The internet has become the one-stop-shop for everything you need. With just a click from your mouse, you can buy anything you want – from the most minute item that you need in your kitchen to the slice of pizza that you have been craving for. The internet has it all. With just a click of a button, you can have everything in your hands within minutes. For us consumers, it is as easy as searching on the internet, clicking on an item and checking out. But the internet is a complex network and there is an army behind it. This is where virtual assistants come into play. They are the people behind the scenes that process your order and make sure that it reaches your doorstep in time.
If you are planning to start up a business, or you want to put your business online, here are some tips and advice on getting your very own virtual assistant.
What is a Virtual Assistant?
A virtual assistant is an independent contractor that provides professional administrative services remotely. Virtual assistants work outside of the client’s office and conduct all their transactions through the internet. They are skilled professionals with office administration and managerial skills. The VA (virtual assistant) world is growing as the internet expands its reach globally. Services like social media management, content blogging, graphic designing and internet marketing are becoming an important part of the virtual assistant network.
What does a Virtual Assistant do?
A Virtual Assistant does administrative tasks like secretarial jobs and office management. Secretarial jobs include data entry, scheduling, travel arrangements and office documentations. These are common tasks done by an Executive Assistant or Personal Assistant in a physical office setting.
There are also specialized VA’s like graphic designers, content writers, bloggers and project managers to name a few. They perform specialized tasks that they would normally do in an office setting, only they are doing them remotely.
Most VA’s are educated and highly experienced professionals. They hold the same educational and professional qualifications as that of those that work in physical offices. One major requirement for being a VA is the ability to use the computer and the internet. He should be tech-savvy and has a wide range of computer skills. He should have an understanding of how the internet works.
Pros and Cons of having a Virtual Assistant
Working with a VA has its advantages and disadvantage too. One advantage is that since your VA is working remotely, you do not need to provide an office space to run your business. There are no physical workers so there is no need for a table and chair in the office. Another advantage is that you can do your business in the comfort of your own home as long as you have an internet connection. You can communicate with your VA via calls and messages. You can also pay a VA on a per-job basis. Unlike a traditional office setting that you will need to pay an employee hourly. Overall, hiring a VA is more cost-effective than creating a traditional office.
But it has its own disadvantage as well. Since you are not working in an office environment, it is difficult to build a strong relationship with your staff. As VA’s can work on a per-project basis, camaraderie is not easily developed. Another disadvantage is that you do not have control over your staff movement. Although there are employee tracking time apps that are commonly used, you are not guaranteed that they are performing their tasks.
Do you need a Virtual Assistant?
If you are a small business or a start-up business owner, or you want to put your business on the internet, it is recommended to have a team of Virtual Assistants. They are cost-effective and you do not have to worry about building an office space for your staff. This will save you on operating cost. But you need to find a trustworthy and reliable Virtual Assistant firm like Online Assist Pro (link this to the company website) that can help you build your business.
How to hire a Virtual Assistant?
Before hiring a VA, first, you need to identify the needs of your company. You need to have a clear definition of the task that you want a VA to perform. The scope of work is very important to be able to have a clear understanding between you and your VA. Remember that you are working remotely and you do not have the liberty of face to face meeting every time you want to.
Also, you need to understand that VA’s are regular employees working remotely. They have the same needs as regular staff working in a physical office setting. They fall sick and they need to go on vacation too. You need to realize that there are limitations to this set-up. And everything is heavily dependent on the internet so glitches in communication might happen.
Once you have considered the things mentioned above, you need to find a reliable Virtual Assistant Company like Online Assist Pro (link to company website) that can provide you with highly qualified VA professionals. We at Online Assist Pro provide holistic Virtual Assistant Services that can help your business grow. Talk to us to know more about our services
