| Virtual Assistants are fast becoming a popular | | | | How do I find a Virtual Assistant? |
| industry. It is through education that this field is | | | | Internationally, there are three associations that |
| beginning to truly grow. Hopefully someday soon | | | | list Virtual Assistants - VA Networking ( |
| people will be asking, "Who is your Virtual | | | | International Virtual Assistant Association ( and |
| Assistant?" rather than "What is a Virtual | | | | International Association of Virtual Office |
| Assistant?" Virtual Assistants are the key to | | | | Assistants ( There are also two associations that |
| allowing small business owners to truly create a | | | | list Virtual Assistants in Canada - the Canadian |
| thriving. Before deciding to work with a Virtual | | | | Virtual Assistant Connection ( and the Canadian |
| Assistant there are six questions that need to be | | | | Virtual Assistant Network ( Thanks to |
| answered. | | | | technological advances, a Virtual Assistant doesn't |
| What is a Virtual Assistant? | | | | need to live in close proximity as communication is |
| First and foremost, you must understand what | | | | available through email, facsimile, Internet, and |
| the term means. Simply put, a Virtual Assistant is | | | | telephone. |
| a business owner who offers administrative | | | | What can a Virtual Assistant assist me with? |
| support, virtually. The International Virtual | | | | Virtual Assistants can assist you with everything |
| Assistant Association defines a Virtual Assistant | | | | from basic administrative functions (document |
| as "an independent entrepreneur providing | | | | preparation, correspondence preparation, |
| administrative, creative and/or technical services. | | | | transcriptions services, etc.) to specialized services |
| Utilizing advanced technological modes of | | | | such as Web site design and maintenance, |
| communication and data delivery, a professional | | | | bookkeeping, ghostwriting and editing services, |
| Virtual Assistant assists clients in his/her area of | | | | marketing and event planning. Each Virtual |
| expertise from his/her own office on a | | | | Assistant has his or her own skill set and services. |
| contractual basis." | | | | Many have established connections with other |
| Why would I want to work with a Virtual | | | | Virtual Assistants and will contract out specialized |
| Assistant? | | | | work or direct you to another Assistant. |
| There are many advantages! First, there are no | | | | How do I communicate with a Virtual Assistant? |
| hidden costs. The Virtual Assistant takes care of | | | | The most popular methods in communication are |
| his or her own expenses including office space, | | | | email and telephone; however, facsimile, courier, |
| equipment, computers and software, and all | | | | and postal services are often used. Many who |
| wage-related expenses. A Virtual Assistant is not | | | | have worked with Virtual Assistants have set up |
| like other employees; instead she becomes a | | | | post office boxes that are accessed by the |
| member of your team and has a stake in the | | | | Assistant to ensure all client correspondence is |
| success of your company. If you don't succeed | | | | handled directly by the Assistant. |
| she won't succeed. | | | | Is there anything a Virtual Assistant can't do for |
| Most Virtual Assistants have many years | | | | me? |
| administrative experience and can handle a variety | | | | A Virtual Assistant can perform any task that an |
| of tasks. Many work outside of traditional business | | | | in-house assistant can ...except make your |
| hours to provide flexibility. With a Virtual Assistant | | | | morning coffee. |
| on your team you have an opportunity to grow | | | | Now armed with this information, I am sure you |
| your business rather than just maintain it. You can | | | | can see how partnering with a Virtual Assistant |
| get back to the things you love doing...while the | | | | truly does make good business sense. It is a key |
| tasks on your TO DO list are looked after. | | | | step in creating a thriving business. |