| Outsourcing to a Virtual Assistant is a growing | | | | project. A virtual assistant is probably more cost |
| trend in small and online businesses. But, what | | | | effective than you would think. Here are a few |
| exactly is a virtual assistant, and why should you | | | | things to consider: |
| consider hiring one? According to the International | | | | - A Virtual Assistant is not like a traditional |
| Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA), "A Virtual | | | | "employee". You are not responsible for any of |
| Assistant (VA) is an independent entrepreneur | | | | the benefits, or payroll taxes that you would have |
| providing administrative, creative and/or technical | | | | with an in house staff. |
| services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of | | | | - There is also no need for you to provide any |
| communication and data delivery, a professional | | | | type of office space or supplies. Normally, any |
| VA assists clients in his/her area of expertise | | | | standard office supplies and equipment such as |
| from his/her own office on a contractual basis." | | | | paper, phones, computers, fax machines, paper |
| There are many reasons that a VA may be the | | | | clips, etc. are all included. |
| right choice for you, but we will look at just three | | | | - There is little or no downtime. When your |
| of them today: the ability to hire an expert, cost | | | | business suffers from a lull, you can simply cut |
| effectiveness, and ease to work with.Hire an | | | | the hours that your VA works. Although in some |
| Expert | | | | cases, there may be an exception if you have |
| Possibly the most exciting reason to hire a virtual | | | | entered into a contract. |
| assistant is the leverage that it provides. It is now | | | | It's So Darned Easy |
| easier than ever to hire an expert in either a | | | | Even though your VA doesn't reside in your |
| specific industry, or with a specific skill set! Most | | | | office, at times it just might feel like it. Because |
| VA's quickly develop some type of niche. Some | | | | of the nature of what a virtual assistant does, |
| VA's concentrate their efforts on working with a | | | | there are several ways for you to reach them or |
| particular client type for example, insurance | | | | work with them. Technology has made it very |
| agents or realtors. Others may focus on a | | | | easy. Most VAs will use some combination of the |
| specific service such as website design and | | | | following: a website, social networking sites, |
| marketing. | | | | telephone, video chat, instant messaging, or even |
| Cost Effectiveness | | | | third party software (such as Basecamp) in order |
| Don't let your heart start racing the moment you | | | | to stay closely connected to you. |
| get an estimate from your potential VA. A VA's | | | | If you would like to use this article please retain |
| rate can sometimes be deceiving. Rates can vary | | | | the attribution at the end. |
| and may sometimes be hourly, monthly, or per | | | | |