Home
>
Small Business
>
Getting Behind in Your Work? You Need a Virtual Assistant!

Getting Behind in Your Work? You Need a Virtual Assistant!

If you don't know what a Virtual Assistant (or VA) is, don't worry. I only came across the term myself about a year ago. It seemed like a high-tech occupation that I would know little about until I stumbled across some information and found out that I was a Virtual Assistant! Not only that, I realized that small businesses were missing out on the opportunity to improve their efficiency by neglecting the vast talent so easily available online.

What Is A Virtual Assistant?

The term Virtual Assistant started in the mid 90's. Virtual Assistants are really the same as telecommuters, usually performing administrative tasks for businesses and working out of their own homes instead of the office they provide services for.

Using a Virtual Assistant can be a low budget alternative to hiring full or part-time staff. Fees are variable and often range from $15 -100/hr depending on the work or specialty. For small businesses, even one-man (or woman) businesses, a VA can dramatically ease your work load at a very reasonable cost.

Virtual Assistants provide needed skills such as proofreading, bookkeeping, website design, writing, data management and more. Some specialists work with the real estate or medical fields. Others handle the day-to-day tasks or help you with certain projects ? all on an as-you-need basis.

How Do I Choose A Virtual Assistant?

There are several associations such as the IVAA (International Virtual Assistants Association) which provide the names of screened Virtual Assistants. Another way to find a good Virtual Assistant is by word-of-mouth. As with any freelance job, it is wise to establish if the worker is efficient and responsible as you cannot always follow up in person.

All Virtual Assistants should have a privacy policy if not a member of an association. This shows that they understand that your business information is confidential and will take steps to ensure your privacy.

Finding a Virtual Assistant that you feel comfortable with can lead to a relationship that gives you the freedom to pass assignments over without the need to re-educate them about your business. A personal virtual assistant will learn your business through projects, and apply that knowledge to all of your assignments.

I have had great joy in learning how being a Virtual Assistant can benefit small businesses in handling their tasks. It is a rewarding experience to meet new individuals, be exposed to various business that are being run online, and to develop relationships with clients all over the world that can count on me. Consider what hiring a Virtual Assistant for your business could do for you!

Shannon Emmanuel is a freelance author and Virtual Assistant, check out her available services at: http://www.assistant-for-hire.com

car service from Midway Burlington .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare

In The News:

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says a malware app called SpyLend is posing as a financial tool, hitting 100,000-plus downloads.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says Clone Robotics’ Protoclone mimics humans with 1,000 muscles – too human for comfort.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson urges you to use Apple’s App Privacy Report to see what your apps are really up to.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about how to smoothly transfer your data from an old laptop to a new one using cloud storage or external drives.

Kurt the CyberGuy offers tips to safeguard your personal information as scammers become more sophisticated with scam texts and other methods.

WeRide's unmanned electric delivery van, the Robovan W5, has 194 cubic feet of cargo space and can carry payloads up to about 2,205 pounds

Kurt the CyberGuy recommends deleting 16 browser extensions immediately in response to a report saying more than 3.2 million web users were affected by a security breach.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

A robotics firm in China claims a robot has performed the world's first humanoid robot front flip, which is significantly more difficult than a backflip.

A digital ID may be even more secure than a physical ID. Storing your driver's license in your Apple Wallet is an ideal solution for commuters.

A cybersecurity firm has shed some light on just how common tax scams have become. Kurt the CyberGuy offers his advice for how to protect your refund.

Lifesize Plans offers immersive walk-throughs that allow customers the opportunity to tour a home's design before construction actually begins.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

A man invested $4 million in bitcoin and lost it all with a single click when he was targeted by a vishing scam, which uses phone calls to trick people.

Expandable's Touchdown is a designer trailer that promises a luxury off-grid living experience and unfolds into a home in about 15 minutes.

Major employee screening company data breach affects 3.3 million people. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson explains what happened and gives five ways to protect your data.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals mind-blowing tech that gives you sunlight on demand.

New malware "FrigidStealer" targets Mac computers. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers four ways to stay safe from infostealer malware.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about how lab-grown muscles power a biohybrid hand for scalable prosthetics and research.

Reports of task scams have significantly risen in the past four years, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Kurt the CyberGuy offers some red flags.

iPhones have a hidden folder that eats up storage without you knowing it. Kurt the CyberGuy offers some tricks to free up storage on your device.

A recent ransomeware attack targeted Zacks, an American investment firm, and a cybercriminal claimed to have stolen records for millions of customers.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Researchers unveiled a new soft prosthetic hand that combines the natural coordination patterns of our fingers with the decoding of motoneuron activity in the spinal column.

Accidentally deleting a text message on your iPhone or iPad is not a problem if you still need the message. Apple has a built-in way to recover it.

Getting Behind in Your Work? You Need a Virtual Assistant!

Small Business