What is a VA? or Virtual Assistant?

Virtual assistant? What is that? It is a new-ish industry, which came into existence since the Internet boom. They are namely known as your online version of what you would call the Office Secretary or the Administrator at the office. However, there is a big difference in skill sets due to their work with technology. VAs these days are skilled in offline skills of administration and much more. Virtual Assistant skills now extend to areas such as website design, electronic mail campaigns, graphic design and many other skills required for the successful running of a business online.

There is a new breed of VAs also known in the industry as Online Business Managers. They refer to someone who has more of a leadership role and managing a team of VAs handling different aspects of your business.

what-is-a-virtual-assistant

What can Virtual Assistants do?

Anything. Yes, really…except perhaps making you a real cup of coffee at your office as we work virtually.

Virtual Assistants are multi-skilled professionals with some specializing in specific areas such as:

  • Graphic Design
  • Project Management
  • Website Design & Maintenance
  • Proofreading
  • Social Media Management
  • Content Creation
  • Video editing and/or creation
  • Product Launches
  • Creating online courses
  • Transcription
  • Email campaigns
  • Book covers & typesetting
  • General Administration
  • Bookkeeping

and more….some have teams that can handle a range of skills as above.

Here’s something to think about:

Virtual Assistants essentially, are required to help you GROW YOUR BUSINESS! You cannot grow your business if you don’t get the help you need so that you can get your plans implemented.

You are probably thinking…. but I don’t have the money to pay for a VA yet?

That may be and I implore you to analyze how you are spending your time within the next 5 days.

If you are too busy, at least use a time tracker tool like RescueTime so it can log what you are doing on the computer. This will help you determine whether your time, which is worth $100+ per hour, could be better spent on securing clients than worrying about a social media post on your Facebook page. Think about it, your business is your baby and you have to feed the baby in order to make it grow.

Investing in a VA means investing in your business’ growth.

Know what you are good at and delegate everything else to the VA. Make sure you find a VA that works well for you.

Resource: Download the checklist and trial tasks prepared for you in one of our blogs here.

Next week, we will discuss when it may be time to hire a virtual assistant.

 

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