In the Era of 21st century routine business is not that much successful as compared to the online business? Do you want to prosper your business? Then you must bring your business online and make judicious use of the Virtual Assistant.
To understand How to bring your business online, please read our blog post i.e. How To Start The Business Of The 21st Century? in this blog I have explained How to set up the online business.
Once you start your business you need to understand what is a Virtual Assistant? How they earn money? And what qualities should have Virtual Assistant? What tasks can outsource to a Virtual Assistant? How your business benefits from Virtual Assistant?
What is a Virtual Assistant?
Virtual Assistants are the people who work online from a remote location and are contracted by businesses to render service on a project or a specific job task. For example “Freelancers”, “Telecommuters”, “Home Based Workers”; the terminology may vary but the meaning remains the same and they are called Virtual Assistants.
After Covid-19, the virtual assistance industry has become global. It has grown by leaps and bounds as more businesses look for more efficient means of managing its various tasks and responsibilities remotely.
Virtual Assistant can operate remotely and they enjoy following benefits:
- Better source of income
A Virtual Assistant can handle as many clients as his schedule would allow. On the average, a Virtual Assistant will manage three to four clients every month.
Depending on the terms of the working arrangement with the client, a Virtual Assistant can earn much more than a regular office employee. He also controls his rate per hour or as pert business requirement.
As the Virtual Assistant gains experience, they earn more references and recommendations, he or she can increase the rate charged to clients (Business owner).
- Work from home
Perhaps the initial attraction for people who switch careers to virtual assistance work is mainly due to they can work from home.
People who got retires or got laid- off or have to stay home to look after their children or parents. Working from home gave the unemployed a means to earn money while raising a family.
Working from home also means having fewer expenses compared to a regular office worker.
- Commuting time
Virtual Assistant does not need to go to office. Hence, they can reduce commute to office and office to home.
The average commute time to go office and come to home is 60 minute. In busy hours in metropolitan cities like New York, London and Jakarta, commute time shoot-up to 90 to 120 minute.
- Own work schedule
A Virtual Assistant manages their own work schedule. He or She can be selective of clients and accept work that not only pays well but fits in their schedule.
This is an important benefit for virtual assistants who have families specially to working woman. They can create a schedule that will allow them to generate income and spend time with their children.
Who can become a Virtual Assistant?
Can anyone become a Virtual Assistant? All you need is a computer, Laptop or Smart phone and Internet connection. There are no regulating agencies, certifications or licenses needed to become a Virtual Assistant.
Thus, the challenge lies in qualifying the best Virtual Assistant for your business.
What qualities you should look while recruiting Virtual Assistant for your Business?
Hire a Virtual Assistant within 60 minutes, Wishup is our Business partner once you click on the any of the photo given in this blog will redirect to you on Wishup site for Signup.
While recruiting Virtual Assistant for your Business, you should look following qualities in them.
- Virtual Assistant should be experienced
Virtual assistance should have experience of having to work with other people or for clients is more valuable.
Many regular office workers have made the transition to the virtual world. So, look for candidates who have at least six month to one year experience of working in an office environment. These are the ones who know what it is like to collaborate, take instruction and comply with deadlines.
They have also probably undergone additional training to shore up their basic work skills.
Most importantly you have to look which task you are assigning to them, and Virtual assistant should have related experience.
- Virtual Assistant should be Punctual
Time is money or you can say time is a valuable commodity in business. Every second lost can never be regained. In business, time lost means opportunity lost. Hence you should consider timely response is prime important.
Business-owners and entrepreneurs hire virtual assistants to allocate more time to manage tasks that relate directly to the growth of the enterprise.
Look for virtual assistants who value time as much as you do. They are on time for their duties and are consistent in meeting deadlines or schedules.
They will not have much time to spare reviewing other people’s work. You have to find a Virtual Assistant who is meticulous in completing his work. Mistakes are part of the job and everyone regardless of stature or accomplishments is capable to making them. But mistakes can also be costly in terms of money and opportunity.
Virtual assistants are usually paid-per- productive hour. So if your Virtual Assistant is frequently tardy, chances are he does not even care about his own enterprise and is irresponsible.
So consider this factor while recruiting Virtual assistant for your business. While recruiting asks the Virtual Assistant, that you will expect timely response from them.
3. Virtual Assistant should be Responsible
Virtual assistants are self-employed; they own a business which offers virtual assistance services. The best candidates are those who want to grow their business as much as you want to grow yours.
They view each and every client as important for them to build their portfolio and reputation. They will work to ensure their skills will contribute to the success of your business.
Virtual assistants who think of their occupation as a “profession” and not just as a “job” will manage the scope
of responsibilities as if it were for his company. You can judge this parameter from his previous track record of experience in the same field.
- Virtual Assistant’s Communication skills
Communication is another challenge while working in the virtual world. You can have discussions any time.
When you hire a Virtual Assistant, even if you have the latest project management software, communication can become an issue simply because the virtual environment, that creates filters.
People’s attitudes also change when they are online. When selecting a Virtual Assistant, take great effort in ensuring the candidate has excellent communication skills.
Even if he is from another region he should be able to articulate his thoughts, ideas and find ways to bridge perspective of business.
- Virtual Assistant should be Accessible
Virtual Assistant should be accessible by at least two points of contact: E-mail, Mobile, WhatsApp, Skype or any other Social media platform.
Most importantly, if he is not available or if time zone differentials exist, he should get back to you within 24 hours.
- Virtual Assistant should be Pro-Active
Even if your business is borne out of your experience and expertise, it is always possible to have oversights. This is especially true in areas of your business which do not belong under your core competencies.
A pro active Virtual Assistant is one who will not stay silent after he identifies a potential problem in your business. He will address the matter to you in a very professional manner. He will find evidence to support his findings and send these to you through an e-mail.
It is not out of arrogance or a superiority complex that makes a Virtual Assistant pro active. It is merely a show of concern for your business as his client.
- Virtual Assistant should be Humble
When you are in close collaboration, there will always be exchanges in opinion. The best Virtual Assistant is one who will value criticism as an advice to improve his job performance.
He understands that expectations will vary from client to client and he will not take criticisms or comments personally. He respects the client as the expert in the business and as a strategic partner in the arrangement.
If the situation was different and he had to offer feedback to the client, he would do so respectfully, with courtesy and with a sincere intent to make the business perform better. Virtual Assistant should be contributor in your business in positive manner.
- Virtual Assistant should be Competent
As a business owner, you do not have to look for a Virtual Assistant who has mastered all the project management skills and able to use all the tools available in your area of work. Or you should not search for a candidate who receives the highest number of recommendations or referrals.
Virtual Assistant should be well competent in basic office skills and have skill in your target area of work, will be suffice.
Virtual Assistant should have following basic office skills:
E- mail management, Online navigation, MS Office, Phone handling, Filing/ Organization, Good English proficiency in writing/ speaking, He should also be well-versed in at least one program for the following functions: Project management, recent computer/ software skill.
- Virtual Assistant should be Team Player
A good team player sacrifices his interest for the benefit of the organization. Hence, Virtual Assistant should be a good team Player
A Virtual Assistant who views himself as part of a team understands that it takes collective effort to make the business succeed. He will do his part and work to make a significant positive contribution to help the team meet its goals and objectives.
During virtual meeting, he will do what he can to keep everyone motivated and focused on the task. If someone falls ill or not able to attend the virtual meeting and cannot fulfill his shift, he will work with the team to ensure work remains uninterrupted.
Having a Virtual Assistant on-board can take your business to the next level. The US companies that integrated virtual assistants in their workforce saved approximately $2000 per head on compensation costs, increased productivity by 13% and greatly reduced employee turnover.
Choose a Virtual Assistant candidate for your business that you strongly believe you can comfortably work with every day. It may take awhile to find the perfect-fit Virtual Assistant for your business. But the time and effort will be worth it.
Tasks To Outsource To A Virtual Assistant
Currently, there is boom in the Startups. Entrepreneurs are risk takers by nature. They want to be in the driver’s seat and chart the course to entrepreneurial success. But despite their knowledge, experience and business skills they cannot do everything that is required to run an enterprise.
And they shouldn’t because their time is best allocated to managing functions that relate directly to income generation. Second, even if he is competent in every area of the business, his proficiency level may fall short that he may not be able to manage the tasks and responsibilities accurately.
Following tasks you can outsource to a Virtual Assistant:
A). General Administration:
- E-mail Filtering
- Calendar Management
- Document Filing
- CRM
- Phone handling
- Customer Support,
- Client follow up,
- Data entry,
- Power Point Presentation
- Personal Assistant functions
B). Telemarketing:
- Appointment Setting,
- Cold-Calling,
- After- Sales Surveys,
- Inbound calls,
C). Digital Marketing:
- Social Media Management
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
- Content Marketing
- Blogging
- Article Writing
- E- mail marketing,
- Lead Generation
D). Back Office Work:
- General Accounting/ Bookkeeping
- Inventory Management
- Payroll Services
- Benefits Administration
- Human Resources
E). Transcription Services:
- Medical
- Legal
- Audio
- Academic
- Business
F). Knowledge Processing:
- Legal Research
- Market Research
- Data Protection Security
- Business Development
- English Instruction
- Tutorial Services
G). Creative Processing:
- Website Design
- Website Programming
- Graphics Design
- Animation
- Auto CAD
- Video Production
If you notice, these are also skills that are commonly delegated to outsourcing companies.
Virtual assistance is a scaled down version of outsourcing. Any business that wants to reap the benefits of outsourcing but has a smaller requirement and budget can simply hire a Virtual Assistant.
How to Hire a Virtual Assistant?
Need help with your workload? Follow these steps to get the perfect Virtual Assistant:
Identify What You Need Help With: List the tasks like email management, scheduling, or customer support.
Decide on Your Budget: Think about how much you can spend based on the tasks and VA experience.
Pick the Right Service: Use trusted services like Wishup to find skilled Virtual Assistants.
Post a Job: Describe what the VA needs to do, the skills they need, and when they’ll work.
Interview Candidates: Talk to them to check their skills and if they fit in with your team.
Test Their Skills: Assign a small task to see how well they handle the work.
Set Clear Rules: Once hired, explain your processes and how you like to communicate.
What tasks can a virtual assistant handle?
Virtual Assistants can do many things to help your business run smoothly. They manage emails, customer questions, and keep your data organized.
What are the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant?
Boost productivity by outsourcing everyday tasks.
Save on costs like office space and employee benefits.
Scale your assistance needs to match your business growth.
Access specialized skills for specific projects.
Keep your business running across different time zones.
What qualities to Look for in a Virtual Assistant?
Excellent Communication Skills: They should understand and follow directions well, both spoken and written.
Strong Organizational Skills: Good at managing time and prioritizing work.
Technical Proficiency: Should know how to use necessary tools like email apps and scheduling software.
Reliability and Professionalism: Always meets deadlines and maintains professional behavior.
Adaptability and Flexibility: Can adjust to new tasks and changes in the work environment quickly.
Hire a Virtual Assistant within 60 minutes
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