Utilizing A Virtual Assistant for Your Business
I am often asked to define my job as a Virtual Assistant. When I explain it, surprisingly, people are not shocked but rather impressed by the fact that I started a home-based business to provide much needed assistance to small business owners and businesspeople who can’t hire an employee, do not have the space to accommodate one, or just simply need help from time to time.In today’s high-tech age, much is done either on the computer or via the computer; e-mails, e-cards, and electronic bill payments have vastly reduced the usage of envelopes and postage stamps. This has caused the U.S. Postal Service to increase postage prices once again. The Internet and development of web sites had brought small and remote businesses to the forefront, E-bay allowed normal everyday people to sell almost anything with its online auctions, and social networking sites, such as MySpace and Facebook, and blogs have brought total strangers into the lives of others from all over the world.
The world is just a smaller place when you are an avid computer and Internet user. Technology can enhance your life or business in a positive way if you know how to use it and its many resources to your advantage, such as instant access to specialized skills and administrative support assistance whenever and wherever you need them with just the click of your mouse.
So, what is a Virtual Assistant and how can you utilize a VA in your business? There are many definitions for a Virtual Assistant. The International Association of Virtual Assistants (IVAA) defines a VA as the following:"A Virtual Assistant (VA) is 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."
How can you utilize a Virtual Assistant? The Home Office Warrior blog has an extensive list called the “Top 100 Ways a Home Office Warrior can utilize a Virtual Assistant ”. For business owners that live and work in a farming or agricultural community and have access to the Internet, but not to qualified business support assistance, this can be a great solution for them, and for Real Estate professionals, as well.
If you were able to utilize a Virtual Assistant today, what would you have your VA do for your business or personal life? How would this support be beneficial to you or your business? Would it free up your time to focus on money making opportunities? Give you more time to spend with family and friends? Would it help you become more organized and focused? I welcome your comments.
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