A home based business is something that lots of people wish to pursue. While there is a multiplicity of home based businesses that you can start; one of the most demanded home based profession nowadays is a virtual assistant business. The virtual business assistant industry is a field that is growing more in reputation with each day passing. If though this industry is highly recognized nowadays, a few individuals are still ignorant of this profession. In fact, there are lots of questions that frequently asked about this industry. The answers to these questions will be examined here with the intention of providing a better understanding of this field.
A virtual or remote assistant is a highly skilled and talented independent entrepreneur, who utilizes modern technology and offers administrative assistance and other specialized services to businesses, using internet, phone, fax and email, to support the increasing needs of companies all around the world. A virtual office assistant is a lot like an ordinary assistant. The major distinction, however, is that a VA delivers their services within the comfort of their home. While businesses employ a traditional office assistant to work just about 8 to 10 hours a day, six days a week; a remote assistant is hired to work on an “as required” basis. For instance, business will employ a VA for taking on monthly tasks, overflow projects or simply to become a wing of their office.
A virtual corporate assistant can offer a wide array of services, involving:
- Data Entry
- Word processing
- Desktop Publishing
- Database Management
- Bookkeeping
- Email Management
- Web Design & Maintenance
- Marketing
- Event Planning
- Transcription
- Internet Research
Services provided by these assistants, however, are reliant on one’s skills and experience. For instance, if you have the knowledge and do well in data entry and word processing then you should provide these services. Do not offer those services in which you have zero expertise. If you are fascinated about other services but not having sufficient expertise in those areas, it doesn’t mean that you cannot put them on your list at a date later on. You can get the training needed with the intention of providing more and more services to your clients.
The key thing to bear in mind, however, is that you want to do extremely well in the areas of services that you provide. When you excel in even one field of service and provide superlative outcomes, your client will be willing to assign you more work on a later date, and even refer you in front of other clients. So bear in mind when you start out for the first time, be true to yourself and start with what you know.
Rates charged by a virtual assistant typically ranged from $30 to $100 per hour based on skills and experience. Some services need a lot more work and, that is why the rate is also higher. For instance, a VA, which offers word processing would not charge as much for each hour as a VA, which offers web designing and maintenance.
