What is a Virtual Assistant?

Virtual Assistants (or VAs) are individuals who provide various services to entrepreneurs or businesses from a remote location. VAs are self-employed professionals, providing administrative, creative, and technical support to clients from a home office, coffee shop, or on a beach. Virtual Assistants can work from virtually anywhere. Time zones and distances are not a hindrance to the VA/Client relationship.

A little background…

The virtual assistant industry stems from the almost obsolete secretarial services industry, which was nationally recognized in 1942. According to virtualassistanceinc.com, the term “virtual assistance” was coined in 1996 by life coach Thomas Leonard during a phone conversation with then home-based contractor, Anastasia Brice. The first-ever international association of virtual assistants was formed in 1999. Known as the International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA), this non-profit organization aims to assist VAs all over the world with education and benefits, ensuring the industry will be sustainable in the long haul.

What do VAs do, exactly?

Virtual Assistants perform a wide array of administrative, technical, and creative support to business owners and consumers alike. Many of the general administrative duties performed by a VA include customer service, data entry, Internet research and analysis, calendar management, email marketing and automation, and so much more.

A professional VA will be able to assist a client with the technical aspects of running a business, such as web design, automated marketing campaigns, and assistance with customer relationship management software, just to name a few. Many small business owners have the skills and capabilities to perform their own administrative tasks. However, they may not necessarily be tech savvy, or more likely, they don’t have the time to spare to learn various information technology systems that can propel their business forward ahead of the competition. A scenario such as this is the perfect reason why a Virtual Assistant is a great asset for business owners.

Virtual Assistants can also offer creative assistance to clients looking to spice up their marketing campaign, or they can provide imaginative assistance with an idea that’s already been formulated. Whether it’s administrative, technical, or creative assistance, VAs can save entrepreneurs time and money by performing the tasks required to successfully run their business.

How can you benefit from the VA industry?

As a busy entrepreneur, there are undoubtedly a lot of things on your plate, and time is money. With the help of a Virtual Assistant, you can cut your to-do list in half, freeing up time to perform less-mundane tasks (like spending time with family and friends, or taking a much-needed vacation). Outsourcing your tasks to a Virtual Assistant is a cost-effective solution for the small business owner. Small business hiring is flat across the U.S., and the VA industry is on the rise. If you like saving time and money, consider hiring a personal Virtual Assistant.

Where are VAs located?

Virtual Assistants can work with you from virtually anywhere in the world. VAs can be found online via freelance marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork. A simple Google search for “Virtual Assistant” will return millions of results. However, it’s important to research and select a virtual assistance company with proven knowledge and a history of achievement.

You can start here for a free consultation to learn more about the reasons why a personal Virtual Assistant may be the perfect solution for you.