| You wake up one morning and you jump out of | | | | call; well, at the click of your mouse--if you |
| bed. You head for the nearest pad of paper, and | | | | choose. |
| a pencil. Okay, use the back of a grocery register | | | | So now the idea of a "don't touch this-don't even |
| receipt if you have to. It's time to get busy on | | | | think about it" list doesn't seem quite so hokey |
| your "to do" list for the day--that is, if you didn't | | | | after all, does it? |
| do it last night before you traipsed off to wrestle | | | | Where are they now? |
| with the Sandman. | | | | As soon as you have an idea of the types of |
| What will you put at the top of the list? | | | | things or work a VA can do for you, begin your |
| How about this; first, instead of calling it a "to do" | | | | search for a VA to best suit those needs. Google |
| list why not be fancy--and change it to an "I'm | | | | and Yahoo, Lycos and Alta Vista are common |
| not going to touch this" or an "I won't even think | | | | search engines. Populate the "search field" with the |
| about it today" list! Doesn't that sound much | | | | type of task you see being accomplished, include |
| better? And then proceed to list all the | | | | "virtual assistant" in the search remarks. For |
| work-related things you'd really rather not do | | | | instance: "editing and proofreading virtual |
| today. You know, the things that in actuality give | | | | assistant"; how about, "virtual assistant |
| you a headache, or the stuff with which you'd | | | | administrative support", "VA, grant writing". You |
| rather not be bothered, or the issues you'll simply | | | | get the idea. |
| save for another day--just because. | | | | While you're at Google, et al, search for and learn |
| How many items can you come up with? | | | | about some of the "VA Directories" or "VA |
| A little, or a lot! Can't think of anything? Surely, | | | | Forums". There are many. Though not all inclusive, |
| you jest! Think! If you had an opportunity to "give | | | | you will find the Virtual Assistant Revolution (VA |
| your work away" for just one day (or even one | | | | Rev), the Alliance for Virtual Business (AV4B), the |
| hour), what would you choose? Would you decide | | | | International Virtual Assistant Association (IVAA), |
| to have someone take care of writing, | | | | the Virtual Assistant Chamber of Commerce |
| proofreading, editing--or even just typing all of | | | | (VACOC) and the Virtual Assistant Networking |
| your letters? How about sorting through your | | | | Association (VANA) Forum. At several, you have |
| email? (An email Spam box alone can send | | | | an opportunity to submit a Request for Proposal |
| anyone running off into a dither!) Do you want to | | | | (RFP) to obtain a VA, and to which you will |
| tweak your website? Do you wish for a "Fairy | | | | receive an abundance of responses. |
| Godperson" to answer your telephone calls, or to | | | | Now it gets tricky! |
| schedule your appointments? Could you find relief, | | | | Because it is then your responsibility to secure the |
| if someone were to manage your monthly billings? | | | | VA most qualified for you under your |
| Or how about making those collection calls? Ah ha! | | | | predetermined terms. You may look at level of |
| Perk up; there's news! Someone can do these | | | | expertise, knowledge and skill ability for various |
| things, and more! And at less cost than you would | | | | tasks. Does the VA's hourly rate coincide with |
| spend if you were to hire a person full-time. | | | | your budget? It's important to remember, though, |
| What? | | | | a VA's rates are usually higher than your salary |
| There is a growing phenomenon in the cyber | | | | for an in-house employee. However, by utilizing a |
| world today, called "virtual assistant". They come | | | | VA you are not paying Social Security taxes, |
| in all shapes, sizes, locations, levels of interest, | | | | Federal or state taxes, health insurance or other |
| skills and degrees of expertise. The VA population | | | | such amenities for that person, nor do you have |
| is as diverse as your needs. They save you time | | | | an outlay for overhead costs (such as office |
| and money, particularly since you pay them only | | | | space, or expenses for a computer and its |
| for the amount of time it takes to do a specific | | | | supplies). |
| project. Or, you may elect to secure a VA via a | | | | Is this for real? |
| "retainer arrangement" -- generally for a certain | | | | Of course! However, as with any offer, |
| number of hours each month. Coffee breaks and | | | | particularly those generated on and around the |
| bouts with personal telephone calls are taken on | | | | Internet, there are some general admonitions to |
| the time of the VA; not on your watch and not | | | | consider: be diligent and methodical when |
| on your pocketbook. | | | | conducting your research to find a VA. The more |
| Simply, a "virtual assistant" performs, as a rule, | | | | such instances you invest in your search, the |
| some sort of administrative/office support work | | | | more likely you will secure the certain someone to |
| from his/her fully-equipped office in a remote | | | | whom you will feel free to toss your "don't touch |
| location; the breakdown of tasks is diverse. You | | | | this" list. |
| have the ability to have a VA at your beck and | | | | |