| is age of high-technology it is very simple to | | | | beneficial insights and support. |
| conduct business virtually. However, when the | | | | 6. I have a one-time project that will take about |
| term "Virtual Assistant" or “VA” is | | | | an hour. Is this something you do? |
| first heard, it is unclear how business is actually | | | | Sure! VA's assist clients with projects of many |
| conducted on a day-to-day basis. This article | | | | sizes and durations. Their business is to support |
| serves to provide insights into the logistics of the | | | | you and meet your specific needs, no matter the |
| client/Virtual Assistant relationship and the diverse | | | | size. |
| services offered by a VA. | | | | 7. I am just starting my business and don't know |
| 1. How does the Client/VA relationship work? | | | | exactly what I need to do first. I don't even |
| Professional VA's provide administrative, technical, | | | | know the questions to ask to get the information |
| creative, and financial support in short- or | | | | I need! How frustrating! What can you do to help |
| long-term collaborative relationships with their | | | | me? |
| clients. Advances in technology make it simple to | | | | First off, your VA understands your position |
| conduct business over the Internet, and via e-mail | | | | because with as many entrepreneurial/business |
| and telephone without the need to meet in | | | | endeavors as they have been involved with over |
| person. You contact them when a need arises, | | | | the years, they have been there themselves! A |
| either securing services by the hour or a monthly | | | | typical consultation will consist of a thorough |
| contract based on a minimum amount of hours | | | | overview of how you came to be where you are. |
| per month. | | | | Next, you will have a discussion of short- and |
| How you work together will depend largely on | | | | long-term goals, and then move to creating a plan |
| your project and your preferences. It is unique in | | | | that you can implement beginning today! Doesn't |
| each circumstance. You will establish initial contact | | | | that sound manageable? |
| with a detailed conversation about your company | | | | 8. I have an idea to mail a promotional postcard |
| and your project, and between you and your VA | | | | to my client list of over 500 contacts. I don't |
| you will develop a style that is comfortable for | | | | know where to begin and have too many other |
| both parties. | | | | demands on my time to learn the process. Will |
| 2. How do I submit my materials to you? | | | | you manage this project from start-to-finish? |
| When projects are initially discussed, a plan will be | | | | Depending on the services offered by your VA, |
| established for the best method to transmit | | | | they may possess the expertise to take this |
| materials. For instance, you might simply need a | | | | project from your hands today and mail or email |
| document typed or formatted, in which case you | | | | you a sample of the finished product! Whether it |
| can submit it via FAX, e-mail, regular mail (USPS) | | | | is a mailer or email message with graphics, you will |
| or expedited delivery (FedEx/UPS). It is typed, | | | | have peace-of-mind in knowing that your capable |
| saved in the finished format you requested, and | | | | VA will manage your project to the tiniest detail! |
| returned to you. Your VA delivers finished goods | | | | And, if your VA doesn't have expertise in a |
| in many ways depending on the needs of each | | | | specific area, s/he will certainly be able to provide |
| client. | | | | a referral to another qualified VA who possesses |
| 3. I don't have a project, per se. What I DO have | | | | the skill(s) to perform the service you need. |
| is a project/company that's out of control. Can | | | | 9. Will you invest about an hour to do some |
| you help? | | | | research for me? I just heard of a new product |
| Yes! VA's are experts at providing an objective | | | | and need to find out more. |
| perspective to help you find your way out of an | | | | Based on long-term affiliations in certain industries |
| unruly project or situation. They will listen to your | | | | and with specific expertise, your VA has access |
| needs, ask questions, prioritize, and reformulate | | | | to information that many times is as close as a |
| your approach. They can develop a better way | | | | telephone call! They would be happy to check with |
| for you to do what you're already doing. They | | | | their personal sources, as well as tap into the |
| resolve issues of all shapes and sizes! | | | | knowledge base of anyone they might know who |
| 4. I have been in business for many years. I need | | | | can help--saving you many hours of research! |
| a "fresh" perspective on my approach to dealing | | | | They can also get online and search the world! |
| with certain aspects of my business. Is that | | | | 10. I have an idea for a new product, but I need |
| something you do as well? | | | | some market research information to decide if |
| Absolutely! VA's are creative, and have been | | | | this is really the next big trend. |
| involved in many facets of business for years. | | | | There is a new trend on the horizon in any given |
| Based on that experience, they will definitely have | | | | moment! Business changes so rapidly to meet the |
| suggestions for you. They can guide you toward | | | | needs of consumers that it is incumbent on us to |
| what will work best in your situation, and suggest | | | | perform due diligence. Your VA will be happy to |
| more efficient ways to go about doing business. | | | | assist you by researching new trends or |
| 5. I have a list of projects that need attention! | | | | discussing new trends within the industry of their |
| Can you help me prioritize and motivate me in the | | | | expertise. |
| direction of actually getting things accomplished? | | | | As you can see, there are many facets to the |
| Not only do VA's offer expertise based on | | | | Client/VA relationship. As the relationship develops |
| experience, they are happy to serve in other - | | | | over time, a dynamic grows of mutual respect |
| on-tangible or inspirational - ways as well. They | | | | and support that richly enhances both |
| enjoy the benefits of collaborative relationships | | | | entrepreneurs. |
| built over time and as they get to know you and | | | | All rights reserved. |
| your business, it makes sense that they can offer | | | | |