So, here’s a great option for a side business that can be just a flexible as you want it to be. If you have strong organizational skill, great customer service, and are one of those people who just remember EVERYTHING, you may want to look at becoming a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants can be used in many ways, which means you get the chance to charge a great rate for your strongest skills.

Some virtual assistants do research. Some provide spreadsheets, correspondence, and reminders to their clients to get to appointments (you know, kind of like a living calendar!) Others provide light graphics and layouts, or newsletters and website updates.

The point is, you can find a niche for your skills, and probably find a market for it. Want one client and the occasional extra cash? That would be super easy to land. Or several, with more steady income? Still, not too difficult. Some small businesses that have been around for a while use virtual assistants to do all the computer related work that the owner does not want to do – tasks like checking email, keeping an online calendar, and so on. This same owner may also need to email spreadsheets to the occasional customer. These leave openings that they may not need to hire a full time employee for, but that you could easily do from home in your spare time. The same goes for tasks like bookkeeping…I know of a business right now that would be happy to pay somebody just to update their books once a week, that does not really need to hire somebody…but would be happy to let somebody remote in and do this job.

There are plenty of opportunities like this. Market your very strongest skills. Are you an Excel Wizard? A QuickBooks Expert? Target small businesses and see if they can use you occasionally, and make some extra cash while you are at it!

Here are some great resources to check out:

 

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