How to Use a Virtual Assistant

Virtual Assistants are professional administrative assistants who perform a variety of secretarial tasks via their home office as independent contractors. Virtual assistants are responsible for scheduling business meetings, preparing PowerPoint presentations, creating business newletters, typing correspondences and several other office duties that would normally be performed by a secretary or an office manager. Knowing how to use virtual assistants is necessary to receive the proper office support. Virtual assistants price ranges from $45-$100 an hour; the hourly rate is set by the virtual assistant and are contingent upon the duties involved; for more complex task such as transcribing, Internet research, web design and financial services the rate may increase significantly. Use the steps below to gain a clearer understanding of how to use a virtual assistant, what skills to look for and the professional associations that recommend virtual assistants.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• List of tasks
• Virtual assistant
• Contract agreement

1. Create a list the tasks that you need to have completed. Virtual assistants can assist you with tasks such as planning dinner parties, coordinating lunch meetings, setting up teleconferences, and a host of other duties that you may be too busy to complete. Virtual assistants can also create advertising campaigns for marketing your business, design your website and handle your payroll. The skills that experienced virtual assistant’s posses are so vast that it can actually save you time and money by using a virtual assistant. Using virtual assistants can replace the need for writer, editor, web designer or transcriptionist; virtual assistants are extremely versatile.

2. Consult the International Virtual Assistant Association (IVAA) to obtain a list of certified virtual assistants. The IVAA provides a list of virtual assistants who are members listed in their data base.

3. Use forums for social networking and to interact with potential virtual assistant prospects to find virtual assistants that posse the skills you are looking for. Visit http://www.virtualassistantforums.com to find independent virtual assistant contractors.

4. Seek out virtual assistants with an extensive understanding of administrative office tasks. Virtual assistants should be proficient in several software programs, including PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook or other email communication applications. Experienced virtual assistants will have expertise in web content, editing, marketing, transcribing, accounts payable and other back office support duties.

5. Hire an attorney to create a contractual agreement; this protects both parties involved by holding each person accountable for payment and completion of services.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a copy of all signed documents for your records.
• Contract through independent contractors for a more feasible hourly rate; most third party virtual assistant companies will charge larger overhead fees for contracting their virtual assistants.

[eddihow]

on 11/21/2009 How to Use a Virtual Assistant is a very informative article. Thanks! 5*

[jrofosho1]

on 7/29/2009 sounds like a useful product thanks for the tips 5 stars