I’ve noticed a very disturbing trend on the web lately via various blog posts about the Virtual Assistant industry. It seems there are many business owners out there in fear of losing their VAs because they might up and quit or something else might happen. It seems that many look at having a VA for the short-term only. Why is this?
Virtual Assistants are not employees but many are talking about their VAs as though that’s what they are and yet, on the other hand they talk about short-term use.
It is REALLY important that people understand VAs are NOT employees. They are self-employed and are business owners. For the most part, the majority come from the corporate world with previous admin or secretarial experience, although many others have joined the industry now bringing their experience from a number of other industry backgrounds such as bookkeeping, desktop publishing, even accounting.
Working relationships for VAs should be considered a long-term thing, just as you would plan to have a Personal Assistant, however. VAs are not employees, but they are there for the long haul.
I have clients who have been with me well over 5 years and my longest-term for over 11 years. We’ve spent time getting to know each other’s businesses – they having learnt my capabilities, and me having learnt what their needs are. We discuss what needs to be done and explore how I can help them even further. I’ve become the backbone of their businesses (just as any admin support would be) and am very aware of how much I am needed. I need them just as much – after all without my clients, I wouldn’t have a business!
Looking for a VA is not about submitting a project for bids each time you have something you want done. It’s about getting support that can work alongside you and help support you in your business.
When seeking a VA make sure you look in the right places – amongst the industry based networks where the VAs get the support and training that’s needed for the industry. And you can be sure that there will also be back up support available through that network should your VA need some time off, or becomes unavailable for some reason. Things do change, VAs do move on, just as PAs do, but that doesn’t mean they should be considered as a once-off for an odd job here and there. VAs are there for the long haul.
Heather McMillan says
Kathie, I have nothing intellectual to add to the topic, because you covered it all very well. I just felt a strong need to add an AMEN to the end of it. So here it is–
AMEN!
Justine Curtis says
A great post Kathy, thanks. I agree that by far the majority of VAs are in it for the long haul and perhaps unlike employees, they have a vested interest in making your business sucessful because the busier you are, they more work you’ll send them.
Johnnie Ruth Hamill says
Have I told you lately how much I appreciate your postings? Well…I do…insightful, spot-on and just plain good reading!
Love ya,
Johnnie
Kathie Thomas says
Thank you ladies, so good to hear from you all. And Johnnie – ‘long time, no see’ – thanks for paying a visit.
I hope that those who have been blogging about the ‘short-term’ VAs see my post as well. 🙂
Lisa Beavan says
Couldn’t agree with you more Kathie. In fact I’m a VA to 2 inspiring women who are some time business partners and also work solo. We recently spent a day at a ‘retreat’ planning for the rest of the year and beyond. They make me feel included and appreciated. It’s been 5 years with one of them now and I haven’t looked back…
Karlyn says
Great article! I have a friend who I think would be great as a VA. I would like to help her get started, but I don’t know how. I wonder if you have any “Getting Started” type of article or help?
Kathie Thomas says
Hi Karlyn, I have a heap of posts on this blog relating to running a VA business and/or you can direct your friend to my website at http://www.vadirectory.net – if she clicked on ‘Join our Team’ she’ll find lots of information there as well. After she’s read through that information I would be happy to answer any questions she has via email.
Melodieann Whiteley says
Great post Kathie. And it’s not just VA’s. I have experienced the same myself. I have also heard the same from others who provide support to small businesses. They are brought on board for a few months and then when the immediate crisis is over, they are let go. Perhaps your comments will help others understand that we are here for the long haul and want to help make our clients more successful overall.
Ruby says
Many of them hire Virtual assistants for a short term.
many of my clients just come to me, if they have just one week’s task or so.
Ruby
Kathie Thomas says
Hi Ruby, thanks for dropping by. I get lots of ‘one-off’ jobs too, but I think they’re quite different. My main concern has been about people blogging or writing articles about losing their VAs, or having to keep finding new ones – almost like they don’t realise they can actually keep using the same one. All part of the education process I guess!