A virtual assistant is an employee who works from a remote location to support various corporate processes. Startups can use virtual assistants to assist with inbox management, social media content, online customer assistance, and any other work that does not require them to appear in person.
Some virtual assistants specialize in a particular task or industry. There are VAs that specialize in marketing, and others who only work in the technology field. More specialist VAs typically charge a bit more because they provide a more focused skill set. There are, however, general VAs who can manage a wide range of tasks and work with firms in a variety of industries.
Virtual assistants have been established since the 1980s when groups such as ABSSI and Home Secretaries sprung up to help mothers looking for work-from-home opportunities. However, the niche took off when home internet access became more widespread around the world.
It is still expanding today. In fact, Gartner, Inc. expects that by 2021, one-quarter of digital employees would utilize a virtual assistant on a daily basis. If your small business has yet to join this rising trend, here are some of the primary reasons why you should think about it.
They established procedures.
Each year, inefficiencies cost firms between 20% and 30% of their income. These inefficiencies are frequently the result of a lack of processes. Processes can range from scripted Gmail responses to automatic billing.
Because they are so busy with day-to-day operations, many business owners don’t take the time to set up these processes. Hiring a virtual assistant allows you to establish these processes without having to focus on them yourself. Give your VA a list of processes you’d like to establish or hire someone with experience establishing business processes so they can find inefficiencies on their own. This can actually increase the efficiency of your firm even when your VA is not present.
They stifle communication.
Not every email, phone call, or live chat message you receive is worth responding to. Some may merely receive a scripted response or a short response that does not necessitate your particular attention.
Hiring a virtual assistant to manage your email or other modes of contact allows them to filter out communications that don’t require a considered response. This allows you to concentrate on those other communications rather than being continuously overwhelmed by an overflowing inbox.
They collect and organize data.
Businesses today have more data than ever before. Your data is critical for assisting you in making decisions about your company’s future. Too much of it, however, can be overwhelming and distracting.
Furthermore, gathering and organizing all of your data might be a daunting task. You can have your VA organize and communicate all of your site analytics and customer data with you in digestible reports or updates. This helps you to easily access the information that is relevant to your business at the time, without having to sift through minute data for hours on end.
They finish arduous daily tasks
Data input and Internet research are typically time-consuming tasks that do not necessitate the attention of a senior team member. They are, nonetheless, still necessary for your business. By delegating these chores to a virtual assistant, you can be confident that they will be completed without taking up too much of your time, while also freeing managers and specialized staff from having to focus on them.
They allow you to concentrate on what you do best.
Most business owners have a niche. Perhaps you provide software or assist other businesses in developing marketing strategies. However, when you establish a firm, you must also handle support chores such as accountancy and marketing. If you’re not excellent at these things, you could end up wasting a lot of time studying the ins and outs of battling via trial and error.
Hiring a specialized VA helps you to outsource the tasks that you struggle with. You can be confident that the duties will be completed competently – possibly even better than you would have done on your own. And it frees up a lot of time for you to focus on things you’re genuinely good at. It also allows you to focus on building your business rather than being bogged down in day-to-day operations. This is especially useful for solopreneurs or small enterprises when the entrepreneur must wear multiple jobs.