History

• The introduction of the virtual assistant came with the development of the Internet during the 1990s. This new technology made it possible for people in other cities or countries to perform administrative duties as needed for clients worldwide. A virtual assistant is a natural extension of the "temp," or temporary office worker. Like a virtual assistant, a temp is contracted as necessary to complete projects, and is not technically an employee of a company. Today, the majority of virtual assistants are organized in staffing agencies, where clients can contact one organization and find a virtual assistant to suit a client's needs.
  
  

Function

• A virtual assistant can serve many functions, from performing business tasks to completing personal errands. On the business end, a virtual assistant can serve as a secretarial assistant, typing correspondance, making appointments and maintaining a schedule. More advanced tasks include ghostwriting, editing and creative services. A virtual assistant can also be used for personal tasks, for everything from bill paying to remembering to buy gifts for client birthdays.
  
  

Benefits

• There are numerous benefits to contracting services to a virtual assistant in lieu of hiring a traditional employee. First, a virtual assistant is an independent contractor, and thus the company is not required to pay traditional employment taxes or Social Security benefits for this individual. Second, a virtual assistant is paid by the hour or per task, making the relationship much more cost-effective. Finally, with a virtual assistant working from her own home and using her own computers and phones, the company can save money by using smaller offices and less equipment.
  
  

Types

• The level of services offered by a virtual assistant can vary wildly. Not only does scope of service differ from firm to firm, but level of competentcy does as well. Some firms or independent virtual assistants may perform only administrative tasks, while others may be capable of writing, design and web services. Others may focus only on personal errand services, while limiting business tasks. In addition, virtual assistants can range from a single person firm to a large pool of assistants who can help with all of your needs.
  
  

Considerations

• The biggest thing to consider when hiring a virtual assistant is which person can best meet your needs. Find an assistant that is capable of performing the services you will need, and who has experience in this line of work. Confirm that she has the tools to communicate with you, whether it be by phone, email or fax, and that she is reliable. Another consideration is language capability. A large number of virtual assistant firms are located in India and other countries where English isn't the first language. Before hiring a virtual assistant, confirm that you are able to effectively communicate with her to get the tasks you need done.