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Virtual Assistants

Copyright 2003-2008 Beth Mende Conny, WriteDirections.com. All rights reserved in all media.

The content of WriteResources™ may be forwarded in full without special permission provided it is used for not-for-profit purposes and full attribution and copyright notice are given. For other purposes, contact Beth Mende Conny at Beth@WriteDirections.com.

This is an absolutely shameless plug for someone I can't live without—my virtual assistant.

A virtual assistant (VA) is a professional assistant who works with you to provide administrative, marketing, bookkeeping and other support—without being physically present. My assistant, Shane Bowlin, for example, is in Florida, and I'm in Maryland.

VAs are a new kind of professional, and you'll see their presence growing along with the Internet. Some are graduates of professional training programs such as AssistU.com. Others have launched their careers on their own.

Not all writers need assistants, of course. I do, to help run my Web site, set up promotional appearances, work with clients, conduct research and hold my hand. Shane takes over where my skills end and energies wane. And even though we live some 1,300-plus miles away, phone and e-mail keep us linked.

You, too, may need a bit (or a lot) of help. And while it will cost you, it may prove to be an invaluable investment. Time is money, and as a writer you need time to make bucks.

Do your research when choosing one, however. Their skill levels, fees and specializations vary tremendously. My VA, for example, specializes in working with authors, musicians and public speakers. (See askshane.com.) Others specialize in a broad range of tasks, be they data entry, bookkeeping, customer relations, etc.

In addition to getting VA referrals from organizations like AssistU.com, you can go to sites such as Work-the-Web.com, which helps you identify the type of VA you need and ways to reach him/her.

Beth Mende Conny is the founder and president of WriteDirections.com. She has published more than four dozen books and collections, and helps individuals and businesses bring their projects to publication. She can be contacted at Beth@WriteDirections.com.