A Virtual Assistant is basically the same thing as a office assistant except you work from Home. If your background is in the administrative field the transition to being a Virtual Assistant should not be hard for you at all. Is there any demand for Virtual Assistants? Yes there is, in this economy a lot of People had to down size but still need there book work done so it is just easier and more affordable to hire a Virtual office Assistant then hiring a full time employee. Everything can be done from home by Computer and online, all you need is to set up a home office with the basic office equipment, phone and fax line and you will have a home based business. Now since this will be your own home based business you will need to get a business license, and normally they really don’t cost a lot, you will have to check with you city what the requirements are on getting your license.   

Here are a few things a Virtual Administrative Assistant can do

Company financial reports
Typing Manuscripts
Data Entry
Bookkeeping
Invoicing
Customer Service
Travel arrangements
Mailings
Returning calls
Desktop Publishing
Website design and up keep
Real Estate support

This are just a few things that can be done and there are many more, for instants if you have clients locally you can run errands and pick up and drop off work that needs to be done.  There are a lot of opportunities available. And don’t think you have to know everything I have listed above it certainly helps to be experienced in a large variety of fields but you can still provide lot of services according to your strengths. If you are good in one area like customer service or website building build on that make that your niche and expand from there, you can always expand your field, nothing is stopping you there are so many great recourses out there that the sky is the limit. Now like any business you start it will take a while to build a cliental but be prepared that once you get it of the ground it can be very high demanding job. Do a search on Virtual Assistants and you will come up with many great sites that will help you along the way, there some great forums and books that will show you everything you need to know.