What is a Virtual Assistant?

By: Cristina dela Cruz

A Virtual Assistant works as virtual / remote administrative staff. They typically help business owners with office management duties but can also work in with a various content, social, design, marketing and other media-related business responsibilities.

The following are tasks of a virtual assistant (but not limited to) which can vary from administrative to technical, depending on the individual's skills and abilities . Virtual assistants may work as independent contractors (Freelancers) or with staffing agencies. Some assistants work with one company while others contract with different employers simultaneously. Common tasks performed by a virtual assistant include:

• Receiving / making calls

• Managing schedules

• Email management

• Calendar management

• Correspondence

• Bookkeeping

• Handling customer support

• Creating and managing databases

• Data Entry

• Conducting research (Product research)

• Creating and maintaining social media profiles

• Developing marketing material using graphic design skills

• Performing basic proofreading and editing on internal and external documents

• Audio / Video transcription

• Developing and maintaining website