This list is by no means exhaustive. You may be surprised by how innovative some entrepreneurs are in using VAs to simplify their lives. It is not surprising that some entrepreneurs use a team with VAs who are experts in various niches. Few people are experts in every field. You will find Jacks of All Trades and Masters of None, but you may find one or two masters. If the price is right, it would be foolish to pass up on that person.
VAs are similar to personal assistants or secretaries. Some VAs specialize in web design and maintenance. Others specialize in bookkeeping. And some can also offer writing/editing. You'll find all VAs offer "VA Basics" regardless of their specialization.
One size doesn't fit all when it comes to VAs. But with some nip-and-tuck you can find the perfect VA for your business. Here are some tips to help you nip and tuck.
1. Your VA will handle your emails, answer routine requests, initiate action, send information to other people to handle or forward you important emails that only you or others can handle.
2. Let your VA manage your email while you're away. She can send you any emails she is unable to handle so that you can consider them over a long, cool drink in the shade of a palm tree.
3. You can also have your VA handle your mail depending on where both of you live temp mail. This can be a daily or only when you're away service.
4. You may be a marketing genius or a "whiz-bang gadget thingamajig" expert, but you're hopeless when it comes to setting up your email software so that you can modify your time zone indicators, signatures, and autoresponders... Relax! Relax!
5. You will likely use a voicemail or message service to inform your callers that you're away. Give them your VA's email or phone number so that she can contact them while you are away. This is more professional, reassuring, and you don't risk losing business.
6. You can divert your calls to your VA's phone based on your location in relation to her. She can then answer your calls like a real Receptionist. The same can be done with faxes.
7. Need help with your appointments and diary? VAs are often used to help with this. They can make appointments for you and keep your schedule up-to-date. Let them communicate with clients, colleagues, journalists, speaking events, etc.
8. Client liaison. Your VA will be there to help you with your most important clients. Let your VA handle queries, information requests, appointments, reschedules, etc.
9. Maybe you travel a lot. Your VA can book your accommodation, arrange for car rental and help you find the best airfare. If you are a speaker, your VA can arrange for speaking venues. Let them take care of the venue, food and drinks, hotel discounts, necessary equipment, etc.
10. It's so simple, it's barely worth mentioning... Word processing. Homer Simpson said it best... "Doh!" If you're Homer Simpson on the other hand, your VA will be able to type up and prepare memos, reports, letters, memos, or booklets. Any VA can do anything that you can do with a word processor!
11. Your meeting minutes can be transformed from sloppy notes into professional Minutes.
12. VAs can produce manuals and send them to you via diskette or email. The same goes for any professional documents, texts or special reports.
13. Need Powerpoint for presentations and meetings? Need Powerpoint? Your VA is the best place to go!
14. You can be sure that your VA can still use MS Excel, even if she does not have MS Access. You want to be able to manage your own database if necessary. You're a star if you know how to use Access! If you don't have Access, ask your VA to help you create databases in Excel. Anyone can use this. It is very simple. You'll want to store client information such as their business cards, credit card numbers, surveys, list of articles, and who they were sent to.
15. Bulk emailing. Some VAs have special software that allows them to bulk email your clients, allowing each one to be addressed individually. Or you may belong to an online business which allows you to send these bulk emails. Your VA can take care of this.
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