Many people associate a virtual assistant with traditional secretarial work. However, support from a virtual assistant can be provided in a wide variety of areas. Depending on the individual offer, previous knowledge and customer order, there are sometimes many different options to provide noticeable relief in everyday business life. In this article, VAStaff, a virtual assistant agency in the Philippines will breakdown what can a virtual assistant do.
Let’s begin.
1. Tasks related to administration and data entry
These are tasks that can be extremely time-consuming. So that you can concentrate on your day-to-day business, it makes sense to outsource this area.
2. Accounting
Maybe your VA is a real expert in accounting? If not, it is often enough to pre-sort the relevant documents in the first step and then pass them on to the accountant.
3. Call services
Your customers should be able to reach you easily. If you are not there, your virtual assistant can take over your phone. This way, callers always feel well looked after.
4. Maintain social media channels and plan posts
Social media channels are a wonderful interface to your customers. They should always be up to date and attractively designed.
5. Answer comments on Facebook, Instagram, etc.
Have your customers written a question under a post? Your VA will certainly be happy to answer it – and ideally promptly.
6. Correct texts
Many virtual assistants work as copywriters. They can therefore often proofread your own texts if you wish.
7. Get in touch with influencers/bloggers and initiate collaborations
Depending on the product, it makes sense to get in touch with influencers so that they can advertise for you. This way, you can often reach a younger target group.
8. Create a media kit
Your customers want to get to know your company! Ask your virtual assistant to create a meaningful media kit. All information should be presented “at a glance”.
9. Maintain or create databases
Regardless of whether it is customer or product data, you should not have to worry about “dead files”. Your VA can update your databases.
10. Check master data and re-enter it if necessary
Are all customer data and contact persons up to date? Here, too, it is worth checking regularly.
11. Translate texts
Many virtual assistants work as translators or have special language skills.
12. Create blog posts
A blog is a wonderful way to communicate with your customers and keep them informed about current news.
13. Order promotional materials
Whether it’s a pen or a button: advertising materials present your brand to the outside world.
14. Optimize texts for SEO
In order to be found on the Internet, your texts should be SEO-optimized (but still reader-friendly!). Maybe your VA is an SEO expert?
15. Prepare and keep an eye on the number of visitors to the website
Permanently declining visitor numbers should give you something to think about! It is best to ask your virtual assistant to react to downward swings and inform you accordingly quickly.
16. Email marketing
Many customers are grateful for regular news. Emails are considered particularly promising in many areas.
17. Create newsletter
Newsletters help you become a regular part of your customers’ daily routine.
18. Design flyers
Even in the virtual age, flyers are still “in”! – Especially when they are lovingly and meaningfully designed.
19. General customer service
Your virtual assistant should be able to act as a competent contact for your customers and business partners.
20. Schedule appointments
A shared calendar allows your VA to access your appointments and “schedule” you if desired, without you having to worry about time management yourself.
21. Create presentations
Do you want to express your words in pictures? Then simply have your VA create a corresponding presentation!
22. Acquiring customers
To grow your business, you should never rely solely on your existing customer base. Your virtual assistant can help you acquire them.
23. Answer/sort out mail
Even the “real” mail needs to be answered. A wonderful task for your virtual assistant. This can also sort out advertising and the like and thus provide more clarity.
24. Communicate with the press
Depending on your industry, communicating with the press may be part of your everyday life. It’s even better if your VA can take on this task for you.
25. Create press releases
A PM can help you to pass on current information about new products etc. to the press.
26. Ensure data security and create back-ups
Nothing is more annoying (and sometimes dangerous) than losing data. Your virtual assistant can take care of security backups and the like.
27. Book travel (including rental cars, flights, hotels, etc. )
Do you travel a lot? Let your VA book your trips!
28. Monitor the market and new trends
If you want to prevail over the competition, you have to observe the market and the corresponding trends. But that takes a lot of time. It’s even better if the VA takes care of exactly that.
29. Find new employees and arrange interviews if necessary
Especially if you have been working with your VA for a while, he or she will certainly know what you expect from a reliable employee.
30. Buy and manage office supplies
The fact that your VA is not in your office does not mean that he or she cannot take care of your office supplies. However, this requires reliable communication with each other.
31. Answer emails
The classic! If you answer emails quickly, you give the sender the feeling of being valued. Deleting spam can also help keep your inbox more organized.
32. Vacation replacement
Would you like to say goodbye to the “best weeks of the year”? Your VA can hold the fort.
33. Maintain or create an online profile
An up-to-date profile on career networks can make potential customers feel good.
34. Train new employees
Your VA can familiarize your new employees with the relevant processes in the company.
35. Design a logo
Is your VA characterized by a high degree of creativity? In this case, he may have ideas for a new company logo?
36. Wrap and send customer gifts
Gifts are often sent at Christmas or on special anniversaries. Your VA can take care of addressing and wrapping.
37. Send complaints to service providers and look for solutions together
Were you not satisfied with the service or a product? Ask your virtual assistant to contact the supplier in question.
38. Update telephone directories
Can customer XY still be reached under the “old” number? Sometimes it’s worth cleaning up telephone directories.
39. Plan company parties
Company parties are not only fun, but also need to be meticulously planned. Among other things, choosing the right location is crucial for a nice evening together.
40. Manage your budget
Your virtual assistant should keep an eye on your budget to monitor costs in different areas.
41. Keep customer birthday lists and remind them to send birthday greetings
Often a quick phone call is enough to put a smile on your customers’ faces on their birthdays. Your VA can keep a calendar and remind you.
42. Maintain supplier contacts
Your virtual assistant can accept offers from suppliers, invoices, etc.
43. Compare prices
Regularly comparing the prices of the goods you buy ensures that you do not put unnecessary strain on your budget.
44. Complaints management
A company should always respond to complaints quickly. Otherwise, customer satisfaction will quickly suffer.
45. Conduct surveys
What does your customer want? You can find out with a survey.
46. Feedback discussions
You want to know how satisfied your customer is with your products or your service? Ask your virtual assistant to conduct a feedback discussion.
47. Reduce fixed costs
Do you use a cheap electricity tariff? Does your cell phone contract suit your usage? It can be worthwhile to keep an eye on these classic fixed costs.
48. Settle travel expenses
You can claim a large part of the costs for business trips. Your VA can collect receipts and the like and then forward them to the accountant or tax advisor.
49. Interface between company or client and tax advisor
Does your tax advisor have questions about the use of the car, a specific receipt or an outgoing invoice? If your virtual assistant is informed and can access the relevant data, he or she is the first point of contact.
50. Book meeting rooms
Your office is too small for “large meetings”? Ask your VA to book other rooms.
However, these are just examples! The extent to which a VA can actually support his client depends on many factors, including budget, expectations and general workload.