Hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) versus an In-House Secretary can be beneficial to you in many ways.  If you are a small business owner, independent professional, or entrepreneur, it makes perfect sense.  I have already wrote an article on "Why Hire a Virtual Assistant over a Temporary?" for your short-term, office overflow, and other occasional projects. 

The following are my list of benefits you can have to hiring me as your VA:

• You'll Save Time - You can focus on the core of your business while I can help you with the more routine tasks.
• You'll Save Money - No need to worry about paying associated payroll taxes and benefits.  Please open my Cost Comparison Spreadsheet for more details.
• You'll Save Space -  I work from a fully equipped home-based office.
• You'll Have Access - You can travel with your business anywhere and work with me using the latest telecommunications technology.  My services are available across the nation and internationally.
• You'll Get Reliability - I will work hard to meet your needs efficiently, accurately, and professionally.  If there is a task that I am not familiar with, I will either work to learn it or use my networks to find someone that can.
• You'll Get Availability - I have extended business hours for evenings and weekends for your convenience (Mountain Time Zone).  This is a benefit to you as most VAs may only offer their services to you during regular business hours.
• You'll Get Partnership - While I consider myself to be a small business owner and independent professional, I will partner with you in your business to produce a quality product.  We can work together to harvest our businesses virtually!
• You'll Get Reasonable Rates - The first 30 minutes of consultations are always free.  You will not be charged for my time off task and personal breaks.  The supplies required to complete your project will be billed and subject to a ten percent mark up.  All work is guaranteed and you will not be charged for time needed to correct production errors.

Now... you may ask... how can I function as a Secretary for you as a VA?  A VA is not always a perfect fit.  It does depend on your needs.  For example, if you need help with physical filing, greeting, and answering phones, an In-House Secretary or Receptionist may be more appropriate.  At the same time, the following can be done easily from my home-based office:

• Word Processing - type and format notes; format drafted reports and documents.
• Data Processing - enter business card information into database; track customer due dates and mail correspondence; Excel spreadsheet development, diagram, and chart production; data entry to online databases; survey or questionnaire distribution, collection, and reporting; statistical or pricing comparisons.
• Training Preparation - PowerPoint presentation development.
• Mail Distribution - snail and email sorting, domestic mailing for international companies, bulk mailing.
• Internet - company promotion by submitting written articles to electronic newsletters, ezines, and blogs; blog maintenance; online sales (i.e., EBay, Craigslist, etc.).
• Personnel Management - review, rank, and resume reporting; employee file maintenance.
• General Administration - calendar maintenance and synchronization (task reminders, due dates, birthdays, anniversaries, appointments, etc.); order office supplies; document scanning; assist with office overflow.
• Travel Arrangements - coordinate air travel, car rental, and hotel reservations; obtain and verify directions to destinations.

I can use eFax.com for faxing, SharePoint for sharing and transferring files, and other services as needed.  Please contact me for an information packet that includes a brochure, menu of services, cost comparison spreadsheet, sample work-for-hire agreement, and my resume.