Virtual Assistants or VAs are skilled, independent entrepreneurs
who work remotely and use the latest technology to deliver services
to clients globally. Most VAs work from their home offices and
receive their project instructions by phone, fax, e-mail, instant
message or even web conferencing.
Typical responsibilities for many virtual assistants may include:bookkeeping
(accounts payable/receivable), clerical and secretarial duties
(appointment setting, word processing and data entry), and desktop
publishing (newsletters and brochures). Most VAs are extremely
computer savvy and are sometimes even multilingual.
Most VAs also consider themselves specialists as they come
from established careers in a variety of different industries
- from accounting and event planning, to theater and graphic
design.
MotionTemps founder Carolyn Moncel, for example, comes from
a background in public relations, political affairs and web
marketing. She uses her background to assist training, coaching
and communication professionals in creating, editing and formatting
presentations, forms and manuals. Taking her experience a step
further Carolyn also helps her clients to brand those materials
for marketing and promotional purposes.
As more professionals with diverse backgrounds and skills enter
the ranks, virtual assistants who specialize in such areas as
marketing, Web design, IT support or even translations will become
more common.
Combining computer knowledge and unique skill sets with back-office
administrative support and management allows VAs to use their
distinctive backgrounds to find their business niche and provide
their clients with the best possible service.
