What Are The Duties Of A Virtual Assistant?

Freedom Makers is comprised of virtual assistants who are passionate and qualified military spouses, ready to take on any tasks our clients may have. Our vetted virtual assistants are skilled and reliable and carry out the tasks assigned to them by their clients as if it is their duty. And, like the military culture they are steeped in, they take their duties very seriously.

VIRTUAL ASSISTANT DUTIES

The duties of a virtual assistant are wide-ranging and extensively varied. Some of those duties can include:

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  Originating or responding to emails and phone calls from customers.
• Organizing and consolidating calendars.
• Making and confirming travel arrangements.
• Scheduling meetings and appointments.
• Organizing files and documents as a company grows and scales.
• Making cold calls to generate leads.
• Interacting with customers on the client’s behalf.
• Conducting research to find contact details for potential clients and patrons.
• Preparing presentations.
• Managing contact lists and customer relationship databases.
• Onboarding new clients and customers. 
• Preparing data and sales spreadsheets.
• Assisting with legal research.
• Tracking billing entries and helping with invoicing.
• Performing market research and analysis.
• Producing and managing podcasts.
• Writing blog and website content.
• Creating visual and graphic content.
• Managing social media and outreach.
• Building and maintaining partner relationships.

To deliver the highest value to their clients, virtual assistants must have specific skills, must be purposeful and conscientious when conducting their duties, and above all, must care about their work - and about their clients - to the highest possible degree of professionalism.

WHAT VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS MUST HAVE

In order to execute their duties, all virtual assistants must have a computer and a reliable, fast internet connection. They also must have a quiet, dedicated workspace and professional decorum.

All virtual assistants must have a high school diploma or GED. Most virtual assistants (including those at Freedom Makers) have associate’s or bachelor’s degrees and/or advanced certifications. Virtual assistants must have some relevant and relatable professional experience to the role they will serve in their client/virtual assistant relationship. Virtual assistants must also be familiar with current workplace technologies like online calendars, word processing and spreadsheet programs, and document sharing applications. 

They must have stellar time management skills, along with excellent organizational and multitasking abilities. Virtual assistants must have the ability to work with limited or minimal supervision and still deliver their work on time and error-free.

HOW VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS MUST BE

There are several things a person must be in order to be a successful virtual assistant who can grow and stretch as their duties expand. Specifically, a virtual assistant must be enthusiastic about independent learning. Each client will expect their virtual assistant to adapt to their work environment and learn their company’s specific platforms and ways of operating. A virtual assistant must be willing and eager to train to new skills - or update outdated ones. Doing so will help them stay relevant and competitive.   

Virtual assistants must be flexible. Changing deadlines, fluctuating cash flows, increases or decreases in sales volume - these are the challenges many small businesses face as they gain a foothold in their marketplace. Being adaptable and resilient are vital components to building a successful virtual assistant career.

Virtual assistants must be clear and continual communicators with their clients to best carry out their duties. They must be curious! If there is a question or doubt, virtual assistants must be proactive in obtaining the answer and information to help them succeed. Virtual assistants must also be honest about their ability to perform the duties needed and exude confidence through proven success to get the job done.

Time is money! Virtual assistants must be transparent and track their progress for their clients. Keeping a log and providing a report will allow both the virtual assistant and the client to know where and how the virtual assistant’s time is being spent. The goal of a virtual assistant is to add value. Successful virtual assistants do this by focusing solely on the tasks at hand when they “clock in” and work without distractions. 

VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS MUST CARE

Perhaps the most crucial thing a virtual assistant needs in order to carry out their duties successfully is they must care. They must care about their client’s needs, and they should desire to contribute to the success of the company or entrepreneur. 

A virtual assistant can prove to be a vital contributor to any environment - even from a remote location. Completing the smallest of tasks with a keen eye for detail can be just as critical to a small company’s success as landing the next big client would be. Being accountable for the quantity and quality of the work produced for the client is an essential part of being a successful virtual assistant.

It is this type of care - this type of execution of duty - that we look for when we onboard military spouses as Freedom Makers. Our military spouse virtual assistants possess the passion, determination, and perseverance to work within dynamic and fluid circumstances. They show resolve and resourcefulness when executing their virtual assistant duties - handling problems for clients and working to discover solutions and workarounds to help build their clients’ business.

IN CONCLUSION

The duties assigned to a virtual assistant vary extensively depending on the needs of the client or entrepreneur. But to be a truly successful virtual assistant, one must do more than simply complete a list of compiled tasks. 

At Freedom Makers, our virtual assistants execute strong decision-making skills and are agile communicators. They can adapt to various work environments and continually level their skills by training to new platforms and software offerings. Freedom Makers add value and contribute to their clients’ successes because they feel a sense of responsibility and resolve to do the best they can at their assigned tasks. Because our mission is strongly aligned with the active-duty military and veteran communities, our virtual assistants always carry our core values into their work… not unlike the way uniformed servicemen and women uphold the standards of excellence expected of them.