Earn big money as a Virtual Concierge

Virtual concierge services are more than just an at-home job but, done right, can be a very rewarding and lucrative part-time or full time career. For the right person, opportunities abound as busy business professionals and/or companies find it more cost effective for them to outsource planning and tasks to a concierge professional than to pay an employee.

Basic requirements

Technology and supplies:

– a computer
– internet service
– phone
– possibly a headset

 Personal skills:

– excellent customer service skills
– good communication skills
– ability to work quickly
– resourceful and independent
– positive or “can do” attitude

Because you are providing a service, your service needs to not only be exemplary, but it needs to be of high value to the client. Many businesses employ a virtual concierge to attend to tasks for employees and executives. In this ever-changing, challenging, and exciting environment of high-end customer service, requests can range from the simple task of making dinner and theatre reservations or ordering flowers and chocolates, to the more involved task of booking an entire vacation or finding a host for an event. A virtual concierge might even be asked to plan a child’s birthday party or an elaborate wedding.

If this kind of challenge is in your skill-set, and you enjoy tasks like planning, coordinating, and researching solutions, you can make good money; working as many or as few hours as you like to boot.

How much can you make?

The amount varies, depending on the complexity of services, and whether working independently or for a concierge company. When asked to put numbers to their fees, independent concierges say their typical charges range from $25 to $125 an hour, depending on the particular task. Earnings add up to anywhere from $40,000 to $60,000 a year, depending on how many clients they take on and the range of services they offer. In addition, concierges often receive tips or gifts from grateful clients.

If you already have some concierge experience or expert customer service, you could strike out on your own. But just like any other business, there are many things to consider. Check out these recommended questions to ask, and things you ought to know.

• Do your research: Where does your knowledge, skills and abilities fit? What types of services are other virtual concierges offering?  There is an abundance of services that people will hire a concierge to handle.

• Find a focus: Whom would you target for cliental? What would you offer? Your services may be as simple as hand-writing and mailing beautiful invitations and thank you cards, or as complicated as coordinating an entire holiday party for a large company, including food, employee gifts, decorations, and more.

• Pick a business name and stand out from the crowd: When choosing a name, make sure it’s uncomplicated and clearly states what you do. Vague names don’t tell potential clients you have what they need. Then, determine how you will build confidence in your abilities and increase your client portfolio. Do you have a way to offer a special guarantee? Will you hold a special license from the city or state?

• Get set up: Before even taking on your first job, make sure you’re fully ready. Have necessary office equipment, software to track income and expenses, and the ability to respond quickly to inquiries. Determine a price list for your services; whether per job or hourly, or negotiable depending upon the requested components of the task. Get your business name legally registered, design a logo, obtain brochures, and build a website. Make sure your brochures and website answer all the most common questions a potential customer would ask. If you leave too many questions unanswered, or expect people to call and inquire, they will likely choose another service. Remember, you’re in the business of saving people time.

• Consider joining a professional association, such as the National Concierge Association or the International Concierge and Lifestyle Management Association. Get listed in their professional directories.

• Get your name out there: Place advertisements, get word of mouth started, and work any contacts you may already have that could get your foot in the door with a company.

Fortunately, if you’d rather get started by working for a concierge service, there are online companies like Aspire Lifestyles or The Virtual Concierge where you can gain insight and experience. Unfortunately, the pay won't come close to what you can make as an independent concierge.