Starting off as Virtual Assistant

A Virtual Assistant does many different things. The area of expertise for a VA is going to depend on each individual. Most virtual assistants provide services to business owners that they do not have the time to do themselves such as checking and replying to emails, article submissions, website updating, forum moderation, transcribing audio, sending newsletters, and many more.

What skills are helpful?

To be a VA or to become one it is helpful to have some skills such as basic computer knowledge, time management, organizational skills, and self discipline. Self discipline is important because you need to be able to make yourself sit down and work even if you don’t feel like it; working from home there will always be ‘life’ to get in the way but with a little self discipline you can make it work.

Time management is another important area that you should have some area of skill in. You need to be able to manage your time well so that you can complete projects in a timely fashion; you want to have a pretty quick turn around time on projects if possible. Last but certainly not least is organizational skills. You have to keep your clients information organized so that you can easily access things such as instructions for ongoing projects, etc.

What tools are needed?

You want to have a phone line, computer, printer and high speed internet connection. A fax line is another option that you might want to consider. Depending on the services you will be offering you might also need Microsoft Front Page, Word, Excel, etc. The basic tools needed are the first few that were mentioned – phone line, computer, printer and high speed internet – but depending on the areas of expertise that you will be offering will help you decide on any additional tools that you might need.

How do you get started?

To get started as a virtual assistant you need to purchase a domain name and create a website (or have one built for you) explaining your services and what you offer. Get involved in some online networking groups so that you can get the word out about your business and so that you can build relationships with possible clients.

Finding that first client will be the hardest and probably most challenging aspect of creating your VA business but once you have picked up that client and done some great work for them keep in mind that word of mouth goes a long way! Happy clients will refer other people to you for your services!

Keep in mind that beginning a VA business, along with any other business is a process that will take time, dedication, discipline and the motivation to keep going. Many people expect to start a home based business and make money overnight but the reality is that it takes time to build up a business. Get involved in some online networking groups/forums where you can ask questions, receive feedback and encouragement and build some friendships. Find a mentor or someone that will help you through the process. Remember the saying – where there is a will there is a way!

Virtual Assistant Jobs

A virtual assistant is an administrative office assistant who provides general office management from a remote location. General office management duties include clerical duties like document filing, data collection and data storage. It can also extend to legal assistance and accounting services — basically any kind of office work that can be accomplished in the virtual world.

Often referred to as VAs, the career path of a virtual assistant became more common in the 1990s when technology advanced and corporate offices increasingly decentralized. As urban density and congestion helped boost suburbia over the years, fringe cities developed. Corporate business followed, prompting companies to open more branch offices in a variety of cities and states. Globalization is now an additional force driving companies overseas to tap into new markets and new consumers. The need to staff those offices arose but frequently was associated with a higher cost.

A virtual assistant can be an employee of the company he or she works for or he or she can be an independent contractor. A VA might telecommute from home, or he or she might work at the company's offices and manage one or more remote locations.

VA companies are increasingly popping up and contracting their virtual assistants out to companies. Virtual office providers typically have about 10 virtual assistants who manage the virtual offices of about 100 to 150 companies. For instance, if a company in New York City wants to have a virtual office in Los Angeles, using new technology, that company does not have to open a physical branch office on the west coast of the United States. The company can simply purchase a contract with a virtual office provider.

Virtual office providers give the client company a local address and local phone number. A virtual assistant is assigned to answer the calls for the client company at the local address, answering in the client company’s name, and forwarding calls to the company’s headquarters or assigned representative. The virtual assistant also helps the client company target consumers without having to be in that geographic area. This helps provide the impression that the company has a vibrant and active branch location in that remote city.

Virtual office providers may also collect the company’s mail, sort it and redirect it. The virtual assistant may oversee legal and business obligations for the client company so that it can function in another city, state or country. New Internet technology allows the virtual assistants to manage a range of companies or office locations through highly organized software. The technology also allows the virtual assistant to patch through calls to other cities or countries seamlessly.