What Exactly IS a Virtual Assistant?

No, all Virtual Assistants aren't just a computer model; some of us are actually living, breathing, human beings without an artificial brain...

I've definitely noticed the increase of the term Virtual Assistant (VA for short) in recent years, but that may just be because I am one. Although, I still find that there is a lack of understanding as to what a VA is, what we do, and whether or not we're just a little chat bot powered by AI.

I, for one, am actually powered by tea, snacks, and sunshine. This air-breathing version of a VA is not an automated system, but a real person equipped with skills, knowledge, and expertise to assist businesses and individuals in managing various tasks.

But why Virtual - that makes it sound like you're a virtual reality robot thing...

Well, having just seen the definition of virtual as not physically existing but made up by software, this misconception is understandable. Yet, when we say Virtual in the case of a human VA, the virtual means not physically present.

VAs assist their clients remotely, providing the professional admin, technical or creative assistance from afar. I've got some clients who I've never actually met in person, but that's the beauty of remote working in the modern world. Instead of hiring someone full or part time, busy business owners can outsource an array of jobs to a VA to alleviate some of the strain of their workload, without the overheads of an employee.

It's not just workload. I have many a client call me just to talk through ideas, use me as a sounding board, or just as the go to person to call at the end of the phone when they need a second opinion.

By enlisting a real person who understands your needs, you can streamline your operations and focus on what matters most — growing your business, generating income and enjoying your time. Hiring a VA gives you flexibility, and often a lot more efficiency in those boring and mundane tasks. After all, we chose this for a living, so we probably love those tasks that you find dull, and our experience with doing these regularly probably means we're a lot quicker at them then you may be, with an extra trick or two up our sleeves.

Not convinced?

Ask me about the time I made a job so efficient I actually made the role redundant...