Virtual Assistant Questions & Answers
If you are thinking about hiring a virtual assistant, most likely you will have questions as to how we work and what we can do for you. Feel free to email or call (+ 351 965 454 775), or Skype coimbragirl. 
If you know what your current problems or concerns are, filling out & return this form and we can get started on supporting you and your business right away.
You also might like to look at these FAQs, too:
- What is a Virtual Assistant (VA)?
- Why Use a VA instead of hiring a temp?
- And what about hiring a VA instead of a full or part time employee?
- What type of services are offered by VAs?
- How much do you charge?
- Is there a minimum amount of hours that I have to sign up for?
- You aren't local. Is that a problem?
- Will working with a VA work for me?
- Tell me more about Red Box Virtual Office
Virtual Assistants perform and provide a wide range of services. In the office world, VAs would be known as Personal Assistants or Office Managers. Back to Top
Why Use a VA Instead of a Temp?
Unlike your average temp worker, provided by an agency, your VA works for you. A VA is interested in your business success, because when you succeed, so do we! Virtual Assistants depend on work from other businesses and referrals from their clients. It is not in our interest to give poor or low quality service to a client.
There's also the possibility that each time you need an extra pair of hands in the office, the agency will send you a completely different temp and you will need to start from scratch with them. Regardless of when you call on your VA, we will be there for you and already know your routines and systems. Back to Top
And what about hiring a VA instead of a full or part time employee?
If you hire an employee, as an employer you are liable for employment taxes, work related benefits and social security payments. Also, you have to pay an employee for their holiday time, any time off sick and for the odd days when they're not performing at 100% , as well as finding space and equipment for them.
Hiring a VA means that you only have to pay for the agreed work undertaken. You only need to hire a VA as and when required, rather than having someone in the office who is only needed 30% of the time. VAs work flexibly, adapting to your needs and your timescale. Back to Top
What type of services are offered by VAs?
The use of virtual assistants grants access to a myriad of services. Some VAs are highly skilled in web or graphic design, others have a background within law firms or medical practices. Here at Red Box, we manage general correspondence or email management, transcriptions, event organising or travel planning, digital transcriptions, faxes and diary management, as well as managing web sites and blogs. We've even done voice-over work. If we don't have the skills or experience to suit your needs, we will refer you to someone that we think will fit the bill. Back to Top
VA charges vary from VA to VA and will depend on their experience and skill set as well as their location. A Portuguese virtual assistant may charge less than a VA in New York because the living costs are less, rather than because their skills are not up to speed.
At Red Box, our flat fee rate is €20/hour. We offer retainer rates, which usually work out cheaper. Contact us for details. Back to Top
Is there a minimum amount of hours that I have to sign up for?
No! Isn't that great? The wonderful thing about working with a VA is that you can hire us for just 2 hours, or for a few hours a week/month/year. It really is up to you. A solo-entrepreneur may wish to hire Red Box for 10 hours a month to sort through emails. A larger organisation may only need us at year end to take on the overflow of work at this time. You're the client, you can decide how many or how few hours you may need us for. Back to Top
You aren't local. Is that a problem?
The beauty of working with a VA is that all the work can be carried out remotely. Red Box can accept work by email, disc, or in the mail. Red Box is based in Central Portugal, so clients that are reasonably local to Coimbra can ask for a site visit. We've worked with clients in the USA (California, Texas, New Jersey), UK (London, St. Albans, Leicestershire), Portugal (Lisbon, Coimbra, Algarve), UAE (Dubai), and Australia (Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney). Flexibility is the corner stone of our work and if you're time zone isn't GMT, we can work to fit your needs. Back to Top
Will working with a VA work for me?
Most businesses benefit from working with a Virtual Assistant. If you are open to working in a new or different way, are confident in outsourcing and delegating tasks and recognise that a VA is a partner rather than an employee, then yes! If your first venture in to working with a VA doesn't match your expectations, try again. Back to Top
Tell me more about Red Box Virtual Office
Red Box Virtual Office is owned and operated by me, Emma Crabtree. You can view my profile here.
I have been operating Red Box Virtual Office since June 2005. I provide a number of individuals and SMEs with day to day administration support, such as call answering, managing emails, writing correspondence, internet research and web site maintenance.
My experience has been garnered mainly in not-for-profit organisations and small, private enterprises. Roles have included office management, PA to directors and partners, team co-ordinator and administrator, and have involved working with between 2 and 250 people.
As a client, you can expect my focus and dedication to your on-going needs; attention to detail in all work that is carried out for you; a willingness to learn and appreciate your way of working and an ability to be proactive and take the initiative where appropriate. Back to Top
