Virtual Assistants, the New Wave of Global Office Support

Does it seem as if your business is running you,guaranteed a specific number of hours per month
instead of you running your business? Do you findat the discounted retainer rate. Your VA can help
yourself spending more time on those dailyyou decide which plan would be best for you.
administrative tasks that eat-up precious time andManaging your own business is sometimes difficult
energy, and wish instead, that you could spend itenough, without trying to do it all yourself. The
on the more important aspects of actually runningmore time you spend on the administrative tasks,
your business? Have you ever dreamed of havingthe less time you have to market and grow your
an assistant or an administrative support person,business. There just aren't enough hours in the
but sadly dismissed the idea because you didn'tday! Stop and think about all of the things you do
have the space or the resources to hire one?in the course of a day that really don't require
Just imagine how great it would be to actually beyour level of expertise. How many of those tasks
able to put all of your time and energy intocould be handed over to an assistant, freeing up
focusing on those things you love to do, youryour valuable time for more important things?
passion, the reason you went into business in theWhatever your particular administrative need,
first place. Well hang onto your hat, your wish haswhether it's a word processing or desktop
been granted! Enter the realm of Virtualpublishing project, transcription of your last
Assistance.speaking engagement, follow-up phone calls,
Members of one of the fastest growing industriesscheduling appointments, or posting your next
today, Virtual Assistants are skilled entrepreneursteleclass on the internet, a VA can help.
expert in handling all of the day-to-dayJust as businesses may differ in their services and
administrative tasks for a busy office. Theythe products they offer, the same is true
provide the assistance you need, when you needregarding Virtual Assistants and the services they
it, so that you can get back to doing what youprovide. Based on their individual level of skill and
do best! Communicating with their clients via theareas of expertise, VAs offer support to a
internet, fax, phone, online meeting rooms, instantvariety of industries, including the Real Estate,
messaging, and a variety of other methods, VAsProfessional Speaking and Coaching industries.
do your work from their remote office using theWhile someone in the Professional Speaking or
most advanced technology and software toCoaching industry might need an assistant to
provide seamless, transparent assistance tohandle scheduling and registration for their
enhance your business and increase bottom lineupcoming teleclasses or speaking engagements, or
productivity. As self-employed entrepreneurs,need a second set of eyes to proof and edit their
Virtual Assistants have a vested interest in theirlatest manuscript or article; someone in the
client's success. Unlike the employer/employeeInsurance industry might need an assistant to
relationship, the relationship between a VA andschedule meetings and appointments, and
their client is a partnership; one that is focusedfollow-up on policy applications to ensure that
and has specific goals in mind. VAs are committedeverything is processed in a timely manner.
to developing long-term relationships that reflectWhether or not you need an employee manual,
their client's business philosophy, and are built onnew marketing materials (brochures, business
mutual trust and respect.cards, etc.), or reservations for your next
Gone are the days when an on-site employeebusiness trip, a Virtual Assistant works with each
was the only answer to your administrativeclient in a way that best meets their needs,
support woes. Virtual Assistants come completegetting to know as much as they can about their
with their own offices and equipment. No longerclient's businesses so that they can better serve
bound by physical location, Virtual Assistants nowthem by providing solutions and strategies to
have the ability to partner with clients around theovercome administrative obstacles, or targeting
corner, in another state, or on the other side ofopportunities for growth.
the world. Partnering with a VA eliminates theHow do you determine whether or not a Virtual
added expense and costs associated with hiring aAssistant is right for you? Ask yourself a few
permanent employee. No more salary andquestions.
benefits, Social Security or payroll taxes. There is. Are there a number of tasks that could be
no supervision or training necessary, and no needdelegated to an assistant, giving you more time
to purchase office equipment or provide officeto market and grow your business?
space. No more downtime due to lunch breaks,. Would you be comfortable working with
telephone calls or personal problems. With a VA,someone remotely, via email, fax, or instant
you pay only for the time it takes to completemessaging?
your work. There are no hidden costs!. Are you looking for a partner that will take a
In general, VAs charge anywhere between $30 -proactive stance to help you succeed in your
$50 per hour, based on the complexity of yourbusiness?
particular project, the type of service performed,. Do you need quality administrative support, but
and the level of skill required to complete thedon't have the resources to hire a permanent
task. While an hourly or "project rate" is usuallyemployee?
available, clients benefit most by taking advantageIf you've answered yes to these questions, then
of special "retainer rates." Retainer rates area Virtual Assistant might be the logical solution to
discounted rates, paid monthly in advance for ayour administrative support needs. Give yourself
specific number of hours per month, usually inthe gift of time. Take control of your business
blocks of 10. Rather than working project bybefore it takes control of you . . . partner with a
project at the higher hourly rate, you areVA, and find time you never knew you had!