Virtual Assistants and Their Essential Roles
Ever since the shifting of businesses to the online world, virtual services have grown exponentially. Both entrepreneurs and professionals started embracing the concept of Virtual Assistants. What is a virtual assistant and how do you become one?
To understand the repercussions that come with the position, let’s explore the essence of a virtual assistant. There are responsibilities that needed to be fulfilled before becoming a (VA) Virtual Assistant, you need to learn the basics first.
By definition, a Virtual Assistant is someone who works remotely and is usually a freelancer that offers services even if they’re halfway around the globe. As a virtual assistant, you may work anytime as long as you have a laptop and a working internet connection.
Below are services that VAs can offer:
Depending on the type of industry that your company belongs to, you may consider hiring a VA for these tasks:
Creation and management of social media
Maintenance of blogs
Proofreading and Editing of published posts
Writing
(SEO) Search Engine Optimization
Web Design
Graphic Design
Formatting of Newsletters
Responding to queries and answering emails
Project Management
Bookkeeping
After noting the services that VAs offer, we must acknowledge that not all tasks above are worker-friendly. There are those that require patience and exceptional skills, while other tasks can be completed in a minute.
Therefore, we must understand that there are advantages and disadvantages to being a virtual assistant. Here are the PROs of being a VA:
You have the FREEDOM to make your own schedule, work from anywhere, never worry about being late, sleep longer, work as late as you want, and even take a rest when you’re sick.
Another advantage is WORKING IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME.
DECIDE ON WHO YOU WANT TO WORK WITH.
Ability to SET YOUR OWN RATES.
YOU HAVE THE OPTION TO WEAR YOUR MOST COMFORTABLE CLOTHES including PJs and tees.
Starting your own business will TAKE MINIMUM TO A VERY LOW COST.
Depending on the skills that you acquire in the long run, YOU CAN CREATE NEW SERVICES THAT YOU ENJOY WORKING ON.
Because being a virtual assistant is not always fun, here are some disadvantages that VAs’ are struggling with:
Having a lot of DISTRACTIONS when you work from home.
Sometimes you get too comfortable with the tasks that you TEND TO DO SOMETHING ELSE or PROCRASTINATE rather than complying with your tasks at hand.
Because you can take your work on-the-go, you have NO PAID VACATIONS.
Since you are responsible for your business, you’d have to ACCOMPLISH TEDIOUS TASKS such as paying your taxes.
After identifying our edge or weaknesses as a virtual assistant, we also need to consider the other side of the coin. Business owners, realtors, speakers, life coaches, accountants, and other professionals like lawyers and photographers should also know the pros and cons of hiring virtual assistants.
PROs:
More productivity
Increase in efficiency
Flexibility options
Welcome members to your team that possess exceptional talent and skills
Low costs for economic rates because you only pay for the time you use
Having someone to work for you while you sleep (time zone difference)
Win over your competitors through more focused work.
CONS:
Possible communication issues
Varied beliefs
Having no proper or close supervision
Risks for data security
Insufficient briefing
Lesser output due to barriers in language or culture
Delay in updates because of time zone difference
Lack of focus for virtual assistants having multiple clients
Now that we have determined what it takes to become a virtual assistant, we must understand the responsibilities and necessary tasks that go along with being a VA. Surely, it takes proper training and sharpening of skills if you want to become a superstar virtual assistant.
Image from Unsplash
