Larry Bodine Law Marketing Blog : Law firm marketing, legal editor, legal marketing, attorney marketing, business development, marketing consultant, legal consultant, business development

Thanks to the Internet, an industry of virtual assistants has grown to more than 20,000 people. Virtual assistants are independent contractors who work remotely, usually their home or office, and support multiple clients in a variety of industries by providing administrative, creative, and technical services.

• 32% of the VAs surveyed charge $31-40 per hour for their services with the majority of VAs putting in 31-40 hours of work per week.
• They are much more skilled than typical assistants.
• Half of them their skills on the job, and they are fast learners.
• Using the web, one VA can help professionals across the country.

For example, my favorite VA for 10 years is Laura Kresich of Company Monkey Virtual Services in Chicago. She:

• Manages the river of email I get.
• Updates several client and email databases.
• Schedules appointments.
• Conducts market and other research.
• Proofreads transcripts, articles and proposals.
• Updates websites, an online store and a webinar site.
• Handles customer service with a smile, and importantly...
  
• Puts up with me. <grin>

She can be reached at companymonkeyvs@gmail.com and (773) 966-9273. Exemplifying the talent that's out there, she speaks French (she spent a year studying abroad at Université Paris Sorbonne) and has a Masters in Library and Information Science. She has access to my Google calendar and we stay in touch by phone, text and email.

A VA is ideal for a busy lawyer, marketer or consultant who needs a right-hand person, but because of lack of space needs to outsource their work. Being an entrepreneur is hard enough. Why not have a Company Monkey back you up?