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Virtual Assistant

There is a bit of truth in all the above answers. Have you ever met a virtual assistant? I am one, but I am not a machine. I am actually writing this article, how old-school is that!
VA working at his desk. A business and creative virtual assistant is a remote professional who supports businesses and individuals in various administrative, organizational and creative tasks.

Virtual Assistant Deffined

The phrase virtual assistant is becoming more common as of late. With the pandemic, more people have started working virtually.
What is a virtual assistant? It depends on who you ask.

Here is ChatGPT's Answer: What is a virtual assistant?

“A virtual assistant is a software application or program that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to provide various services and assistance to users. It is designed to interact with users through voice or text-based interfaces, simulating human-like conversation and performing tasks on behalf of the user.”

 AI assistance would be a better term for the ChatGPT answer.

Google; People also ask

Other definitions is: “ a self-employed worker who specializes in offering administrative services to clients from a remote location, usually a home office.”

Does the description above mean all virtual assistants are self-employed and offer only administrative services ?

Another definition found: “a remote employee who offers administrative support for you and your business, usually part-time.”

Here again, is it administrative help only?

Webster's Dictionary's Definition:

Virtual Assistant

 noun 

1. a device, app, or computer program that can respond to commands or questions and perform tasks electronically: these virtual assistants can also take notes and answer questions using a human-like voice. 

2. a person who provides professional assistance with administrative or technical tasks while working remotely: skilled virtual assistants enable businesses to manage crucial tasks remotely and close staffing gaps.

I am a Virtual Assistant. Who am I?
Machine or Human?

There is a bit of truth in all the above answers. Have you ever met a virtual assistant? I am one, but I am not a machine. I am actually writing this article, how old-school.

I have been assisting businesses since my graphic design and web development career began when Adobe released CS4 in 2008, my first creative suite.  Adobe Creative Cloud has come a long way. If you are thinking of becoming a creative VA get familiar with this product. 

Since my colleagues and I have been VAs for as long as our jobs began, we wanted to let you in on our venture, but first, let’s clarify what a virtual assistant is and the jobs they perform.

What Is a Virtual Assistant: What Jobs they perform.

A virtual assistant is a remote professional who supports businesses and individuals in various administrative, organizational and creative tasks. Their responsibilities can vary depending on the specific needs of the company or individual, but here are some everyday jobs performed one:

  • Managing Emails and Correspondence:  Manage email, respond to inquiries, forward essential messages, and organize email folders.
  • Scheduling and Calendar Management: They can manage and organize schedules, set up appointments, coordinate meetings, and send reminders.
  • Data Entry and Database Management:  Assist in entering data into spreadsheets, databases, or CRM systems, ensuring accuracy and organization.
  • Travel Arrangements: They can make travel arrangements, including booking flights, hotels, and transportation and creating itineraries.
  •  Research and Report Generation: Research various topics, compile information, and create reports or summaries based on the findings.
  • Document Preparation and Formatting:  They can assist in creating and formatting documents, such as reports, presentations, spreadsheets, or business correspondence.
  • Social Media and Online Presence Management: Assistants can help manage social media accounts, schedule posts, engage with followers, and monitor online presence.
  • Customer Support: They can provide customer support through email, chat, or phone, addressing inquiries, resolving issues, and maintaining customer satisfaction.
  • Bookkeeping and Expense Management: Help with basic bookkeeping tasks, such as tracking expenses, managing invoices, and preparing financial reports
  • Project Coordination: They can assist in project management tasks, including organizing project documents, tracking progress, and facilitating communication among team members.
  • Transcription and Documentation: Virtual assistants can transcribe audio or video recordings, create meeting minutes, and assist in documentation tasks.
  • Creative task: They can handle graphics, infographics, PowerPoint or Keynote presentations, animation, video production and audio podcast, web development, and manage marketing channels.
  • Personal Assistance: In addition to business-related tasks, virtual assistants can also support individuals in managing personal tasks, such as organizing personal schedules, arranging personal appointments, or researching personal interests.

It’s important to note that a business VA’s specific tasks and responsibilities can vary based on the business requirements and the skills and expertise of the VA.

If you are reading this article and wondering how to become a VA. Think about becoming skilled and some of the tasks mentioned above. If you are a self-starter, like many of us are. A premium memberships to LinkedIn Learning is priceless.

The Advantage of Using a VA

How cost-effective is a virtual assistant? Here is where you save..

  • Training ( You don't have to train them. )
  • Equipment ( They come prepared with their own.)
  • Software (They have the software which you don't pay for.)
  • Benefits (You don't have to pay their benefits. )
  • Office space ( They work out of their own office.)

I can keep going; these expenses are all on the virtual assistant. Yes, there is more to be said.

Time Management:

Each second lost costs you. VAs allow you to be flexible with your time. By handling complex tasks, they increase the quality of your work and give you the ability to work on more pressing matters.

Your ability to handle more tasks intensive projects increases a hundredfold if your virtual assistants communicate on a project level. This gives your the able to deliver in a shorter time.

Here is another time saver.

Productivity Software

Today businesses are taking advantage of productivity tools. The software offered makes a significant difference when it comes to productivity. Now the question is, which do you use for your organization.

While productivity software makes day-to-day operations efficient, the variety and complexity are increasing. Finding individuals versed in the software your company uses can be a challenge. At this junction, the VA would have you covered. Your request for an assignment should include your software requirements.

Our New Virtual Assistant Feature

I mentioned earlier I was going to let you in on our venture. My colleagues and I, as I said, have been virtually assisting clients since the start of our careers. For me, it has been over 25 years. Our combined experience brings more value to our clients.

By pooling our talent, we are confident we will revolutionize turnaround time and deliverables on administrative and creative tasks.

Evanson Presents Rebranding: What to expect.

As a company, Evanson Present or EP is in the process of rebranding; it’s exciting. The services we offer will stay in place. Our web development, site maintenance, graphic design, online marketing, animation, video and podcast production. The addition is the virtual administrative assistant.

Our virtual assistant services are team focused. The assistant you work with is supported by a group. Because projects come in varied sizes. It has been observed that time and accuracy is continuously a factor which our team approach addresses.

Contact us for more information.

If you are a qualified VA give us a shout. 

 

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