coordinate with multiple parties to find the best times.
- Reminder Notifications: Set up automated or manual reminders for upcoming appointments to prevent no-shows or missed meetings.
- Rescheduling Conflicts: Handle cancellations or overlapping commitments, ensuring smooth rearrangements.
- Calendar Optimisation: Create a streamlined system with colour coding, time-blocking, and prioritisation to help clients make the most of their time.
Tools to Use:
Maximise efficiency with these calendar management tools:
- Google Calendar or Outlook Calendar: Reliable and user-friendly platforms for scheduling and syncing events.
- Calendly: A tool to simplify scheduling by allowing clients and others to book available time slots directly.
- Acuity Scheduling: Ideal for service-based businesses that need client booking systems.
- Asana or Trello: To integrate scheduling with task management for a comprehensive organisational system.
Who It’s Perfect For:
Calendar and appointment management is ideal for individuals who are:
- Highly Organised: You thrive on creating order and structure, ensuring no task or meeting slips through the cracks.
- Excellent Communicators: Liaising with multiple parties and ensuring everyone is on the same page comes naturally to you.
- Problem Solvers: You’re adept at resolving scheduling conflicts and handling last-minute changes with ease.
This side hustle is in high demand among executives, coaches, consultants, and small business owners who need help juggling their commitments.
It’s also a great stepping stone to building a broader virtual assistant business as you become indispensable to your clients’ daily operations.
4. Data Entry and Management
Tasks:
Data entry and management involves handling important information to keep it accurate, organised, and up-to-date. Common tasks include:
- Inputting Data: Enter information into spreadsheets, databases, or CRM systems. This might include customer details, sales figures, or inventory updates.
- Updating Records: Regularly review and update client records to ensure the information is current.
- File Organisation: Categorise and organise files or data to make retrieval easy and efficient.
- Error Checking: Verify and clean data to ensure it’s free from mistakes or duplicates.
Tools to Use:
Streamline data entry and management with these tools:
- Google Sheets or Excel: For creating and maintaining spreadsheets with formulas for automated calculations.
- Airtable: A versatile database tool for more complex data organisation.
- Notion: Ideal for organising and tracking data in a user-friendly workspace.
- Zapier: Automate repetitive data entry tasks by connecting different apps and systems.
Who It’s Perfect For:
This side hustle is a great fit for individuals who are:
- Detail-Oriented: You enjoy accuracy and spotting errors that others might overlook.
- Organised: Sorting through information and keeping things in order feels like second nature.
- Focused and Patient: You’re comfortable with repetitive tasks and can work with precision for extended periods.
Data entry and management is an excellent starting point for those new to the virtual assistant world.
It’s a low-barrier-to-entry side hustle that allows you to build client trust and potentially expand into more advanced services, such as database management or reporting.
Many industries, from e-commerce to healthcare, require these services, so the demand is steady.
5. Bookkeeping Assistance
Tasks:
Bookkeeping assistance involves helping clients manage their finances and maintain accurate financial records. Tasks may include:
- Expense Tracking: Record and categorise expenses to ensure clients know where their money is going.
- Invoicing: Prepare and send invoices to clients, follow up on unpaid invoices, and track payments received.
- Financial Reporting: Create basic financial reports, such as profit and loss statements or monthly summaries, to help clients stay on top of their finances.
- Reconciliation: Match transaction records with bank statements to ensure accuracy and flag discrepancies.
Tools to Use:
Simplify bookkeeping tasks with these tools:
- QuickBooks or Freshbooks: User-friendly accounting software for tracking income, expenses, and invoices.
- Google Sheets or Excel: Great for creating custom financial trackers or reports.
- PayPal or Stripe: For monitoring payment processing and reconciling accounts.
- Dext (formerly Receipt Bank): A handy tool for organising and storing digital receipts.
Who It’s Perfect For:
Bookkeeping assistance is ideal for individuals who are:
- Good with Numbers: You’re comfortable working with figures and can spot errors or patterns in financial data.
- Organised: You have a knack for maintaining well-structured and accurate records.
- Trustworthy: Managing someone’s financial details requires confidentiality and professionalism.
This side hustle is perfect for detail-oriented individuals with a basic understanding of finances or a willingness to learn.
It’s highly valued by small business owners, freelancers, and solopreneurs who need help keeping their finances in order but can’t afford a full-time bookkeeper.
With experience, you can also expand into more advanced accounting or financial consulting services.
6. Blog Management
Tasks:
Blog management involves keeping your client’s blog running smoothly and ensuring their content is published and presented professionally. Tasks may include:
- Formatting Posts: Edit and format blog posts for readability, using headings, bullet points, and images to enhance the user experience.
- Content Scheduling: Plan and schedule blog posts to maintain a consistent publishing calendar.
- Sourcing Images: Find and upload relevant images, graphics, or videos to complement the content.
- SEO Optimisation: Add keywords, meta descriptions, alt text for images, and internal links to improve the blog’s search engine ranking.
- Comment Moderation: Monitor and respond to comments to keep the blog interactive and engaging.
Tools to Use:
Boost efficiency with these blogging tools:
- WordPress or Squarespace: For managing the backend of the blog, including uploading posts and optimising layouts.
- Grammarly: To edit and proofread posts for grammar, spelling, and readability.
- Canva: For creating custom blog graphics or feature images.
- Yoast SEO or Rank Math: Plugins to improve on-page SEO for WordPress blogs.
Who It’s Perfect For:
Blog management is an excellent side hustle for individuals who are:
- Detail-Oriented: You enjoy fine-tuning content and making sure it looks polished and professional.
- Organised: You can maintain a consistent schedule and juggle multiple posts or projects.
- Tech-Savvy: You’re comfortable using blogging platforms and learning new tools as needed.
This side hustle is in high demand among content creators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses that rely on blogs to drive traffic and build their brand.
It’s also a great way to build expertise in content marketing and SEO, which can open doors to higher-paying opportunities.
Whether you’re helping clients publish content or taking over the entire blog management process, this is a rewarding and flexible side hustle.
7. Content Creation Support
Tasks:
Content creation support involves assisting clients with the planning and creation of engaging materials to promote their brand. Tasks may include:
- Topic Research: Research trending topics or industry-specific subjects to inspire content ideas.
- Drafting Content: Write blog posts, newsletters, or social media captions that align with the client’s voice and goals.
- Creating Templates: Design reusable templates for social media posts, newsletters, or presentations.
- Repurposing Content: Transform long-form content, such as a blog post, into bite-sized pieces for social media or email campaigns.
Tools to Use:
Use these tools to streamline and enhance content creation tasks:
- Canva: For designing professional-looking templates, infographics, and graphics.
- ChatGPT or Jasper: To brainstorm ideas or draft written content quickly.
- Grammarly: To ensure all written content is polished and error-free.
- Airtable or Trello: For managing content calendars and tracking progress on projects.
Who It’s Perfect For:
Content creation support is ideal for individuals who are:
- Creative: You enjoy writing, designing, or brainstorming fresh ideas that capture attention.
- Strategic Thinkers: You understand how content can drive engagement and align with broader marketing goals.
- Flexible: You’re comfortable working across different formats and adapting to the client’s unique needs.
This side hustle is perfect for anyone with a knack for storytelling and an eye for design.
Businesses, influencers, and coaches often need help creating consistent, high-quality content to connect with their audience.
By offering content creation support, you can become a valuable partner in their marketing efforts and potentially branch out into full-scale content strategy or social media management roles.
8. Customer Support Services
Tasks:
Customer support services involve helping clients manage communication with their customers to ensure a positive experience. Tasks may include:
- Responding to Inquiries: Address customer questions or concerns via email, live chat, or social media DMs.
- Troubleshooting Issues: Help customers resolve product or service-related problems quickly and efficiently.
- Order Tracking: Assist customers with updates on orders, shipping details, or refunds.
- Feedback Collection: Gather and organise customer feedback to help clients improve their products or services.
Tools to Use:
These tools can help you deliver efficient and professional customer support:
- Zendesk or Freshdesk: For managing customer inquiries and tickets in a centralised system.
- Tidio or LiveChat: For real-time customer communication through live chat.
- Google Forms or Typeform: To collect and organise feedback or surveys.
- CRM Software (e.g., HubSpot): To track customer interactions and maintain records.
Who It’s Perfect For:
Customer support services are a great fit for individuals who are:
- Empathetic: You genuinely care about resolving issues and ensuring customers feel heard and valued.
- Problem-Solvers: You can think on your feet and come up with solutions to customer challenges.
- Organised Communicators: You’re skilled at keeping records of interactions and ensuring follow-ups are timely.
This side hustle is highly sought after by e-commerce businesses, service providers, and startups looking to maintain excellent customer relationships.
It’s also a great entry point for building long-term relationships with clients, as exceptional customer support can have a huge impact on their business success.
With experience, you can expand into customer success roles or specialised support areas like technical troubleshooting.
9. E-commerce Store Management
Tasks:
E-commerce store management involves supporting clients with the day-to-day operations of their online stores. Tasks may include:
- Product Listing: Add new products, write descriptions, and upload high-quality images to the store.
- Order Processing: Monitor incoming orders, ensure correct details, and coordinate shipping or delivery.
- Inventory Management: Keep track of stock levels, update quantities, and notify clients when supplies are low.
- Customer Service: Respond to customer questions about products, shipping, or returns via email or chat.
Tools to Use:
Leverage these tools to simplify e-commerce store management:
- Shopify or WooCommerce: For managing store operations, adding products, and processing orders.
- Etsy Seller Tools: For those working with Etsy shops to manage listings and optimise for search.
- Canva: To create product graphics, banners, and promotional materials.
- Order Management Tools (e.g., ShipStation): For streamlining shipping and tracking.
Who It’s Perfect For:
E-commerce store management is ideal for individuals who are:
- Detail-Oriented: You enjoy ensuring product listings, orders, and customer interactions are handled accurately.
- Tech-Savvy: You’re comfortable navigating e-commerce platforms and learning new tools.
- Customer-Focused: You have a knack for helping customers and resolving issues professionally.
This side hustle is perfect for those who love retail and logistics but prefer working behind the scenes.
With the booming e-commerce industry, there’s a constant demand for VAs to help businesses stay organised and provide excellent service.
It’s a great starting point to explore additional opportunities, such as e-commerce marketing or product sourcing, as you gain experience.
10. Travel Planning and Research
Tasks:
Travel planning and research involve helping clients organise and book their trips, saving them time and ensuring every detail is covered. Tasks may include:
- Booking Flights and Accommodation: Find the best deals on flights, hotels, or vacation rentals.
- Creating Itineraries: Develop detailed travel schedules, including activities, restaurants, and local attractions.
- Researching Destinations: Provide insights into the best places to visit, safety tips, and cultural considerations.
- Managing Travel Documents: Organise travel visas, passports, and other essential paperwork.
Tools to Use:
These tools can make travel planning seamless:
- Google Flights or Skyscanner: To find and compare flight options.
- TripIt: For organising and sharing travel itineraries.
- Booking.com or Airbnb: To search for accommodations and book stays.
- Notion or Excel: For creating detailed itineraries or travel planning checklists.
Who It’s Perfect For:
Travel planning and research is a great side hustle for individuals who are:
- Detail-Oriented: You enjoy digging into the specifics to ensure trips go off without a hitch.
- Resourceful: You’re skilled at finding the best deals and uncovering unique travel experiences.
- Passionate About Travel: You love exploring new places and sharing tips with others.
This side hustle is ideal for clients like busy professionals, families, or businesses planning corporate travel.
With experience, you can specialise in certain types of travel, such as luxury getaways, adventure tours, or corporate events, making your services even more valuable.
It’s a fun and rewarding way to turn your love of travel into income.
11. Personal Assistance Services
Tasks:
Personal assistance services involve handling a variety of tasks to make your client’s life easier and more organised. Tasks may include:
- Online Shopping: Purchase gifts, office supplies, or household items on behalf of your client.
- Appointment Booking: Schedule medical, personal, or professional appointments.
- Event Planning: Research venues, book caterers, or coordinate event logistics for personal or business events.
- Errand Coordination: Arrange for tasks like dry cleaning pickup, meal deliveries, or other day-to-day needs.
Tools to Use:
Stay efficient with these tools for personal assistance tasks:
- Amazon or Instacart: For quick and reliable online shopping and deliveries.
- Google Calendar: To organise and keep track of appointments and events.
- Trello or Notion: For managing and tracking to-do lists and tasks.
- TaskRabbit or Fiverr: To outsource local errands or specialised tasks.
Who It’s Perfect For:
Personal assistance services are ideal for individuals who are:
- Highly Organised: You thrive on keeping schedules and tasks running smoothly.
- Proactive Problem-Solvers: You’re quick to handle unexpected situations or last-minute requests.
- Discreet and Trustworthy: You respect confidentiality and handle personal tasks professionally.
This side hustle is particularly valuable for busy professionals, entrepreneurs, or anyone juggling multiple responsibilities.
It offers variety, making every day different, and gives you the chance to build strong, long-term relationships with clients.
Over time, you can expand your services to include more specialised areas, such as lifestyle management or business support.
12. Podcast Management
Tasks:
Podcast management involves supporting podcasters with the technical, creative, and organisational aspects of running their show. Tasks may include:
- Episode Editing: Edit raw audio to improve sound quality, remove background noise, and ensure smooth transitions.
- Show Notes Creation: Write summaries of episodes, including key points, timestamps, and links to resources.
- Scheduling and Publishing: Upload episodes to podcast hosting platforms and schedule them for release.
- Guest Coordination: Communicate with podcast guests, schedule recordings, and gather necessary materials like bios or photos.
- Marketing Support: Create promotional graphics, audiograms, or social media posts to promote episodes.
Tools to Use:
These tools can make podcast management more efficient:
- Audacity or GarageBand: For editing audio and improving sound quality.
- Buzzsprout or Anchor: Hosting platforms for publishing and distributing podcasts.
- Canva: To design promotional materials like episode graphics or audiograms.
- Google Workspace: For coordinating guest schedules and managing documents.
Who It’s Perfect For:
Podcast management is a great side hustle for individuals who are:
- Tech-Savvy: You’re comfortable using audio editing software and podcast platforms.
- Organised: You can juggle multiple episodes, deadlines, and guest communications seamlessly.
- Creative Thinkers: You enjoy crafting engaging show notes or coming up with marketing ideas to boost visibility.
With the podcasting industry growing rapidly, there’s a consistent demand for podcast managers.
This side hustle is perfect for anyone who enjoys storytelling, media production, or helping others amplify their voice.
Over time, you can expand into podcast strategy or even launch your own show, making this a versatile and rewarding hustle.
13. Video Editing Assistance
Tasks:
Video editing assistance involves helping clients create polished, engaging video content for their brand or personal projects. Tasks may include:
- Editing Raw Footage: Trim and organise video clips, remove unwanted sections, and arrange content in a logical flow.
- Adding Effects: Incorporate transitions, animations, music, and captions to make videos more dynamic and professional.
- Optimising for Platforms: Resize and format videos to meet specifications for platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok.
- Thumbnail Creation: Design eye-catching thumbnails that encourage clicks and views.
- Basic Colour Grading: Adjust lighting and colour for a professional and consistent look.
Tools to Use:
Enhance your efficiency with these video editing tools:
- Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro: Professional-grade software for advanced video editing.
- CapCut or InShot: Easy-to-use tools for quick edits and social media videos.
- Canva: For creating custom thumbnails or overlays.
- Descript: For editing videos and adding captions quickly.
Who It’s Perfect For:
Video editing assistance is ideal for individuals who are:
- Visually Creative: You have an eye for storytelling through visuals and understand what captures an audience.
- Tech-Savvy: You enjoy working with editing software and learning new tools.
- Detail-Oriented: You pay attention to the little things, like syncing music or ensuring smooth transitions.
This side hustle is in high demand as video content continues to dominate online platforms.
Businesses, influencers, and educators need help producing engaging videos, making this a lucrative option.
Over time, you can specialise in niches like social media videos, YouTube content, or corporate training materials, offering advanced services and charging premium rates.
14. Pinterest Management
Tasks:
Pinterest management involves helping clients grow their visibility and drive traffic to their websites or products using this visual search platform. Tasks may include:
- Creating Pins: Design visually appealing pins that align with the client’s branding and optimise for clicks.
- Optimising Boards: Create and organise boards with relevant keywords to boost searchability.
- Scheduling Content: Plan and schedule pins to maintain consistent activity using tools like Tailwind.
- Analytics Tracking: Monitor performance metrics to identify top-performing pins and refine strategies.
- Keyword Research: Find relevant keywords to include in pin titles, descriptions, and board names for better reach.
Tools to Use:
These tools make Pinterest management more efficient:
- Canva: To design eye-catching, professional pins and templates.
- Tailwind: For scheduling pins and tracking analytics.
- Pinterest Trends: For researching trending topics and keywords in real time.
- Google Sheets: To organise pin schedules and keyword lists.
Who It’s Perfect For:
Pinterest management is an excellent side hustle for individuals who are:
- Creative: You enjoy designing pins and curating visually cohesive boards.
- Strategic Thinkers: You understand how to use Pinterest as a marketing tool to drive traffic and sales.
- Detail-Oriented: You can consistently maintain activity and refine strategies based on analytics.
This side hustle is in high demand among bloggers, e-commerce stores, and coaches who rely on Pinterest to attract their audience.
It’s a great option for creatives who love combining visual design with marketing strategy.
With experience, you can expand into content marketing or offer complete Pinterest strategies to clients for even greater earning potential.
15. Project Management Support
Tasks:
Project management support involves helping clients stay organised and ensure their projects are completed on time and within budget. Tasks may include:
- Task Organisation: Break down projects into manageable tasks, assign deadlines, and prioritise activities.
- Tracking Progress: Monitor the status of tasks and ensure team members are meeting deadlines.
- Communication: Act as a liaison between team members, providing updates and ensuring clear communication.
- Creating Reports: Summarise project progress, roadblocks, and results for clients or stakeholders.
- Workflow Optimisation: Suggest tools or processes to improve team efficiency and streamline workflows.
Tools to Use:
These tools make project management support seamless:
- Asana or Trello: For task management, tracking progress, and assigning responsibilities.
- Slack: For team communication and quick updates.
- Notion: A versatile tool for creating project dashboards and centralised information hubs.
- Google Workspace: To share documents, track deadlines, and manage calendars.
Who It’s Perfect For:
Project management support is ideal for individuals who are:
- Highly Organised: You excel at keeping tasks, timelines, and teams on track.
- Problem Solvers: You can identify potential roadblocks and propose solutions to overcome them.
- Strong Communicators: You ensure team members and clients are aligned and informed at every stage of the project.
This side hustle is in demand among small business owners, entrepreneurs, and agencies managing multiple projects at once.
It’s a perfect role for natural organisers and leaders who enjoy coordinating people and processes.
Over time, you can transition into full project management roles or specialise in certain industries, offering advanced support and strategy to larger teams or businesses.
Conclusion
Virtual assistant side hustles offer endless opportunities to earn extra income, work flexibly, and build skills that can grow into a full-time business.
Whether you’re great at staying organised, love creating content, or have a knack for problem-solving, there’s a VA role perfectly suited to your strengths.
The best part? You can start with minimal investment—just your laptop, internet connection, and willingness to learn.
With these 15 ideas, you’re ready to take the first step toward building a profitable side hustle on your own terms.
Ready to dive deeper into the world of side hustles and find even more ways to boost your income?
Download our FREE ebook, The Profitable Side Hustles Guide, packed with actionable ideas and tips to help you start earning today.