What is a VA and why would I need one?
There are thousands of Virtual Assistants, or VA’s online now but a couple of years ago this was an unheard of job category. What exactly IS a VA and why might you need one?
There are a lot of advantages to hiring a VA for your over load of duties instead of hiring a full time in-office staff member. First off, a VA can be hired by the hour, day, week, month, etc. and there are no insurance
expenses, the need to deduct social security, etc. as these things are all the responsibility of the employee.
You do not have to supply office equipment, supplies or tools unless they are unique to the service you need your VA to perform. You do not even need to set up office space, supply a desk or anything else as a Virtual Assistant works out of her or his home office and sends you completed assignments through snail mail, email, download or other delivery method or, in the case of, for example, appointment making, sales calls, etc. this is all done at the VA’s office.
A VA, or Virtual Assistant is a part or full time employee that works for you in her or his own office performing the duties you do not have time to do or even better, do not WANT to do! They generally work the hours they want to if the job or assignment is flexible as far as time goes so you generally have a happy, relaxed worker and things can be a lot more relaxed between the employer and employee.
Generally, a VA will not have added expenses over her or his general business and office overhead and supplies, does not need to worry about fighting traffic and the cost of gasoline, wear and tear on her or his vehicle, a dress code and dressing to fit office standards, etc. so can usually be more affordable for the average business person needing the extra help that a VA can be.
The concept of doing VA work really appeals to me and makes great sense. In my 20′s I was a Kelly Girl, a temporary office assistant that went to new places and met new people and learned new duties daily, weekly, or to cover the occasional maternity leave or other longer term assignment and I loved it. I had found working in an office fulfilling but more or less felt in a rut after more than a year or so with one company so this way of life really appealed to me.
Years later, with the internet and so many internet and computer based companies, the job market is wide open and so is your chance to find just the right VA or even VA’s for you and your business!
I have 12 years of home based office services experience plus my prior “out in the work force” office experience and really love the fluidity of being a VA.
