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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 













  1. Virtual Assistance is a newly defined industry and has been formalized by organizations individuals such as AssistU’s founder, Stacy Brice. Her story is one that is often echoed by virtual assistance service providers, but has a unique twist: she unconsciously, then very consciously determined to establish an industry. She found the perfect professional designation “Virtual Assistant” to define the way she, and many of us, provide support. Unlike the traditional inter-office associate, Stacy Brice, empowers the profession be encouraging an entrepreneurial approach and spirit. As a pioneer, Stacy, along with other organizations such as IVAA, FoVA, and VANetworking, has positioned and supported virtual assistance practitioners with the tools to succeed.

    Today, there are two clearly different definitions of what a VA is:

    According to :
    "...a VA is not someone who provides consulting services. That person is a consultant. A VA isn't someone who only provides bookkeeping services. That person is a bookkeeper. A VA isn't someone who only provides marketing support. That person is a marketing consultant or a marketing assistant. A VA isn't someone who books speaking engagements. That person is an agent. Nor are VAs Tax Advisors, Accountants, Medical Transcriptionists, Web Designers, or professional business and personal coaches. In our opinion, what makes a person a VA isn't that the services can be performed at a distance, but rather that the services that are being performed are administrative in scale and scope, and are provided with the desire to support the client across the board, not with just one specific function or task, no matter how ongoing that might be. While it's possible that a VA may offer additional services, those who offer limited or non-administrative services are not, in our opinion, Virtual Assistants."
    According to :
    "A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an independent entrepreneur providing administrative, creative and/or technical services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of communication and data delivery, a professional VA assists clients in his/her area of expertise from his/her own office on a contractual basis."
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  2. Good question. My practice blends both concepts:
    Virtual Assistance.
    Core executive administrative support; complimented by Business Consulting.
    Niche, specifically, strategic planning and implementation, event planning for the arts (increasing awareness within the educational sectors), and public speaking geared towards helping improve the networking abilities of boards and executives.

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  3. In over 19 years of supporting high level executives, board members, and small business owners, three things never change: comfort, familiarity and trust. When the relationship is there, strong and collaborative, then synchronicity, and synergy follow. Your goals get met because your partner just “gets it”. Of course, there should be a solid core base in administrative skills and abilities, but the relationship matters the most!

    Take the time to invest in the relationship on the front end by dedicating time to the interview process and through deeper discussions. Continue to invest in the relationship by being “present”, honest and collaborative.

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  4. Attorneys
    Authors
    Boards of Directors
    Busy people
    Dentists
    Doctors
    Editors
    Entertainment Personalities
    Entrepreneurs
    Executives
    Media Professionals
    Real Estate Professionals
    Small Businesses
    Surgeons
    Virtual Assistants
    Writers

    Get the picture!


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  7. Tired of handling all the moving parts of your business?
    Need more time and less stress?
    Feel like you’ve worked a week, but didn’t make a dime?
    Overwhelmed and frustrated doing the tasks you aren’t really good at or don’t like to do?
    Have you ceased living the life that inspired you to be an entrepreneur?

    If you answered YES to any of the above questions, then you may need a VA.

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  8. Compare the cost of an employee: health benefits, disability insurance, vacation pay, hiring and replacement cost, retirement contributions, downtime for bathroom and coffee breaks, training and development, coaching and mentoring, taxes, unemployment contributions...get the picture.

    With a VA, you pay for the time that person focuses on you and your business, usually billed in 10-15 minute increments. The skill level and commitment of the VA usually enables them to get your work done faster and smarter. I’m partial, but a good VA can be a life saver.

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  9. Three easy steps:

    One. Contact us to request a business “fit” assessment – this tells me if I’m potentially the right VA for you and if you are a good fit for me.

    Two. Schedule an appointment for a free consultation – this time together will solidify my initial findings and help us both determine if this is right for both of us. If so, we’ll have deeper discussions (question and answer sessions).

    Three. Complete the intake and registration packet – Our work together is based on your desired outcomes. The information in this packet is part of what I’ll need to have to get you up and running with me as your new VA. We can’t start without it.

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  10. It’s up to you. Once I have your information, and we decide it there is enough synergy, then we can move forward. You should expect the first month or two to a time of exploration and development. A rhythm follows with each passing month. You can expect a commitment to the long-term view of the relationship.

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  11. My goal is to partner, end-to-end, in your business. Single projects and piece works limits my ability to partner. Within the nature of working together, projects will emerge. Of course, expect me to work diligently on them for you. However, in general I don’t take on piece work or project work, unless it spans over a 6-12 month period, is recurring, and there is a collaborative relationship involved. For example, being the contracted event planner for an organization, or developing a monthly newsletter or e-zine.

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  12. If you can answer YES to the following questions, then you MAY be a good candidate to become a Virtual Assistant:

    - Are you must a highly skilled administrator?
    - Can you quickly engender trustful relationships?
    - Do you have a home office, with up to date software and equipment?
    - Do you have a PDA or are you willing to get one?
    - Are you self motivated and a self starter?
    - Can you commit 18 months to getting your business off the ground?
    - Are you willing to develop a micro-business?
    - Have you learned more about Virtual Assistance by visiting the following communities: , , , , , ?
    - Do you have a high level of ethics and personal integrity?

    If you answered yes, but need more time, and want to partner with me as a sub-contractor, contact us to schedule a consultation.

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