Q: What is a VA?

A:  A Virtual Assistant is:

• an offsite business support partner
• an  Virtual Office Assistant
• an Remote Access Office Assistant
• an Administrative Secretarial Support entrepreneuer
• an independent contractor
• works from their home office using remote access
• uses their own equipment
• handles their own taxes
• handles their own health benefits
• They are not on your payroll! 

Q: What are the different services Virtual Assistance offers?

A:  The posibilities are endless!

Research & Information Retrieval
Tradtional / Internet Research
Hardware/Software Support
Power Point Presentations
Incoming Call Center Work
Real Estate Agent Support
Web Hosting and Design
Multimedia Presenations
Database Managment
Competive Intelligence
Administrative Support
Bankruptcy Processing
Medical Transcription
Editing/Proofreading
Excel Speadsheets 
Legal Transcription
Accounting Support
Destop Publishing
Project Managment
Telephone Support
Mailing Services
Payroll Services
Word Processing
Medical Coding
Media Releases
Event Planning
Receptionist
Proofreading
Ghostwriting
Programming
Bookkeeping
Consulting
Marketing
Coaching
Conceirge

Q: Why is the VA industry so attractive?

A:  Several reasons:

• No commuting! 
• GREEN solution
• Less wear and tear on the automobile
• Less car maitenance and fuel costs
• No expensive business clothing costs
• Be your own boss
• Are you a DAV (Disable American Veteran)?
• Are you a military spouse and a stay-at-home mom?
• Are you the primary caregiver for an elderly family member
  or special needs child? 
• There is a great support among VAs.  They help each other.  If one VA does does not handle a specific administrative tast, they can locate a VA who does.  While each of them is an entrepreneur, many have partnered together so that when a VA is unavailable, they sub-contractor each other to cover an absence.

Q: Do VAs work Full-time or Part-time?

A:  Some VAs are still in the standard workforce and are supplementing their income as a part-time Virtual Assistant.Both. 

Q: How does a VA get paid?

A: Virtual Assistants (aka Offsite Business Support  Assistants), may request payment in one of five ways:usiness partners), may request payment in one of five ways:

• PAYPAL
• Bank Certified Check
• Direct Deposit via Paypal by email
• Money Order
• Personal Checks

Q: How often can I use a Virtual Assistance?

A: As often as you wish.  Some clients request services:

• No more than 10 hours a month
• Weekly
• By project
• Daily
• Quarterly
• Over 10 hours a month
• Over 20 hours a month
• Over 30 hours a month

Q: Do VAs have Educational Degrees?

A: VAs have various ranges of education just like any other entrepreneur or employee in the corporate workforce. Many continue to train and enhance their skills.  Many never got to go to college and learned what they know on the job.  Remember, its not what you know, its who knows what you do.

Q: Do VAs do volunteer work?

A: Yes, they do!  They volunteer their time in many ways.  VAs have big hearts.

Q: When did the VA industry start?

A: As early as the 1980s.  Military wives wanted to supplement their families income and be able to be employed while their spouses were on detail.  They found it difficult to find and occupation and keep it especially when their military spouse moved bases every couple years. 

Military spouses discovered Administrative Secreatarial Assistant Services from home with the Internet came posibilities. Thus the Virtual Assistant industry was born.

Q: Do colleges offer coursework for the VA industry?

A:   Yes. 

There are two in Ohio:

• Owens College, near Toledo, Ohio
• Raymond Walters College, near Cincinnati, OH
  has partnered with the University of Cincinnati

Outside Ohio:

• Virtual Assistant U
• University of Virtual Assistants, CO
• Staffcentrix, Woodstock, CT
• Virtual Nation, Citrus Heights, CA
• Arapahoe Community College, Littleton, CO

Q: Have VAs worked in the Corporate Life?

A: Yes.  Most the VAs in service today have been affected by the term "corporate restrucure" or "downsizing" several times.  They decided to take their experiences and apply them to a different industry, Some opted to take on the role of the "temp to hire".  Others had family responsibilities to care for an elderly family member or a special needs child or adult.

For the number of  Administrative Assistants in the United States, there are just not enough occupations to handle the volume.

Q: Do VAs work locally?

A: Yes. 

The VA industry is the "green" solution.  There are no boundaries.  A VA can be 4 miles from their client or 4,000 miles from their client.  A VA in Ohio could service a client in California.

Q: Where are VAs located?

A: All over the world! 

• United States
• Canada
• Italy
• India
• New Zealand
• Austrailia

Many of the military spouses focus and handle International clients.  Others, focus on only on the USA or Canada.

Q:  Do VAs ever come to a client's place of business?

A: Yes.  There are some Virtual Assistants and Virtual Consultants who do come "some" work at the client's place of busness.

Q: What types of clients does Virtual Assistance service?

A: The possiblities are endless!

Accountants	Web Designers
Construction Companies	Salon Shop Owners
Real Estate Agents	Artists
Musicians	Freelance Writers
Ghostwriters	Other Virtual Assistants
Engineers	Entertainers
Non-Profit Organizations / Associations	Historical Societies
Deaf / Blind Citizens	Paralegals
Private Investigators	Full-time RVers
Campground Owners	Authors
Travel Agents	Chamber of Commerce
Publishers	Lawyers
Coaches	Speakers
Missionaries	Athletes
Professors	Medical Doctors
Churches / Pastors / Church Plants	Bed & Breakfasts

Revision: 1 May 2008