What Does a Virtual Assistant Do? Tasks, Tools, and Skills Explained

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What Does a Virtual Assistant Do? Tasks, Tools, and Skills Explained

In 2025, the world of work is more remote than ever, and virtual assistants (VAs) are at the heart of it.

Whether you're a Filipino freelancer looking to enter the VA industry, or a business owner thinking of hiring one, it helps to clearly understand what a virtual assistant actually does.

Spoiler alert: it’s not just admin work.

VAs now support businesses in a wide range of industries, from startups to real estate to e-commerce. This blog will walk you through the roles, responsibilities, tools, and value that virtual assistants bring to the table.

What Is a Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant is a remote worker who provides support services to entrepreneurs, teams, and companies.

The support can be administrative, technical, creative, or customer-focused—and often spans multiple departments. VAs typically work from home and are hired on a part-time, full-time, or project basis.

Some are generalists, while others specialize in a niche (like social media or real estate).

Common Tasks Virtual Assistants Handle

Here’s what many Filipino VAs do for their clients on a daily or weekly basis:

1. Administrative Tasks

Inbox and calendar management

Booking appointments or meetings

Organizing files and folders (Google Drive, Dropbox)

Preparing reports or spreadsheets

Managing CRMs and task boards

These are ideal for general VAs and entry-level roles.

2. Customer Support

Responding to emails or live chat inquiries

Handling support tickets via tools like Zendesk or Gorgias

Following up with leads or customers

Managing FAQs and feedback forms

Great for VAs with a background in BPO or client care.

Scheduling posts via tools like Buffer or Later

Writing captions and hashtags

Responding to comments or DMs

Tracking insights and engagement

Creating basic graphics with Canva

Perfect for VAs who enjoy content, trends, and visuals.

4. Content and Marketing Support

Researching blog topics or keywords

Uploading blog posts to WordPress or Notion

Managing email newsletters (Mailchimp, ConvertKit)

Creating basic copy for websites or ads

This is where general VAs start blending into content VA or marketing VA roles.

5. E-commerce Support

Product listing and descriptions (Shopify, Etsy, Amazon)

Order tracking and returns

Answering product-related questions

Updating inventory sheets

Customer review monitoring

E-commerce is a growing niche for Filipino VAs.

6. Real Estate VA Tasks

Cold calling or lead follow-ups

Managing Zillow/MLS listings

Data entry for property sheets

Scheduling viewings or consultations

CRM updates (e.g., using HubSpot, GoHighLevel)

Real estate VAs are in demand, especially in the U.S. market.

7. Specialized VA Services

As you grow in experience, you can specialize in high-value roles like:

Podcast editing

Video captioning

Automation setup (Zapier, Make.com)

Graphic design (Canva, Adobe)

Bookkeeping (QuickBooks, Xero)

Project management (Asana, Trello, Notion)

These roles often pay higher and require skill-specific training.

Tools Virtual Assistants Commonly Use

To perform their tasks efficiently, VAs rely on a range of tools. Here are the most common:

Category	Tools
Communication	Slack, Gmail, Telegram, Zoom
Task Management	Trello, Asana, Notion
Design	Canva, Figma
Scheduling	Calendly, Google Calendar
File Sharing	Google Drive, Dropbox
Time Tracking	Clockify, Toggl, VA Bear
CRM	HubSpot, GoHighLevel, Airtable

Soft Skills That Make a VA Stand Out

Beyond the tasks and tools, soft skills are what make a great VA.

✅ Communication

✅ Time management

✅ Reliability

✅ Proactiveness

✅ Adaptability

✅ Attention to detail

Clients often hire based on trust—so showing up consistently and communicating well matters just as much as skill.

How VAs Help Businesses Grow

Whether it’s a solo entrepreneur or a growing agency, VAs help businesses:

Save time

Reduce overwhelm

Focus on core tasks

Improve customer service

Scale without hiring full-time employees

In short: VAs are not just assistants, they’re remote problem-solvers who help companies run smarter.

Final Thoughts: Is Being a VA Right for You?

If you're someone who is:

Organized and self-motivated

Comfortable working online

Good at communication

Eager to learn new tools and tasks

Then being a virtual assistant might be your best career move in 2025.

It’s flexible, in-demand, and scalable. And best of all—it’s a career path where Filipino professionals thrive.

Best Niches for Virtual Assistants in 2025

Top Soft Skills Every Virtual Assistant Needs

How to Get Your First Client as a Virtual Assistant (Without Paid Ads)

👉 Ready to become a VA or hire your first one? Join VA Bear to find jobs or get matched with top Filipino virtual assistants.

What Does a Virtual Assistant Do? Tasks, Tools, and Skills Explained