To understand how I help clients, you first need to understand what virtual assistance is.

The tongue-in-cheek answer is that it depends who you ask. Virtual Assistance is still a young industry and definitions of it abound. But since you're at my site, what I'll give you here is my definition of what a Virtual Assistant (VA) is and isn't, because that will give you some initial information to use in judging if we might be a good fit for each other.

A Virtual Assistant is a seasoned administrative professional who - as a business-owner herself - provides virtual, across-the-board, administrative support to a select few clients in long-term, collaborative relationships.

A Virtual Assistant is not someone who only provides a single service, such as copywriting, but does it remotely. A VA is not a remote employee. A Virtual Assistant is not providing a commodity; the service she provides is unique, because it encompasses the whole of her professional experience, work style, values, and critical thinking ability.

It's also important to understand that I firmly believe fit is the single most important factor in a genuinely great client/VA relationship. Because of that, my help actually starts before a business owner ever becomes a client. I have a four-step consultation process crafted to help me determine whether or not I'm truly the best solution for a prospective client. If at any point during that process I believe a prospect will be better served elsewhere, I'm very upfront about it - and I'll refer him or her to resources I think will be a better fit.

Once a client and I choose to work together, I share a time analysis tool with him or her. Tracking how the client is spending her time allows us to accurately pinpoint exactly how much is devoted to strategic functions and how much is taken up by routine tasks that someone else can handle and/or that the client finds draining. While it's by no means required for a client to utilize this resource, I've found that it helps us to make good, fact-based decisions right from the get-go about where I can best provide support that will quickly make a difference for the client. With my help, one client was able to gain 1.5 hours of additional billable time each working day while keeping the length of her workday the same.

I embrace robust communication standards, so that clients are never left wondering the status of projects. The majority of communication is accomplished well via email or collaboration software, such as Microsoft Groove.

While it's by no means exhaustive (if you're interested in something else, be sure to reach out about it), here's a sampling of services I provide for clients:

• InfusionSoft support
• 1shoppingcart.com support
• Newsletter formatting and broadcasting
• Responding to initial client inquiries
• Inventory management/product ordering
• Interface with fulfillment house
• For one client, I edit content and work with her design team to produce a bi-monthly, 20 to 30-page infoletter
• Website maintenance
• Draft marketing emails and website copy
• Set up and distribute teleseminar recordings

I believe in asking why a client wants to do something. Social media, for instance, can be a huge time sink if you aren't clear ahead of time about what you want it to accomplish for you. Knowing this will help me to help you develop strategies tailored to your unique goals.

I've deliberately chosen to keep my practice quite small, for some of the same reasons you're probably looking for a Virtual Assistant in the first place. I want to be able to give quality, focused service and still have a good work/life balance.

My fees are based upon my experience and the expertise that I have gained over the past eighteen years. My retainers start at a commitment of ten hours per month.

As I hope I've helped you see, at least by my definition, a Virtual Assistant isn't someone whose business is structured around project- or piece-work. However, if that's where your needs or desires lie, I can refer you to a good resource in Elance.

The first step I recommend is to get my free report, How To Choose The Right Virtual Assistant For YOU: An Insider's Guide.

OR, If you're curious to learn more, I invite you to come meet the woman behind the words.