| Have you heard the term Virtual Assistant or | | | | assistant. There is no doubt that if you have a |
| more commonly known as VA? It's a relatively | | | | business with no physical office outside of your |
| new entrepreneur enterprise that works with the | | | | home; you have no employees; your needs do |
| small business owner as an independent | | | | not warrant the expense of a full time assistant; |
| contractor and provides the business owner | | | | that a virtual assistant is perfect for your |
| administrative services without the added costs | | | | company. All it takes is a little time and planning on |
| associated with hiring an employee to handle the | | | | your part to decide what can be delegated to the |
| administrative tasks associated with running their | | | | virtual assistant. There are so many different |
| business. | | | | specialists in the virtual industry that you and the |
| A Virtual Assistant is an all encompassing title, but | | | | assistant will both be best served if you identify |
| most virtual assistants will specialize in specific | | | | your needs and select the assistant that |
| tasks. Many virtual assistants focus their business | | | | specializes in what your needs are for the |
| on inventory and invoicing, some virtual assistants | | | | business. |
| specialize in bookkeeping, while other virtual | | | | Remember that working with a virtual assistant |
| assistants do web design or marketing for the | | | | saves you money in your business because a |
| small business owner. When searching for an | | | | virtual assistant is NOT and employee, there are |
| assistant it's in your best interest to be specific | | | | no taxes, no workers compensation, no paid time |
| about your needs and your expectations of the | | | | off associated with the virtual assistant. You pay |
| assistant you select. When deciding on services | | | | for the time the assistant is working for you only. |
| with a virtual assistant the more defined your | | | | The virtual assistant provides all of her own |
| needs are, the better services you will receive | | | | equipment and supplies, these are all factored into |
| and the easier it will be for you to find the | | | | the cost you and the assistant determine she will |
| perfect assistant for your business. Most virtual | | | | be paid. |
| assistants are prepared with a contract to identify | | | | The virtual assistant also saves you time. There |
| costs, time of delivery and all other details you | | | | are probably a lot of things that you do in your |
| determine are essential in meeting your business | | | | business to serve your customers. Office work is |
| goals in this working relationship. | | | | probably not part of your billable hours to the |
| In summary, I would say absolutely NO, one size | | | | customer. The virtual assistant works on the |
| does not fit all when choosing a virtual assistant | | | | office paperwork such as invoicing, bookkeeping, |
| for your needs. With the main objective for your | | | | marketing just to name a few; and lets you do |
| company in mind you should determine what your | | | | the work you went into business to do. |
| goals and needs are before contacting the virtual | | | | |