Virtual Assistant - Questions Answered

There are many questions asked by both clients and prospective VAs as to what this term means. The article below sets out to answer those questions in a constructive and simple way. Partnering with a Virtual Assistant helps your business to grow, giving you more time to make money with the experience you have whilst the administration is handled by a skilled expert.

by Shannon Davidson

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A Virtual Assistant is a person or persons with whom businesses and individuals outsource administrative and technical tasks. Virtual Assistants work from their home office. Virtual Assistants are entrepreneurs. A Virtual Assistant is a qualified, skilled individual who makes your business their business.

Why should I outsource to a Virtual Assistant?

Virtual Assistants provide their own hardware and software. Virtual Assistants are not paid for vacation days, sick days, or holidays. Virtual Assistants do not receive benefits such as insurance and profit sharing. Virtual Assistants are paid only when you have work for them to do. Virtual Assistants are skilled professionals who generally have the most up-to-date hardware and software.

How do I choose a Virtual Assistant?

Every reputable Virtual Assistant should have his or her own web presence. You should be able to view a portfolio of work on your Virtual Assistant's website. Ask your potential Virtual Assistant if they provide any free trial period work, generally they do. Ask if satisfaction is guaranteed. Create a 'profile' for your Virtual Assistant to complete. Ask questions that are pertinent to your needs. For example, if you require a lot of transcription work ask, "How many years have you provided transcription services" and " What is your typing speed" and "What is your turnaround time".

If you find a Virtual Assistant that does not have a Website, you should really consider if they are fully aware of the implications of virtual working. Many transcriptionists now have upload areas on their site where the work can be sent to them with very little effort on the clients part - with no website you have no idea how long your chosen worker has been in practice and this needs following up.

How do we communicate if we do not live in the same area?

Virtual Assistants have many ways of communication including fax, telephone (usually multiple lines), email, and postal service.

Don't worry, your Virtual Assistant has most likely been providing this service for many years. Virtual Assistants are individuals who only succeed if their clients succeed. Virtual Assistants grow with their clients not without them.

Shannon Davidson has been a virtual assistant for over 13 years. She provides transcription, data entry, logo design, web creation, and many other services to businesses and individuals. Shannon currently owns and operates http://www.officesetting.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_Davidson

Di Chapman, the owner of Become a Virtual Assistant has been working virtually in 3 continents for the last 6 years and still continues to work with original clients who she has never met - the trust that has grown up between them is more important than face to face contact.