What Is A Virtual Assistant?

A Virtual Assistant or VA is an independent contractor who assists you in taking care of the administrative and technical side of your business or life. VA’s provide administrative support or specialized business services from a distance; through the Internet, fax, telephone, or other method of communication. Most VAs never meet their clients face to face. They assist you and/or your business on a contractual basis from a remote location.

A Virtual Assistant, in most cases, is capable of handling any task that your traditional office staff handles. Virtual Assistants provide a variety of skills from document preparation to bookkeeping to web design: skills to meet the needs of all business professionals. While most VAs perform administrative tasks they are more than just a home-based secretary. Before setting up their practices, most VAs held prominent positions in the corporate world. By working with a Virtual Assistant, it enables the entrepreneur to enjoy the support benefits that was once available only to individuals in large corporations.

Many expanding businesses and entrepreneurs require the expertise of an administrative assistant but do not have the resources to hire on a permanent basis.  Most put great effort into completing the tasks on their own not realizing how much energy is being diverted away from their business.  Partnering with a Virtual Assistant ensures clients will have more time and energy to devote to their professional goals.

Who Can Use a Virtual Assistant?

Overworked, stressed professionals who need to delegate unproductive tasks to concentrate on more important issues.

A student that needs to concentrate on their studies and let a virtual assistant take care of preparing term papers, research, etc.

Home-based entrepreneurs preferring not to hire a full-time employee due to the hassle and expense, or lack of sufficient workspace to accommodate an extra person.

Thriving business owners who wish to add a professional touch to their final documents, reports or presentations and who value their VAs input as a creative sounding board for fresh ideas.

Owners who recognize their staff lacks the necessary time or skills to complete a special project.

An organization or club that can take advantage of services such as event planning, creation and distribution of brochures, newsletters.

Businesses who prefer to outsource a sensitive project to an outside confidential third party.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Virtual Assistant?

No need for clients to provide a work space in their office for an employee and all the equipment they need.  VAs do all the work from their own office.

No need for clients to provide the additional equipment an employee would need.  A VAs office has all the pens, paper, printers, computer hardware, etc. necessary to complete their work.

Clients have access to a VA whenever they are required.  A VA is just a phone call or email away.

No need for clients to worry about regular employee deductions like taxes, healthcare premiums, health benefits, pension plans, vacation/sick time, etc.  A VA handles all their own deductions.

No need to pay for coffee breaks, idle office chit-chat or errands.  VAs only charge for the time spent on a project or they charge on a per unit basis.

Clients who outsource regular or just can't find time for tasks to a VA have more time to concentrate on the important responsibilities in operating their business; ie. contacting customers, pursuing new projects.

Also clients who outsource some of their work free up precious time to spend with family, friends and hobbies.

Clients who hire a VA have a partner that is dedicated to their success.  When the client's business prospers, so does the VA's business.

How Does Partnering With a Virtual Assistant Work?

Today's technology allows virtual assistants and their clients to work and be in touch as easily as if we were sitting across the office from one another. And, whether you have your virtual assistant provide you with 10 hours of support per month, or 10 hours of support per week, you will see immediate positive changes in your life.