Last Updated on July 23, 2024
As an entrepreneur, you need to wear different hats. This is also the main reason that entrepreneurs struggle to upscale their businesses. It gets worse when you are a small business owner – you might handle all facets of the company alone. Working so hard to accomplish all those arduous tasks is exhausting. It can lead to burnout, with up to 42% of entrepreneurs suffering from burnout, which could lead to other mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety. Much of this is linked to the time and stress invested in your business. Instead of doing it all or trying to do it all, be smart − spend your time wisely by skilled onboarding staff to your team. One option is hiring a virtual assistant to help you, which they will do remotely. Such an assistant can perform back-office tasks.
Is there a demand for virtual assistants?
There is a growing demand for virtual assistants. Many businesses and individuals use virtual assistants to schedule appointments, make phone calls, respond to emails, and manage social media accounts. Virtual assistants are becoming increasingly popular as technology improves and more people work remotely.
Virtual assistants also perform various other tasks, such as providing customer support, data entry, and even conducting market research.
10 Jobs you ought to allocate to a virtual assistant
Research
A VA can help source information on various products, topics, or competitors. The data gathered can help you make informed decisions.
Data entry
Capturing data is functional but also incredibly time-consuming. Your data entry virtual assistant can help you upload the data. For instance, a virtual translator assistant is a boon if you want your work translated into English.
Email management
With copious daily emails flooding your inbox, help managing this avalanche can make a difference. Business opportunities will then not be missed. Any unresolved issues can be tackled instead of simply allowing them to escalate, and complaints can be addressed timeously.
Calendar management
Your assistant can help you manage your appointments, essential tasks, and other activities. Direct access to your calendar lets the VA keep it organized and updated. This will help to avoid any double bookings and having to make excuses for abruptly canceling an appointment.
Bookkeeping
One of the most critical tasks of any business is bookkeeping. However, keeping your invoices current might not be your favorite pastime, especially if you are creative. Your assistant will ensure that your accounts are kept current.
Proofreading
Having a second pair of eyes to proofread your work can assist you in the professional world. This way, you can avoid any embarrassment.
Social media management
Another time-consuming task is social media management. Social media management is sound, but that time could be allocated to more critical tasks. Your virtual assistant can help to manage your social media within the tone of your brand based on the guidelines provided.
Blog writing
For SEO optimization, blogging is helpful. You want to drive traffic to your site; however, taking time to write blogs reduces time to spend on more important matters. Your content-creating virtual assistant can assist with drafting your blogs. This can help drive your website traffic and improve your ranking status.
Website management
An important marketing tool is a website; such a site must remain current. Your assistant can help to manage your site. This is an important task, especially for an eCommerce business website where the pricing, product descriptions, and promotion items must always be correctly displayed.
Email campaigns
Sending our regular newsletters is an excellent way to communicate with your consumers. This keeps them informed while helping to build brand loyalty, thus being an economical marketing solution. Your assistant can send your emails to your database after compiling the email based on your brand guidelines.
Get yourself a virtual assistant!
Just click on the link if you want more information or to book a free consultation session. We are here to help you as you upscale.
How do you determine the salary bracket of your new employee?
Work out the labor cost per hour of the staff member by adding their gross wages to the net costs of related expenses (if applicable). Then, divide this figure by the staff member’s hours worked each year. This will assist you in determining how much a worker costs the business per hour.
Do virtual assistants work from home?
Yes, virtual assistants (VAs) often work from home. Virtual assistants are typically self-employed or work for a company that provides virtual assistance services, so they do not have to be physically present in an office. Instead, they can work remotely from their own home or office. This allows them to have a flexible schedule and eliminates the need for commuting. Virtual assistants typically use their computer, internet connection, and phone to work and communicate with their clients via email, phone, and video conferencing.
How do virtual assistants get paid?
Virtual assistants (VAs) typically get paid in one of several ways:
Monthly retainer:
Some VAs work monthly retainer, meaning they are paid a set amount each month for certain hours or specific tasks.
Project-based:
Some VAs charge a flat fee for a specific project or set of tasks. This is a good option for VAs working on one-time projects with a clear scope and timeline.
Some virtual assistants may also receive benefits, such as paid time off, health insurance, or retirement plans, but this would depend on the VA’s agreement with the employer or clients.
The virtual assistant and their clients must explicitly agree on the payment terms, the type of work, deadlines, and other important details before starting the job. This will help avoid any misunderstandings or disputes later on.
Do virtual assistants answer phones?
Yes, virtual assistants (VAs) can answer phone calls as one of their tasks. Answering phone calls can be a common task for virtual assistants, especially those who provide virtual receptionist or customer service support. Virtual assistants can answer calls for their clients, take messages, schedule appointments, or transfer calls to the appropriate person. They can also be trained to handle customer inquiries, complaints, or technical support issues.
Virtual assistants can answer calls using cloud-based phone systems that allow them to log into a virtual phone system and answer calls as if they were in the office. They can also use their phone and forward the calls to their number or use a call forwarding service that allows calls to be sent to any phone number.
It’s important to note that not all virtual assistants are trained or equipped to handle phone calls. Hence, clients must communicate their needs clearly and ensure the virtual assistant has the necessary skills and equipment to handle the task.