Working With a Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistance is a relatively new concept. Many people don't even know what the term means. Basically, a virtual assistant helps business owners with administrative tasks without actually being present at the place of business. This is especially beneficial if the business owner doesn't have enough work to keep a full-time secretary busy, yet seems to be spending way too much time on the administrative tasks instead of the more remedial parts of the business.

One of the benefits of using a virtual assistant is that he or she is an independent contractor; you will not be responsible for any of the costs associated with hiring an employee. You pay only for their time and any materials they use to complete the tasks you assign. This means you can avoid the expensive cost of providing health insurance to this person.

The way it works is that you provide the tasks via telephone, fax, Internet, and/or email. You don't have to provide a computer (or share yours), and in fact, you might never actually meet in person. There is no "nine to five" schedule; you use the virtual assistant ("VA") only when you need his or her help. You can also hire your VA on retainer for a certain number of hours each month, if you wish. This will guarantee that your VA is available to help when you need it.

What to Look for in a VA

One of the most important qualities your relationship with your VA should have is good rapport. She should be professional, returning your phone calls and messages in a timely manner. When you interview her, make sure she has the skills needed to do the job you are requesting. Check out his website. If it's full of typos and grammar errors, you may want to look around a bit more before you make a decision. Also, make sure he's available when you need him - some VA's work part time, and others work full time. Of course, you should find out how much experience she has, and a list of references you can call is a plus as well.

The fees a VA charges can vary quite widely. Generally, the range is between $20 and $80 per hour, depending on the task involved, as well as the VA's skills and experience. While this may sound expensive, remember that you are saving the costs of an employee: you don't have to pay taxes, contribute to a 401K, health insurance, or vacation and sick time. And your VA will be taking those time-consuming administrative tasks off your hands so you can get back to making money.