Virtual Assistant   n.

Any person who speaks your language, has the time, skill sets, and desire to help you with some aspect of your business that can be accomplished from a distance (typically online), in an ongoing way.

There are many advantages of using a Virtual Assistant over a traditional on-site one as follows:

On-Site Assistant

  

Virtual Assistant

Employee status means overall higher costs and liability (typically 2.5x actual wages paid)

  

Independent contractor status means lower overall costs

You must provide space and equipment

 

No additional infrastructure or equipment needed

Typically a commitment for a set number of hours per week

 

Easily and quickly scaleable both in numbers and skill sets and often no minimum hours

Small talent pool limited by geography

  Almost unlimited talent pool unrestricted by geography

Office distractions can reduce overall work efficiency

  No distractions lead to highly effective and efficient output