Like any other new year, people were looking forward to the things that will happen in 2020. Some were excited to pursue new goals, while some were committed to being more responsible in handling their finances. However, everyone’s plans changed with the unprecedented arrival of COVID-19. Suddenly, not getting infected with the virus has become everyone’s top priority. Left and right, changes were happening as leaders began to implement measures to curb the virus.
The changes brought about by the pandemic heavily affected the landscape of work. As countries imposed lockdowns, some businesses were left to close for good. On the other hand, the businesses that survived made operations possible by utilizing advancements in technology. For example, clothing businesses shifted from selling via their brick-and-mortar shops into selling online. Professionals such as music teachers, dance teachers, and life coaches also found a way to connect with clients via audio and video conferencing tools like Google Hangouts Meet. To earn, those who lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic began to sell items on social media. Indeed, working from home has become the new norm.
Thanks to technology, businesses, employees, and victims of unemployment found avenues to survive the effects of COVID-19. Nevertheless, adapting to change can still be inconvenient and challenging. Not all businesses or professionals are adept at using technology. Some don’t know how or where to begin the process of transitioning their business online. Additionally, the uncertainty of times remains a source of stress and anxiety for many. As someone once said, people are not working from home. Rather, they are at home, merely trying to work.
Benefits of a Virtual Assistant
Although change can be uncomfortable and challenging, people need to move forward. The world will continue to revolve no matter what, hence expenses will also continue to pile up. It’s a good thing that there are ways to alleviate the situation.
Getting cost-effective virtual assistant services is one of the solutions you can consider to cope with the pandemic. Below are some ways an online personal assistant can help you keep your business running and help you manage your health amid a global health crisis.
Reduce overhead expenses.
Clients can incur a lot of savings in terms of operational expenses when they get affordable virtual assistant services. As independent contractors, virtual assistants are responsible for all the equipment and tools they need to accomplish tasks and ensure a smooth flow of work such as work stations, laptops, headsets, and a reliable internet connection. Hiring a remote assistant via companies that offer virtual assistant services also means that you are not obliged to give them any benefits that regular full-time employees enjoy, as their companies would generally take care of these for you.
Assist you in making your business possible online.
Don’t know where or how to start transitioning your business online? Generally, online personal assistants are professionals equipped with knowledge and skills relevant to remote work. They can provide you with tips and tricks of the trade, and assist you with the transition process of your business, so you can start running your online operations immediately.
Some of the specific tasks virtual assistants can help you with are as follows:
- Utilize virtual conferencing tools like Google Hangouts Meet
- Use project management tools such as Perfex and Milanote
- Set up client relationship management (CRM) software like HubSpot
- Create and implement effective Facebook Ads
- Lead generation and outreach
- Website design and development
- Social media management
- Social media community management
- Graphic design
- Video editing
- Content writing
- Copywriting
Obtain efficient support on a variety of tasks.
Virtual assistants are experts in managing non-core functions. You may obtain support from them on tasks you are not good at, or tasks you want to remove from your worries. Some virtual assistants are experts in administrative functions, while some specialize in specific tasks. For example, there are marketing virtual assistants whose main tasks include social media management, community management, and content writing. Some virtual assistants specialize in a particular task for a particular industry such as appointment setting in the real estate industry.
With the wide variety of tasks that online personal assistants can handle, business owners are no longer the only ones seeing the value of virtual assistants. Nowadays, even parents and professionals like doctors, sales agents, and teachers hire and benefit from online personal assistants to help them with non-core tasks, so they can have a better sense of work-life balance.
Some of the tasks virtual assistants can help you with are as follows:
Administrative Functions
- Report creation
- Payroll
- Calendar management
- Transcription
Customer service
- Social media community management
- Email support
- Chat support
- Technical support
Sales
- Appointment setting
- Lead generation
Creatives
- Content writing
- Graphic design
- Copywriting
- Video editing
- Website design
- Website development
With a virtual assistant to provide you with efficient support, you can remove mundane and repetitive tasks from your worries. As a result, you can pour your attention into the most crucial aspect of your job.
Flexible services.
Virtual assistants can work around your schedule; you can opt to have them work during or after working hours in your timezone. You can also hire virtual assistants on a full-time, part-time, or per-project basis. If you’re not ready to onboard a dedicated assistant that will work for you full-time, then you can choose either one of the remaining options to see if virtual assistant services work for you.
Skip the hassles of recruitment.
This is a benefit of a virtual assistant that you can only get when you get in touch with a virtual assistant service provider. While you may be able to get a virtual assistant through your efforts, the process can be tedious and time-consuming. You would need to post on platforms such as Facebook or Upwork, filter applications, and conduct interviews. No matter how excruciating the process can be, there is still no assurance that the candidate you’ve chosen is the right fit until after a few weeks with them onboard, after which you’d have to repeat the entire excruciating process over again upon finding out that you’ve hired the wrong candidate.
With virtual assistant service providers, you can skip all these and immediately get matched with a virtual assistant that’s the best fit for you – and if you aren’t satisfied, the company would be able to match you with a new assistant in as easy as 1, 2, 3. Virtual assistant service providers such as OkayRelax strive to get to know you – get to know you – as they learn more about your needs and provide you with an assistant who’s capable of fulfilling them.
Claim back your valuable time, because you deserve to relax.
Suggested Post: How a Virtual Assistant Can Help Your Business During COVID-19.