How Can Virtual Assistants Help Your Business?

Virtual assistants may be the answer if you're looking for a solution to help you with administrative tasks. They can handle a broad range of administrative duties, from customer service to managing data and assembling reports for clients.

They can also screen LinkedIn profiles, compiling a list of candidates that match your criteria. This reduces the time spent interviewing potential new employees.

Administrative

So, what’s the difference between virtual assistant vs. employee? Regarding back-office tasks, it's easy for entrepreneurs to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume. A virtual assistant can tackle administrative functions so the owner can spend more time on the bigger picture, such as strategizing for growth and conceptualizing new products and services.

VAs can help with various administrative duties, including filling out online forms and managing files. A VA can also perform initial research for crucial decisions, such as evaluating Software as a Service (SaaS) products. In addition, a VA can handle travel-related tasks such as booking flights and hotels, including arranging transportation like rental cars and rideshares if required.

Another essential task a VA can take care of is screening emails. By providing guidelines for what requires a personal response from the owner and what can be forwarded to a folder, a VA can save business owners valuable time by quickly responding to urgent requests and delivering non-critical emails to a separate folder.

Additionally, a VA can assist with other management-related activities, such as preparing reports and tracking Key Performance Indicators at predetermined intervals. They can also manage the company's calendar, schedule calls and appointments, and confirm meetings. With apps like Time Doctor, VAs can easily record their work hours and submit them to the client for payment.

Marketing

Many small business owners launch their businesses with high-minded visions and ambitious goals. Still, it can be challenging to maintain these lofty ambitions when tasked with day-to-day management tasks. Virtual assistants skilled in marketing can help your business by handling various marketing-related responsibilities.

For example, a VA can design and generate reports that track key performance indicators at predetermined intervals. This data can help you make informed business decisions that improve your bottom line.

They can also assist you in building a marketing strategy by creating infographics to communicate complex information in a visually appealing way that encourages engagement. In addition, they can help you develop a social media plan that reaches potential clients and builds brand recognition.

Another important task that a VA can handle is responding to customer feedback and concerns. If you neglect to respond promptly, consumers can lose confidence in your brand and eventually stop patronizing your products or services.

Virtual assistants can also support your sales team by coordinating and scheduling meetings with clients and prospects. They can manage email outreach cadences and assemble prospect lists using predetermined criteria. They can also perform extensive online research, locate new products and services, compile market data and statistics, and locate industry contacts. They can also prepare presentations, create strategic Instagram stories, and conduct other research to support your business's marketing efforts.

Customer Service

A customer-focused business should be able to respond to consumer concerns promptly and accurately. This can only be easy with a large team, especially as the business grows. Virtual assistants with experience in customer support can help you manage the increasing demands on your customer service department.

VAs can handle consumer concerns through email, phone, or live chat. They can help consumers resolve issues, offer guidance on products and services, or even assist with troubleshooting. They can also help compile frequently asked questions to include on your website.

When complex customer issues arise, a customer support virtual assistant can hand the conversation to a human agent. This helps keep customers happy by providing a seamless, efficient customer experience. This is a great benefit for businesses that operate 24/7 or for those that want to maintain a high level of customer service at all times.

Moreover, your virtual assistant can monitor social media for mentions of your business and step in when necessary to prevent trolls or other negative comments from damaging your brand. They can also provide detailed, easy-to-read reports and analytics of your business performance. This can help you identify areas for improvement or boost your sales. The key is to set clear expectations and goals with your VA from the start. You should also encourage an open line of communication to promote a positive working relationship.

Accounting

Entrepreneurs often launch their ventures with grand visions, but the never-ending daily responsibilities can bog down a company. The good news is that most of these mundane tasks can be delegated, saving entrepreneurs time and allowing them to focus on the business at hand.

From screening email messages and responding to client inquiries to managing your calendar and sending out invoices, there are many accounting-related tasks that virtual assistants can help you with. They can also assist you with logging expenses and creating reports that provide valuable insight into your company's financial health.

Another essential function that can save you significant time is screening phone calls and answering emails from potential leads. VAs are experienced in handling these inquiries, so they can efficiently filter out the important ones while directing non-critical emails to a specific folder.

Moreover, if you're looking to hire new staff for your company, VAs can help you find and interview qualified candidates by setting up interviews via Skype or Google Hangouts. They can also prepare and send out job descriptions to shortlisted applicants, and they can handle scheduling and logistical aspects such as providing travel assistance. In addition, they can book flights and hotels, if needed, leveraging their knowledge of various travel routes. This ensures that your employees can reach their destinations on time, even when traveling to locations across different time zones.