If you’ve been wondering, “What does a Virtual Assistant (VA) actually do?” you’re in the right place! With the rise of remote work and the growing digital landscape, the demand for virtual assistants is skyrocketing. But let’s break it down – what is a VA, and how do they differ from other remote workers or online professionals?

A Virtual Assistant (VA) is essentially a remote professional who provides a wide range of virtual assistant services to businesses or entrepreneurs. They can handle everything from email management, scheduling, social media management, to conducting research and content creation.

Typical Tasks Handled by Virtual Assistants

Here are some typical VA tasks:

• Email management: Dealing with that dreaded inbox so business owners don’t have to.

• • Scheduling: Organizing meetings, setting appointments, and keeping things on track.

• • Social media management: Crafting posts, scheduling content, and engaging with the audience.

• • Research: Finding those little nuggets of information that are needed but owners don’t have time to search for.

• • Customer service: Answering queries, solving problems, and keeping customers happy.

• • Data entry and organization: Making sense of spreadsheets and databases.

• • Content creation: Writing blog posts, newsletters, or other types of content.

• • Bookkeeping: Managing invoices, expenses, and keeping financial records tidy.

In short, VAs help businesses run smoothly by taking care of the tasks that can bog people down, allowing their clients to focus on what really matters – their core business.

How is a Virtual Assistant Different from Other Remote Workers?

You might think, “Isn’t a VA just a fancy term for a remote worker?” Not quite! While both work remotely, there are a few key differences:

Scope of Work

• • A Virtual Assistant is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. They typically handle a wide variety of tasks across different areas – like a generalist who does a bit of everything.

• • A remote worker could be anyone working from home or another remote location, but they might have a specific role or a specialized skill set, such as a software developer or graphic designer.

Employment Status

• • Most VAs are independent contractors or freelancers running their own businesses. They set their own hours, choose their clients, and negotiate their rates.

• • Remote workers, on the other hand, are often full-time employees for a company, working specific hours and following company policies, just like they would in an office – except from a remote location.

Client Relationship

• • VAs often work with multiple clients at once, offering their services on a flexible basis, whether it’s part-time, full-time, or just for a specific project.

• • Remote workers typically work exclusively for one employer and have a more long-term commitment.

What About OBMs and Other Online Professionals?

So, where do VAs fit in the grand scheme of online work? It’s helpful to understand the difference between VAs and other online professionals:

• • Online Business Managers (OBMs): These folks are like the quarterbacks of the online business world. They don’t just help with tasks – they manage entire operations. OBMs handle daily operations, oversee projects, manage teams, and implement systems to keep everything running smoothly. It’s a more strategic role than what a VA typically does.

• • Specialized Online Service Providers: Think graphic designers, web developers, content writers, or SEO experts. These professionals focus on one area and become masters of their craft. VAs might dabble in these tasks, but they’re not usually as specialized. However, many VAs do end up finding a niche and becoming specialized service providers themselves!

Could Being a Virtual Assistant be your Next Career Move?

If you’re someone who loves to organize, enjoys helping others, and craves a flexible lifestyle, becoming a Virtual Assistant could be just the thing. It’s all about finding the right clients, defining what services you want to offer, and jumping in!

Ready to Dive In? Want to learn more about how to get started as a VA? Download my free VA Starter Handbook. It’s packed with everything you need to know to begin your journey, define your niche, and land your first clients! The guide also includes checklists and worksheets to help you stay organized and keep you on track as you set up your VA business. Remember to check out our free resources too!