1. What is virtual assistance?
  2. What is a virtual assistant or VA?
  3. How old is the virtual assistance industry?
  4. Why would I hire a VA?
  5. How can my business use a VA?

1. What is virtual assistance?

Virtual assistance is administrative support offered online and or using other communications technology rather than face-to-face interaction. Clients communicate their projects using available technology – telephone, fax, e-mail, file transfers using the Internet.

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2. What is a virtual assistant or VA?

The International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA) defines a virtual assistant (VA) as “… an independent entrepreneur providing administrative, creative and/or technical services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of communication and data delivery, a professional VA assists clients in his/her area of expertise from his/her own office on a contractual basis."

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3. How old is the virtual assistance industry?

The Virtual Assistance industry is still relatively new, founded in the mid 1990s in the USA and encouraged by a number of factors; these include the growth of the Internet, corporate downsizing, the evolution of telecommuting relationships, changing demographics, and the expansion of the other virtual services.

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4. Why would I hire a VA?

A highly-trained VA, working in partnership with your organization can

  1. Save time and effort. As your business grows, so does the administration. Though important, administration gets in the way of you pursuing those activities that will grow your business.
  2. Save money.
    1. You only pay for the number of hours worked or the tasks completed.
    2. You don’t have to pay employee benefits or find space and equipment for a permanent/temporary employee.
    3. You don’t have to spend money on training or orientation.
  3. Ensure flexibility. A VA is not restricted to the 8-4 work routine.
  4. Perform non-routine and specialized tasks such as project management, marketing, research, and writing.

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5. How can my business use a VA?

Any task that can be performed offsite and is easily and quickly transmitted via email attachment, file transfer protocol (FTP), fax, or mail delivery can be given to a VA.

Depending on the type of business that you run and the VA’s technical and professional skills, she could perform a wide range of tasks, from bookkeeping to marketing to website development.

Here are a few examples of work that a VA could do for your business.

  • Secretarial Services
  • Research
  • Email Services
  • Word Processing
  • Marketing
  • Transcription Services
  • Desk top publishing
  • Project Management
  • Event Co-ordination
  • Website development and management
  • Book keeping
  • Personnel Services