Virtual Assistant
"An independent contractor providing administrative, technical, or sometimes creative assistance to clients, usually to other independent entrepreneurs and solo and small business practices, such as that of a lawyer or realtor. Virtual assistants work from their own office (hence 'virtual'), thus making it a fairly popular (and growing) profession. It is estimated that there are about 5-8,000 virtual assistants worldwide.
Common modes of communication and data delivery include the Internet, FTP, and fax machine. Although the occupation gives a degree of independence, work is on a contractual basis, and a long-lasting cooperation is standard. Typically 5 years of administrative experience in an office is expected at such positions as executive assistant, secretary, legal assistant, paralegal, legal secretary, real estate assistant, or office manager."
-Wikipedia
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
VA vs. Employee
You may wonder why you would want to hire a VA as opposed to a full-time employee. There are many reasons that a VA could significantly help your business succeed more so than an employee.
Employees Require
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Overtime Pay
- Holiday Pay
- Office Space
- Furniture and Office Equipment
- Training
VAs provide their own insurance coverage, office space, and furniture, plus they're already trained in vast areas. They are paid hourly in most cases, so you don't have to worry about how many hours per week they work.
Worker Classifications
The traditional employee is managed and directed by the employer they work for. They are paid a salary with employment taxes deducted by the employer. Work is directed, managed and supervised by the employer.
A temp worker is an employee from a staffing agency who goes on-site to employer (customer) premises. They are paid by the staffing agency they work for, while their on-site work and activities are managed, directed and supervised by the employer, who is a customer of the staffing agency.
A virtual assistant is an independent contractor, not an employee. They set their own rates, operating standards and policies, pay their own self-employment taxes, and manage the work and how it is carried out.