With the Internet playing such an important role in today’s businesses, one of the results of this has been the rise in virtual assistants. Commonly known as home secretaries, virtual assistants offer a unique and useful service to small businesses and similar, that need a secretary but can’t afford a full-time person at their place of work. This is where the virtual assistant steps in.

With access to a computer and a good Internet connection, as well as strong organizational skills, a virtual assistant can run a complete office from his or her home, for a fraction of the cost a physical office manager would be. Reports can be completed, emails from clients can be answered, and meetings can be arranged and cancelled. They can even be used for telemarketing and customer service purposes. So where did the virtual assistant come from, and is it a job anyone can do?

The Early Days

The first virtual assistant can be traced back to the early 1970’s, although this was by virtue of having a typewriter and a telephone. It wasn’t until the introduction of word processors and the Internet that the term virtual assistant really took shape, which took until the 1980’s and the introduction of computer networks.

Two organizations really brought the role of the virtual assistant to the fore – one was run by an Australian lady by the name of Robyn Green, and the other was based in Los Angeles by Linda Anderson, who runs the Homesecretary.com website today. These two services offered work at home solutions for businesses who needed the professional services of a secretary, yet either couldn’t afford or didn’t wish to have an onsite person.

From these small beginnings, the industry grew steadily in the 1990’s, especially with the surge in the property market that many countries saw. With homes being bought almost as soon as they were being built, real estate agents became the biggest buyer of virtual assistant services, and the home worker industry took a giant leap forward in popularity.

The Numbers Game

Today, the virtual assistant enjoys a strong presence in the workforce, in industries perhaps not usually associated with secretarial work. The earnings that someone can make as a virtual assistant are also a lot higher, with the average wage hovering around the $20 per hour mark. This can easily double if the work needed is of a technical nature.

Although traditionally the domain of work at home mothers and women, the virtual assistant role is increasingly being looked at by many male workers. Some other statistics include:

• The US accounts for 81% of all virtual assistants worldwide
• Many have been in business since 2003, when home working really became a valid and profitable option
• Over 86% of virtual assistants have their own website, advertising their services
• Even part-time virtual assistants can earn over $15,000 per year for just 20 hours per week

With the constant demands that today’s workplace is placing on family and home life, it’s easy to see why so many people are looking at working from home. If you have the skills, becoming a virtual assistant can offer you an excellent income in an interesting job, and the chance to enjoy a far superior personal life. Have a look for yourself today.