Archive for April, 2009

What is a Virtual Assistant?

To put it plainly, a Virtual Assistant provides professional administrative, technical or creative support or assistance to business owners and busy individuals but does not necessarily perform those tasks within the owner’s office. Working remotely within their own well equipped office, tasks or projects are communicated to the VA via email, phone, fax, postage mail, and courier or at times for local clients – onsite.

Thanks to the technology available to all of us, most virtual assistants are able to service clients across the country and around the world. Just like the World Wide Web, the possibilities are limitless when it comes to location. Imagine being able to “extend” your work hours by having a virtual assistant in a different time zone to you, do your work while you sleep. Save a few dollars (or Pounds, Euro etc) by hiring a VA who is based in a country whose currency is at a lower value than your own country currency. Have the comfort of running your business at home and not worry about extra “space” for an employee and so forth.

Benefits to YOU!

Of the greatest advantages to you, a Virtual Assistant charges only for the time worked (normally a per hour rate). Since a virtual assistant is an independent contractor you never have to worry about employee benefits, taxes, paperwork, insurance, extra costs on office space or supplies, no obligation on hours required to work per week, extra hands during seasonal or peak activity time, and no time is wasted on breaks or having to deal with employee personal issues.

Additionally, as a VA is a business owner themselves, they understand the importance of confidentiality, lead/turn-around time, customer relationships, marketing, finances and running a business in general!

Who uses Virtual Assistants?

In a nutshell, anyone and everyone who wants to! Overall, if you are a busy business owner who has too much on your plate and not enough time to do it all, a virtual assistant can help you tick off your to do list while you concentrate on your marketing activities, leads, sales etc. Don’t have time to run your personal errands, plan or organise that birthday party, book your holiday, call your dentist to schedule an appointment, purchase a gift, pay your bills or even purchase your groceries? A virtual assistant can help keep you organised. Some examples of people engaging a VA are:

• Speakers, consultants and coaches – VA’s can organise the booking of a venue, correspond with attendee, book travel arrangements, savvy up presentations and hand outs etc

• Small or Home businesses – maintain websites, marketing assistant support, email management, word processing, competitive research, book keeping, follow up unpaid invoices, organise business events, etc

• Solo entrepreneurs – manage voicemail, schedule appointments, ensure you’re on time for meetings, manage correspondence, book travel, create a database, follow up unpaid invoices, etc

• Medical, Law or Real-estate industries – transcription, posting up advertisement, prepare documents, input data etc

• Authors and writers – research, proof reading, transcription, typing etc

• Busy individuals – you don’t even need to have a business interest to engage in the services of a VA. A VA can ensure bills are paid on time by using the internet, online grocery shopping, organising special events, purchasing gifts online, organise cleaners to come to your home, search for babysitting services in your area, purchase tickets to events/movies/shows etc

So how much does a virtual assistant charge?

This may vary depending on alot of factors: the services the VA offers, the VA’s experience, the VA’s expertise, the city or country they live in and so forth. Generally speaking, rates can vary between $20-$50+ per hour for general administrative work to technical expertise services. Most virtual assistant’s offer “retainer packages” which generally provide a discounted rate for on-going established clients. Terms and conditions of how often or when to pay the VA should be discussed at time of consultation.

Would you like to use this article in your publication, on your blog or in some other way? You can so long as you include this short bio with it:

Aiselade Dionisio is Founder and President of Ask Your Virtual Assistant.

Ask Your Virtual Assistant help busy businesses and individuals manage their non-core administrative tasks off-site so that they can concentrate on sales, marketing and other revenue generating activities – or just to gain back their precious time to enjoy what they love to do most. Conceived with the vision to provide a team approach to Virtual Assisting, Ask Your Virtual Assistant allows clients access to not just one Virtual Assistant, but to as many needed to achieve superior support within the client’s business.

ANNOUNCEMENT -

Dear Friends

As some of you may or may not know, I recently took to the entrepreneurial path and launched out my own Virtual Assistant business! I would love for you to check out my website, Ask Your Virtual Assistant:

http://www.askyourva.com

Are you:

• A busy business or professional individual who wants to concentrate on revenue generating activities but find yourself bogged down by the administrative tasks?

• Want to take on new clients or business but need more hands to help out?

• Desperately need to tick off that to-do-list that is collecting dust?

• Have seasonal or peak times when instant professional help is needed but don’t want the obligation of having full-time or part-time staff?

• Simply want MORE time?!

Then it’s time to get yourself a Virtual Assistant! I cannot emphasis enough how beneficial it would be to you, your sanity, your business and your pocket,  in getting professional help to assist you achieve your goals (or gain back your life!)

You’re probably thinking now, “What is a Virtual Assistant?” Well to put it plainly, a Virtual Assistant provides professional administrative, technical or creative support or assistance to business owners and busy individuals. Working remotely within their own well equipped office, tasks or projects are communicated to the VA via email, phone, fax, postage mail, and courier or at times for local clients – onsite.

Of the greatest advantages to you, a Virtual Assistant charges only for the time worked (normally a per hour rate). Since a virtual assistant is an independent contractor you never have to worry about employee benefits, taxes, paperwork, insurance, extra costs on office space or supplies, no obligation on hours required to work per week, extra hands during seasonal or peak activity time, and no time is wasted on breaks or having to deal with employee personal issues.

Additionally, as a VA is a business owner themselves, they understand the importance of confidentiality, lead/turn-around time, customer relationships, marketing, finances and running a business in general!

Ask Your Virtual Assistant offer solutions not only to the busy business owner, but also to the busy individual who would prefer to use their leisure time on the fun things in life! Check it out:

• General Administrative Support – following up unpaid invoices, word processing, email management/correspondence, typing, research, meeting scheduling, diary management etc

• Marketing and Web Solutions – online & offline marketing support & research, Website maintenance, Social networking management etc

• Lifestyle Management – paying bills online, booking tickets, scheduling appointments, travel arrangements, organising special events (birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, retirement etc)

If you know anyone who would benefit from my services, or if the above sounds like you, please contact me to schedule your complimentary 30 minute consultation.

For new clients I am offering 10% off your first invoice.

Additionally, for any referrals that convert into a paying client, I am offering $50 per referral – so it’s a win-win for all!

Thanks for your time and have an AWESOME WEEK!

Cheers,
Aise