Submitted by Anika on
I get asked this quite a lot when I tell people I am a Virtual Assistant. Firstly, there is a look of confusion on their face, then I can see the cogs turning and finally they say, “So what does a Virtual Assistant do?”
My reply…. “all the sh*t you don’t want to do!”
Which technically is true but there are many things a Virtual Assistant can do to help assist you in your business.
When you go into business it is usually because it is something that you are passionate about, you enjoy doing, it gets you up and out of bed every day. Maybe you’re trying to achieve a certain kind of lifestyle, but running a business can be stressful, you have so many plates to keep spinning… marketing, IT, invoicing, credit control, social media, buying, call handling, lead generating, follow ups… the list is endless and let’s not forget you also have the day job to be getting on with!
When trying to grow your business the tasks mentioned above become even bigger and can grow in size. It’s hard to keep focussed, motivated and driven when working for yourself or even if you are running a small team. It can feel like you’re drowning. Procrastination creeps in and before you know it your to-do list is longer than your monthly shopping list!
Well this is where a Virtual Assistant can help.
A good Virtual Assistant will get a quick and clear understanding through a conversation with you, as to what help you need, they can prioritise your to-do list and take on those mundane, but necessary tasks that need doing. This will free up head space, reduce stress and give you time for you to focus on what you enjoy doing, keep the cash flow flowing and help you grow.
There are many benefits to outsourcing to a Virtual Assistant
Initially you may only have a few jobs you need help with so not enough work to warrant employing someone part time, thus saving on recruiting costs along with employee costs such as tax, national insurance, holiday pay, sick pay, office space etc.
No doubt you are really good at what you do, however you may not have the skills or speed when it comes to admin like a Virtual Assistant will have. A job which may take you 2 hours probably will take a Virtual Assistant 1 hour, freeing up your time to focus on more important things.
By working with a Virtual Assistant, you also get an accountability buddy. You can say goodbye to procrastination, as a good Virtual Assistant keeps you on track with all projects, tasks and events. Regular catch ups reviewing what is on each other’s to-do lists gets things done and there is no better feeling than ticking something off the list.
You only pay for the work they do. Coffee breaks, comfort breaks, lunch breaks, personal calls, planning the weekend ahead all the usual things an “employee” would factor into their working day is all done at their own expense, not yours. Most Virtual Assistants will have a time tracking software which allows them to track their time at the push of a button.
A Virtual Assistant is also running their own business so can appreciate the hard work and determination that is involved in running a business. They can empathise with the blood, sweat and tears, they understand the roller coaster journey you have been on or are currently on. They can quickly become an integral part of your team, they become passionate about your business and will be conscious of doing a good job. They work beside you and champion your corner at any opportunity.
So where do you find one of these Virtual Assistants?
You will find Virtual Assistants at networking events, on various social media platforms, on the world wide web. Speak to other business owners, do your research, check out their various profiles, website reviews and speak to their other clients. A good Virtual Assistant will have various ways of providing you with references… just ask!
