Written By - Mary H Ruth - Virtual Writing & Communications Solutions,
This list is about special help your Virtual Assistant can provide, in addition to the more customary administrative services such as marketing, research, customer service, general admin, etc. which most – though not all! – VAs offer.
Because Virtual Assistants are often people who have gone into business for themselves after successful careers working for others, they frequently offer individual specialties. So you can work with a VA as a general assistant, while also benefiting from the VA’s individual skill in, for instance, marketing, or bookkeeping, or writing. Look for a VA who focuses especially on the kind of work you need done.
Just a few possibilities are listed, to get business owners started as they think about parts of their operations that might be assigned to a VA. The full list is endless.
Read through the following to get the general idea of how much really can be accomplished “off-site,” by a Virtual Assistant. The business type is listed first, followed by tasks that might be accomplished remotely.
Accountants – bookkeeping, preparing reportsAd agencies – copywriting, graphics, proofing, billing
Assisted living facilities – HR assistance, medical coding
Attorneys – document preparation, scheduling, travel arrangements
Caterers – menus, invitations, organizing
Garden centers – websites, customer databases, mailings
Health clubs – newsletters, informational brochures, registration forms
Home builders – scheduling, ordering and tracking, accounts payable/receivable
Hotels – graphics, scheduling, executive and staff recruitment
Management consultants – custom proposals and reports, confidentiality guaranteed!
Market research & analysis – outsource your overload
Mortgage companies – document preparation, client communications, appointment setting
Museums - catalogs, websites, marketing, event coordination
Plumbers, Electricians, Painters - phone answering, bookkeeping, scheduling, ads
Personal trainers – correspondence and calendar, blog editing or ghost writing, travel arrangements
Printers – proofreading, editing, layout
Real estate agents – lead cultivation, start-to-finish oversight of transactions, always-there phone contact
Senior Citizens Services – grant research, writing and submission
Travel bureaus – websites, article writing, article submission
Wineries – websites, eBooks, blogs, special events coordination
It almost goes without saying, as well, that Virtual Assistants are computer-savvy, and many of them specialize in downright geekiness. If your business needs are centered on an ambitious web presence, you’ll have an array of options amongst VAs.Oh yes, and many VAs offer concierge services as well, so your more personal needs such as gift-buying, making reservations and doctor’s appointments can also be delegated.
There are many, many more ways Virtual Assistants can save time, money and headaches for people in almost any business or walk of life. Think about it! In what ways might virtual assistance change your business for the better?
If you’re still unsure, locate your pick of the Virtual Assistant websites you find for your keywords, get in touch with them, describe your business and ask if they see any way(s) their business could save you time and money. They’ll be happy to make some suggestions.
The Virtual Assistant industry is nothing if not diverse. Most of all, perhaps, it’s simply a way of working. Rather than hiring staff, you form partnerships with service providers. Odds are good that you’ll decide it’s the ideal business model for you!
