Virtual Assistant Services
What is a Virtual Assistant (VA)?
A virtual assistant is a skilled independent contractor who works from home, offers specific (or niched) remote services, and has years of work experience as an administrative assistant or office manager. With over twenty kinds of VAs found worldwide (and more appearing every day), small business owners (SBO) and authors have a substantial pool to choose from.
Tools Your VA Uses
10to8
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Asana
Brevo
Buffer
Calendly
Canva
Chanty
Chaty
Clockify
ConvertKit
Cost Calculator
Dashlane
Dropbox
Evernote
Flock
Freshbooks
Google Docs
Google Drive
Google Forms
Google Gmail
Google Keep
Google Meet
Google Sheets
Google Trends
Google Workspace
Grammarly
Hootsuite
HubSpot
HubSpot Meeting
Lucidchart
MadMimi
MailChimp
Microsoft 365
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Word
com
OneDrive
Scrivener
Skype
Slack
SurveyMonkey
TimeCamp
Todoist
Toggl
Trello
org
WP to Buffer
WPForms
Wrike
Xodo
Zenkit
Zoho Docs
Zoho Meeting
Zoho Vault
Zoom
The Benefits of Collaboration
Access to Experienced Talent
The internet gives unlimited access to a vast group of virtual assistants for business consulting firms and authors to choose from.
Immediate Scalability
Hiring a VA when projects increase allows for automatic scalability on an as-needed basis.
Higher Work Efficiency
VAs understand the importance of finishing a project on time, within budget, and accurately.
Limited Maintenance
Outside the onboarding process, there is typically little need to train a VA unless your company uses proprietary software.
More Productivity
Small business owners can focus on core activities while a VA manages the back end (yet still important) tasks.
Only Pay for the Hours Worked
VAs keep intricate records about their time and activities using a variety of technologies, so you know exactly where they stand on your project.
Process Improvements
VAs can streamline company processes to help prevent bottlenecks and other nuisances.
Rehire on Demand
Only use a virtual assistant when you need them.
Virtual Assistant Services
Virtual Administrative Support
Recurring activities may take an hour (or more) to work through. Small business owners do not have the luxury of diverting their attention from other responsibilities. A Virtual Admin Support specialist manages these tasks for you, so that you can build your business.
Business Process Management Support
Improving your business processes and systems is critical. Regardless of your industry, there is always room for improvement. A Business Process Support specialist can analyze your current procedures, interpret where the problem(s) occur, offer modification guidance, and help implement and monitor said upgrades.
Content Writing Services
Business documents, website content, and marketing materials take time to draft. A Content Writing & Editing specialist can help SBOs communicate their message to each audience (internal and external) and ensure every word makes an impact and positive impression.
Virtual Marketing Assistant
Marketing is complex, sometimes confusing, and takes hours of your time. A Marketing Assistant specialist helps your company connect with clients across platforms, learn what you stand for, and understand how your products or services can help them.
Author Assistant Services
Authors need support with administrative tasks, just as businesses do. An Author Assistant Services specialist executes these duties so you can focus on your manuscript.
Novel Planning
Drafting a novel, regardless of genre, is a complicated process. When authors find themselves at a loss or unsure of how to get where they want, a Novel Planning Assistance specialist can help with brainstorming sessions.
How It Works
Frequently Asked Questions
How does billing work?
Before work begins, clients must pay a 40% deposit.
Hourly and weekly projects require full payment (Net 7) upon completion.
I bill monthly blocks and editing projects on the 10th and 20th of the month, with payment due Net 7 upon receipt.
Are there hidden costs to hiring a virtual assistant or editor?
Never. Virtual assistants only charge a client for hours worked. I track each project by minute. If a client is nearing the end of their block, I will send a proposal showing the expected hours to complete for approval. These proposals must be electronically approved and returned as soon as possible before work progresses.
I use four time-tracking applications depending on need (or the client’s preference):
- Freshbooks
- Time Toggle
- TimeCamp
- Clockify
However, if a client has another time-tracking application they prefer, I am happy to accommodate.
What kind of payments do you accept?
Click to pay email invoicing
Credit/debit cards
eCheck through bank transfer
PayPal
Stripe
Do you offer editing with your virtual assistant package?
Yes. Each package includes the cost of editing.
Do you offer business editing?
Yes. Please see the Business Editing page for more details on pricing packages.
Do my hours roll over if I do not use them all?
Yes. Unused hours for every block package automatically roll over to the next month. See packages for hour rollover minimums.
Can I combine the remaining hours from one project with a new project?
No. Block hours must be used in full by the end of the project.
Clients whose projects (may) take longer than anticipated (by both parties) can add hourly or blocks of time to their original invoice.
Hours approved and added appear on a separate invoice, with payment in full (Net 7) upon completion.
What is your policy for emergency rush jobs?
Depending on the type of task, complexity, and turnaround time asked, I add a 50% surcharge for rush jobs, with final payment due Net 7.
How is the rate per word calculated?
The Rate per Word calculation involves dividing the hourly rate by the number of total words. Due to the complexity and level of editing for diverse projects, editors typically charge different hourly rates for distinct types of editing.
Will each type of manuscript editing service appear as a line item on my proposal and invoice?
Yes. Each service carries a different rate, requiring separate line items.
Will I have a business or editing contract to sign?
Yes. Atwood LLC requires every client to sign the Independent Contractor Agreement before a project begins. Clients receive a copy for electronic approval during the onboarding process.
What is your policy on client confidentiality?
Client confidentiality is crucial for how Atwood LLC does business. I understand the importance of never sharing personal or business information with third parties under any circumstances (unless applicable by law).
Atwood LLC secures client login information with a dedicated business online password keeper (Zoho Vault), business documents within password-protected digital folders, and a locking safe for physical files.
Please read the Privacy Policy and Independent Contractor Agreement for more detailed information.
Have Questions?
