Virtual Assistant is a term that is being used more frequently among small and medium business owners. Ever wonder what a Virtual Assistant really is? Virtual assistants are administrative support experts, the “virtual” part of their title the result of the fact that they work remotely, and you often only communicate with them online.
When considering the value of a Virtual Assistant, it is important to remember that they are not employees.
Virtual assistants are professional entrepreneurs providing support to clients in a variety of fields. You as business owner use, and pay for, their services on an as-needed basis, considerably reducing the financial burden of having a full-time employee, along with any administration that arises from this. The services provided by VA range from basic office administration, through to more specialized tasks such as marketing, design, bookkeeping, website management, even social media expertise.
There are various way in which you and your business will benefit from using a Virtual Assistant.
Their qualifications and high-level skills position them as experts who offer more than just administrative support. The best-practices they have developed in managing their own business can be transferred and implemented within your own business, not only through any measures they implement, but also through you engaging with them regularly and consulting with them on certain projects. They are not only able to provide essential support, they are also able to help you and your business grow.
The total cost of Virtual Assistant varies according to the type of services you require, and how frequently you utilize them.
But any cost could well be offset by the benefits that result. Consider how much time you are personally spending on low level tasks and what impact this has on your real ability to grow your business. A virtual assistant will be able to manage all of these tasks for you, and because they are experts within their fields, they will probably do it a lot faster than you could.
The Virtual Assistant industry has been around for over a decade, but it is only now that they are becoming increasingly popular, both in demand, and in business discussions.
Popular networks for finding virtual assistants include VA Networking, Virtual Assistant Forums, the International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA) and the Administrative Consultants Association (ACA), in addition to online marketplaces where one bids-for-hire.
A final caveat; you benefit the most when both you and your VA fully understand and appreciate that they are a professional providing support, not an employee.
About Out of the Office Virtual Assistance:
At Out of the Office, we are committed to providing earth-friendly administration and offer ideas and ways to increase your productivity, decrease your workload, and work more efficiently. We nurture a successful business relationship, while continuing to grow as your business partner. We are focused on streamlining your administration, social media planning and execution, and offering creative solutions for your business success.
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