Ella Thinks…

I am really overwhelmed with the number of hits and responses that I got from my post “Bidding Wars of Virtual Assistants”. This so far is my top post, ever since I started this blog. (yipee!) I wanted to thank everyone who read and posted comments to this post. (Keep it coming, please!)

The issue of whether an onshore virtual assistant is better than an offshore virtual assistant is very difficult or impossible to resolve. Both have different advantages to offer.

I personally enjoy this kind of competition. It actually challenged me to perform better at work and even exceed the expectations of my clients. Ever since, I have always been competitive at school and at work. And this “virtual competition” is actually different from what I am used to. I found myself fighting over an unknown territory. I must admit I am just new in virtual assistance, in fact, I just started November of last year. I found this career self-fulfilling, rewarding and challenging all at the same time.

Offshore VA’s have the advantage of offering lower rates because of lower costs of living. But again, this doesn’t imply that lower rates are equivalent to poor services. I must give credit to offshore VA’s for working outside of their comfort zones. We actually try our best to bridge the gap of the time zone by working during the graveyard shift.

Onshore VA’s have the advantage of working on the same time zone and understanding the culture. They also have the advantage of doing personal marketing to companies located within their state.

In the end it is not the readers, nor the blog writers who will decide on this issue. The answer will always remain on the client’s end. They will be the ones to decide whether an onshore or offshore VA will be best for them. For you guys, which will you prefer, onshore or offshore VA’s? (just a thought…)

I’ve been in the business of Virtual Assistance for a few months now and I have loved every single day of it.

If you are still on a crossroad and still undecided of what type of online job you would like to pursue, here are some reasons why you would want to be a virtual assistant:

* VA’s work from home. If you miss your hubby or your baby, you can talk and play with them anytime.I don’t have to miss any important milestone in my baby’s life!
* You don’t have to worry about transportation expenses!

* You control your own time!You can take a break whenever you want to!

* Being a VA gives you the opportunity to meet a lot of new people online. You will also learn different cultures cause most of the clients will be based outside of your country.

* You will learn a lot of new things! It’s a constant learning process.

* No routinary work! Every day is a new day with different tasks and projects to work on.

* Constant skill development.

* Being a virtual assistant can be financially rewarding.

Every time I introduce myself to a stranger and would ask me what do I do for a living, I proudly answer “I am a Virtual Assistant”. I usually get a lot of raised eye brows. Here in Aklan, not a lot of people know what a virtual assistant is. Community here is still very conventional, people and women have conventional office jobs. Most of the women population are either teachers or office workers.

I was the very first virtual assistant in our town.

When I got my very first project, my family was less supportive. For one, they are afraid I might not get paid and secondly I might be doing something “illegal”. I was laughing inside everytime they would sarcastically comment  about my work. And I never listened to them. In fact I was more than enthusiastic to prove them wrong.

After a month, I got my first pay check. I was able to treat them out for lunch.

Its been almost a year since I started as a Virtual Assistant, I have surpassed my monthly income as a Senior Assistant Manager for Operations. My virtual assistance business has provided me the financial stability that I have been looking for. And my uncle? Well he’s my fan now. He’s very much proud of me and what I do.But

Aside from the financial stability, there are numerous benefits of becoming a virtual assistant. Constant Learning. I have become more and more internet savvy day after day. I learn a new skill and knowledge at every task. And I continuously improve my skills.

I am able to help. During Typhoon Frank, I was among the very first (if not the first) Aklanon to post some updates and pictures about the typhoon. I was able to disseminate the information to the readers, OFW’s and fellow Aklanons about how hard we were hit by the typhoon. I was able to help a few families communicate with each other. It made me very happy. I got a lot of responses from Filipinos here and aborad and it was so overwhelming. I have learned that there are a lot of people who cares, and that Filipinos can unite in times of trouble. I realized how powerful the internet is. I was able to give help to my team too. I guess that was the best thing that ever happened to me this year. I found hapiness despite a sad moment.

After all these months, people here in the town of New Washington, knows what a Virtual Assistant is. The word is slowly getting out. Well to some, I was tagged as a “mini-call center”, online secretary, virtual secretary and etcetera. Good thing about it is that,  they no longer think this is “illegal” and best of all, I have earned the respect that virtual assistants deserve.

We may not have a decent office, we may not wear business attire, make up or high heels but Virtual Assistants work isn’t an easy job. We are entreprenuers and experts in our own fields of expertise. We are the CEO’s of our business. It is just but time to give the respect due to us.

I am proud to be a Virtual Assistant and I am proud to be Filipina.