Virtual Assistants Offer Business Owners an Inexpensive Alternative

January 19, 2007; 01:22 AM

Having an administrative assistant or secretary is a very expensive necessity for many business owners. “Every business has administrative needs,” says Cam Gray, owner of Assistant on the Go, a Virtual Assistant firm, “but not all business owners can afford to have a salaried employee, that’s where we come in.”

With advances in technology and use of the Internet, business owners save a great deal by outsourcing their administrative duties. Virtual Assistants, commonly referred to as VA’s, are becoming more popular with business owners, offering all of the benefits of a professional, in-house support staff at a fraction of the cost. Using these services also allows business owners to eliminate the cost of training employees, paying employment taxes, and offering insurance and other benefits. This can prove to be especially valuable to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Virtual Assistants services are offered on an as-needed basis or, for businesses with a greater need for assistance, in monthly packages. Services are offered “virtually,” from the VA’s own office, and contact is kept with their clients through phone calls, emails, and faxes. Because the VA never has to step foot in the client’s office, they can offer their services anywhere in the country. Although the hourly rate may seem expensive to some, it ranges from $35 to $40 an hour, it is far less expensive than maintaining a salaried employee. A monthly package of services is likely to be less than most administrators’ weekly salaries.

Assistant on the Go offers a wide range of services to their clients, from data entry and answering emails to helping with website maintenance. “We are whatever our clients need us to be,” adds Raquel Gray, Cam’s business partner. “Whether it is a customer service representative, a typist, or someone to schedule their meetings, all our clients have to do is contact us and we get it done. Big companies have called us for help on projects and small businesses use us for their everyday tasks. What we do depends on the needs of the client.”

Assistant on the Go has been in business, in some form, for over five years. Their client list includes an entertainment attorney, a creative design firm, and a construction company. But their services are not limited to business owners. Any individual or business professional in need of assistance on a project will benefit from their services. They also offer are a variety of personal Concierge services.

Assistant on the Go associates are available to their clients at all times. Contact Cam or Raquel to find out if their services are right for your business. Your initial consultation is free.