A: "A Virtual Assistant (VA) is a business owner who works from their own office providing professional support, services and skills to their clients via phone, fax and internet based technology. Partnering with a VA reduces stress, protects cash flow, eliminates administrative hassles, and enables business people to find the success they originally set out to achieve. A VA is your right hand person helping you to succeed in your business. The irony is you may never meet your VA as odds are they live nowhere near you!" Source: Virtual Assistant Networking Association
A: Why hire a "Virtual Assistant", why not hire a temporary employee? To hire a temporary employee, the small business owner must still provide the office space and equipment needed, while a "Virtual Assistant" provides everything for you. Plus, there are no agency fees, no pay for downtime such as breaks or personal issues.
A: The benefit of a "Virtual Assistant" is that you only pay for the assistance as you need it. I charge hourly for time-on-task only! You don't have to worry about payroll, taxes or insurance. As a VA I am not employed by your company, but work as an independent contractor.
A: Virtual Assistants keep "virtual hours." This means that they are available for hire on weekends and most holidays. Because VA's keep their own hours, they may work on some tasks late at night while you sleep - with no overtime pay!