A Virtual Assistant, like many of their clients, is a highly skilled professional working as an independent contractor from their own home. Virtual Assistants use leading edge technology to communicate work assignments via the Internet, e-mail or disk transfer. Traditional methods such as regular mail and overnight shipping are also used. While most virtual assistants will never meet their clients, it is not unusual to find a VA providing pickup and delivery service in their local area. Many have found success in a combination of the two, local and virtual clients. And what is even more impressive, is that most VA's now realize the amazing power of the Internet and their client base spans globally.

The ultimate goal of VAs is to partner with their clients. By partnering the VA learns all they can about their clients' business to become a trusted and valued member of the team—an extension of their organization. At the same time, the VA only charges for time on tasks so it ultimately saves the client in overhead expenses while affording them the necessary time to take care of more business.

A perfect example of a Client/VA partnership is the sole proprietor; let's say a consultant, charges $400 an hour for his consulting services. The consultant is spending two hours a week preparing presentations, rummaging through paperwork, and sorting through the tons of email he gets on a weekly basis. Since the consultant is doing this work himself he is paying $400 an hour for these services when, in reality, it would benefit him to partner with a VA at a rate of $50+ an hour and save money a year. Plus, he could be generating more revenue because he would have more time available—consulting. See how it works? It's not difficult, but it can feel that way when trying to convince clients that they need you. As evidenced they can't afford NOT to have you on their team.

In addition to the financial rewards for the client, the following list reinforces to the client what they get in return for their investment. This list is just a sample and not meant to be all-inclusive. You need to customize your benefits and features lsit to reflect your service offering, ethics, and level of expertise in addition to your business goals and objectives.

- Personalized attention

- Exceptional service

- Experience in the latest technology

- A colleague to brainstorm ideas with

- No benefits/no equipment/no office space

- Accurate/professional/experienced

- Knowledge of the latest equipment

- Freedom to allow you to grow you business

- Pride in our profession

- An interest in helping them achieve growth in their business

- Specific knowledge of your niche

In closing, it's up to us as Virtual Assistants to get the word out and there's no better time than now. Get active and talk more, blog more, and just do more for this Virtual Industry that we are all so proud of.