So what exactly is a VA?
A Virtual Assistant (VA) provides administrative support and specialised services to businesses, entrepreneurs, executives, managers and other busy people. They are highly skilled independent contractors who make use of the advances in technology to complete assignments via the Internet, email or CD. Traditional methods such as regular mail and overnight courier are also used.
Virtual assistants are available whenever you need them but, unlike a temporary employee, guarantee you the same great service from the same dedicated people every time without the problems associated with employing staff. The majority of virtual assistants have many years’ experience as senior secretaries or personal assistants and who choose, for a variety of reasons, to operate as a virtual assistant, virtual PA or virtual secretary.
Why use a VA?
- VAs offer flexibility – they are available outside of normal hours, have no minimum hour commitment and are only paid for the hours they work
- VAs have a vested interest in the success of your business, so client confidentiality is paramount and they will treat your business as their own
- VAs allow you to use the same highly skilled, professional every time you outsource work
- You get more time to do what you do best, while leaving the admin to someone else
- Your work will be completed to perfection and delivered on time – or ahead of time
- No recruitment or agency fees incurred
- Your VA will work closely with you to achieve seamless perfection of your projects – no one will ever know it wasn’t completed in-house! That goes for call answering too!
- No HR headaches like tax, national insurance or employee benefits
- Employees and temps are paid by you for coffee breaks, toilet visits and time taken for personal calls and issues
- VAs work from their own offices so you won’t have to organise workspace or equipment for them
- UK VAs rates vary from £15-£35 per hour for basic admin, but you are only charged for the work they do
- VAs come in all different guises – there will be one out there that suits you and your business perfectly!
Source: Society of Virtual Assistants (SVA): www.societyofvirtualassistants.co.uk
If you’re thinking about outsourcing your work to a VA, I recommend you take a look at the SVA website. It’s packed full of really useful information that may help you decide if you’re ready for a VA. Have a nose around my website and check me out on social media. If you think I could be the right VA for you and your business, please do get in touch. I’d love to hear from you!