What really is a Virtual Assistant?
A Virtual Assistant is one that partners with his/her client in a long-term and collaborative relationship and is invested in her clients’ long-term success.
As a Virtual Assistant, I am a business owner who works collaboratively with my clients. I have worked hard over the last 8 years to legitimize my profession. My clients do not train nor motivate me as I am the administrative expert in the VA/client relationship and bring years of administrative experience to the table.
As business owners, Virtual Assistants pay for their own office space, equipment, marketing, training, certifications, health insurance, self employment taxes, software, etc, and in the U.S., cannot be profitable for under $35/hour.
Think about what you would pay a full time employee, add equipment, unemployment insurance, medical benefits, holidays, paid vacations, paid down time, seminars, etc. and you’re likely spending at least $3,000 per month on that employee. VAs are not intended to be the Walmart of employees. VAs are business owners offering a convenient alternative to the traditional office assistant.
I personally prefer to have clients instead of an employer. It’s great being your own boss and I see myself as my clients’ partner. The large majority of the people who availed my services have no problems working with overseas virtual staff. Overseas workers like myself might not speak PERFECT English. Let’s face it. Some tasks just don’t require a high level of sophistication or cultural sensitivity. For this sort of task that I do for my Author Clientele, they enjoy the same level of satisfaction whereas they would have had to pay a premium price locally in the US, when a more economical choice meets their needs with me coming from a friendly neighbor from the Philippines.