Types of Virtual Assistants: 11 Game-Changing Remote Workers

There was once a time when executive assistants were only limited to their namesake: high-ranking, corporate executives. As we further moved into the digital age, however, business needs have started to evolve, and more and more people started to recognise the need for delegation and assistance. Thus, virtual assistance was born.

Today, there are different types of virtual assistants, with each one specialising in an area of expertise, catering to the specific needs of businesses and individuals alike. In this article, we are going to feature 11 different types of these game-changing remote workers and the roles they play in shaping the success of businesses worldwide.

Different Types of Virtual Assistants

1. Personal Virtual Assistant

A personal virtual assistant serves as a jack-of-all-trades, offering comprehensive support to high-performing individuals in managing their day-to-day tasks, such as:

·     Routine Tasks

·     Managing emails

·     Making reservations

·     Scheduling appointments

·     Booking accommodations

·     Making travel arrangements

·     Shopping and renting needs

·     Tracking social engagements

·     Performing other personal errands

·     Fitness and other personal goal tracking

Personal virtual assistants provide personalised assistance tailored to their client’s unique personal and professional needs.

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2. Executive Virtual Assistant

Similar to personal virtual assistants, executive virtual assistants cater to the needs of executives and business owners. They handle critical tasks such as:

·     Task delegation

·     Inbox management

·     Travel management

·     Project management

·     Calendar management

·     Next-level executive tasks

Their assistance allows their clients to focus on more important aspects of their business such as strategic decision-making and business growth, without getting slowed down by other tasks.

Personal vs. Executive Assistant

Personal and executive assistants share similar responsibilities, so it’s not a big surprise that a lot of people wonder about the difference between the two. Their key distinction lies in the level of support they provide.

Personal assistants cover both professional and personal areas of a client’s life, whereas executive assistants accommodate more complex functions to support high-ranking professionals within organisations.

Which One Do You Need?

If you need help sorting out your business and personal life, with the goal of achieving a better work-life balance, then a personal assistant suits you.

Our HarbourAssistants will also be the better choice. It’s ideal for individuals who mostly need ad hoc and personal tasks done.

Meanwhile, if you need to delegate high-level tasks, with the aim of giving your career a significant boost to productivity, then an executive assistant will be more ideal for you.

‍Our HarbourAssociates will also be the best choice. They are great for businesses and can provide next-level support that includes both personal and professional tasks covered.

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3. Virtual Administrative Assistant

It used to be when people think of a VA, they think of someone who provides primarily administrative assistance remotely. But this has already changed. Today, this type of remote worker is specifically referred to as a virtual administrative assistant.

They can perform:

·     Online research

·     File organisation

·     Inbox management

·     Travel management

·     Calendar management

·     Data entry and transcription

·     Project tracking and documentation

Their next-level skills when it comes to efficiency and attention to detail help in streamlining business operations and in enhancing organisational efficiency. They’re ideal for professionals, business owners, and solopreneurs who are getting bogged down by admin work.

Case in point: recent statistics point out that executives spend around 16 hours per week just on administrative tasks. Imagine what you can do with all that free time.

What sets VAAs apart?

While you might notice that virtual administrative assistants can perform similar roles as an executive assistant or personal assistant, again, the main difference lies in the scope of their responsibilities. A VAA cannot perform tasks outside administrative duties.

If you need an assistant that can take on other tasks beyond just admin work, for instance, if you require extra help in delegation, client communications, and meeting facilitation, then you will be better off with an EA.

On the other hand, if you require support in other aspects of your personal life as well, then hiring a personal assistant might prove to be the more ideal option for you.

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4. Virtual Digital Marketing Specialist

Honestly, this type of virtual assistant can be considered as a separate category on its own as it encompasses remote workers whose expertise lies within the realm of digital marketing.

They include:

·     Copywriters

·     SEO specialists

·     Content strategists

·     Online ad specialists

·     Social media managers

·     Online community managers

This type of virtual assistant is ideal for individuals who want to increase their online presence, engagement, and conversion.

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5. Creative Virtual Assistant

In relation to the previous type, there are also creative virtual assistants who specialise in creative efforts. Similar to virtual digital marketing specialists, this type of VA can also be considered as a category of its own that includes:

·     Ghostwriters

·     Video editors

·     Graphic designers

·     Website developers

They are preferred by high performers who don’t consider creative aspects of their business as their strong suit. Theyare also ideal for companies who wish to work directly with their creatives instead of outsourcing their content to agencies.

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6. Virtual Sales Assistant

As the name suggests, sales assistants playa pivotal role in driving revenue growth by supporting businesses and sales teams. They can perform the following:

·     Follow-ups

·     Cold calling

·     Cold emailing

·     Market research

·     Lead generation

·     Lead conversion

·     Appointment setting

·     Formulating sales strategies

·     Customer relationship management

·     Sales process automation and optimisation

This type of virtual assistant is popular among service providers and those in industries like law, real estate, and technology.

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7. Bookkeeping Virtual Assistant

Finances is a company’s bloodline. As such, staying on top of it and keeping accurate records are critical in keeping abusiness running. Fortunately, there are bookkeeping virtual assistants that specialise in:

·     Budgeting

·     Managing taxes

·     Managing payroll

·     Managing invoices

·     Processing refunds

·     Preparing financial statements

·     Automating financial processes

·     Identifying financial pitfalls and opportunities

Hiring a bookkeeping virtual assistant is ideal for business owners who would rather hire an individual expert in accounting and finance, rather than get the services of an accounting firm.

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8. Virtual Customer Support Assistant

Also referred to as a virtual customer service assistant, this remote worker is known for specialising in ensuring customer satisfaction. As such, they can provide:

·      Chat support

·      Email support

·      Phone support

·      Inquiry responses

·      Complaint resolution

·      Sales funnel assistance

This makes virtual customer support assistants invaluable for product and service providers, particularly for those who aim to build brand loyalty and improve customer experiences.

Niche Assistants

Most of the VAs we have featured above cater to wider business aspects and processes. On the other hand, you also have niche virtual assistants who specialise in more specific areas, offering their expertise tailored to particular industries or functions within an organisation.

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9. Virtual ECommerce Assistant

Run your eCommerce business with ease and confidence with the help of a virtual eCommerce assistant. This type of VA can help in:

·     Order fulfilment

·     Listing management

·     Account management

·     Inventory management

·     Feedback management

·     Product review monitoring

·     Conducting market research

·     Performance metrics tracking

Whether you’re on an eCommerce platform like Amazon or eBay or independently hosting your own shop online, having thisVA by your side will make sure that your store and its offers are constantly meeting standards.

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10. Virtual Legal Assistant

Don’t let the intense demands of being a legal practitioner overwhelm you when you can have a virtual legal assistant(or VLA) by your side. This type of remote worker can perform tasks such as:

·     Drafting contracts

·     Conducting research

·     Preparing presentations

·     Transcribing legal recordings

·     Assisting in pre-trial prep work

As the name suggests, this type of VA is popular among law firms, attorneys, and in-house lawyers for companies.

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11. Real Estate Virtual Assistant

Finally, another in-demand niche assistant is the real estate virtual assistant. This type of VA specialise in a wide range of tasks that include:

·     Prospecting

·     Preparing comps

·     Managing listings

·     Managing properties

·     Monitoring project timelines

·     Escrow tracking and closing

·     Transferring property utilities

·     Conducting property research

·     Screening and nurturing leads

As such, they assist brokerages, brokers, property managers, and real estate agents.

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Different Types of Virtual Assistants FAQs

What does a virtual assistant do?

Virtual assistants are professionals who provide remote support to individuals and businesses across various industries.They serve a wide range of duties and functions ranging from administrative to more specialised tasks.

You may check out each type of virtual assistant we’ve listed above for their respective skills and responsibilities.

What are the different types of virtual assistant services?

There are different types of virtual assistant services that can cover various roles, including personal assistance, executive assistance, administrative support, customer support, sales and marketing, finance and accounting, and more.

Check out the list we have prepared above for more detailed information on the top 11 types of VAs right now.

What do virtual assistants do for businesses?

Virtual assistants contribute to business success by streamlining operations, enhancing productivity, and providing specialized expertise in areas crucial to business growth and sustainability.

Aside from the information we’ve shared above on how each type of virtual assistant can assist their clients (that includes both individuals and organisations), you may also check out this helpful article via Indeed where they list 122 tasks virtual assistants can do for businesses.

What types of virtual assistants does HireHarbour provide?

HireHarbour provides business leaders, executives, personal brands, and other high performers with premium virtual assistance on a fractional basis. These include personal assistance, executive assistance, customer support, and specialist services.

No single VA can provide the customised assistance you need, unless you work with HireHarbour. This is made possible by providing our executive virtual assistants with continuous training and in-house specialist support.