Let us start off by saying that right NOW is always the perfect time to start working online.
You don’t have to wait until the start of next month or until someone gives you permission.
If you want it and you feel it in your gut that this is a good next step for you, just do it, just start. Don’t let others discourage you or hold you back.
And if you’re doubting whether now is a good time, during a global pandemic with many losing their jobs, it’s still the same answer. You can and should start now.
There are still so many opportunities, and more so, business owners need YOUR help with branching into the digital space.
You’ll be able to work from the comfort of your own home, do everything remotely, so there’s no risk in giving it a proper try during this time.
In this blog post, we cover 10 of the biggest reasons why there is no better time than NOW to dive into the online work world.
1. The Future of Working Is Online and Remote
Yep – you read that right.
The online work world keeps growing. The biggest reason for this is technology. We now have technology that can achieve things that weren’t possible 10 years ago AND it’s available to the general public.
For example, worldwide conference calls have been a thing for decades, but now we all have the ability to run them from our homes.
People have a better internet connection, a good laptop or desktop and they know how to use them.
When you have all of this at home, why would you still waste time going into an office?
99% of respondents to a Buffer survey indicated they’d like to work remotely, at least some of the time, for the rest of their career.
While employees have known and wanted this for a while, so they can spend more time with family or even work from a different country (the beach, anyone?!), employers are currently being forced to come around as well.
2. More Businesses Are Moving Online and Remote
Employers and businesses are catching on as well! Working from home isn’t just good for the workers.
A number of newer businesses already saw the benefits of remote working. Some even started with complete remote teams.
It means they can hire the best talent, not just the best option that lives close enough to drive to their office.
It also means fewer costs. They don’t have to rent huge offices, so they have more money to spend on the business or on benefits for their employees.
Established businesses were also seeing benefits. According to studies, the amount of people that work remotely at least once a week has increased by 400% in the last decade. That’s a huge increase!
Businesses that were still refusing to let employees work from home were now forced to due COVID-19 lockdowns.
We’re expecting many will continue with at least some form of working from home after things go back to normal after seeing the benefits of remote working.
More businesses are realizing now that work from home is a great alternative.
Now, if you want to work online, that doesn’t mean you have to be an employee. You can start your own business, providing services to other business owners.
In this case, you’d be hired as a contractor and you work WITH your client, not for them. You’re a business owner yourself, with all the freedom that comes with it.
3. Many Online Businesses Are Being Started at the Moment
New online businesses are popping up like crazy right now! People that have either lost their jobs or just have extra time at home now are starting businesses they’ve probably been planning for a while. And most of these are online!
This is great for you, as a new business owner yourself!
These people are going to realize soon enough that they can’t do it all alone, and guess who they’ll be hiring? Virtual assistants and other service providers!
VAs are the perfect hire for a busy online business owner that wants some extra help, but doesn’t want to hire employees.
So yes, there are plenty of opportunities right now, from new online businesses to established companies going remote.
So let’s talk about YOU for a second.
4. You Want To Work Online
Whether you’ve just lost your job or you’re looking for a change in career because you want a different life, it’s all good. As long as you have the motivation, you can make this online career work!
And we think you have it in you!
You’re reading this, so you’ve obviously been thinking about working online. Motivation and determination are two of the most important aspects of making your own virtual assistant business a success.
If you’re excited to dive in and you can’t wait to start your online work journey, we invite you to watch our free masterclass on How To Work From Anywhere As a Virtual Assistant.
It goes into detail on what a virtual assistant is, how to find legit jobs and what you need to get started. You’ll also get to know Esther, CEO, and owner of the Virtual Assistant Internship. It will help you flesh out what you want to do online and get you started.
And what better time to dive in now, because..
5. You Have the Time
We’re all finding ourselves with more free time than normal. Maybe you’ve lost your job, had your hours cut back or you suddenly have a few extra hours because you don’t have to commute.
You can use this extra time to learn new skills and set up your own online business. Maybe you already have the skills, which is even better!
Whatever your situation is, this is the perfect moment to use that extra time to do something productive. You might come out of lockdown with a whole new skillset or a successful new business if you play this right!
6. There’s a Wealth of Information Online to Get You Started
We’ve all been there. HOW do you start working online? You guessed it, it’s all online! There are courses, eBooks, videos, podcasts and so much more.
Want to learn a new skill? Take a course! Need advice on the legal stuff? Find an eBook or an online lawyer! You can go on and on, there’s something to be found for every problem or question!
Before you dive in and consume resource after resource, we have some advice.
You can find a lot of basic information online for free. If you want more in-depth and specialized information, you’ll probably have to spend some money.
There are a ton of online business owners (you might later work for!) that put all their knowledge in a book or course that they sell.
And if you find the right one, spending cash will be worth it! These online business owners can’t share their best information and tips for free, so they’ll keep their best secrets for their paying audience only.
But we do recommend that you do your research before you buy. Read reviews and testimonials to see what others have said. Watch or read free resources to get to know the expert and see if you click with their way of teaching.
Not every online course is automatically a win, so just make sure that when you spend your money, you’ll get what’s promised AND what you’re looking for.
Once you’ve found the right course or resource for the skill you want to learn, you’ll be golden!
So let’s take a look at what you’d get if you start working online!
7. Working Online Will Help You Build The Life You Want
Envision the life you want.
- Do you want to travel the world
- Do you want to spend more time with your family?
- Are you sick of sitting in your car multiple hours a day?
- Do you want to work less or be able to control when you work?
Whatever the reason is, we get it! Working online, especially as a business owner, will give you all the freedom you’re craving to build the life you’ve always wanted.
It will take some hard work to get to that point, but once you’re established, you’ll be so glad you did!
Use your ideal life as extra motivation to get moving and start working online!
8. You’ll Be Location Independent
Once you work online, it doesn’t really matter where you live. As long as your internet connection is fast enough, you can work from wherever you want.
Are you craving a warmer climate? Pack up your office (read: your laptop) and go (once travel opens up again)!
If you want to be closer to your parents to take care of them, it’s possible! Or just work from your home, close to your family.
You could work from a different office every day, make a nice little home office you’re comfortable in, or even work from your bed in your pj’s.
No one will complain, as long as you deliver quality work!
Plus, you’ll be able to work with people from all over the world, regardless of your and their location. This will give you the chance to work on awesome projects you otherwise wouldn’t even get near!
Online work is all about finding the most talented person for the job!
9. You’ll Be Your Own Boss
You don’t have to follow someone else’s rules, work when they want you to, do every task they need. And the best thing!
You’ll get to decide who you work with. If you’re starting work with a client and they turn out to be a nightmare, just fire them. You’re in complete control.
No more annoying colleagues, inappropriate bosses, or terrible projects. You get to decide on all of that!
You can specialize in your favorite tasks, turn down projects you’re not excited about and decide what clients you want to accept.
At some point you’ll be able to hire your own contractors, so you don’t have to do everything yourself anymore.
It’s a whole different way of working!
10. You’ll Be Able to Make More Than in a Normal Job
If you become a virtual assistant or another kind of service provider, you can set your own rates. Yep, you get to decide how much you charge!
When you start off, you’re probably not going to be charging top dollar yet. That comes with time and experience.
But while you grow, you can keep raising your rates. You’ll get more experience, grow your skills and you’ll have a proven track record with previous clients.
After a while, you’ll be able to charge way more than the salary you’d be earning at a regular job. It’s all part of that freedom!
This Is the Perfect Time to Start Your Online Work Journey!
So what are you waiting for?
If you want to be in charge of your life, working online is the best way to do it.
You can control your work hours, who you work with, what you work on, and how much you charge. It also gives you the freedom to live wherever you want.
And while many people are losing their jobs right now, the online work world is thriving. Businesses are popping up everywhere because everyone is sitting at home.
This really is the perfect time to start working online.