What is a Virtual Assistant?

You may not have heard this term “Virtual Assistant” before, and if you haven’t you’re probably wondering just what it means!

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 like to 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’ll even help you program your coffee pot for your morning cup of Joe 🙂 ) 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