What Is A Virtual Assistant?

What is a Virtual Assistant? This is a question you've probably
asked yourself if you have heard of the title "Virtual
Assistant." A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an independent
contractor and a home-based entrepreneur who uses the Internet,
phone, fax, email, and other technology to communicate with
his/her clients.
Virtual Assistants provide administrative support and/or
specialized business services. Many Virtual Assistants were most
often Administrative or Executive Assistants in traditional work
environments before launching their Virtual Assistance
Practices. Most Virtual Assistants work from their home office
and, with the help of technology, other virtual locations.
Technology has enabled Virtual Assistants to have a global
client base.
Virtual Assistants: What do they do?
Ok...so now you know the answer to the question of what a
Virtual Assistant is, now let's talk about what they do.
Virtual Assistants provide much of the same services as an
onsite employee, but without the added expense to employers.
Some provide general services while others provide more
specialized services such as a Virtual Real Estate Assistant.
Here are some services Virtual Assistants offer (this is not an
exhaustive list):
- Website and Graphic Design - Website Maintenance and Updates -
Online and Offline Marketing and Promotion - Accounting /
Bookkeeping - Data Entry - PowerPoint Presentations -
Advertising in Print Media - Desktop Publishing - Custom Ad
Design for print media - Travel Arrangements - Writing, Editing
& Researching Services - Secretarial Services - Word Processing
- General and Legal Transcription Services - Database Management
- Personal Assistant Services - Event Planning - Technical
Support - Coaching / Consulting - Customer Service - Real Estate
Support
These are just a few services you can offer as a Virtual
Assistant. The more specialized your services are, the less
saturated the market will be. Try to find a niche and target
market if you have a specialized skill and/or expertise.
Basic equipment and software needed can include, but is not
limited to, the following:
Basic Equipment:
- Computer and/or Laptop - Cable, Satellite, or DSL Internet
Service - Modem - Fax Machine - Printer - Copier - Scanner -
Telephone with unlimited long distance service - CD Burner
Software:
- Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Word, Outlook,
Publisher) - Macromedia Dreamweaver or Microsoft FrontPage (for
web design, editing, and maintenance) - Instant Messenger (AOL,
Yahoo, MSN etc.) - Antivirus Software - Adobe Acrobat
While all the equipment and software above is not mandatory,
they are very useful and worthwhile to learn how to use.
The Virtual Assistance industry is growing tremendously. It has
enabled many to start their own business while being at home
with their family. There are many great resources out there if
you're an aspiring Virtual Assistant


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