• The Media
• Virtual Assistants (current and aspiring)
• Businesses Who Work With Virtual Assistants 

1. What is a Virtual Assistant (VA)?

A VA is a home-based independent contractor (self-employed) who handles non-core business support needs from a distance via email, fax, telephone, etc.

VAs, like many of their clients, are the CEOs of their own companies. Often, they become the long-term "growth partners" of their clients, providing administrative support, bookkeeping, scheduling and client contact, or other more-specialized support such as Web site maintenance and market research.

2. What kind of services do VAs offer?

VAs now offer over 80 varieties of expertise, ranging from basic word processing to high-end corporate consulting. Here's a sampling:

Academic Writing, Accounting Services, AudioVisual Production, Business Coaching, Business Plan Writing, Business Writing, Collection Services, Competitive Research, Concierge Services, Database Management, Desktop Publishing, Document OCR/Scanning, Editing/Proofreading, Entertainment Industry, Event Planning, Expertise in "Foreign" Markets, File Conversion, Fundraising, General Transcription, Gov’t. Procurement Expertise, Grant Proposals, Graphic Design, Graphic Scanning, Growth Advisory Services, HR Expertise, Insurance Broker/Agent Support, Internet Research, Interpreting, Import/Export Support, Intranet Development/Management, Legal “Secretarial,” Legal Transcription, Litigation Support, Live Phone Answering for Clients, Mailing Services, Marketing/Advertising, Market Research, Medical Transcription, Multilingual, Multimedia Presentation, Nonprofit Support Services, Office Management, Paralegal Services, Payroll Services, Phone-in Transcription, Private Investigation Support, Programming, Public Relations, Realtor Support, Resume Writing, Spreadsheets, Statements/Billing, Systems Management, Technical Writing/Editing, Translating Services, Voice Services (Greetings, Events), Voicemail for Clients, Web site Design, Word Processing

3. What’s the difference between VAs and “temps”?

There are several fundamental differences between VAs and temps. First, VAs are independent contractors (self-employed), while temps are the employees of the staffing agencies who place them. More importantly, VAs are often the long-term “growth partners” of the businesses and independent professionals who hire them, with a direct stake in their clients’ success. (VA workflow generally increases as client operations expand.) Finally, temps are usually engaged on a brief or transitional basis, while VAs typically work with their clients “over the long haul.” 

4. How Much Do VAs Charge?

VAs generally charge by the hour, at rates ranging from US$20-45, depending on the expertise required. As with salaries, the lower end of the range would apply to basic word processing and similar administrative tasks, the higher end for more specialized services such as Web site design or legal "secretarial" assistance. Fees would be higher of course for legal research, public relations work, or corporate consulting. 

Though these rates may seem substantial at first glance, they appear much more reasonable when compared with the "real cost" of employees: statistics show that employees actually cost 2 to 2 1/2 times their rate of pay when their full costs are included: FICA, FUTA, SUTA, Medicare, workers comp, administrative costs, recruitment, base salary, benefits, office space and furnishings, equipment, etc.

VAs offer other savings as well. Studies consistently show that home-based workers are significantly more productive than office-based personnel. Hiring independent contractors also avoids the risk of lawsuits, OSHA requirements, and various other legal and regulatory issues that apply to the employer-employee relationship. 

5. What kind of businesses hire VAs?

At present, VAs are typically used by smaller businesses and independent professionals, such as insurance agencies, Realtors, professional speakers and trainers, smaller law firms and solo practitioners, etc.

6. How many people are working as VAs?

We currently estimate that approximately 5,000 individuals internationally are using the term “Virtual Assistant” to describe their businesses. Of course, the overall number of home-based individuals offering business-support services virtually - ”temps,” freelancers, call center contractors, etc. - is much higher. 

(A recent study by the International Telework Association & Council, for example, indicates that 16.5 million teleworkers in the US alone are self-employed.  “Free agent” expert Dan Pink estimates that 33 million Americans are now “working for themselves.” With broadband Internet present in over half of American homes, such numbers suggest that the “virtual career” trend is probably much larger than has been officially estimated.) 

7. What are the origins of the VA industry?

Staffcentrix co-founder Christine Durst is generally credited with having founded the VA industry in 1995, from her home in rural Connecticut. At that time, Chris was the CEO of MyStaff.com, which became one of the Internet's most successful Virtual Assistant practices, with clients drawn from the first wave of businesses in North America and Australia migrating to the Web.

During the operation of MyStaff, Chris received so many inquiries from would-be Virtual Assistants that she decided to open a company to train Virtual Assistants. Partnering with a client, former Wall Street attorney Michael Haaren, Chris co-founded Staffcentrix in 1999. 

Knowing that the young industry would need regulation and governance to grow properly over the long term, Durst and Haaren launched the nonprofit International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA) simultaneously with Staffcentrix. IVAA, which Durst and Haaren turned over to its members shortly after its founding, has since grown to become the robust parent organization that  Durst and Haaren envisioned, with an active and expanding membership of VAs  drawn from around the world. 

8. What are Military Spouse Virtual Assistants, or “MSVAs”?

MSVAs are active-duty military spouses who are also Virtual Assistants. Many MSVAs (though not all) are graduates of Staffcentrix’ Portable Career & Virtual Assistant Training Program™, which is now available at bases throughout the US and internationally.

9. What does Staffcentrix do?

Staffcentrix is a workforce training and development firm specializing in Internet-enabled, home-based employment solutions. Among Staffcentrix’ training services is its Portable Career & Virtual Assistant Training Program™ (the first large-scale portable career training program ever provided to military spouses), which is now available at bases throughout the US and internationally. Among its other publications (all of which concern virtual, home-based work, and often its relationship to individual and family health), Staffcentrix is perhaps best known for The Rat Race Rebellion, its popular weekly newsletter of screened, legitimate telework and freelance jobs. 

10. Does Staffcentrix certify Virtual Assistants?

No. Staffcentrix certifies that individuals have completed its training programs, and certifies trainers to deliver its programs. Since Virtual Assistants offer more than 80 areas of expertise, Staffcentrix believes that skill-specific certifications, offered by such organizations as Brainbench, are the most meaningful to prospective hirers. An example may illustrate: Virtual Assistant John Doe offers language translation, bookkeeping, and database programming services. Staffcentrix is not qualified to certify John Doe in any of these competencies.

11. What other organizations besides Staffcentrix offer training for Virtual Assistants?

A number of community colleges have begun to offer Virtual Assistant training programs, and training is also offered remotely by such companies as AssistU. Information about the Virtual Assistant industry generally can also be found at the Web site of the International Virtual Assistants Association, at www.ivaa.org.

12. Who should I contact for more information?

For more information, contact Media@NOSPAMstaffcentrix.com (REMOVE "NOSPAM" from address)

13. How many members are there in the Staffcentrix online Community?
Staffcentrix is the world's largest community of virtual assistants with a membership of over 2,500 VAs hailing from around the world. (August 4, 2005 membership count: 2,569.)

14. At which Military installations has Staffcentrix certified trainers to deliver their training program?
Through our intensive T3 Program™ (Train-the-Trainer), Staffcentrix has certified spouse employment professionals from military installations around the world to deliver our Portable Careers & Virtual Assistant Training Program™ to active-duty US Military Spouses at the following bases [numbers in ( ) indicate multiple trainers certified]:
 

Additionally, Staffcentrix has delivered this training program to groups of spouses at:  Cannon AFB, Peterson AFB, Fort Carson, Fort Eustis, Fort Knox, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Tinker AFB, NAS Brunswick, and Subase New London.
 

FAQs for Virtual Assistants (current and aspiring)

1. How do I become a Virtual Assistant?
Individuals may become a Virtual Assistant through training or self-education, or a combination of the two. While we don’t recommend that people launch a VA business without training - self-employment and running your own business are much less risky if you can get face-to-face guidance from experts and peers before you make the leap - a number of successful Virtual Assistants have learned by trial and error. 

2. I'm a military spouse. Can I get Staffcentrix Virtual Assistant training at my base?
The Staffcentrix Portable Career & Virtual Assistant Training Program™ is available at military bases nationwide and internationally, but not every base offers training. Contact your base family center to see if our Program is offered. 

If our Program is not offered, please refer your spouse employment advisor to http://www.msvas.com/SEPTraining.htm to arrange for training at your base. 

3. How much does Staffcentrix Virtual Assistant training cost?
Staffcentrix Virtual Assistant training costs nothing for active-duty US military spouses. These training programs are typically paid for by the on-base family centers (spouse employment programs), however, they have also been brought to various installations with funding from the Department of the Army and Air Force Aid Society. 

4. I'm not a military spouse. Where can I get Virtual Assistant training?
A number of community colleges have begun to offer Virtual Assistant training programs, and training is also offered remotely by such companies as AssistU. Information about the Virtual Assistant industry generally can also be found at the Web site of the International Virtual Assistants Association.

5. My spouse is a veteran. Can I get Staffcentrix Virtual Assistant training?
While we would like to be able to offer Virtual Assistant training to all members of the military family, the Staffcentrix Portable Career & Virtual Assistant Training Program™ is currently limited to active-duty military spouses. 

6. I'm a Virtual Assistant, but not a military spouse. Can I join your online community?
Unfortunately, no. Our community of Military Spouse Virtual Assistants is restricted to active-duty military spouses. However, the Virtual Assistant industry does include other active online communities, such as that hosted by the International Virtual Assistants Association. Please see www.ivaa.org for details. 

7. Does Staffcentrix sell books for Virtual Assistants?
Staffcentrix founders Christine Durst and Michael Haaren (Staffcentrix CEO and COO, respectively) have written the first mainstream book on Virtual Assistance, The 2-Second Commute: Join the Exploding Ranks of Freelance Virtual Assistants, available from Career Press this coming Spring. (Ordering information will be available shortly here.)

Staffcentrix also publishes a weekly newsletter of screened telework and freelance jobs, The Rat Race Rebellion. For more information, click on http://www.2secondcommute.com/RRRWB_IE.htm.

8. Can Staffcentrix help me get work?
If you are an active-duty military spouse, and a member of www.msvas.com, you are eligible to list your Virtual Assistant business in our online directory and receive Staffcentrix RFPs (Requests for Proposals). While it's our hope that each member of the Staffcentrix community will receive many referrals - via the Membership Directory and the RFP System - we cannot guarantee referrals for any VA, nor can we guarantee that an interview or job offer will result from any referral. 

Staffcentrix also publishes a weekly newsletter of screened telework and freelance jobs, The Rat Race Rebellion. For more information, click on http://www.2secondcommute.com/RRR.htm. 

9. Can I work for Staffcentrix?
While we do appreciate your interest in working for us, Staffcentrix is not accepting additional resumes at this time. 

10. What is the Staffcentrix RFP (Request for Proposal) Service?
The Staffcentrix RFP Service is a tool for businesses to find qualified Military Spouse Virtual Assistants (MSVAs) for assignments and ongoing workflow, and to supplement the marketing efforts of Staffcentrix MSVAs. The service is offered to hiring companies at no charge. 

To use the service, the company or individual simply fills out an online form, which then generates a query (or RFP) to members of the Staffcentrix MSVA community. Military Spouse Virtual Assistant community members who meet the company’s specifications then respond to the company directly. (Staffcentrix does not “match” Military Spouse Virtual Assistants and clients, and receives no fee for the MSVA RFP Service.) 

11. Does Staffcentrix receive a portion of the fees that Military Spouse Virtual Assistants earn from their clients?
 No. (To explain, Staffcentrix is not a “temp” agency, but a training and development company.) 

FAQs for Businesses 

What is a Virtual Assistant?
What kind of services do Virtual Assistants offer?
How do Virtual Assistants handle workflow?
How can a Virtual Assistant help my business?
How much do Virtual Assistants charge?
How do I find a Virtual Assistant?
What kinds of businesses hire Virtual Assistants?
How can I evaluate a Virtual Assistant’s professionalism?
Does Staffcentrix screen the VAs in its database?
How long has Staffcentrix been in business?
 
 

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A Virtual Assistant is a home-based independent contractor (self-employed) who handles non-core business support needs from a distance via email, fax, telephone, etc.

VAs, like many of their clients, are the CEOs of their own companies. Often, they become the long-term "growth partners" of their clients, providing administrative support, bookkeeping, scheduling and client contact, or other more-specialized support such as Web site maintenance and market research.

What kind of services do Virtual Assistants offer?

Virtual Assistants now offer over 80 varieties of expertise, ranging from basic word processing to high-end corporate consulting. Here's a sampling:

Academic Writing, Accounting Services, AudioVisual Production, Business Coaching, Business Plan Writing, Business Writing, Collection Services, Competitive Research, Concierge Services, Database Management, Desktop Publishing, Document OCR/Scanning, Editing/Proofreading, Entertainment Industry, Event Planning, Expertise in "Foreign" Markets, File Conversion, Fundraising, General Transcription, Gov’t. Procurement Expertise, Grant Proposals, Graphic Design, Graphic Scanning, Growth Advisory Services, HR Expertise, Insurance Broker/Agent Support, Internet Research, Interpreting, Import/Export Support, Intranet Development/Management, Legal “Secretarial,” Legal Transcription, Litigation Support, Live Phone Answering for Clients, Mailing Services, Marketing/Advertising, Market Research, Medical Transcription, Multilingual, Multimedia Presentation, Nonprofit Support Services, Office Management, Paralegal Services, Payroll Services, Phone-in Transcription, Private Investigation Support, Programming, Public Relations, Realtor Support, Resume Writing, Spreadsheets, Statements/Billing, Systems Management, Technical Writing/Editing, Translating Services, Voice Services (Greetings, Events), Voicemail for Clients, Web site Design, Word Processing

How do Virtual Assistants handle workflow?

VAs handle work through email, “snail mail,” fax, courier, instant messaging services (e.g., ICQ and commercial services), diskette transfer, telephone, Web site applications, etc. 

Back to top

What’s the difference between VAs and “temps”?

There are several fundamental differences between VAs and temps. First, VAs are independent contractors (self-employed), while temps are the employees of the staffing agencies who place them. More importantly, VAs are often the long-term “growth partners” of the businesses and independent professionals who hire them, with a direct stake in their clients’ success. (VA workflow generally increases as client operations expand.) Finally, temps are usually engaged on a brief or transitional basis, while VAs typically work with their clients “over the long haul.” 

How can a Virtual Assistant help my business?

In a nutshell, Virtual Assistants take on non-core tasks that rob you of time, energy and money, and free you to concentrate on the revenue-producing activities that you need to be doing to grow your business. As independent contractors, Virtual Assistants are also a more cost-effective solution than employees (who generally cost 2 to 2 ½ times their annual salary, when vacation, sick leave, insurance and other benefits, physical office space and equipment, etc. are taken into account), and are paid only for time-on-task. As business owners themselves, Virtual Assistants understand your business goals and priorities, and many quickly become the long-term growth partners of their clients. 

How much do Virtual Assistants charge?

VAs generally charge by the hour, at rates ranging from US$20-45, depending on the expertise required. As with salaries, the lower end of the range would apply to basic word processing and similar administrative tasks, the higher end for more specialized services such as Web site design or legal "secretarial" assistance. Fees would also be higher of course for legal research, public relations work, or corporate consulting. 

Though these rates may seem substantial at first glance, they appear much more reasonable when compared with the "real cost" of employees: statistics show that employees actually cost 2 to 2 1/2 times their rate of pay when their full costs are included: recruitment, base salary, employment taxes, mandatory insurance, benefits, office space and furnishings, equipment, etc.

Virtual Assistants offer other savings as well. Studies consistently show that home-based workers are significantly more productive than office-based personnel. Hiring independent contractors also avoids the risk of lawsuits, OSHA requirements, and various other legal and regulatory issues that apply to the employer-employee relationship. 

How do I find a Virtual Assistant?

Staffcentrix maintains an extensive database of Military Spouse Virtual Assistants from all over the world. Using our free search feature, all you have to do is list your requirements, hit "Submit," and in a few seconds you'll have a list of all the Virtual Assistants who match your criteria.

You can then query automatically all or some of the Virtual Assistants listed, or find out more about them through their profiles and Web sites, and contact them individually.

You may also use our Request for Proposal Service, at no charge. To do so, simply fill out an online form, specifying your requirements. When you submit the form, it will generate a query (or RFP) to members of our MSVA community. Military Spouse Virtual Assistants who meet your specifications will then respond to you directly, and you can select the MSVA who best meets your needs. (Staffcentrix does not “match” Military Spouse Virtual Assistants and clients, and receives no fee for the MSVA RFP Service.)

What kinds of businesses hire Virtual Assistants?

Virtual Assistants, for the present, are typically used by smaller businesses and independent professionals, such as insurance agencies, Realtors, professional speakers and trainers, smaller law firms and solo practitioners, building contractors, engineers, architects, consultants, therapistx, authors, publishers, trainers, wedding planners, coaches, etc.

How can I evaluate a Virtual Assistant’s professionalism?

There are several ways to gauge a VA's professionalism. For example:

• - Many VAs will offer an initial hour or two of services at no charge. Test them with a short project and evaluate the results. 
• - Spend time on the Virtual Assistant’s Web site. Check for typos and bad grammar, or accomplishments, participation in the VA profession, and published articles. 
• - Does the VA belong to a professional group, such as the International Virtual Assistants Association?
• - Does the VA possess any professional certifications or awards? 
• - Ask for client references and check them.
• - Call the VA and conduct a phone interview.

Does Staffcentrix screen the VAs in its database?

While we have every confidence in the VAs in our community, we have no means to independently verify the core competencies of our many members. As with physical interviews, our online community is essentially a forum where "buyers" and "sellers" meet, and each is free to make his or her own decisions about the hiring process. However, if you should have an unsatisfactory experience with a VA listed on our site, we would certainly like to know about it. (We reserve the right to take action at our discretion.)

How long has Staffcentrix been in business?

Staffcentrix was founded in 1999 by CEO Christine Durst and COO Michael Haaren, and is headquartered in Woodstock, Connecticut, the birthplace of the Virtual Assistant industry.