Why Use a VA?

Why would you use a Virtual Assistant?

Consider the following:

1. You want or need regular or ad-hoc administrative support but don’t have suitable office space, a spare desk, a spare computer, the relevant software, or perhaps you just highly value your space and don’t want to share it.
2. You can’t afford to pay for someone xx number of hours a week as well as their superannuation, taxes, workcover and other insurances, and leave loading.
3. You don’t want to give someone else the key to your premises if you’re not going to be around.
4. You don’t want to be tied down to certain hours a week because there is someone in your office or on your premises – it will make you feel stifled.

But:
1. You do want to make sure the work is done by someone who knows what they’re doing.
2. You don’t mind what hour of the day or night the work is done, as long as it’s done.
3. You don’t mind paying for the time the work takes, but you don’t want to be paying for downtime when there’s no work to be done.
4. You do want to have access as close to you as your computer.

And the list goes on.

All of the above and much more are good reasons why having a virtual assistant work with you in your business is a good investment. A VA is generally someone who has been in the corporate world for some years and has experience and good training behind them. There are a number of good training organisations online that are bringing VAs through the graduation process. VAs are generally well versed in the use of the software they offer services in, and are used to wearing more than one hat at a time. VAs aren’t secretaries, although many do provide that type of service. Some may specialise in industry specific support, such as Real Estate, Public Speaking, Medical, Legal, Engineering, Association (not-for-profit) management and so on. Some may be specialists in particular software packages or services such as desktop publishing, website design and management, database design and management, event management, audio and digital transcriptions, and so on. Some are all-rounders, some are specialists in one area. But whatever your need, you can be sure that there are many virtual assistants out there that could provide you the relevant support.

How do you find them?

Well, there are around 16 virtual assistant networks globally and then many individuals not listed with networks as well. It is estimated there are around 2,000 virtual assistants currently. See Entrepreneur.com article…. http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,316200,00.html. The Alliance for Virtual Businesses website lists most of the networks at http://www.allianceforvirtualbiz.com/vaorgmain.html. Some of the network sites allow you to peruse their members’ services, others require you to fill out an RFP (Request for Proposal) or Job Request which is submitted to their members to get back to you.

Now you know a little more it would be worth exploring some of these sites, check out case study examples (see http://www.vadirectory.net/casestudies.htm) of how VAs have been used and then start thinking about how your working life could be made easier if you had your own personal VA to support you.