Virtual Assistant – Secretary Or Much More?
Some people think a Virtual Assistant is someone who performs only administrative tasks, a secretary at a distance. But, the truth is, a Virtual Assistant can be anything she wants to be. If “it” can be done in a “virtual” environment to help other business owners become successful, that’s all that is needed. A virtual environment refers to the fact that you will perform all tasks associated with your business via your computer, telephone, fax, and mobile device -- whatever you need without ever going into your clients’ offices.
A secretary provides a specific set of services to his or her employer; whereas, a virtual assistant provides a certain set of tasks to her clients, based on her niche and her clients’ specific needs. These needs can be administrative in nature and “secretary like” but they can go much farther. A virtual assistant can assist with or even manage:
Creating Brochures
Updating a Website
Graphic Design
Backlinks
SEO
Reminding Service
Cold Calling
Customer Service
Research
Internet Marketing
Travel Arrangements
Calendar Organizing
Interview Setting
Social Media
Content Manager
Article Marketing
Real-estate Needs
Newsletters
And more
Due to your technological expertise you will become much more than a secretary to your clients as their virtual assistant. You will become a critical part of their entire business, and one of the first people your client asks about new technology. Virtual assistants enjoy helping their clients overcome the boundaries of four walls and are good at seeing the world virtually and without borders.
It is true that as a Virtual Assistant you may perform tasks (if you choose) that are secretarial, but it is not likely you will answer the telephone, or take notes in meetings, instead you may be planning an online webinar, organizing the guest list, marketing the event, distributing materials, and handling the technology online during the event. Then after the event you might be handling follow up, transcribing duties, and more.
As a small business owner, you will work well with other small business owners and relate to them on a different level than an employee / employer relationship. You will be an independent contractor on the same level as your client. It can be difficult to get out of the employee mindset. As a Virtual Assistant you can do just that by acting like the business owner you are, and choosing the tasks you prefer to perform. If anyone wants work outside of your area of expertise, you can direct clients to other contractors who want to perform those tasks.
