DO YOU NEED A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT?

[Debbie Forte]

Did you know such a profession even existed? For small business owners and busy executives, a personal or virtual assistant can become a very practical solution. Hiring a virtual assistant means hiring a personal assistant at a lower cost. You don’t have to pay for vacation and sick leaves, health and life insurance, and other government-mandated taxes and benefits. No need to spend money on extra tables and chairs or another computer in the office either.

You might be wondering, “Why do I need a virtual assistant?” or “What can a virtual assistant possibly offer to help me market or manage my business?” The following are just a few of the things a good virtual assistant does:

• Create and maintain databases
• Source leads
• Make and confirm reservations or meetings
• Make travel arrangements, appointments and keep schedules
• Writing, editing and proofreading
• Internet presence development, including social media
• Community building and membership sites
• Manage incoming E-mail or US mail
• Create and distribute mass mailings
• Plan meetings and events
• Handle reservations or seminars/telecourses given by clients
• Reminder services
• Bookkeeping and bill paying
• Manage vendor relations and client contacts

When you have someone who can do the simple and menial tasks for you, you have more time to focus on what really matters to your business. Hiring a virtual assistant allows you to have more time for important client meetings and more time to market and sell your product or service – instead of spending your time in managing your websites or blogs, answering or making e-mails or phone calls, or entering data in spreadsheets. If you had someone to take care of these things, you could do so much more! Who doesn’t need that?