What The CEO Says

An CEO’s Perspective (and Overlook) on Leveraging VAs

FM. Aditomo

5 min read

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Feb 15, 2025

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Prologue

In the not-so-distant past, the idea of working from your favorite coffee shop — or even from your living room — was a luxury reserved for freelancers and digital nomads. Fast-forward to 2025, and remote work has evolved into a mainstream career choice. At the heart of this revolution lies the role of the virtual assistant (VA) — a job that combines administrative expertise with digital agility.

Drawing on insights from industry leaders like Jordan Silvera, CEO of SmartIntro, who has spent over $7,000 on VAs in the past year alone and expects to double that in 2025, this article explores why being a virtual assistant is not only a viable career path but a thriving one in today’s job market.

Why Virtual Assistants Are in High Demand

CEOs and business owners juggle numerous responsibilities, from closing deals to developing long-term strategies. This creates the “$5/hr vs. $500/hr dilemma”: should they spend time on routine tasks like scheduling and email management ($5/hr tasks) or focus on high-value strategic work ($500/hr tasks)? The answer is clear — delegate the former to virtual assistants and maximize productivity.

Common Tasks CEOs Need Help With

According to Silvera, the most in-demand tasks for virtual assistants include:

• Calendar management (booking meetings, organizing schedules)
• Email filtering and response management
• Travel arrangements (booking flights, hotels, itinerary planning)
• Data entry and document management
• Social media support (scheduling posts, engaging with audiences)
• Research and competitor analysis
• Customer service and support
• Project coordination and team management
• Sales outreach and cold calling
• Event planning and logistics

These tasks, while essential, can be time-consuming for business leaders. This is why the demand for skilled VAs continues to grow.

The Virtual Assistant’s Skill Set: What Sets You Apart?

To succeed as a VA in 2025 and beyond, you need more than just technical skills. You need to think like a business partner. CEOs want someone who understands their goals, not just completes tasks.

Must-Have Skills for Virtual Assistants

1. Excellent Communication

• Good English is crucial for understanding tasks, deadlines, and expectations.
• If English is not your strong suit, use AI tools to refine your writing and speech.

2. Proactive Mindset

• CEOs prefer VAs who anticipate needs rather than wait for instructions.
• Offer suggestions, identify problems before they arise, and take initiative.

3.Time Management & Organization

• Managing multiple tasks efficiently is key.
• Familiarity with project management tools like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com is a plus.

1. Tech-Savviness

• Knowledge of automation tools, CRM software, and AI-powered assistants gives you an edge.
• Popular VA tools include Slack, Zoom, Google Suite,Hootsuite, and social media schedulers.

1. A Strong Online Presence

• CEOs receive hundreds of VA applications. The best way to stand out is by having a professional online presence, especially on LinkedIn.
• Instead of saying, “I can manage social media,” say, “I increased engagement by 30% in three months for XYZ client.”
• Showcase testimonials, case studies, and quantifiable results.

Avoid These Common VA Mistakes

Clients look for reliability and quality. Avoid these red flags:

1. Poor Communication (slow responses, unclear emails, not following instructions)
2. Low-Quality Work (typos, missed deadlines, lack of attention to detail)
3. Lack of Initiative (waiting for instructions instead of taking charge)
4. Unreliability (disappearing without notice, failing to meet expectations)
5. Generic Applications (copy-pasting proposals without personalization)
6. Overpromising & Under-Delivering (claiming skills you don’t have, missing deadlines)

Finding Your VA Niche: The Ikigai Approach

To maximize earning potential, VAs should specialize rather than be generalists. The Japanese concept of Ikigai (a reason for being) can help you identify your niche by balancing:

• What you love (passion)
• What you are good at (skills)
• What the world needs (demand)
• What you can be paid for (profitability)

Examples of high-demand VA niches:

• Executive Assistance (high-level admin work, personal brand management, investor relations)
• E-commerce Support (managing Shopify/Amazon stores, handling customer inquiries)
• Social Media Management (content creation, analytics tracking, ad management)
• Sales Support (lead generation, outreach, cold calling)
• Marketing & SEO Assistance (blog writing, keyword research, email marketing)

The Next Level: Becoming an Executive Assistant

As a beginner Virtual Assistant, you’re likely focused on tasks like managing emails, scheduling appointments, and handling basic social media. That’s a great starting point! But an Executive Assistant (EA) operates at a higher level, acting as a strategic partner to executives, often earning several times more.

While a VA handles tasks, an EA anticipates needs, manages complex projects, and often oversees other team members. They have a deep understanding of the business’s goals and the executive’s priorities. Think of it this way: a VA helps you do things, while an EA helps you decide what to do and why.

An EA might manage an executive’s entire schedule, gatekeep communications, prepare reports, and even represent the executive in meetings. It’s a role that requires strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as a high level of professionalism and discretion. While it’s a step up from a traditional VA role, the rewards — both in terms of compensation and impact — can be significantly greater.

Final Tips for VA Success in 2025 and Beyond

The past few years have indeed presented unprecedented challenges across the globe. As we reflect upon the tumultuous events of the early 2020s — ranging from the far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the intricate dynamics of international trade relations between the United States and China, alongside various geopolitical developments — it has become increasingly apparent that virtual assistance has emerged as a remarkably resilient career path. Indeed, the profession of a Virtual Assistant presents a most viable opportunity for individuals worldwide, irrespective of whether one resides in an emerging economy or an established nation.

Talking Points for Outreach & Client Trust

1. Personalization: Research your client and tailor your message to their specific needs.
2. Value-Driven Approach: Focus on how you help clients achieve their goals, not just what tasks you perform.
3. Example Outreach: Instead of saying, “I’m a VA with experience in social media management,” say, “Hi [Name], I saw you’re looking to grow your online presence. I can help you increase engagement and reach your audience by implementing a tailored content strategy.”
4. Use Tools: LinkedIn for client research, Smart Intro for personalized outreach.
5. Build Trust: Start with small projects, communicate clearly, and share quantifiable results.

With businesses increasingly valuing remote work, the VA role is set to grow exponentially. By honing your skills, specializing in a niche, and providing true value, you can turn virtual assistance into a high-paying, fulfilling career.

Farhan Muhammad Aditomo is a lifelong baseball fan who also happened to support workers’ rights. Formerly of kumparan and Dua Rajawali Perkasa, he had some aspiration to make a living out of the texts about people within. Once worked remotely as a reporter/copywritebut didn’t like the ASEAN political conundrum in general.Loves sarcasm, but in a quirky way.