Commonly Asked Questions from Business Owners about Virtual Assistants – Part One
Did you know that as of 30th June 2023, there were over 2.5 million businesses in Australia! In fact, 97% of all business in Australia are small businesses with 1-19 employees, and a further 2.5% are medium businesses with 20-199 employees.
With so many Australians owning and operating their own business, it is no surprise that the role of the Virtual Assistant is rapidly increasing. In this two-part blog we aim to answer some of the most commonly asked questions by business owners, about the world of Virtual Assistants.
I have heard the term ‘Virtual Assistant’ but I am not really sure what is means?
A virtual assistant (VA) is a professional who provides administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients remotely. Using modern communication technologies, VAs offer a wide range of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses and entrepreneurs. From managing emails and scheduling appointments to handling social media accounts and conducting research, virtual assistants serve as a flexible, fluid and cost-effective solution for business owners.
How do Virtual Assistants work?
Virtual Assistants operate remotely , allowing clients to access services from anywhere in the country. Communication typically occurs through email, project management software (such as Trello or Asana, just to name a few), instant messaging apps (like Teams or Slack), video conferencing, or phone calls. Clients delegate tasks to their VAs, who then work independently to fulfill the assigned responsibilities within agreed-upon timelines. This flexible arrangement enables businesses to leverage skilled professionals without the need for physical office space or overhead costs associated with traditional employment.
What tasks or projects could I give to a VA?
The scope of services offered by virtual assistants is vast and varied. Some common tasks include:
Business Admin - managing emails, scheduling appointments, formatting presentation and documents, travel bookings, and organising calendars.
Digital Marketing - creating and scheduling social media posts, social media engagement, updating content on your website, email marketing campaigns and assistance with new product and/or service launches.
Content Creation - writing blog posts, articles, newsletters, and website content.
Customer Support & Service - responding to enquiries (email, phone, chat, etc), addressing customer concerns, and managing online chat support.
Research - conducting market research, gathering data, and compiling reports
Bookkeeping - specialised VAs with accounting or bookkeeping qualifications can assist with basic financial tasks such as invoicing, expense tracking, and reconciling accounts.
Project Management - specialist VAs can assist with project coordination, and project task management. This could include events, system implementation and office moves.
Personal Assistance - VAs can also provide personal assistance such as scheduling appointments, making reservations, or managing personal errands to help business owners achieve better work-life balance.
These are just a few examples, and the range of services can be customised to suit the specific requirements of each client. The possibilities are endless!
We hope this information gives you a better understanding about what a VA is (and isn’t), how they operate and what type of work you could outsource to a VA. In the part two of this blog, we will look at the benefits of engaging a VA (vs. an employee) and the next steps to take when you decide to bring a VA into your business. If you run a business and would like to chat about how a VA might be able to make your life easier, please reach out.
References: Statistics based on information released by the Australia Bureau of Statistics.