Faster than a speeding typist. Able to leap tall deadlines in a single bound. A virtual assistant is the type of support that allows you to complete numerous jobs in a flash. The best news is that this multi-tasked helper won’t need a W-4 form or space within your office. Your virtual assistant can live 3,000 miles away and still get the job done. This person is on call for you only when assistance is required and paid an hourly rate for their services. But let me back up and tell you about this part-time partner.

A virtual assistant (VA) is an independent contractor that provides administrative support, such as typing, bookkeeping, database management, and desktop publishing, to small businesses nationwide. Such work is sent from you to them by fax, mail or by Email.

The best assistants are members of a sanctioning organization, such as the International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA), and are trained to handle a myriad of tasks that you need completed within your time frame.

Not sure if this kind of support is right for you? Here’s an example. You have proposals to develop for prospective clients. At the same time, you want to continue marketing your services to other prospects. Postcards will be used for promotion, and your database of contact names and addresses is set up on your computer.

A virtual assistant can take care of the postcard mailing while you develop the proposals (which the virtual assistant can type when all is ready).

Your postcards are being created by a printer. Tell the printer to ship the postcards to your VA. Meanwhile, you send your database of prospects to the VA as an Email attachment, which the VA opens, formats and prints onto labels.

When the postcards are delivered, the VA affixes the labels and stamps onto the postcards and promptly mails it. By that time, you’ve written your proposals in long hand and faxed the pages to the VA for typing. When done, the VA, who has created your proposal using PowerPoint, Emails it back to you for editing.

Imaging the possibilities. With VA assistance, you can complete double or triple the amount of work you now perform.

 

Expect to pay a VA approximately $25 per hour plus additional expenses such as for the postage and travel associated with the postcard mailing. This is a bargain compared to paying for payroll, benefits, vacation pay, and sick time. I’m not suggesting that a virtual assistant can be a total substitute for employees, but if quick help is needed or your working environment is not ready to accept an on-the-premises employee, this alternative can be both a lifesaver and business builder.

Several groups, such as the IVAA and Virtual Assistant Associates will help you find a capable VA. You can also type “virtual assistant” into any search engine to find trained individuals.

It’s not a bird or a plane. It’s a virtual assistant, the support system that’s ready when you need the work done.