What is a Virtual Assistant

The New Office Assistant

You might have heard of the term of a Virtual Assistant but you’re unsure exactly what a Virtual Assistant (VA) is.

A VA is an independent business owner/entrepreneur who provides administrative support to individuals and businesses from a remote location. While a VA may at times be needed to work at your office the majority of the work that a VA will provide for you is provided off site.

You might never get to meet your VA in person but will deal with them predominantly over the internet. With the advent of Skype and other messenger services the VA and the business owner that they are helping could very easily be on opposite sides of the world.

The advantages of a VA are numerous for a business, especially a small starter business. Why pay for a full time employee and have to cover insurance and tax costs as well as the equipment and office space that they will need when you can outsource a lot of the work to a VA and only pay them for their time. The VA is responsible for ensuring their own workspace and equipment. Just think of the savings you can make by not having to spend money on expensive equipment that might not get used all that often.

VA’s can assist you in so many ways. VA’s are experienced and professional Administrative Experts in various fields. VA’s can offer assistance with your basic business needs of typing, mail shots and answering the telephone, to the more complex and demanding aspects of your business being bookkeeping, web design or graphic design for your letterhead, business cards and brochures, etc.

If you think that a VA might be able to help you but are unsure how to find one, then just type “Virtual Assistant” into the search facility of your favourite web browser and you will be amazed at the number of links that come up.

When finding your first VA it is advisable to have a clear idea of what work you would like to outsource to your VA so that you can be specific and the VA will also be able to tell you straight away whether or not they will be able to help you. Rather take “No” from your first VA if they do not feel comfortable doing the work you require. There is nothing stopping you asking for a referral to someone who they feel would be better able to service your business.