Virtual assistants are incredibly helpful in all sorts of scenarios. Perhaps that is why people from all types of industries and backgrounds hire them. But, why? What can a virtual assistant do? And, why would someone choose to hire one? Let’s say that there is something you greatly dislike doing.
For instance, what if you have new accounts to enter into your system and you just don’t like the monotony? A virtual assistant can help. You may be incredibly smart when it comes to the services you provide, but you are terrible when it comes to knowing how to promote your service. Virtual assistants can help here, too.
And, maybe you are just well-rounded and great at everything, but time is not on your side. You are overflowing with work and you need help. Guess what? A virtual assistant can help you reduce the burden. Of course, these are just a few of the reasons why someone may hire a virtual assistant.
To get the full benefit of all they have to offer, it is important to understand the types of virtual assistant services available.
Answering and Routing Incoming Calls
How can you get work done if you are holding the phone all day? Not to mention that if you are involved in work, every time the phone rings, you are facing a distraction. This will decrease your efficient workflow and productivity. Besides, who wants to always be tethered to the phone? Sure, you have the choice to not answer the phone, but what does that say about you and your business?
One of the most common services that virtual assistants perform is answering calls and routing them appropriately. This is a simple task that can be done remotely – and the caller will never suspect that your receptionist is not sitting right outside of your office! It gives your business a professional appearance and allows you to stay off the phone and focused on what you do best.
Perform Outbound Calls
Phones work both ways, though, don’t they? That means many businesses have the need to perform outbound calls, too. Your business may have the need for someone to make sales calls. You could provide a script or simply have the virtual assistant make the initial contact with a potential buyer before transferring the call to you to secure the sale. This is a great way to sort out the real leads from those that will just waste your time.
Or, maybe you need someone to reach out to clients and schedule appointments – or even remind them of an already-existing appointment. Maintaining calendars and schedules, sending reminders to both you and clients – these are the tasks that virtual assistants are great at. And, believe it or not, they can keep you on track!
Bookkeeping Services
Large corporations often have finance departments loaded with bookkeepers. But, when you are just starting out or are a smaller company, hiring a full-time bookkeeper can be costly and unnecessary. Though, the other option of trying to handle it yourself can be frustrating – and take you away from what you really want and need to be doing. After all, you are not a bookkeeper.
Thankfully, you can hire a virtual assistant to handle your bookkeeping for you. With this option, you have someone who is skilled in the field handling your numbers for you when you need them, whether a couple of hours per week or a few hours each day.
Various Marketing Needs
Many business owners get stuck – they know they have a great product or service that other businesses or consumers would love, but they don’t know how to get the word out there. To reap the benefits of proper marketing, you have to know how to market. This includes things such as website building, content writing, social media management, and more.
There is a good chance these may not be your strong suit – and an even better chance that you don’t have the time or desire to consistently maintain them. But, guess who does. That’s right, a virtual assistant. Get your business known with a consistent, thorough marketing plan handled by your virtual assistant while you focus on your business.
Data Entry Services
Nearly every business has some form of data entry. Monotonous, repetitive keystrokes that can make you fall asleep fast. Maybe you get bored easily or maybe you just don’t type fast – or well. A virtual assistant can typically get your data entry completed in less time, allowing you to get your projects moving through the pipeline quicker while you get the freedom from the task. Sound enticing? We thought so.
Miscellaneous Other Receptionist Duties
Virtual assistants come from all backgrounds and all walks of life. So, what does that mean for you? It means that you are sure to find someone capable of handling exactly what you need to be done. Virtual assistants don’t just stop with data entry, marketing, bookkeeping, or telephones.
No, no. They possess an eclectic set of skills that allow you to benefit in many different ways. Many virtual assistants can handle a wide range of receptionist and executive assistant duties, including things such as:
▶ Planning and booking travel arrangements.
▶ Organizing and scheduling meetings between any number of parties.
▶ Assisting you in preparation for a presentation (both audibly and visually).
▶ Organize and prepare mass mailings.
▶ Event planning.
▶ Producing graphs, reports, and other items within spreadsheets.
▶ Responding to inquiry emails.
▶ Maintaining your social media presence across various platforms.
With all the possible skills available, there is no end to what a virtual assistant can do for your business.
The Bottom Line
Outsourcing work to virtual assistants can make better use of your current employees and free up your time, too. This allows you to get things done while making the best use of everyone’s time. In doing so, you are only benefiting the business in the long run. Higher efficiency leads to greater rewards.
And, well, virtual assistants can give you the opportunity to soar high. What could you use a virtual assistant for?
