So what is a Virtual Assistant?

If you’re new to the term Virtual Assistant, you may be wondering what they do and how it all works?

Basically, it’s as you would expect – working with a VA is just like having a personal or executive assistant, but on a freelance and remote basis. They don’t sit outside your office and can’t make you a cup of tea, but can do pretty much anything else.

VAs offer a variety of services and provide invaluable support to many individuals and business owners. Most have a specialism – whether that’s social media, bookkeeping, events management or more traditional PA-type support.

But what specifically do they do?

Here are some examples to give you a better idea…

Angela is an independent consultant, holds a portfolio of non-exec roles, as well as being a governor at her daughter’s school. Before using a VA she struggled to keep on top of her inbox and calendar, even missing some important appointments. Her VA helps for a couple of hours a week – managing her inbox and calendar, booking travel and occasionally helping with personal admin. Allowing Angela to concentrate on her business.

David runs a successful landscape design company. Before using a VA, he spent all his evenings on paperwork, wasn’t able to keep track of his clients and wasted time updating his website and business Facebook page. His VA cleared the backlog of paperwork, set up an online CRM system and regularly updates his website and social media. David now spends more time doing what he loves and bringing in revenue.

Gabriela runs a successful independent restaurant. She has a high turnover of staff and needs help with putting together a training manual. She worked with a VA on a one-off project, to type up all her hand-written notes and turn them into a printed handbook.

Charles retired from his career in financial services and now acts as a trustee for a major charity, as well as delivering lectures and keynote speeches. He’s always had a PA and needed someone to help put together PowerPoint presentations and organise his schedule of lectures. His VA also helped to organise his wife’s 70 Birthday celebrations!

Would you like to know more about how a VA works?

I’d be delighted to chat through your to-do list and where I might be able to help. Please get in touch to arrange a call.

Keep an eye out for my next blog, where I’ll discuss how you can share you inbox and calendar with your VA and the essential systems and tech that make it all work smoothly.