How To Become A Freelance Administrative Support

You’re here because you want to know how to become freelance administrative support.

This article will explain what administrative support is and how it can be delivered in the form of a freelance job. It will also cover the benefits of being an administrative support freelancer, who this person should be, and their skillset.

How to Start a Virtual Assistant Agency Business – YouTube
Takeaways
1. Start by gaining a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of a freelance administrative support professional.
2. Develop a strong skill set that includes organizational abilities, communication skills, and proficiency in relevant software tools.
3. Build a professional network and establish connections with potential clients or employers in the industry.
4. Create a compelling portfolio that showcases your experience, skills, and accomplishments as a freelance administrative support professional.
5. Stay updated with industry trends and continuously enhance your knowledge and expertise to stay competitive in the field.
6. Price your services appropriately, considering factors such as your experience, market demand, and the value you provide to clients.
7. Market yourself effectively through online platforms, social media, and professional networks to attract clients and opportunities.
8. Prioritize excellent customer service and maintain a professional and reliable reputation to secure repeat business and referrals.
9. Continuously refine your administrative skills and explore opportunities for professional development and growth.
10. Stay organized, manage your time efficiently, and maintain a healthy work-life balance to thrive as a freelance administrative support professional.

What Are Your Administrative Support Skills?

You will need to be able to show evidence of competency in a number of areas. These include:

Are you interested in starting a career in freelance administrative support? Our comprehensive guide on How to Become a Freelance Administrative Support provides you with valuable tips and insights to kickstart your journey in this rewarding field.

Speed And Accuracy

Your work must be done quickly, with minimal errors.

Knowledge Of Software

You’ll need to know how to use the basic programs that your employer uses, including email clients, word processors, and spreadsheets.

Communication Skills 

You’ll need excellent written and verbal communication skills so that you can deal with customers and co-workers effectively.

Writing Skills 

When performing administrative tasks for multiple people at once, you will often have to write emails or letters on behalf of your employer; therefore it’s important that you can write clearly and concisely using correct grammar and spelling.

What Experience Do You Have?

When you are asked if you have experience, you can answer by listing your previous jobs and projects. Be specific, and include any large-scale tasks that demonstrate your abilities as well as any small details that show attention to detail. 

You should also list the education, training, and certifications that qualify you for the job; this will give the employer confidence in their choice to hire someone with less experience but who has the necessary skills and knowledge.

Finally, be sure to mention any computer software or office equipment that made it easier for you to complete your work duties even if they were only minor additions.

If you aspire to become a highly paid and respected freelance chat support specialist, look no further. Our article on How to Become a Highly Paid and Respected Freelance Chat Support Specialist offers valuable strategies and advice to excel in this in-demand role.

How Will You Get Paid?

Once you’ve done the research and made a list of the most suitable jobs for your skillset and experience, it’s time to start applying. As an administrative assistant (or any remote worker), you’ll be working from home. That means that you can work whenever and wherever suits you best. 

If there are particular hours or days when your employer would prefer that you work, it’s important to include them in your contract so that everyone is on the same page about expectations.

Like any job, being paid as a freelancer is not guaranteed but if all goes well, this could be a great way for you to make some extra cash. In many cases, payment will depend on how quickly someone needs documents delivered or other tasks completed by an administrative support professional; however, there are several common methods used by companies who need these services:

  • Hourly rate
  • Project-based (a set number of hours for completing one task)
  • Word – per 100 words/page formatted correctly with citations, etc…

Figure Out When You’ll Do Your Work

You’ll Need To Figure Out When You’ll Do Your Work 

This can be a bit tricky because you’re not just working for one company anymore. You’re freelancing and therefore are responsible for finding clients yourself. This means that there are no longer set times for you to come in and start working you’ll have to get creative about how you plan your schedule.

There Are Two Kinds Of Workers

contractors and freelancers. Contractors work on a project-by-project basis, with their employer providing all the necessary tools and supplies as well as paying them an hourly wage or salary based on the amount of time worked during those projects (for example, $15/hour). 

Freelancers charge by the hour or day instead (for example, $35/hour) but don’t necessarily get paid until after they complete their assignment successfully they instead receive payment upfront from whichever client hired them through an invoice system called “time tracking.”

When it comes down to it though, both types of employees work out at roughly the same rate because contractors tend not to receive benefits like health insurance coverage whereas freelancers do so more often than not depending upon whether they’ve established relationships with enough clients across different industries who want similar services provided without having much overhead cost associated with them (such as paying rent).

Ready to embark on your journey as a freelance business owner specializing in online chat support? Our guide on How to Start a Freelance Business as an Online Chat Support walks you through the essential steps to establish your business and thrive in the competitive freelance market.

Decide How Much To Charge

Deciding how much to charge for your services is a critical step in becoming a freelancer, and it’s important that you get it right. The most common mistake new freelancers make is under-pricing themselves, resulting in less income than they should be earning. There are two main factors that determine the wage rate of a freelance administrative support worker:

  • Your expertise and experience. What do you know? What have you learned? How long have you been doing this kind of work?
  • The market value of those skills. How much do similar workers make elsewhere? How much does someone with no experience or training make doing the same kind of job?

The first factor will usually determine how much more money than minimum wage (if any) you’re going to earn; the second factor can help determine what price range is reasonable for your work as well as how many hours per week or month it will take to earn an equivalent salary from other sources (e.g., full-time employment). 

In general, expect to be paid between 25% and 50% above minimum wage for any given task. You might prefer working fewer hours at higher rates than increasing your workload by taking on additional projects at lower rates per hour (and thus potentially earning less overall). 

This may depend on whether or not there’s enough demand for this type of service locally if so then it makes sense only charge minimum wage because there might not be enough people needing these kinds of services available elsewhere in order to justify paying more than minimum wage

Where Will You Work?

The first thing to consider is where you plan to work. If you don’t already have a home office, or if the idea of having one isn’t appealing, there are other options for freelancers who need office space namely co-working spaces and client offices. 

Some companies offer remote workers the use of their office on a day-to-day basis (for example HubSpot, which we’ll talk about more in our next section), whereas others may have a designated area where they keep their equipment and allow freelancers access when needed.

If working from home appeals to you but worries you about safety issues or privacy concerns, here are some things that can help mitigate those fears:

  • Get a lockbox installed on your front door that allows delivery people access without needing interaction with anyone inside your home (or even knowing what’s inside). This way, no strangers ever see inside your house when packages arrive.
  • Get clear glass installed over all windows facing outside this way no one can peer into them from outside without being seen themselves!
  • Install motion-sensor lights around the exterior of your property so that any potential intruders will be notified by flashing lights as soon as they approach

Curious about the responsibilities and tasks of a freelance administrative assistant? Discover the answer in our informative article on What Does a Freelance Administrative Assistant Do? Gain insights into the diverse roles and contributions of administrative professionals in the freelance industry.

Do You Have A Support System?

If you’re going to be working from home, it’s important to make sure that your family and friends are on board with the idea. It’s also important that they know what chores need to be done in order for your freelance business to run smoothly. This might include housework, childcare (if applicable), and more.

While it may not seem like a big deal at first, having a support system is crucial for any new business owner; especially when considering how much time will be spent working.

Aside from your immediate family and friends who can help out, consider getting involved with professional organizations such as Toastmasters International or the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW). These groups provide opportunities for networking while providing members with access to informational workshops and lectures by experts in their field.

If possible, try finding someone who has already gone through what you’re currently experiencing because nothing beats advice from someone who has been there before—and knows what needs doing!

What Equipment Will You Need?

As freelance administrative support, you’ll need to have all the necessary equipment and supplies. You’ll also want to be sure that your workspace is comfortable, as it will be where you spend most of your time. Here’s what we recommend:

A Computer

This is essential for getting work done, especially if you don’t want to use a public computer (which could get hacked) or share one with someone else (which may not be secure enough). If possible, try setting up your own personal network so that only people who are approved by you can access it and vice versa.

Printer Paper And Ink Cartridges

You’ll need these for printing out invoices or other materials related to individual clients’ projects or jobs that come from them directly; this way everything stays organized!

Scanners And Fax Machines (If Needed)

Some companies require these items in order for them to accept documents sent through email; if so, make sure they’re available upon request before signing up with any potential clients!

How Will You Market Yourself And Your Business?

You should also consider how you will market your business. It’s important to have a well-defined plan for marketing yourself and your services because one of the questions clients often ask is “What are your rates?” You should be prepared with a clear answer that includes all relevant information about your experience, skillset, and pricing structure before they ask.

If you don’t already have one, build or buy yourself a website. Your website is the hub of all things related to your freelance administrative support business; it should include information about what you do (and don’t), how long you’ve been doing it, testimonials from happy clients past and present along with any awards or accolades that may apply (e.g., being named as one of Canada’s Top 50 Wealth Management Firms). 

Make sure that there’s nothing in there that could reflect poorly on yourself or someone else it wouldn’t look good if someone were trying to hire another person based on their LinkedIn profile only for them then finds out about something negative after getting hired themselves! If necessary get rid of anything questionable on their own page so as not to have any potential employers Google searching potential problems when deciding whether or not to hire them.”

Considering hiring a freelance administrative support professional? Learn about the top reasons why it can benefit your business in our article on Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Freelance Administrative Support Professional. Find out how these skilled professionals can streamline your operations and contribute to your company’s success.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve read this guide, it’s time to get started. If you have the right skills, administrative support work can be a great way to earn some extra money. You don’t need to have a lot of experience to get started. It’s all about finding companies that are willing to pay for your services and putting yourself out thereby creating an online profile on Upwork or Freelancer.com and then using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to drum up business!

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources for further reading on the topic of becoming a freelance administrative assistant:

What Is a Freelance Administrative Assistant and How to Become One: Discover the role of a freelance administrative assistant and learn the steps to become one in this comprehensive guide.

Freelance PA or Administrator: Which Role Is Right for You: Explore the differences between a freelance personal assistant (PA) and a freelance administrator, helping you determine the path that aligns with your skills and goals.

Starting a Freelance Business as an Administrative Assistant: Gain insights and practical tips on how to start your own freelance administrative assistant business and set yourself up for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Start A Freelance Career?

You’ll need to find clients who need your services. You can do this by researching companies in your area, or by posting ads on job boards like Fiverr, Upwork, and LinkedIn.

How Is An Administrative Assistant Different From A Secretary?

A secretary is usually employed full-time in one position at an office while an assistant may work for multiple employers at once and perform many different roles depending on the project they’re working on. An administrative assistant can also be called upon to handle secretarial duties when necessary (e.g., answering phones).

How Do I Get My First Freelance Job?

Reach out to potential clients with personalized emails or cold calls (it’s okay to start with cold calls you’ll learn how to do that in our class!). Make sure to include links to your portfolio or past projects so they can see what kind of writer you are, and include an explanation as to why they should hire you over someone else.

What Skills Do I Need To Be A Freelancer? 

You need to be able to write well, communicate clearly with clients or editors (via email), manage your own time effectively, and be able to meet deadlines on time (or even early!)

Leave a Comment