Virtual Assistants: Frequently Asked Questions

Virtual Assistants: Frequently Asked Questions. If you’ve never worked with a Virtual Assistant before, it can be challenging to pin down exactly how they can support your business.

Especially as there are so many Virtual Assistants out there, all with different skills, niches, and specialist areas, knowing where to start when it comes to choosing the right Virtual Assistant for you can feel like a bit of a minefield.

With this in mind, we’ve popped together a list of our most frequently asked questions as Virtual Assistants. We hope it will provide you with all the information you need to get your Virtual Assistant journey off to the best possible start.

Virtual Assistant FAQs

1. What is a Virtual Assistant?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive as virtual assistants. The truth is, there are many different definitions depending on the type of virtual assistant you’re looking for. For us, we describe a Virtual Assistant as an external extension of your team. We work behind the scenes to support you with tasks like credit control, admin, data entry and content creation.

2. How can you effectively communicate with clients if you’re not in their office?

We offer a range of virtual communication methods so our clients can pick and choose how they’d like to communicate with us. Some prefer email, others prefer phone calls, whereas some consistently communicate through instant messaging apps like WhatsApp.

We also utilise shared documents when working on things like data entry or credit control so our clients can see our progress in real-time.

 The choice is yours – whatever works for you, works for us.

3. How many hours are you available for?

While this is one of the most frequently asked questions for Virtual Assistants, the answer will change depending on the virtual assistant you’re asking. However, one of the most valuable benefits of Virtual Assistants in general is our flexibility. Here at The Edwards Company, our packages range from ad-hoc hourly rates all the way up to 40 hours of monthly support and beyond. We tailor the hours we work for you to the number of hours you need us for.

4. Can I use a Virtual Assistant to combat staffing issues?

Definitely! Onboarding new in-house staff isn’t always possible due to covering extra costs like sick pay and holiday pay. However, you may find yourself in a situation where you still need an extra pair of hands. 

With Virtual Assistants, you only pay for the work we do. We’ll pick up any extra tasks that can’t be covered by your staff as and when you need us to.

5. How do I know my business is in safe hands?

Between our team members, we’ve racked up decades of experience in the Virtual Assistant sector and our specialist areas. We have confidentiality and insurance policies in place for each client we work with, so you can rest assured your business is in safe hands at all times.

6. Do you track the number of hours your work for us?

Always. We record start and end times, so each invoice is entirely accurate, and you’ll never pay for more hours than you need.

7. Who do you work with?

We work for a range of SMEs across various industries. They simply require external support to keep their business running smoothly and allow them to focus on aspects of their business that they want to grow.

Currently, the majority of our credit control clients are in industrial services, and our content creation clients mostly fall within the cleaning industry. Specialising in these two areas has allowed us to gain extensive knowledge of how these industries work, enabling us to provide solutions that guarantee optimum results.

8. What should I delegate?

While yet another question we frequently get asked as Virtual Assistants, again answers will differ depending on the type of business you’re running and the type of support you’re looking for.

Here at The Edwards Company, we’ve carefully selected our specialist areas based on the most common tasks our clients require support with. If you’re unsure, consider which tasks take up the most time or those you’d like to see removed from your to-do list. Credit control, admin, data entry and content creation are great starting points.

9. Do I need a Virtual Assistant?

A Virtual Assistant isn’t for everyone, but if you identify with the following criteria, then it could be for you:

• Keeping on top of administrative tasks is proving difficult but you want to avoid taking on extra staff
• You spend more time on behind the scenes tasks like credit control, content creation, admin and data entry than you’d like
• Spending time on other aspects of your business that will enable it to evolve and grow is something you want to focus more on
• You require specialist help with particular tasks

10. How do I start working with a Virtual Assistant?

The next step is to simply start. Give us a call; we’ll discuss your requirements, iron out the details and make a start on giving your business the support it needs.

Virtual Assistance at The Edwards Company

If the answers to our most frequently asked questions have left you wanting to give Virtual Assistance a go, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We specialise in the following areas:

• Credit control

  Perfect for keeping your accounts looking healthy. We’ll put steps in place to ensure payments are obtained on time, aged debt is avoided, and any built-up aged debt is reduced as much as possible.

• Content creation

  Creating content for your business is vital when it comes to gaining exposure, but it can also be time-consuming. Our content creation team are available to provide you with content that cultivates engagement and conversions, all while highlighting the unique selling points of your business.

• Data entry

  Data entry requires high levels of accuracy, something that can’t be achieved if you’re pushed for time. Our data entry experts are able to step in and complete your data entry tasks to the highest standard, with 100% accuracy each and every time.

• Admin

  We all know how much admin tasks can clog up your to-do list. Whether it’s managing your inbox, scheduling your social media posts, drafting letters, filing, or any other admin-based task you constantly find yourself struggling to fit into your busy schedule, our Virtual Assistant team can take care of it for you.

 Virtual Assistance isn’t for every, but it may be perfect for you. Check out our website for more detailed information on each of our services or get in touch for further advice and guidance – we’re looking forward to working with you!