FAQ's
What is a Virtual Assistant?
Virtual Assistance is a fairly new administrative profession. In this new and innovative profession, a Virtual Assistant (VA) provides administrative and personal support in long-term collaborative relationships with a handful of carefully chosen clients. Using the Internet, phone and email, VAs support their clients without being geographically present in the clients' office. In short, Virtual Assistance is a results-oriented, administrative profession designed to meet the needs of small business owners and entrepreneurs, as well as the needs of any busy person who could use great administrative support. What’s new about the VA profession is that it provides traditional administrative support through a new delivery system.
How do I communicate with my VA?
Virtual Assistance works regardless of geographical barriers with the use of information technology and communications media (fax, phone, Internet, PC) which allow people to be in touch as easily as if they were sitting in the same office.
Who would typically hire a VA?
All sorts of businesses and individuals – micro, small, and large businesses. VAs work with smart, successful people of all kinds: writers and authors, property owners/developers, contractors, sales professionals, small business owners, sole proprietors, teachers/professors, consultants, home-based businesses, entrepreneurs, charities and associations, executives, professionals, doctors, lawyers, students and individuals – anyone who wants to be professionally successful and live a more balanced life with more free time to do the things he/she wants to do!
What services can a VA provide?
The possibilities are endless! You and your VA are bound only by your imagination, needs, skills, and desires.
How much will a VA cost me?
To answer that question, first focus on the issue of efficiency. Instead of looking only at cost, ask yourself how much revenue you are currently losing on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis by not outsourcing administrative tasks. Since VA’s are independent contractors and not employees, it is actually LESS expensive to hire a virtual assistant than a traditional in-house assistant with benefits. Take a look at my Services and Rates page to get an idea of cost.
Why should I hire someone who is miles away instead of in my office?
Part of the benefit of having a VA is that you haven’t hired anyone. When you work with a VA, you have a partner, not an employee. You have a skilled professional partner who is committed to your success. A VA’s partnership with you will be based on collaborating with you for your success on a long-term basis, rather than because he/she is looking for "some job." You’ll also get more efficiency than you would with in-house staff. Businesses pay only for the actual time worked by the Virtual Assistant without incurring the cost of incidental expenses such as holidays, sick/holiday time, and other occurrences that result in lost productivity (i.e. personal appointments & phone calls, coffee & lunch breaks, etc). VA's are responsible for their own taxes, benefits, office equipment and software. Clients are only responsible for hourly, project or retainer fees, plus any miscellaneous expenses (i.e. additional supplies/materials, postage, etc.).
Why would a VA have any loyalty to my business?
A Virtual Assistant is also a business owner who depends on repeat work and referrals from other businesses. The more successful you are, the more you will realize the benefits of outsourcing, which we hope you will share with other businesses. If a VA’s client’s business starts to decline, she will find her workflow diminished. You can be assured, therefore, that a VA really does have your success as a top priority!
How many hours do I sign up for?
You are not obligated to sign up for any set number of hours. Often clients will hire a Virtual Assistant for one or two projects just as a "trial run." Once you are satisfied with the service, and have a better understanding of the volume of work you are interested in outsourcing, you might want to take advantage of the retainer packages. You may, however, prefer to stick with the pay-as-you-go arrangement.
I'm managing fine on my own, why do I need a VA?
As you grow your business, sooner or later, you’ll find that you simply can’t do everything! When you outsource those things that don’t need your personal attention, you gain space and time in your life for an abundance of other things. Business owners choose to work with VAs so they can reduce stress, improve client or customer relationships, develop new products or services, provide better customer service, or provide free time for family & friends. At some point, the ability to consistently grow your business will depend on whether or not you seek administrative help. The long-term success of your business may very well depend on your decision.
