#007 | Could a Virtual Assistant Help Your Business?

We often get puzzled looks when we say we are virtual assistants. The buzz word of "virtual assistant" is rampant in the online business world, but not so much with traditional product or service industries. Technology has made it possible for small business owners to seriously consider virtual assistant services as they grow their company. In today's podcast, we go over what a virtual assistant is and ideas of what kinds of businesses they serve.   Show Summary Virtual assistant definition: A Virtual Assistant (VA) is one who aids clients remotely by doing administrative tasks in their own office, using their own equipment. Communication between VA and client is generally done by a variety of methods, such as phone, email, instant messaging, or video conference.   Why consider a VA Whether you are growing your business or a busy executive and you find yourself either bogged down with administrative tasks or simply do not have the desire or expertise in certain administrative tasks, then consider VA services. Many times, the ever-so-important tasks that must be done, such as bookkeeping, letter writing, invoicing, etc., eats up the time of a busy business owner cutting into the time they should be spending growing their business and spending time with their family. The delegation of administrative tasks or special projects to a VA saves time and money for the business owner.   How would a VA save money Because VAs are independent contractors instead of employees, clients are not responsible for such employee related expenses such as employment taxes, insurance, and benefits. A VA provides their own office space, equipment, and supplies, the business owner does not have to have the extra expense of employee space and equipment.   How do you know if VA is right Consider a VA when you have grown your business enough and you feel overwhelmed with all the administrative tasks. You realize you can't focus on the continued growth of your business. There are tasks that you know need to be done, like bookkeeping, invoicing, website updates, newsletters, client communication, but you either lack the expertise or lack the desire to do the task, then hiring a VA is a great option. Many times, business owners may have the need for help 5-10 hours a week, for example, and find it difficult to hire a quality employee to fill those needs and do not have space or equipment for that employee to do the job effectively. Other times, a special project comes up and there isn't the expertise or time in the office to fill the need. Scrivener Solutions discusses with you your needs to cater a plan that works best for your business. Think about it, even delegating a project that may take 2-5 hours a month is well worth the investment. You are assured the project is completed and you use those hours for either servicing current customers or gaining new ones.   Where to find VAs Of course, Scrivener Solutions is available for content marketing services There are many national and international companies Finding freelancers Fiverr - https://www.fiverr.com/ Virtual Staff Finder virtualstafffinder.com/ VA Networking https://www.vanetworking.com/   What types of businesses do VAs help Online businesses are the most obvious and the term VAs are thrown around there a lot. VAs are a great option when you are running your office out of your home. Or, if you have office space and employees, VAs are an option for those projects where your current staff does not have the expertise or time to complete. VAs can perform general or highly specialized tasks. Some VAs are industry specific. Types of Industries who use VA services Heating & Air Window Washing Real Estate Financial Advisors Attorneys Retail stores Massage therapists Vets Doggie daycares List goes on and on   It's a big step to reach out and ask for help. If you need help in your business, there's a lot to consider. Download our free book, 5 Things You Must Know Before Hiring A Virtual Assistant to learn more.