Currently, there’s much buzz regarding virtual assistants. So I’m sure you’ve asked yourself, “What is a virtual assistant, and can they help me with my business?” And this is a great question, especially if you’re a solopreneur overwhelmed with the daily duties of managing your business. So, let’s talk about what they are and why they’re a must-have for your business.
What Is A Virtual Assistant?
As the name implies, a virtual assistant is a self-employed freelancer working in a remote location where you collaborate to outsource tasks pertaining to time-consuming projects, duties, and responsibilities. While the virtual assistant is a blanket term, it’s most commonly associated with administrative titles and positions such as executive or administrative assistant.
But it’s important to note that these aren’t the only roles a virtual assistant fulfills. The title a virtual assistant identifies varies depending on their specialty, qualifications, and services rendered.
What Exactly Does A Virtual Assistant Do?
Virtual assistants provide various services, but it’s common to associate them with administrative work. These tasks include:
- Scheduling
- File organization
- Inbox management
- Bookkeeping and accounting
- Invoicing
- Customer service tasks
- Travel arrangements
- Data entry
- Transcription
- Typing
- Appointment setting
- Project Management
However, there are a wealth of services outside of administrative support that a virtual assistant can provide. If you’re looking for specialized services, you may be interested in working with a creative virtual assistant.
Specific Tasks Creative Virtual Assistants Provide
As the name implies, creative virtual assistant tasks require specific knowledge. These duties primarily focus on digital marketing services such as:
- Social Media Management
- Graphic Design
- Copywriting
- SEO Optimization
- Lead Generation
- Sales Funnel Creation
- Content Management
- Web Design
- Email Marketing
You may find that those providing general virtual assistant work also specialize in these services as well.
Why You Need A Virtual Assistant
You’re juggling multiple hats if you’re an independent business owner. For example, you’re the receptionist, appointment scheduler, customer service, bookkeeper, marketing consultant, salesperson, and service provider. And while it’s common to feel like you have to do it all, it’s unrealistic, especially if you want to scale your business. But, you may be unable to add staff members, or perhaps you like working alone. In this case, a virtual assistant is an ideal solution for you.
Depending on your business goals and needs, you may find it beneficial to have a virtual assistant help you with administrative tasks such as bookkeeping, clerical work, appointment setting, customer support, and helping you manage your schedule. They can also help you with marketing by creating email campaigns, sales funnels, lead generation, social media marketing, Facebook ads, Google ads, and content marketing via blogging. Whatever tasks and responsibilities you decide to outsource, you will free up your time and shift focus back to being a service provider and scaling your business.
To sum it all up, a virtual assistant is a professional that helps business owners reclaim their time by executing outsourced tasks. They’re mostly known for their knack for administrative tasks but can also show prowess with digital marketing. And they’re ideal for independent business owners needing help providing services and scaling their businesses. They’re also a good fit for small businesses that need assistance with specific digital marketing tasks.
If you’re in either of these categories and ready to learn more about virtual assistance for the business, I invite you to schedule a discovery call with me. I would love to learn about your business, your needs, and how we can collaborate to create more space and opportunity for you to reclaim your time.