So what exactly is a “Virtual Personal Assistant”? The term “virtual assistant” was coined in 1995 in the UK to refer to a freelance secretary, but today’s Virtual Personal Assistant or “VPA” is a professional that you can hire to do any number of tasks, from administrative work to outbound calling, data entry, research, social media management, and even online shopping.

1. SMART REASONS TO HIRE A
VIRTUAL PERSONAL ASSISTANT
So what exactly is a “Virtual
Personal Assistant”?
The term “virtual assistant” was
coined in 1995 in the UK to refer
to a freelance secretary, but
today’s Virtual Personal Assistant
or “VPA” is a professional that you
can hire to do any number of
tasks, from administrative work to
outbound calling, data entry,
research, social media
management, and even
online shopping.
It’s estimated that there are up to
25,000 Virtual Assistants
currently working worldwide.
They use the Internet, email,
phone conferencing, web
conferencing, Skype and even
good old faxes to communicate
with their clients. They’re always
present, even if they’re not by
your side.
Here’s what Chris Ducker from
VirtualBusinessLifestyle.com has to say:
The thing about virtual assistants is I’m kind of cloning
myself. I’m allowing myself to actually work 24 hours a day
because the person I hired is in the Philippines. When I’m
asleep he's doing work... When I wake up the work is done.
Virtual assistants have really changed my life.
The second biggest advantage of a VPA? They’re far less expensive
and far more available than an in-house Personal Assistant.
The Wall Street Journal tested four VPA services.
Here's how they fared with their various tasks:
You’ll save on office space,
furnishings or equipment
expenses: VPAs have
their own.
Clients only pay for the
actual time a VPA spends
on the task. VPAs pay for
their own health insurance,
vacation days and sick time.
You’d probably have to
train an in-house assistant,
but VPAs are pros who can
start working instantly.
Good VPAs have the software
needed to complete your
projects, meaning you don’t
have to buy it or supply it.
VPAs have a worldwide
network to assist them in
completing jobs when
time is short.
Transport strikes? Foul
weather? Traffic gridlock?
Commuting is never a problem
with VPAs, so your work will
always be completed on time.
VPAs protect every client
relationship wvith a
Confidentiality Agreement,
ensuring the confidentiality of
all your private banking, credit
card, and company
information.
COMPANY
ihabilis.com
getfriday.com
asksunday.com
redbutler.com
$10 for five tasks
to $1,000 for 160
hours a month.
$10 per month plus
$15 per hour to
$1,120 per month
for 160 hours.
$97 for 45 requests
for 90 days to $1087
for 80 hours per
month.
$37 (for 15 requests)
to $166 (for 100
requests) per month.
Excellent, quick
and precise answers.
Uncluttered
interface, stores
personal
information, can
mark requests
urgent.
Personal information
storage, request
status, quality
escalation option.
Templates, personal
information storage,
can upload Google
or Outlook contacts.
Personal assistant
for VIP level
membership,
concierge services.
Office and online
content help,
simple to
understand
offerings.
Flexible plans, lower
cost for dedicated
assistant.
Stores information
in personal account
for later use, simple
request system.
Travel and
restaurant
reservations
expertise, basic
template for filing
requests.
Excellent, good
attention to detail.
Good; one task was
done with less
attentiveness.
Good; slower service
for one task.
PRICE RANGE FEATURES COMMENTQUALITY OF TASK
PERFORMANCE