What types of services are offered by a Virtual Assistant?
Virtual Assistants should have a wide variety administrative office skills to be able to handle day-to-day  tasks like creating documents, managing scheduling, handling email etc. In addition, some VAs also specialize in bookkeeping while others are skilled Web Designers too.

Should I hire an employee for office tasks or outsource to a Virtual Assistant?
Virtual Assistants will save you on operating costs, hands down.

You don’t have to provide office space, pc, software, training, employer related costs, i.e., payroll, insurance, sick leave, vacation, government regulated issues. Virtual Assistants are experienced professionals and their time is 100% productive!

One of the most desirable benefits of  using a VA is the ability to build a long term relationship. By using the same VA, they learn your goals, how you like to run your business and therefore not only provide support services, but can anticipate your needs. Once you use a VA, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without them.

Why would I use a VA instead of a temp agency?
Temporary agencies send different workers to fill a position depending upon who is available, therefore can't build the long-term, one-on-one relationship needed. By having the same VA for support, you won't have to get them up-to-speed every time you need support. They will already know your business processes and you can call them directly when you need to.

How much do Virtual Assistants charge for services?
Virtual Assistant rates vary greatly. Most are based upon the experience needed to complete the task(s).  VA's ratey vary, our partners at laurajeanbiz.com charge $35 per hour for services like data entry and general administrative services. For more complex projects the rate can vary up to $50.00. Many VAs offer monthly "retainer" packages, when paid in advance, possibly at a discounted rate, to "set aside" a certain amount of hours per month, depending upon your needs. Outsourcing to a VA overseas generally have a much lower hourly rate.

Do I need someone local?
Virtual Assistants have the skills necessary, and office setup, to be able to work from a remote location. Your VA can be across town or from another country. Whether you should hire locally depends on your comfort level of working with someone many miles away. Although the hourly rate is less for off-shore services, some find it more difficult due to communicate due to language barriers, culture differences, and time-zone differences. Some business owners like being able to meet with their VA in person from time to time, although generally being in the same time zone or country works just as well.

How do I know what VA is right for me?
Starting out, we suggest you decide what services you need most. Virtual Assistants should have a variety administrative office skills to be able to handle day-to-day business office tasks like creating documents, managing scheduling, handling email etc. In addition, some VAs also specialize in bookkeeping while others are skilled Web Designers too. Think about the areas you need help most and what types of skills will fit your needs. Call several and ask them about the types of services they offer and their rates. By talking to them you can get a general feel about how well you communicate with them. Give them a small task first and see how they do. You may have to try a few before you decide. Finding the right VA to support your business is one of the best things you can do to help grow your business and is becoming more vital in order to be able to compete with other businesses in the same industry.