for both Businesses and Individuals

Business oriented FAQ’s:

Lifestyle oriented FAQ’s:

1. What is the difference between a VA and an employee?

For employees, a business must pay an hourly wage or salary as well as a host of other expenses, such as office space and equipment, benefits, taxes, and unemployment insurance, not to mention support costs such as training and payroll accounting. On top of all that, employees require constant management and supervision, and it can cost more than all of the above expenses to fire an unsatisfactory employee. When a business hires an employee, it essentially makes a binding commitment to that individual and becomes his or her sole source of support, and that is a huge responsibility.

A Virtual Assistant is an independent business owner. Businesses are saved all of the above time and expenses, and VA’s can usually be found in a matter of hours if not minutes. They are specialists in their field, so can perform a function far more efficiently than an average employee, and the business only pays for the time actually spent on their task. Their success is tied directly to that of the business they serve, so their motivation to perform and execute at top quality is very high, and they essentially become partners with the business.

2. Exactly what kind of tasks can a VA do, and how do they do them?

A VA can perform any office function that a traditional employee can, except those which require physical presence such as filing paper.

3. How is paying someone $25 per hour and up SAVING me money?

Because you are contracting with a specialist to do a job, it will be performed far more efficiently than an average employee could do it, and you pay only for the time it takes to complete the task. Businesses are spared all the other hassles and expenses of maintaining an employee, which far outweighs the higher hourly rate.

4. How do I find and evaluate a VA to ensure they have the skills and personality I need, and what do I do if the VA doesn’t work out?

There are numerous avenues to find VA’s, from industry-specific groups to general marketplaces (use the searchable database on this site!). You should have a list of questions prepared that will target your job’s specific requirements, and know what kinds of answers you want to hear. Just remember – when first contacting a VA, YOU are being interviewed too!

If you are not satisfied with a VA’s performance, simply inform him or her that you no longer require their services and move on. It’s not like an employee whose entire life and well-being hang in the balance.

5. I am not getting rid of all my employees – how can I keep my in-house people from feeling threatened by a VA and work with one effectively?

This is not uncommon, and if an employee feels threatened it can seriously undermine your business. You can mitigate it by presenting the VA as a support tool for your existing employees as well. Ask you employees what job they like doing the least, and relieve them of it by giving it to a VA. This way they will feel less stress (attributed to the VA, and gratitude goes a long way to overcoming fear) and can focus on more enjoyable or higher-level tasks, which will increase their own value to the company.

1.     1. Why is being a VA better than being an employee?

2.    Employees are subject to rules and regulations, specific hours, luck of the draw who they have to work with, the boss’s mood, dress codes, and all the other vagaries of the workplace, all while having to do whatever work is dropped on them.  This often entails long commutes, missing family time, personality conflicts, and many other frustrations.

VA’s get to pick what type of jobs they want to do, who they want to do it for, and when and where they want to do it.

2. What do I need to set up a VA business, where do I go to find it, and what kind of expense am I looking at?

You need a marketable skill or specialty, a computer preferably with high speed internet connection, and the motivation and desire to create your own life.    Support groups (such as the ones you can find on our searchable database!) can provide assistance and advice, and often access to additional training or even potential clients.    You will need to maintain records as you will have to pay your own taxes, so a consultation with a financial expert would be wise.

3. How do I find clients, and how do I negotiate terms with them?

You can venture into a virtual marketplace, you can find connections through a support group, your can build a simple website, you can join your local Chamber of Commerce, you can canvas local businesses.    You will also find that if you make a fan out of a client, you will begin getting referrals.

Do some research to find an average billing rate for your field, and decide where to price your own services based on your proficiency.    Also create a standard contract, being sure to include your billing terms, exact duties to be performed, and a confidentiality clause, as this will clearly delineate both your and the clients expectations.    Be flexible and willing to negotiate.

4. What about taxes, benefits, insurance, etc?

You will need to provide your own coverage and pay your own taxes.    We recommend you consult with a professional financial consultant to make the decisions that are right for you.

5. How do I effectively balance work and family life when I am working from home?

Set your boundaries, know your limits.    Decide how much you want to work in a day, and determine the best times to do it, then stick to your schedule.    Set up your work space away from distractions and interruptions if possible, and have a time clock with alerts set to help remind you when it’s time to quit.    It is invaluable to have your family’s understanding and support, so be sure you discuss your goals with them and set some new rules for the household.