Which Is Better? Virtual Assistant vs Personal Assistant
“I have an unbelievable assistant who handles all of my scheduling! It’s like a Tetris game.”
That’s Neil Patrick Harris for you. And we couldn’t agree more. And there are Tetris and administrative pros that will take your business to new heights.
The Outsourcing Institute states that almost 80% of “businesses believe that outsourcing personal assistant tasks helped them improve overall activity.”
Moreover, you can expect a decrease of 78% in operating expenses when you hire a virtual executive assistant instead of someone in-house.
But there is more thought that goes into that decision. She’s A Given will guide you through this debate.
CHECK OUT: 7 BENEFITS FOR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES
Definition of Personal Assistants and Virtual Assistants
First, a simple definition: A personal assistant is an administrative assistant working exclusively for one person.
Meanwhile, a virtual assistant provides professional administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients from a remote location.
Similarities between Personal Assistants and Virtual Assistants
The similarities between a personal and virtual assistant are basic administrative duties, but we all know there is more to it than that.
As we dive deeper into what personal assistant vs. virtual assistant tasks looks like, we start to see the differences.
Personal Assistant Duties
A personal assistant is linked to just one person. This allows them to focus on this individual only (e.g., a CEO or other executive).
Personal assistants help to lighten the workload of the executive they support; they help with time-consuming tasks that don’t necessarily require the executive’s expertise.
Typically, personal assistants are in-person employees who can pick up mail, make copies, sit at a desk in front of your office, or run personal errands like bringing coffee or picking up/delivering your dry cleaning.
Virtual Assistant Duties
Virtual assistants can be linked to one person the same way a personal assistant can, or they can be multi-functional.
Virtual assistants can manage your calendar, coordinate meetings for you and your team, and manage your inbox. Virtual executive assistants can support you beyond basic needs.
They usually have specialized skills. You can hire a virtual assistant for your primary administrative needs but also look for opportunities for further delegation, including things like graphic design/marketing, social media management, and project management.
Differences in Personal Assistant and Virtual Assistant Skill Sets
Now that we know some fundamentals of personal vs virtual assistants, let’s take a look at their skill sets and what each role needs and offers.
A personal assistant’s skill set can include:
Scheduling meetings and managing calendars
Proper phone etiquette—answering calls, responding to emails, and taking messages
Taking meeting notes
Helping with daily time management
Planning travel and coordinating events
Understanding products like Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
Running personal errands by request
A virtual assistant’s detailed skill set can include:
Scheduling meetings and managing calendars
Responding to emails, ghostwriting, proofreading, and/or preparing documents
Managing time and projects
Utilizing specialized skills in social media management, graphic design, marketing or travel, and event planning
Knowing how to use multiple technology platforms (G-Suite, Microsoft Office, project management tools, Outlook, and a large variety of Apps)
Take a moment and reflect on what a day in your life would look like if you hired each kind of assistant. Filling an assistant role in your business will allow you to find time for yourself and time to reflect on your future business ventures.
Proper support from an administrative assistant will give you more personal time and help you avoid burnout.
Let’s call it the era of the personal assistant.
Why? Because assistants are no longer reserved for a selected few individuals. Personal virtual assistants are now available for everyone.
Overall, the increasing popularity of virtual assistants in our personal lives reflects our desire for more efficient and convenient ways to manage our daily tasks and responsibilities.
What Is A Personal Virtual Assistant?
A personal virtual assistant is a skilled pro who provides personal support and assistance remotely to individuals or businesses through various digital channels.
This can include emails, videos, and messaging services.
These assistants are typically trained in a specific area but can offer numerous services not confined to particular tasks.
Still, calendar management and administrative support are some of the more common things outsourced to a virtual assistant.
A virtual personal assistant offers on-demand expertise, generating many benefits for private individuals. Let them be your gatekeepers and take care of high-profile decision tasks.
What’s the Fuss All About?
In a word: Flexibility.
In another word: Freedom.
Virtual assistants make it super easy for individuals to get things done.
They give their clients the flexibility to get assistance whenever needed. Hired for specific projects or for general tasks on an ongoing basis, personal virtual assistants are your go-to pro.
Everyone is busy, so everyone deserves to get a little assistance. Ultimately, adding flexibility to your life gives you the freedom to create more of what you want, which often includes making more money.
A personal virtual assistant can be crucial for anyone. Basically, it is anyone who has a demanding schedule and commitments. VAs are not reserved for the C-suite.
Virtual executive assistants have the capacity to handle complex travel itineraries, book appointments, and manage all communications, including social media.
They will take some of the stress and provide you with tools to navigate your busy days.
Managing a family is essentially like managing a business operation. A personal virtual assistant can be a game-changer.
They can help with simple tasks like online grocery shopping, meal planning, and scheduling all family appointments.
Families are often confronted with crazy schedules, and any way to reduce stress can provide more quality time.
The Bottom line
You should get a virtual assistant!
She’s A Given
At She’s A Given, we only work with college-educated and hand-selected virtual assistants prepared to deliver on our promises.
We ensure top-quality service and look forward to talking to you about your virtual personal assistance options.
Book your Discovery Call with us today.
Every individual deserves some extra help.
Whether you are a CEO or a stay-at-home parent, a She’s A Given virtual personal assistant will add more value to your day.
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No, a virtual assistant is not the same as a personal assistant. A virtual assistant is a self-employed individual who provides various services remotely, usually online, while a personal assistant provides services in person.
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The top three fields for virtual assistants are customer service, administrative support, and social media management. Other areas of expertise can include marketing, writing, web development, and data entry.
