Blog

A Philippine Virtual Assistant’s Guide to Holidays 

Most Filipino professionals are excited for the holidays – extra days for the family and time off for a much-needed rest. And for those who work during these days, more money through double pay! However, this might not be the case for virtual assistants working with foreign clients.  

If this is your first time as a virtual assistant, here’s something to help you get prepared for dealing with the holidays. 

Time Shifts as a Virtual Assistant 

Working as a virtual assistant means you’re an extension of your client’s core team. This usually translates to following their operating hours (which is typically opposite ours) and holiday schedule. So yes, sadly, you might be missing out on local and national holidays in the process. 

But fret not, because that might also mean days off for you when it’s a holiday in your client’s country. Of course, provided they take that day off as well. 

Tips for Managing Holidays 

Check your contract for provisional leaves. 

Always review the provisions on your contract before signing the dotted line, as it tells you what you get upon being their virtual assistant. Depending on your employment, you might be getting some leave credits that you can use for local holidays.  

You can also take this time to negotiate with your client regarding your preferences, like holiday leaves or time off. We won’t recommend expecting much especially if it’s your first time as a virtual assistant, but at least the conversation is there for future discussions.  

File a leave or time off for holidays

If you have leave credits available, you can request for time off at least two weeks in advance. This will give your client time to set their schedule and get better chances of approval.  

Conversely, if your contract doesn’t offer leave credits at the moment, you can still request time off. However, keep in mind that approval isn’t guaranteed and that these are usually unpaid.  

Adjust schedule for holidays accordingly 

If taking time off for national holidays didn’t work out, take it like a champ and keep giving your best at work. Virtual assistants are known to roll with the punches, so to speak, and act as professionals even when the situation isn’t in their favor. After all, showing your client a great attitude and work ethic can be in your favor when appraisal comes. 

For times like these, we suggest moving any important events during your days off so you can still have some time with family and friends. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is key to enjoying the virtual assistant lifestyle.  

Working Smart, One Holiday at a Time 

Jumping into the virtual assistant field takes time for full adjustment, and dealing with schedule conflicts during holidays is one of them. Learning the ropes of the industry requires some sacrifice, including staying on the job during days when you’re usually out and about. Always remember to communicate with your client regarding holiday opportunities is a good way to check your options as you navigate your way towards success as a virtual assistant.  

Why Professional Virtual Assistants Do Better than AI

Artificial intelligence has certainly changed the game in many ways. From setting your alarm and calling a client from your phonebook to creating interesting images and analyzing market trends, it’s becoming a crucial part of any business.  

But with all the perks that AI offers business owners, will this technology completely replace human virtual assistants?  

Short answer: No, not by a long shot.  

However, for a detailed explanation, continue to read this article.  

The Power of the Human Touch 

AI can process complicated tasks at short intervals with results comparable to those of humans. However, professional virtual assistants have something AI does not: the human factor.  

What does this mean? 

While AI is smart and capable of handling various administrative tasks, it still can’t handle duties where human-level decision-making is required. Specifically, it struggles with integrating emotions and nuances when performing tasks, something that only a human can deliver. We call this the “human touch”. 

Human Factor in Action 

For example, a business needs to deal with a complicated customer that has the potential to be a great revenue source. AI will base its decision on analytics and trends, which could lead to ending the relationship with this customer. A professional virtual assistant, on the other hand, may find the silver lining and continue working with this customer, resulting in a positive for your company. Nuances like these greatly differentiate a VA and make them indispensable in a business’s success. 

This can be seen more in customer service or customer-facing tasks. With most companies using AI chatbots to communicate with customers, there’s still something about interacting with a human instead of a robot. Customers appreciate a company more when they can talk to a real person on the other line and know that a human is dealing with their concerns. 

AI is a Partner, Not a Competitor 

Another way to look at AI is not as a replacement for a VA, but rather as a reliable tool to enhance productivity and achieve greater output. Many VAs utilize the power of AI in their day-to-day tasks, from schedule management platforms to AI image generators for their next social media post.  

So, then next time you need assistance in managing your business, consider hiring a professional virtual assistant from Ijara Manila. We leverage our expertise and experience in the industry to set you up with the right VA for your business needs. Schedule a discovery call today to see how we can find you the right fit. 

Virtual Assistant Tips for Productivity and Time Management 

Many individuals want to transition to being virtual assistants nowadays. And with the perceived perks of the job, who wouldn’t want to be one? Working from home, flexible work schedules, and lucrative pay make being a virtual assistant a wonderful profession for anyone. 

But seasoned VAs know that it’s not all fun and games. It takes skill, tons of learning, and sleepless nights (literally) to be successful in this field. And we’ve prepared some helpful tips if you aspire to be a virtual assistant. 

Tip#1: A Smart Virtual Assistant Practices Time Blocking 

Handling a variety of tasks is like a juggler balancing multiple balls in the air – it may look easy but requires a lot of skill and planning. You might think that doing everything at once is good, but it can lead to mental stress that will hinder productivity. 

Time to discover the magic of ‘Time Blocking.’  This method revolves around segmenting your workday into blocks, where each block is dedicated to a set of tasks.  

So, for an 8-hour workday, you can allocate the first two hours for answering emails, calling back customers, and the like. The next two to four hours can be your time to work on bigger tasks, like creating content or managing customer accounts. Then the last two hours can be spent on project management and updating social media. 

Time blocking also includes setting your break times. Giving yourself breaks in between tasks can help in refocus during the shift and avoid burnout. Also, resting your eyes from time to time can reduce eye strain, especially since you’re in front of the computer for some time.  

Tip #2: Establish a Constant Work Routine 

Working from home as a virtual assistant can blur the lines between work time and personal time. Since you’re at home most of the time, it can affect how your mind processes the difference. It doesn’t help that many at-home VAs can work in their pajamas.  

This is where setting up a routing while working helps a lot in succeeding in this profession. Just like in the office setting, following a routine can get your tasks done faster and more efficiently. Plus, it makes the distinction between work and personal time clearer, reducing burnout and low productivity. 

One tip when it comes to this includes prioritizing tasks based on urgency, like responding to emails and scheduling posts at the start of the shift. Additionally, practicing the time-blocking method we discussed earlier maximizes your productivity while completing more tasks. 

Tip #3: Communicate, Communicate, Communicate  

While working remotely offers a wealth of perks, it also poses several challenges. One of which is getting quick feedback or answers from your client, which can negatively impact your productivity as a virtual assistant.  

That’s why we encourage constantly letting your client know if you have questions regarding the task or are unsure of how to proceed. Establishing good communication with your client not only helps in getting the task done but also shows the client your concern on properly doing things the right way. In the event of any delays in project completion, inform your client right away to set proper expectations and adjust when needed.  

Tip #4: Stay Updated with the Virtual Assistant Industry 

The virtual assistant industry constantly shifts to the needs of the market. Back in the day, all a virtual assistant needed was some basic computer skills, a good grasp of the English language, and knowing where to find a client. Nowadays, it takes a whole lot more to be a competent virtual assistant.  

To be a more viable virtual assistant, we recommend expanding your horizons and being on the lookout for new things the industry has to offer. Joining groups on social media that cater to virtual assistants can give you more insight into industry changes, along with helpful guidance on how to improve on the craft. 

It’s also good to train yourself with new skills, like web design, article writing, and basic bookkeeping. Having more skills at your disposal makes you indispensable to your client.  

There you have it, four tips from the experts on becoming a professional virtual assistant from Ijara Manila. We hope that these will inspire you to take a serious step into this industry and drive your career forward. 

How A Virtual Assistant Boost Businesses 

Customer support, telemarketing and writing with a man consultant doing remote work from his home office. Consulting, notebook and retail with an asian virtual assistant at work on a computer.

Any business owner can do with some help in handling their company, whatever industry you’re in. Whether handling your day-to-day activities, scaling your business, or just answering customer calls, it can be limiting if you do everything yourself. However, hiring full-time employees and setting up an office can significantly cut your business budget. 

Thankfully, virtual assistants are here to be your support. These remote professionals can take those tasks off your hands to let you do more for your business.  

This article will discuss what you get when hiring a virtual assistant. 

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant (or VA for short) is a skilled and talented professional who provides support to businesses or entrepreneurs from a remote location. Some may have a general set of capabilities, or a specific service offered (which we’ll discuss later), but what’s important is that they’re here to help.  

Now, you might be asking how a VA is different from a freelancer. While both work remotely and may have the same skillset, a couple of things separate these two: task load and pricing.  

Simply put, freelancers typically handle tasks on a project basis and charge per project, while VAs usually work and charge by the hour.  

Now that we’ve defined what a virtual assistant is, let’s dive deeper into the perks of hiring one (or a team) for your business. 

#1: Virtual Assistants Have Diverse Expertise  

Virtual assistants come in many shapes and sizes, each offering a set of skills that can match your needs. Many of them have been in their specific fields for some time, bringing tons of experience and understanding to the task at hand. 

Some of these services include: 

  • Administrative  
  • Bookkeeping and back office 
  • Cold calling and customer support  
  • Marketing and digital media  
  • Content creation and management 
  • And so much more. 

Securing a VA isn’t just hiring someone to help you, you’re sourcing an expert to streamline and strengthen your business. 

#2: Save on Overhead

Managing overhead can be a challenge for any business owner. The costs of maintaining an in-house staff, a brick-and-mortar office, and equipment will require a large capital, especially if you’re a start-up. And with the current economy, minimizing expenses can help stretch a business. 

But with a virtual assistant, you can drastically cut on their overhead while staying on top of their efficiency and productivity levels. VAs usually cost a fraction per hour while providing a similar amount of work as an in-house team. Plus, most already have a home office set up, saving you on office rent and buying expensive equipment.  

#3: Frees Time for What’s Important to You 

Small business owners usually spend up to half of their work week on their desks doing administrative tasks. Some studies show that checking and responding to emails, fixing their schedule, and managing paperwork take up at least a third of their time in the office. Imagine if you can delegate those tasks to someone competent, you’ll have more time to grow your business or spend more time with your family. 

That’s where a virtual assistant comes in. With a reliable VA managing your daily tasks, you don’t have to spend that much time on your desk, giving you more wiggle room to do more. It frees your schedule to meet up with clients, focus on specific projects, and even attend your kid’s little league game – all while making sure your business works like a well-oiled machine. 

#4: Widen Operations and Expand Offerings 

Diversity and expansion play a key role in growing a business. Tapping into a new section of your industry or optimizing your social media presence to reach more customers lets you bring more income that will take your business to the next level. 

Having a VA on hand lets you tap into your business’s full potential, thanks to its wealth of expertise and diverse skills. With a VA managing your support line, you can now address concerns 24/7 instead of just 9-5. And with an expert working on your social media, your posts can be more professional and captivating.  

What’s more, you even explore new businesses where you can flourish. Want to try rental property management or offer bookkeeping services? An expert virtual assistant can help you start that new business. 

Do More and Achieve More with a Virtual Assistant 

A virtual assistant is more than just a helping hand – they help scale businesses through their expertise. VAs can reduce expenses while maintaining the quality and productivity your business requires. Moreover, they allow you to diversify for more opportunities.  

Securing a professional virtual assistant is easy with Ijara Manila. We’re outsourcing experts dedicated to providing exceptional VAs that cater specifically to your business needs. Set a schedule today to learn more.  

Blog Post Title

What goes into a blog post? Helpful, industry-specific content that: 1) gives readers a useful takeaway, and 2) shows you’re an industry expert.

Use your company’s blog posts to opine on current industry topics, humanize your company, and show how your products and services can help people.