10 Things I Know About...Virtual Assistants
10. Not Employees
Virtual assistants (VAs) are self-employed business and administrative experts. Unlike the secretary-boss paradigm, where the secretary is subordinate to the boss, the VA’s relationship with her clients is that of peers working together.
9. Not Secretaries
Although the foundation of virtual assistance is the secretarial/administrative assistant field, VAs do much more.
8. Highly Skilled
Many VAs have college degrees and advanced skills. VAs constantly educate themselves on the latest and greatest tools and techniques available so they can be a valuable resource to their clients.
7. Self-Managed
VAs have extraordinary time management, productivity and customer service skills. They have to because they work with multiple clients and yet somehow manage to make each client feel like they are the VA’s only client.
6. Inexpensive Option
VAs who charge $5 an hour or less are really unskilled virtual gofers. If you want skill, expect to pay Bloomingdale rates, not Walmart prices.
5. Value Proposition
A VA’s ROI is measured by what it costs you to do the work yourself versus delegating it to a VA. If your time is worth $50 an hour and your VA’s time is worth $25 an hour, delegating to a VA saves you $25.
4. Business Work
Although VAs do more than administrative work, that doesn't mean they do laundry and housekeeping.
3. One For Everyone
It doesn't matter what your personality type is or what business you're in, there's a VA for everyone. Some VAs appreciate micromanagers, most don't. Some do only project work, and some only work in ongoing, collaborative relationships.
2. Industry Specific
Some VAs are generalists, and some VAs specialize in working with specific industries or professions.
1. More Information
The New England region has many virtual assistants, and the New England Virtual Assistants organization (www.newenglandvirtualassistants.com) is a great resource.
Donna Caissie is the owner/operator of ExtraOrdinary Assistance in Worcester. She can be reached at va@extra-assist.com.
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