The Microsoft Encarta World English Dictionary definition says a Virtual Assistant is a long-distance assistant, somebody who uses a computer and phone links to work from a distance as a personal assistant to somebody else.

I use a slightly more comprehensive definition:

Like the majority of  their clients, Virtual Assistants are entrepreneurs—highly skilled in their profession and able to have a powerful impact on the productivity of those they work with.  Traditionally, they have been known by many names: secretaries, administrative assistants, executive assistant or bookkeepers.  But in an age where technology has made the world a much smaller place, and where more professionals are working from their homes or in satellite offices, the former assistant has become virtual—and thanks to the Internet, global.*

So basically, a virtual assistant can do just about anything a typical Personal Assistant or Administrative Assistant can. I just accomplish this over the internet and phone from my well equipped home office using my own computers, printers and phones. As a small business owner myself I am most interested in forming a long term collaboration with you to become the person you call whenever you need something accomplished whether that’s helping you build a website, manage your social media, responding to or sorting fan mail and email, helping you type up that manuscript or plan a trip to attend events around the globe I can become an indispensable part of your day to day world!

^* Used with permission of Christine Durst, Co-Author of “The 2-Second Commute, Join the Exploding Ranks of Freelance Virtual Assistants”, www.staffcentrix.com