A virtual assistant is one who provides administrative, marketing or technical assistance from another location and not where the work is situated. The virtual assistant usually provides the services via a home office. The virtual assistant sometimes never gets to meet whom they are working for and communicates through fax,phone or Internet.

If you want to become an effective assistant then it is preferable that you have some administrative background. It is very important to have a website where your clients may get the information they want without having to ask for it directly.

If you get to meet your clients always act in a professional manner. Demonstrate that you can get whatever job they want done both effectively and in a timely manner. Let them know clearly what you do and how you work so that they don’t expect you to do tasks that you normally don’t do.

The basic things you need to start are a high speed Internet connection, a phone line, a fax machine, a printer,scanner or copier. If you don’t have the capital to go for brand new equipment then go for refurbished ones. The refurbished ones will cost less and will ensure that you start even with limited capital at hand.

You don’t need any certification to become a virtual assistant but when demonstrating your effectiveness, being professional is what will sell you. There are some training schools online and they will teach all you need to know to be effective.

There are various places where you can find opportunities for jobs as a virtual assistant. Before you go to those places and advertise yourself you need to clearly know if you want to work for a large company an individual or a small company.

Many assistants charge between 35 to 70 dollars an hour if you are confused about what to charge, check the local competition and charge what they are charging. This job can be convenient for people who want to work from home.

Here is more information on this subject: Virtual Assistant Career