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What is a Virtual Assistant?
A Virtual
Assistant is a temporary worker who usually works for independent professionals
and small businesses using the Internet, fax or e-mail and who do not require the services of
a full-time secretary of office manager.
What kinds of tasks do
we perform?
Some of our tasks may include
administrative assistance, meeting and travel planning or event coordination.
And for some independent professionals, we may help them by arranging for house
sitting, calling a plumber or paying invoices. While for others we may conduct
research, distribute marketing materials and news releases or update their Web
site.
Why a virtual assistant business?
I’ve been a partner in health
care agency several years ago. So, I’ve already been bitten by the
entrepreneurial bug. I’ve accumulated a variety of skills throughout the years–
administrative and communications. After conducting research into telecommuting,
I decided to take the great leap of faith into this dynamic and exciting
profession. What is your background?
I’ve worked in the field of
education, the hospitality industry, health care, insurance and not-for-profit.
In the last several years I’ve worked in communications/public relations. Where are you located?
I’m located in Toronto,
Ontario, Canada, Eastern Standard Time (EST). What hours are you available?
I’m available from Monday –
Thursday 9 -5 pm and Friday 9 -2 pm (EST). What is your work style and philosophy?
I believe that the VA/client
relationship should be an enjoyable partnership, as my goal is to brighten your
day and lighten your load. That’s how the name “Bright Light Virtual”
originated. I believe in keeping the lines of communication open at all times to
help you achieve your goals. The client is kept up-to-date on the progress of
their projects, and any queries are handled as professionally and quickly as
possible.
Thinking about hiring a VA?
A great way to decide whether
a VA is right for you is to ask yourself these questions:
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Am I comfortable working with someone in another
province, state, or country?
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Am I looking for an administrative partner that I
can trust and delegate to?
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Do I need someone to
assist me with administrative or creative tasks, but don't have the room or
resources to bring in a full-time assistant?
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Am I looking for someone with a particular skill
who could add real value to my business?
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If you've answered "yes"
to most or all of these questions, virtual assistance might be the right fit for
your business needs.
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I can provide personal
services such as sending invitations, receiving RSVP's, researching venue
pricing and vendors, etc. (for your birthday party, anniversary party, event
or outing).
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I can do Internet research
on things like topics for upcoming presentations, appearances, articles, hotel
conference rooms (for seminars), advertising rates (for a particular ad
campaign)--or whatever you need information on but don't have the time to look
up yourself.
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If you have trouble
keeping up with e-mail volume and are missing important messages, I can
retrieve your email, sort, respond to routine requests, and forward items of
importance to you at your personal email account.
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I can provide
organizational services, such as contact list maintenance, reminder services
and travel arrangements.
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If you're frequently out
of the office traveling and can't check voice mail on a regular basis, I can
call and retrieve messages from your voice mail, respond to routine requests
and contact you with urgent messages.
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I can order office
supplies (via e-mail or fax) and have them delivered directly to you.
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I can proofread, edit,
format, spell- and grammar-check marketing literature, Web site content,
flyers, manuals, proposals, etc.
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For new or prospective
hires to your company, I can verify past employment, call references and
report the findings to you.
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I can write, edit or
distribute your email newsletters, helping your message reach a wide audience.
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If you conduct workshops,
lectures and telecasts, I can assist with creating PowerPoint presentations &
handouts, and phone calls in preparation for your appearances.
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I can write press releases
about your latest company news & events help you distribute them to the
appropriate media contacts and build media lists.
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If you need information on
a certain topic for an upcoming presentation, appearance or article, I can do
Internet research and provide you with detailed results.
Artist, musician
or author?
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Web site design &
maintenance is definitely something I can do for you.
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Since one of your main
goals is probably exposure, a press kit (i.e. press release, bio, suggested
questions, etc.) is important—I can create that for you also, along with
additional press releases as appearances & events arise on your schedule.
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If you’re a writer, I can
transcribe interviews and type books and manuals for you—and submit pitches to
editors/authors via email and/or regular mail when your schedule gets too
crazy.
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I can also do research to
find appropriate markets to which you can submit your work, along with
guideline information.
Company executive?
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I can work with you to
create that brilliant PowerPoint presentation for your next meeting.
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I can also help you
maintain your schedule, arrange meetings and make travel arrangements for you.
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I can keep your office
well-stocked by ordering supplies online, and I can create/update employee
handbooks & procedure manuals.
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I can also assist you with
data presentations that need to be distributed on a regular basis.
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In addition, I can help
with answering phones or lend a helping hand during your department’s busy
periods, or if you’re regular assistant is sick or on vacation (contact
me for information about possible on-site work).
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The VA / Client
Relationship
I am an independent contractor. I own my business, pay my own taxes, work
from my own office, own my own equipment, set my own hours, and bill you for
my services. It is important that my clients understand this and treat this as
a partnership in which I work with them, not for them. You, as the client,
will not provide Bright Light Virtual with any health insurance benefits, paid
vacation, or any other employee benefits.
Terminating
an agreement
A client/VA relationship
should always be satisfactory; communication is the key to that. I'll always
work with a client to find a solution that will benefit us both. However, in the
event that things are not working out and the time comes for a partnership to
end, please note that this agreement is not locked into a specific time, and may
be terminated by either the client or myself.
Delivery
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We will return all
documents to you by diskette, e-mail, fax or other, as needed.
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E-mail deliveries are free
of charge.
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No charge for #10
envelopes with one ounce postage within Canada.
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We invoice mail over one
ounce at the current Canada Post rate.
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Other delivery methods
(FedEx, UPS, etc.) will be billed to the client at cost.
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All files are
virus-checked prior to transmission.
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Our Commitment to you
To offer exceptional services at reasonable costs to help you achieve
your goals.
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