Wahm Forum - Your "Work-at-Home Moms" Support Group

gazellems · Sat Jan 20, 2007 5:26 pm What Is A VA & Why Do You Need One

Virtual Assistants (also known as VAs) are home-based entrepreneurs who take pride in providing business professionals with a wide range of office tasks, from administrative support to web design & maintenance. VAs are able to provide professional, creative assistance without ever having to go into the client’s office.

Being small business owners, VAs understand that success comes to entrepreneurs when they provide the best possible customer service. But, great customer service can sometimes be hard to upkeep when you are spending valuable time trying to stay on top of the non-core tasks that are a part of running a business.

A VA works WITH their clients to help alleviate some of these tasks, allowing them to free up some of their time to concentrate on generating revenue and building their businesses.

Operating a business should not have you stressed out and wondering how you are going to make it a success when you are so busy doing everything yourself. You started your business because it involves what you love to do. But, the non-core tasks that are involved with running a small business should not be a discouragement.

Virtual Assistants are in business to help you alleviate some of that added pressure by taking some of it off your shoulders. They want you to succeed and will do everything possible to see that happen.

But, how do you know when you really need the services of a Virtual Assistant?

1. Your inbox pile just seems to be getting higher, and each day you fall farther behind.
2. Your day timer just doesn’t seem to be able to keep you organized.
3. The important tasks are getting lost in amongst everything else and, when you do locate them, you find yourself rushing to meet a deadline.
4. You don’t feel comfortable taking on an administrative task that requires a specific professional appearance.
5. You find you aren’t delivering to your clients as fast as you would like to as you have too many other ‘things’ on the go.
6. You have a project that you need to get done but you aren’t sure how to accomplish it.
7. Your administrative tasks have you so overwhelmed that you just don’t seem to have time for anything else.
8. You spend so much time working that your family says it’s like living with a stranger.
9. Your business is booming by you have no one to share it with or draw on for support.
10. Your website looks the same as it did two years ago, or
11. You dread looking at the piles on your desk and wondering when you will get everything accomplished.
12. Running your business just doesn’t have that same fulfillment as it used to because you’re spending too much time doing the non-core tasks and not doing what you love the most.

wahmannounce · Sat Jan 20, 2007 5:58 pm

Gazelle,

You bring out some good points there. Outsourcing some of your tasks can actually help you accomplish even more than ever...and elleviate anxiety to say the least. :wink:

Ravish30 · Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:07 pm

I agree, outsourcing could be the way to go. I know there are some days that I get very overwhelmed because both of my businesses continue to flourish and I do other projects on the side.

Shelly

ccarroll · Sun Jan 21, 2007 5:01 am

My only problem is that the VA's are not IN my office, so none of my filing, organizing, mailing, packing, invoicing, getting books out etc.. gets done in a timely manner!

Can't someone just move in? WAAAAAAA

Chris

gazellems · Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:10 pm

Thank you Rhonda and Shelly. Outsourcing is the way to go for so many businesses. I hope you both get so busy you need help like Chris does.

Chris, have you tried to find a VA in your area who could come in and help you? I know I've gone into offices to do filling as well as help organize offices. Your invoicing, mailing, packing and getting books out can all be done virtually by sending the books to your VA then letting her know who needs to receive them. She can take care of invoicing as well.

I do a similar job for a local realtor who sends out welcome packets. I create and mail them for her. She just sends me the addresses and which packet they need. I address them, mail them out and it's done just like that. Good luck and if you need to find a VA, the best place to start looking is the IVAA (www.ivaa.org). Take care and God bless.

pemgirl · Thu Feb 01, 2007 7:30 pm

Hey there.
I just emailed someone I know who NEEDS you badly your information below. I hope she decides to give it a try.
Hopefully some day I will need you too!
What are you prices?

gazellems · Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:03 pm

Thanks Cynthia and my rates are posted on my website so hopefully you and your friend will see them. Whenever you are ready Cynthia, just let me know. Take care and God bless.