faq

- What is a Virtual Assistant?
- What is the definition of "Virtual" - What are the advantages of using virtual support? - How does it work?
- How much does it cost?
- Can you help me if I need non-virtual assistance?

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A Virtual Assistant is a person who provides business and administration services from their own remote location. Virtual Assistants offer services based upon their previous experience and skills. Read "About Us" for more details.

What is the definition of "virtual"?

Virtual: adjective. That is so in essence or effect, although not formally or actually.

(Source: The Oxford Illustrated Dictionary. second edition)

What are the advantages of using virtual support?

There are many advantages to using virtual support:

No tax and national insurance.
No holiday or sick pay.
Virtual assistants provide their own office, equipment, paper, envelopes, etc.
Out of hours availability; evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

A Virtual Assistant can help your business in a variety of ways:

Receiving, screening, routing and sending email, faxes, and regular mail.
Typing letters, reports, technical documents via digital transcription or other methods
Making and returning phone calls
Scheduling business and personal appointments and interviews.
Invoicing customers, receiving and paying bills, reconciling bank statements, and keeping track of expenses and tax records
Researching anything from competitive intelligence to your next vacation
Planning your business and personal travel.
Creating efficient office systems to make more space and time in your life for the important things.
Creating and maintaining electronic mailing lists for e-newsletters and correspondence and maintaining your website.
Making marketing calls and doing other promotional work
Even remind you of important dates.

How does it work?

All work is undertaken from the Virtual Assistants own fully equipped office. Work can be received by meetings for local clients, though generally by fax, post, email, disc, or courier. Email in particular offers the convenience of unlimited data transfer and allows the client to be based internationally. When the work is completed it can be returned via email, post or posted directly to the addressee. Web-based tools such as instant messaging and net meeting, plus online calendars, are often used as a means of keeping in touch with your Virtual Assistant.

How much does it cost?

Please see individual pages under "Our Services" to review the rates. Clients will be invoiced either by the hour, page, or project, and "TraxTime" is used to produce electronic timesheets which are submitted with the invoice.

Can you help me if I want non-virtual assistance?

We will always try to accommodate all requests for business assistance, and we would be happy to discuss any arrangements with you personally.