FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & BENEFITS

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A Virtual Assistant, or VA, provide professional administrative, technical, or creative 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 virtual assistant via the internet, phone, fax or courier and at times for local clients onsite.

Are Virtual Assistants employees?

Virtual assistants are independent professionals who run their own business with other clients to serve and therefore are not employees. The nature of your relationship with a VA is that of client and professional contractor and not employer to employee. A VA is not going to be instantly available to you from 9am-5pm, five days a week as a regular employee normally would be. Each VA has their own set of business policies, standard and procedures for working with clients and will advise you of these at consultation.

Who uses VAs?

Almost anyone who wants or needs assistance can use a VA! Some of the best reasons why a business owner or a busy professional would engage in the use of a Virtual Assistant would be:

• The client prefers to work alone or not be distracted so as to remain focused on their core business
• They require a particular skill for a task or project but do not know how to do it themselves
• Their administrative workload isn’t large enough to justify the expense of an in-house assistant
• Their administrative work is seasonal and may not require the use of an in-house assistant during quiet periods – with a VA, they can hire when and if needed with out obligation.
• During peak moments when additional staff is needed at an instant and there is no time for training, a VA may assist and work with existing in-house staff with the outflow of work.
• They either do not have room in their own office for an in-house assistant or don’t have the space or equipment available for additional staff.
• The client travels so frequently that they do not require in house assistant, however still need to get the “administrative” work done.

What are the benefits to the business owner?

Working with a VA implies that staying on track and on schedule is always guaranteed, providing support on an as-needed basis. Breaks or personal issues are of no consequence to your business objectives, and there is never a loss of privacy. On-going, collaborative support to help you attain your goals is always a few keystrokes away, and the need to purchase expensive additional computer equipment or office supplies is unnecessary.

A VA always understands the nature and importance of your business, and you can enjoy a wide array of collaboration options to choose from. As an added bonus, a VA knows first-hand what it’s like to own a business, permitting a comprehensive, understanding approach to your own business needs. The importance of time and resource optimization is never eluded, neither is the responsible use of your allotted budget, should you assign one.

One of the biggest benefits of working with a Virtual Assistant is the trustworthy relationship that working closely together will bring about, learning about you and your goals, and working to help you achieve them with absolute confidentiality of the information that will be made available.

Virtual Assistant vs. Employee

• No employee-related taxes, paperwork, insurance, or benefits.
• No extra office space or equipment costs.
• Works only when you need support with fast turnaround time. You are not obligated to pay for a certain number of hours a week.
• You only pay for “Time on Task” or by project.
• The ability to stay on track and on schedule.
• Extra staff during seasonal or peak activity time.
• No time wasted on breaks or personal issues.
• No extra space is required. No loss of privacy.
• Provides ongoing, collaborative support to help you achieve your goals.
• Learns and understands your business.
• Is a sounding board, if you need one.
• You and your Virtual Assistant choose to work with each other as equals. It is not a boss/employee relationship.
• A VA knows what it’s like to own a business. They understand the importance of marketing and finances.

Discover the financial benefits of hiring a virtual assistant versus an employee.

What tasks can be delegated?

Just because you have the ability do something, doesn’t necessarily mean you should. As a business owner, you most likely want to focus on the larger scheme of things – a vision for your business. Elaborating a plan to reach that vision, developing new products, spending time with your clients and marketing are the tasks that will grow your business.

The tasks that are most often delegated include those that are:

• Repetitive in nature
• Menial or low-thought items
• Tasks that do not require YOUR expertise to complete
• Tasks that you may not like to complete (and that’s okay!)
• Scheduled items that will require someone to remember to do them on a daily, weekly or monthly basis

VAs can set you totally free from administrative tasks and put you on the path to building a successful business. They can help you with just about every business task imaginable. Some examples include:

• Product fulfilment
• Answering e-mails
• Scheduling business and personal appointments
• Maintaining databases
• Updating Web sites
• Invoicing, paying bills and following up with unpaid invoices
• Submitting articles to article databases

Even if you have a specific need in mind or on the front burner, you should discuss it with your VA. A suitable, reasonable solution is almost always readily available or can be accommodated on a per-case basis.
Check our services to see how we can assist you!

How can I trust that my information remains secure?

We do not share any information about our clients with third parties. We do not sell, rent, or exchange any of your information, ever. We take major precautions to safeguard our business information as well as yours.

How can I trust my confidential information with you?

Ask Your Virtual Assistant has a strict confidentially contract that is designed to protect your information. Only the essential information to complete each project will be collected. Every time new information is gathered from you we will clearly outline what this information will be used for.

How long will Ask Your Virtual Assistant take to attend to my work?

Most basic administration tasks are completed within 24 hours upon receipt. But generally expect a turnaround of 24-72 hours for majority of work. For larger or more complex and time-consuming tasks deadlines are able to be met with work being prioritised. Please always advise us of priority of tasks and projects so we can meet your requirements.

Why doesn’t Ask Your Virtual Assistant offer reception services or take “incoming” sales calls on behalf of clients?

A Virtual Assistant should not be confused with a Virtual Office. Ask Your Virtual Assistant offer a solution to administration tasks that our clients are unable to meet due to heavy workloads; this enables our clients to maintain their full attention on incoming leads, sales, and business in order to increase their productivity.

Will my clients know that I am utilising a Virtual Assistant?

Unless you are happy to divulge this, there is no reason for your clients to know you are engaging the use of a VA. Ask Your Virtual Assistant will not advise any of your clients that you are utilising a Virtual Assistant – your own business name & contact details will be included on all communications, to enable an ongoing business relationship between yourself and your clients.

How will we exchange files?

We use a combination of methods to facilitate the exchange of information. We like to use online project management tools, email, mail, FTP, fax and courier.

How and when will I be able to contact you?

Once you become a client of Ask Your Virtual Assistant we work with you to arrange a schedule that will work for both of us. We will be available by telephone, email, instant messaging and mobile phone.

How are you able to manage multiple clients?

Time management, project management, flexibility and prioritising tasks are our key ingredients for success!

How will I pay you?

We accept payment through PayPal and Electronic Bank Transfer.

Still have questions or want more information? Email us or schedule a complimentary no-obligation consultation.