What is a Virtual Assistant?
“A virtual assistant (typically abbreviated to VA, also called a virtual office assistant) is generally self-employed and provides professional administrative, technical, or creative (social) assistance to clients remotely from a home office.
Because virtual assistants are independent contractors rather than employees, clients are not responsible for any employee-related taxes, insurance or benefits, except in the context that those indirect expenses are included in the VA’s fees. Clients also avoid the logistical problem of providing extra office space, equipment or supplies. Clients pay for 100% productive work, and can work with Virtual Assistants, individually, or in multi-VA firms to meet their exact needs. Virtual Assistants usually work for other small businesses.”
–Source: Wikipedia
Can you afford a Virtual Assistant? Yes!
Here is a basic comparison between hiring an employee vs. contracting a Virtual Assistant:
When contracting a Virtual Assistant, you only pay for the hours worked which is generally a fraction of a traditional full time employee. VA’s are independent administrative professionals. Just like a contractor, there are no benefit package costs, no unproductive hour costs, and no overhead costs to incur.