How it Works
What is a “Virtual Assistant”?
A Virtual Assistant also referred to as a “VA” is a highly-skilled, independent contractor. Virtual Assistants usually work for other small business owners and can provide a range of administrative, technical, and creative support services to clients from their home office.
Virtual Assistants come from a variety of business backgrounds, with most bringing years of real world experience and skills to their VA practice. VA’s can specialize in a specific skill (project management, marketing, technical, etc.) or industry (Real Estate, Speakers, Authors, Online Coaches)
Why do people hire Virtual Assistants?
One of the top reasons people hire a VA is because they only have to pay for the work that is done. Hiring a full-time assistant can be expensive, not only do they have to be paid a salary, there is the additional cost of benefits, taxes, equipment, and office space.
Because virtual assistants are independent contractors rather than employees, clients are not responsible for any employee-related taxes, insurance or benefits.
Who can use the services of a VA?
Consultants, Entrepreneurs, Coaches, Small Businesses, and Professionals/Executives to name a few. The reality is there really is no end to the list of who can benefit from the help of a Virtual Assistant. If the work can be done virtually, it can be done by a VA.
Isn’t hiring a VA expensive?
No, working with a VA saves you money. You only pay for the work that you need to have done, and you can control the number of hours you want to pay for.
With a VA you don’t have to waste your time learning software, or doing tedious, repetitive tasks. You get to spend more of your valuable time on income produce tasks. Virtual Assistants can be hired to do the things that you are not good at, like project management, setting up email campaigns, building sales funnels, or maintaining your website.
How would I work with a VA?
With all the online tools available, working remotely is becoming new normal.
Email is still a very common and popular way of communicating. Want to see who you are working with? Want to share screens? That is possible with platforms like Zoom and Skype that provide a way to meet face-to-face, share screens, or chat online. Files can be shared on platforms like Dropbox and Google Drive. Project management and working with teams can be done on systems like Teamwork or Asana. These are just a few examples of how you can work with a VA.
What can a Virtual Assistant do for me?
Advancing technology means that a virtual assistant can do just about anything. I have chosen to specialize in helping my clients get the most out of the systems they use to run their business. Be sure to check out my Services page here.
How do I know that I won’t get invoiced for an unexpected amount?
I have a not-to-be-exceeded monthly budget package. What that means is there’s no minimum number of hours for my services in any one month.
Together we set a cap – a maximum number of hours – you want me to work each month. My hourly rate is $50 per hour. With a cap of 10 hours per month, you’d pay no more than $500 a month for my services, without approval.
If there’s a month you have a lot of work, I’ll do the work in the priority we set. You will be notified when there is an hour left of the time allowed, what work might be left, along with an estimate of how much more time it will take to complete the work.
This puts you in complete control of your budget and you won’t have to worry about how big an invoice might be from month to month.
Am I ready to work with a VA?
So, you think you are ready to hire a VA, but you still have some questions. There are three areas in your business that you can look at to help you determine if you are ready to work with a VA.
First: Do you know what you want/need a VA to help with? Spend a few days or a week tracking how you spend your time and on what tasks. Identify the tasks or projects that you want a VA to help with. Once you have identified the tasks that you want help with it will be easier to explain your needs and help you identify what skills you will need your VA to have.
Second: Evaluate your income. Hiring a VA is an investment and a commitment for your business. Think about where you can use the time saved by working with a VA and how you can use that time to generate more income.
Third: Be prepared to let go and hand over responsibility for the tasks you are asking a VA to do. Keep in mind there will be a bit of a learning curve in the beginning as you learn each other’s work styles and process.
What do you look for in the clients you work with?
Enthusiastic business owners who are committed to having a successful and thriving business. This is not a part time hobby for you. You are open to new ideas, we want to enjoy our time working together, but there also needs to be a level of respect and timeliness. Don’t forget a VA is a fellow business owner, not an employee.
If any of this sounds like you, then what are you waiting for, schedule time with me now so we can get started.
How soon can we get started?
Schedule your 30-minute complimentary consultation and let’s talk next steps.