What is a Virtual Assistant?

The words “Virtual Assistant” seem like such a conundrum. How can someone assist you, virtually? What is the use of employing an assistant you cannot watch over to ensure the work gets done? Simple. In Most cases, the assistant gets paid per specific duty, and not for their time in hours.

A virtual assistant is simply an assistant who works remotely. As technological advancements brought reliable internet into homes, business owners began to realise that an employee doesn’t need to mean providing someone with office space to get the job done, and… the birth of Virtual Assistants.

Virtual assistants are in high-demand by entrepreneurs and online businesses that need help, but don’t have the excess finances to spend on extra office space. A Virtual Assistant, just like an actual assistant, is there to take all of the time-consuming hum-drum routine tasks off your hands so that you are free to do what you need to do: Run your business!

Except… A Virtual Assistant is a lot less costly than employing a person full time. You only contact them when you need them, and the job gets done. In theory, a Virtual Assistant can do most of the tasks that other support staff might do. There are limits, but technological advances offer a range of ways to work around these. For example, they may not be able to physically bring your laundry home, but they can arrange that easily with a phone call, or the click of a button.

Virtual support duties are not limited to clerical work. They may provide assistance with marketing, web design, bookkeeping, and many other services. Some virtual assistants specialise in a specific skill set, and they only perform duties related to those skills. Other virtual assistants specialise in an industry, such as a virtual assistant whose niche is assisting realtors.