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We've listed several of our most frequently asked questions to assist you. If we have not included your question please call or email us now so that we may assist you.
If there is information not listed here that you feel may be useful, please feel free to contact us and let us know your suggestion.
What are Virtual Assistants (VAs)?
Who Does a Virtual Assistant Work With?
Who Benefits From Having a VA?
How do I decide if or when I need a VA?
What are the benefits of hiring a VA instead of a temp or permanent employee?
What are Virtual Assistants (VAs)?
Here are a few titles that may be more familiar to you:
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Executive Assistant |
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Cyber-Secretary |
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Project Manager |
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Personal Assistant |
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Administrative Assistant |
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Desktop Publisher |
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Consultant |
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Sounding Board |
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Business Analyst |
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Researcher |
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Webmaster/Webmistress |
In the traditional office they can have any of the titles listed, but in the online community they are known as Virtual Assistants or VAs. A Virtual Assistant can be so many things for you and your company it depends your needs and sometimes your imagination. Most VAs are extremely diverse in their skills sets allowing them to offer you almost business service you need.
Who normally uses VA services?
A VA usually works with a variety of professionals and business owners who have grown their business beyond just themselves and need someone to help handle the details to maintain and/or continue growth. A VA is also great for those businesses that only need support occasionally or don't have physical room for office staff. VAs are perfect for organizations that don't have room in their bottom line to pay for employees during slow periods. Remember, VAs are professionals that use the wealth of today's technology to help make their client's lives easier.
Who benefits from having a VA?
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Businesses of All Sizes |
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Non-profit Organizations |
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Students |
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New Parents |
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Clubs/Associations |
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Entrepreneurs |
How do you decide if or when you need a VA?
The best time to make the decision to use a VA is BEFORE you are overwhelmed with the everyday details of your business and/or personal life. Of course, most of the time circumstances don't allow for this advance planning but, there are still things you can do to help yourself.
Take a long, hard look at the daily tasks you are currently performing or that you have a full-time person performing that may not take 40 hours a week to complete. Pay close attention to those tasks that don't get done on schedule because you don't like them or don't have the staff to complete them because these are ideal projects to delegate to your VA.
One way to assess just how much your VA can benefit you and your company's bottom line is to take a couple of weeks and document your regular tasks and the time it takes to complete them. You can even take a look at timesheets to assess the money spent to have tasks completed by others. Be sure to review the timeliness of the tasks/projects and the quality of the work. Can the tasks be automated by the "right" person?
We're here to make business easier and more efficient. If you can find areas of your business or organization that needs to be more efficient handled or has spurts of significant work but doesn't warrant a regular staff member then you should give serious consideration to contracting a VA for those tasks.
What are the benefits of hiring a VA instead of a temp or permanent employee?
The benefits stretch as far as your imagination. Selecting a VA often allows you to have a Jack or Jill of all trades on you business team. You can have one dynamic member of your project team or even a highly skilled AND highly organized executive assistant to work with you. Even better, you save on employee taxes, unemployment insurance, paid benefits (including vacation, sick days and holidays), and "finders" fees to staffing agencies.
Your business needs are critical for your VA because YOU are his/her business! You will find amazing flexibility, availability and commitment from your VA whether you have a monthly newsletter or a quarterly bulk mail project. Your VA is an extension of your business, unlike temporary or permanent staff he/she has a vested interest in your business and personal success.
What else can a VA do for me?
We've covered many areas here although many VAs have a wide range of talents and offer a significant range of business and administrative services. To find out if we offer the specific services you need today, call us today for details. (407) 582-0360