Chapter One
The Virtual Assistant: What To Expect
As we have already discussed, the definition of a virtual assistant varies depending upon to whom you are talking. As a result, your role as a virtual assistant will largely be determined by your skills, what services you want to offer as a virtual assistant, and your own definition of a virtual assistant.
For example, some virtual assistants believe that providing consulting – marketing consulting, for example – is all a part of their job description while others staunchly believe that those offering such specialized skills as marketing consulting should advertise themselves as marketing consultants.
Because every virtual assistant has her own skill set, every virtual assistant offers her own unique list of services. Following is a list of tasks that virtual assistants often complete for their clients:
Word processing
Data entry
Transcription
Preparing invoices
Answering emails
Bookkeeping
Travel planning
Event planning (i.e. meetings or conferences)
Desktop publishing (i.e. creating brochures or newsletters)
Internet marketing
Online research
Answer phones (the client will have her phone lines directed to your phone number)
Create databases
Maintain databases
Make appointments
Keep track of mail
Send and/or receive faxes
Proofreading
Prepare mailings (including marketing materials, holiday cards, thank you notes, etc.)
Write and send follow-up letters
Maintain and update the business Web site
Create reports
Customer service
Paralegal services
Make online purchases
Transcribe voicemail messages
Prepare job ads and post them online
Schedule interviews and other appointments
Edit documents
Manage contacts
Bulk mailing
Pay bills
Next: Virtual Assistants And Specialized Responsibilities
Table of Contents for the Virtual Assistant Career Guide:
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