Frequently Asked Questions
What are some tasks that I can assign to a Virtual Assistant?
A Virtual Assistant can:
- Sort phone calls so you only get excellent calls (huge time saver)
- Manage e-mails to reduce "information overload"
-
Manage incoming/outgoing payments to optimize cash flow
- Run e-mail campaigns to relevant lists to increase revenues
- Manage all paperwork with organized files, folders and office mail
-
Stay on top of holiday and birthday card mailings to optimize popularity
- Synchronize schedules with Outlook, a website calendar and a PDA
- Administer product campaigns through auto-responders, CRM, etc.
- Keep everyone updated with research on any and all competition
- Create time for Value Added Activity to increase productivity
Can a Virtual Assistant help me run my real estate business?
A Virtual Assistant can help you run your business regardless of the industry, whether it's Real Estate,
Internet Marketing, Small Business (i.e. Plumbing, Electrician, Lawn Service, Insurance or a Flower Shop),
or Car Sales; along with any kind of profession like Accounting, Medicine, Patent and other Law,
or a Brokerage.
What are some of the key differences between hiring a Virtual Assistant and a full time employee
or a temp?
Cost Comparison of Virtual Assistant vs. Full-Time Employee
| Full-Time Employee |
|
|
Virtual Assistant
|
|
Base Pay
|
$44,754
|
|
Base Pay
|
$35/hr
|
Bonuses
|
$695
|
|
Bonuses
|
$0
|
Social Security
|
$3,477
|
|
Social Security
|
$0
|
401K/403b
|
$1,645
|
|
401K/403b
|
$0
|
Disability
|
$1,109
|
|
Disability
|
$0
|
Healthcare
|
$5,390
|
|
Healthcare
|
$0
|
Pension
|
$1,473
|
|
Pension
|
$0
|
Vacation/Time off
|
$4,964
|
|
Vacation/Time off
|
$0
|
Total
|
$63,507
|
|
Total
|
$33,600
|
Most small businesses or entrepreneurs do not have a large budget for hiring additional staff when
demands warrant it. Often times, a business owner may think it is more cost effective to do the work themselves rather than spend operating capital on part-time staff. Putting a Virtual Assistant on your
team is a wise investment that will have long-term effects on your productivity, time management,
stress and, ultimately, the bottom line.
-
Virtual Assistants work on an "as needed" basis so you will be able to
save money by not having
to hire additional part-time staff. A client
only pays for the work performed with no extra expenses
such as wage
deductions, benefits, office equipment or supplies. Add and contract
capacity in
accordance with your demand.
-
Virtual Assistants bring specialized knowledge of running a business to
the table. They can review
your existing systems and make
recommendations on methods or technologies to streamline
your
operations.
- Virtual Assistants can research suppliers and suggest more
cost-effective alternatives, allowing you
to be more informed when
making purchasing decisions.
-
With a tailored reminder service, Virtual Assistants can respond to
meeting requests as well as
keep you informed of upcoming events. You
will save time and be more organized as you plan ahead.
-
In order to optimize your marketing plans and budget, specialized
Virtual Assistants can show you
where to concentrate your efforts and
achieve a better return on investment.
-
Virtual Assistants can assist you in designing a web design that is
user friendly and presents an
image that potential customers will enjoy
and visit frequently. Through utilizing SEO techniques,
a VA will
improve your web site's rankings, resulting in increased online sales
leads.
- To save you time in dealing with potential customers, Virtual
Assistants can manage and organize inquiries. By pre-filtering and
prioritizing inquiries, you will see improved results in responding to
and following up on sales leads.
-
To ensure that emails and voicemails are responded to promptly, Virtual
Assistants can pre-screen messages and prioritize in order of
importance.
-
Virtual Assistants are proficient in English and grammar and will
maintain high standards in
producing outgoing written material. No need
to worry about inferior workmanship and the
extra expense of redoing a
project.
-
Virtual Assistants can plan your next business trip, whether for
yourself or employees. They will
optimize prices for flights,
accommodations, and vehicle rentals, complete a conference registration
and provide you with a complete itinerary.
How do I get a Virtual Assistant?
You can hire one yourself by looking on the Internet or you can go to a virtual staffing agency that will
provide you with a choice of Virtual Assistants. You can also go to an overseas search engine that will
provide you with the ability to bid on a Virtual Assistant, depending on what kind of project you place
on the website board.
Are Virtual Assistants bonded? How can I insure they maintain privacy?
While you may be able to find someone who is bonded in the Virtual Assistance world, most Virtuals
are not bonded. If you want some added privacy in addition to whatever may be written into your
contract, a non-disclosure agreement can be signed. A Virtual Assistant is a contractor, so you have the
ability to create the contractual relationship upon initiation.
What is the best way to start working with a new Virtual Assistant?
Working with a Virtual Assistant can be more rewarding if you do a few things to keep the relationship
going strong and create a loyalty that goes beyond your working agreement. Of course there are many
things the Virtual Assistant you hire should be doing to make you happy with them. When you do find someone you know will be a great fit with you, however, you will want to make sure your Virtual
Assistant sees the value in working with you by exercising:
-
Excellent Communication - Make sure you are communicating with your Virtual Assistant in a clear
and concise manner.
- Excellent Technological Courtesy - If you are using email as your main
form of communication then
don't send 10 emails in a day; rather, get
everything clear in your mind and send one email that has
all the
information laid out.
-
Telephone Courtesy - If you use the phone as your main communication
think about the time you are spending on a call and decide if it's
needed. Would it be better to clarify things over email and follow up
with a quick call?
-
Payment Courtesy - Pay your Virtual Assistant on time. If your Virtual
Assistant has to wait for her
money she won't like it as much as if you
pay on time.
-
Clear Directions - There's nothing worse than having an assistant spend
5 hours on something that
you meant as a short 15 minute project. When
you give your assistant new tasks and projects make
sure the
information is clear and the expectations are stated.
-
Excellent Referrals - If you are happy with your Virtual Assistant, refer her to your associates.
- Say Thank-You -
These two little words go a long way and if a Virtual Assistant knows
that you
appreciate her she will go out of her way to make sure you
continue to do so.
-
Respect her Time - Everyone is short on time so make sure you put your
time and the time you spend with your VA to the best of use.
Do Virtual Assistants only help with business tasks?
No, you can find a virtual or virtual staffing company that will do all of your personal tasks as well.
Can I use a Virtual Assistant to help conduct Internet marketing?
Virtual Assistants can help you develop and implement a highly
effective Internet Marketing/Media Plan,
doing a lot of the mundane
tasks you don't want to do:
-
Set up a blog, RSS feed, analytics, opt in subscriber account, and provide basic blog training.
-
Develop a blogging strategy; blog maintenance, guest blogging, blog
carnivals, blog linking, blog
post commenting, blog writing and more.
- Engage in social media networking
- Create an online customer interaction and/or engagement plan
- To write, edit and distribute a niche market eBook
- Maintain leads database and auto-responder system
-
Create and maintain a newsletter
-
Create and maintain an Internet radio show (aka Podcast)
- Implement and maintain an affiliate marketing plan
-
Keep up with competitive and industry advance
-
Build an effective 12 month online professional development schedule
Are there any benefits to working with a North American Virtual Assistant as opposed to an overseas
Virtual Assistant?
Like everything both have pros and cons. Partnering with a Virtual Assistant in another country half-way around the world will allow you to have your work completed while you sleep. Everything will be ready
and waiting for you as you arrive in your office the next day.
On the other hand, the time difference can be a major impediment, at least until you get into a routine.
India and the Philippines both have time zones that are 180 opposite to those in Northern America. That
means when you're normally getting off work, they are just beginning their day.
Language barriers can also get in the way, as well as cultural issues. Both are what make it more
important to spend a little more time asking for what you want. On the other hand, the prices of
overseas Virtual Assistants are usually much lower.
|
