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It seems the busier I get, the more I fantasize about having a staff to handle all of the “little things” that I need help with in my personal life or my business. While I can’t afford to have full-time staff members, I’ve found a wonderful alternative that is cost-effective, convenient and gives me the flexibility I need in my business.

For those of you who may not know a “VA” or “virtual assistant” is a professional who typically works from a remote location to complete tasks for their clients. Most VA’s that I know are able to do everything they need to do for their clients right from their homes.

Typical tasks a VA might perform include:

Word Processing
Mailing Services
Transcription Services
Making Travel Arrangements
Scheduling/Calendar Management
Personal Assistant Services
Event Planning
Email Management
Editing and Proofreading
Data Entry
Accounting
Press Release Writing
Article Writing

And specifically for Moms (and Dads!) with Internet based businesses:

Internet Research
Content Management
Search Engine Optimization
Graphic Design
Script Installations
Web Design
Article Submission
Affiliate Program Management

Virtual Assistants are professional “task attackers” which is an area that I am happy to outsource. Typically, VA’s work on a retainer agreement, agreeing to work a certain number of hours per month for an hourly fee. Many VA’s also work on a project basis as well.

The power of employing a virtual assistant is leverage. For a pre-determined fee, you are essentially able to multiply yourself and pass on the tasks that are perhaps repetitive or tedious or which require specialized training so that you can focus on your own strengths in your business.

If you love the look of a “to-do” list with everything crossed off, yet have never actually achieved that yourself, then you need a VA! So hire yourself a “task attacker” today!

Here are a few VA’s who are true professionals and ready to bring your business to the next level!

Gateway Virtual Services
Owner: Tracy Roberts

Top Three Tasks:
1. Blog Management, including recruiting writers & affiliates and customer service.
2. Headlines & PPC ads for sales pages.
3. Helping writers/blog owners come up with article ideas & titles so they’re never stuck with what to write when their creativity has shut down.
Visit Tracy at http://www.gatewayvirtualservices.com

Advantage Virtual Assistant
Owner: April Jones

Top Three Tasks:
1. Wordpress Setups
2. Press Releases
3. Transcriptions

About Me: “I am a single mom to 3 amazing kids and about to become a grandmother for the first time. I started my VA business after working at home as a transcriptionist for a year. In addition to my work, I also enjoy reading, blogging, and promoting various causes and awareness issues like juvenile diabetes, mental health, and effective co-parenting.”

Visit April at http://www.advantagevirtualassistant.com

Time Saver VA
Owner: Tricia Gardner

Top Three Tasks:
1. Article Submission
2. Content Management
3. Customer Support

About Tricia: Tricia Gardner has been in the administrative and small business field for over 10 years. She has been an entrepreneur herself for many years, running a small business from her home. The knowledge gained about what it takes to succeed in business is why she decided to start the Time Saver VA. She wants to help other work at home professionals get the most out of their business by utilizing the power of outsourcing administrative tasks to a Virtual Assistant.

Visit Tricia at: http://www.timesaverva.com

DPK Virtual Assistant Services
Owner: Dawn Papandrea-Khan

Top Three Tasks:
1.  Website / Blog Online Marketing
2.  Desktop Publishing
3.  Personal Assistant Services

About Dawn: “I am a “Jack of all Trades” and a women of many talents.  I have a great passion for research and creative design. I enjoy finding ways to improve the businesses of others through website optimization, linking and social networking.  I am always on the cutting edge in the internet world, meeting people and building online relationships to further educate myself and my clients.  I can easily provide the professional quality work required to represent my clients in a positive way.”

Visit Dawn at: http://www.dpk-virtualassistant.com

 

Buckeye V.A.
Owner: Stephanie Fish

Top Three Tasks: 1. SEO
2. Research
3. Marketing

About Stephanie: Stephanie Fish, owner of Buckeye V.A. offers virtual assistance in marketing, research, and SEO to small business owners who are ready to take that next step in business. To learn more about outsourcing and building your business team, be sure to sign-up for our newsletter at www.buckeyeva.com

 
 Multimedia VA
Owner: Christina Lemmey

Top Three Tasks:
1. Podcast Production
2. Voice-over Recordings
3. Article Writing

About Christina: “When you ask someone what qualities they look for in a VA, they usually say “someone who works quickly, who can take a project and finish it independently, and someone who’s honest and won’t bilk me for loads of money.” These are exactly the qualities that I live by. Add to those my attention to detail, dedication to good customer service, and high quality expectations and you have a VA you can trust with both large and small projects. If I don’t know the answer to a question or how to do a particular project, I will be honest and find someone better suited to the task. I’m not willing to risk my reputation or that of my clients by producing shoddy work.”