Hiring a Virtual Assistant

A Virtual Assistant (VA) is a highly skilled independent contractor which provides services that might normally be done by a fulltime employee. VAs offer any number of services; data entry, word processing, office management, secretarial, appointment setting, make arrangements for travel, conferences and meetings, as well as, book keeping, customer service, inbound/outbound calling, graphic designing, web content, specialty writing; and the list goes on and on. Some VAs offer specialty services, in which they only offer services to a particular clientele; some offer services to writers, real estate companies or small business owners.

Virtual Assistants have their own office equipment and software and are fully equipped to run an efficient virtual office. The traditional expenses of fulltime employees are eliminated with the use of VAs. Employers of VAs are not required to pay benefit packages, payroll taxes, vacations or holiday pay or any other required expenses related to using fulltime employees. Work assignments can be delivered in any number of ways using the internet, fax and traditional methods such as US postal services.

Some individuals choose to hire VAs to help with life's annoying tasks such as paying bills, or finding the perfect gift for Aunt Maybelle's 93rd birthday party, so that they can focus on the important tasks of work and life.

Using a VA can be a fantastic way to reduce stress, improve time management and save money.

Why Hire A Virtual Assistant?

There are numerous advantages to hiring a virtual assistant (VA). Hiring a virtual assistant can save you money. Fulltime employees require lunch breaks, sick days, paid vacations and personal time; at your expense. A VA does not charge for such expenses; they are independent contractors, which pay their own expenses or have expenses covered through the firm in which they are recruited. Many times, fulltime employees are hired for the average forty hour week, when in reality they only produce 15 - 20 hours of work.

Hiring a VA can reduce overhead expenses such as office space and equipment, supplies etc.

What Will I Be Charged?

Each VA charges differently, sometimes they charge by the hour, some offer retainers, and some charge per project. The hourly wage could be anywhere from 15 per hour for simple data entry or up to $100 or more per hour. It primarily depends on the skill level and the amount of work to be done.

Virtual assistants can help in a variety of ways. When looking for a Virtual assistant, make sure to do your homework, look around, and familiarize yourself with a variety of VA services and prices. In most cases, a VA will cost you a lot less than hiring an actual employee. The best way to start is to write a list of projects you need done and then compare the cost of those projects between a fulltime employee and the cost of a VA. In some cases you will find hiring a part time employee for in-office work and contracting a VA for the work that can be done elsewhere, can save you a lot of money, time and frustration.

Some Places to Start:

http://virtualofficelink.4t.com

http://www.virtualassistanceu.com/main.htm

http://www.assistu.com/