Are you a "virtual assistant"?

Yes, I am a virtual assistant! :) I am a business owner and professional service provider. I am skilled at general business and office administration and I also specialize in higher-end tasks such as web design and development, SEO (search engine optimization), and small business consulting.

My business is registered with the state in which I live as well as the federal government. I market my business in order to find and contract with clients who need my skills and services in order to help support and grow their own businesses and projects.

The only way in which being a VA could be a 'scam' is if you're looking at getting 'set up' as a VA through one of the sites that requires you to pay for special software in order to complete 'work at home' jobs.

Yes, a virtual assistant works remotely, most often from a home office, but a VA is not an employee. I am an independent contractor, responsible for the growth (or failure) of my business. With those 'agencies' you have to be very careful as often they will take your money and may never send you any work at all. You'll also technically be their employee.

I would also suggest that sites like oDesk, while perhaps worth looking at when you are first getting started, are full of clients who are usually interested in hiring someone based solely on the 'cheapest rate'. It's not a great way to find ideal clients, but can potentially get you some 'practice' and project work when you're starting out.

Professional virtual assistants charge an average of $35 per hour. Agency VAs can make as little as $8 per hour (inside the U.S.) and $4 per hour (outside the U.S.).

If you believe you have what it takes to start and run a business, and you have the skills and ethics to back up a service business then looking into being a virtual assistant just might be for you.

I love being a virtual assistant because I get to work from home, on my own schedule, and have more time for family. Not to mention no commute and no 'bosses' (one of the perks of being a business owner is I get to choose who I work with and on what projects!). Of course this means the burden of taxes, finding clients, and managing my budget based on my (sometimes varied) income falls solely to me.

If you're curious to learn more about being a VA and what's involved with the startup process, I'd recommend visiting the online VA network at: http://www.virtualassistantforums.com!/

Over the summer, I was a freelance virtual assistant working through O-Desk. This group is completely legitimate. They mailed me my 1099-Misc to pay my taxes. I was impressed with them. Just like you, I saw so many scams that I did not trust any of them.

No it's definitely not a scam. You can get someone who does freelance virtual receptionist work from freelance gig sites or you can get one through a company who specializes in office/business solutions. See www.easyinbound.com.au.

Yes, I am a Virtual Assistant for Internet Marketing.

You can add me on Skype for discussion about Virtual Assistant service: longnh.vietnam

Thanks.