Find a Virtual Assistant!
Useful for: Business owners feeling swamped by administration.
What's a VA?
A Virtual Assistant, or a VA, is an independent contractor who specialises in business management and administration. Virtual Assistants are usually individuals who have experience and training in managerial positions within the workplace, and who are extremely competent on the computer. Basically, a Virtual Assistant is a Personal Assistant, an Administrative Assistant, an Administration Coordinator and a Business Manager, all in one!
The main difference, apart from the costs (which is explained in further detail below), is that a VA doesn’t work on site with you. You don’t see his/her smiling face within your office each day, but you can hear his/her smiling voice on the phone when you need to get jobs done.
What skills does a VA have?
VAs usually specialise in a one or two areas with an overall competency in business administration. Additional skills are extremely varied and can include website management and maintenance; bookkeeping; transcription; copywriting; design; desktop publishing; phone answering; real estate management; practice management… the list goes on.
Where do they work?
Virtual Assistants, being virtual in nature, can work from anywhere around the world from their own fully equipped offices. Some clients prefer a Virtual Assistant that they can meet face-to-face on occasion, but many clients never meet their VA in person. With modern technology, the use of email, telephones, instant messenger and online programming, the need for face-to-face contact can often be eliminated. Entire events can be coordinated from interstate; medical practice management can be handled via phone and email; websites, which encompass virtuality, can be developed and maintained from anywhere you find an internet connection.
As VAs can be found world-wide, business owners are often faced with the question of whether to out-source ‘off-shore’ or within their own country. There are pros and cons with each choice.
Does it matter where my VA is based?
A good Australian Virtual Assistant will have a good understanding of Australian business structure and legalities, the language, the economy and the culture – liaising with your customers can be difficult if the VA’s culture has different standards of communication to what you are used to dealing with in business. For example, I recently read about an email in which an overseas VA was respectful to the customer and very flattering. “Surely this can only be a good thing” you ask? In this case, the VA was so flattering that the wording would be interpreted as extremely embarrassing in Australian society.
In other countries, where English is not the first language, communication and interpretation can potentially cause delays and errors which the client may need to double check with each individual job. Depending on the client and the VA in question, these barriers may prove to be no issue at all, whilst for others, it’s onerous to business progress.
How much does a VA charge?
In my experience, Virtual Assistants in Australia usually charge anywhere between $30 and $120 per hour depending on the level of skill and the service provided. Being employed as a contractor, there are no added costs such as sick leave, annual leave or office equipment costs. And you can be assured that you will still receive the expertise and benefits you would expect from any other professional Australian based business charging for their services.
→ No employee-related taxes, paperwork, insurance, or benefits.
→ No extra office space or equipment costs.
→ You only pay for "Time on Task" or by project.
→ The ability to stay on schedule.
→ Extra staff during seasonal or peak activity time.
→ Support on as needed basis, with fast turn around time.
→ Weekend and evening assistance.
Jobs of all shapes and sizes
A Virtual Assistant can simply be the person you want to format the occasional letter before sending, or alternatively, they can be the silent business partner you've always needed – providing expert support, broad knowledge of software and business planning; ability to resource for any situation; and above all, to give you the time to do what you do best – your job.
