Virtual assistants have become a staple in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world. You no longer need to hire an employee just to handle simple, repeatable tasks — now you can outsource them and save time and money at the same time. Virtual assistants simplify your life by taking care of errands, scheduling appointments, scheduling meetings, typing up reports and letters, researching topics for you, and much more. Now with that being said, of course VAs aren’t right for every business or organization out there. However, if you are looking to streamline operations with a virtual assistant rather than hiring new employees or expanding your current team? Then keep reading…
What is a virtual assistant?
Essentially, a virtual assistant is an online employee who works via an automation software like a scheduling platform, word processor, or CRM system. VAs are sometimes referred to as virtual scribes, virtual administrative assistants, or virtual administrative consultants. An online employee who works for you remotely, similar to an actual assistant but typically one-on-one. You hire them to perform a variety of tasks, from basic administrative work to more specialized jobs like transcription, video editing, and even research and writing.
How To Streamline Operations With A Virtual Assistant
Since virtual assistants are remote workers, they can work wherever they want and on whatever schedule fits their busy lives. This means you can always get a more timely response and more flexible help if you need it. Here are just a few ways you can use a virtual assistant:
Help manage your administrative tasks, freeing up your time to focus on other things.
Schedule meetings, create spreadsheets, and manage projects — all from your phone or computer.
Take notes, type documents and letters, and edit Word or PDF files. - Find and organize information for research assignments or project work.
Create spreadsheets, calendars, and other custom reports.
Type up emails, send and receive faxes, and send and receive regular mail.
Act as your personal assistant, assisting with daily tasks like grocery shopping, meal planning, and handling errands.
Hiring a virtual assistant
If this is your first experience hiring a virtual assistant, we recommend you take a step back and really analyze your needs. Virtual assistants are not a one-size-fits-all solution; they are best suited for specific tasks that can be performed via computer (i.e. research, scheduling, administrative work, etc.). Before you sign a contract with a virtual assistant, take some time to really think through what you want done, who you want doing it, and how much help you need. Then, find the right virtual assistant for the job. Virtual assistant companies offer a variety of ways to find and hire a virtual assistant. There are virtual assistant job boards, virtual assistant job matching software, virtual assistant networking sites, or you can use your own social media accounts. Once you have narrowed down your search, it’s best to interview virtual assistants via video, as it helps you get a better feel for their personality and overall work ethic.
Other things you can do with a virtual assistant
Virtual assistants aren’t just for administrative work. You can use them for a variety of different tasks, from business consulting and research to writing, editing, and transcription. Here are just a few examples:
Create a book proposal, write a book proposal review, or write a book proposal outline.
Create and edit executive summaries, reports, and proposals.
Create and edit marketing materials, visual aids, and infographics.
Research information for blog posts, articles, or content pieces.
Book consulting, editing, writing, transcription, and research.
Attend meetings, take and manage conference calls, and schedule meetings via calendars or CRMs.
Final Words: Should You Streamline Operations With A Virtual Assistant?
The key here is to find a virtual assistant who will work for you remotely — one who is flexible and willing to work with your schedule. If you can find a virtual assistant who is willing to work in a hybrid setup, with some in-office time, and some remote, you can take advantage of both setups. This will give you the flexibility of having the assistant at their desk when they want to be there and in a remote setup when they need it. This will also require a bit more legwork and trust to find someone with the right fit for your organization. However, if you can do this, it can save you a lot of time and headache. With that being said, we think it’s worth the trouble to streamline operations with a virtual assistant. After all, no matter how much progress you make in your business, time will still march on.