Data entry work for virtual assistants

Virtual Assistants (VAs) wear multiple hats to fit multiple roles. From content creation to scheduling meetings, VAs are a godsend to busy executives everywhere. 

It’s not a surprise to most when VAs tend to take on more responsibilities. After all, most of the job descriptions for VAs are more general in comparison to other positions.

So when it comes to delegating tasks to your virtual assistants, what responsibilities come to mind? To some, they might say administrative tasks and other back office work. But if we’re being specific, data entry works perfectly for qualified VAs.

Tip: There are tons of online crash courses for people wanting to be a VA out there, you just need to know where to look.

What is data entry?

Data entry is a process of inputting data and information into a system (most often into a spreadsheet or a word processor) for easier access and better organization. It involves good hand and eye coordination, attention to detail, and the ability to do repetitive tasks for hours on end. Some might argue that it’s just another boring desk job; when in reality, it’s an important and underappreciated role in a company.

Some might argue that it’s just another boring desk job; when in reality, it’s an important and underappreciated role in a company.

Without data entry clerks, most of the company archives will be gathering dust in a file cabinet. As mentioned above, data entry involves making sure that those old information sheets won’t be lost for good.

In the 21st century, having digital backups of everything pays off in the long run. With backups, you don’t need to worry about losing track of your data ever again.

What are virtual assistants?

Virtual assistants, like traditional ones, support their clients on a day-to-day basis. They make sure that there are no hiccups on their daily tasks. 

VAs are popping up everywhere, ever since the rise of the gig economy. Recently, people have been leaving their office jobs for something flexible – a job that allows them to spend more time outside of work. 

VAs, as the name suggests, are people who have the ability to work remotely most of the time as their duties and responsibilities can all be executed from a different place. Learn more about the VA’s perks (and cons) of working from home. 

While most of us can handle our duties without the help of a virtual assistant, some executives would benefit from one. It’s not just about making others do things for you; it’s about reclaiming your time.

One of the advantages of hiring a virtual assistant is that it allows you to be more concentrated, flexible, and efficient. We don’t have the same 24 hours, make better use of yours.

If you are interested in having a VA but confused about where to start, you can partner with a third-party service provider, such as HireSmart Staff, to assist you in finding the best virtual assistant for your company.

What do virtual assistants do?

We mentioned at the beginning of the article that VAs wear many different hats to fit the role. So, your responsibility to compensate them will depend on the value they add to your business.

If you hire virtual assistants to perform your business’ administrative tasks and other roles, you’ll have plenty of time in your hands to focus on the core aspects of your company.

Responsibilities of virtual assistants

One of the advantages of hiring a virtual assistant is that it allows you to be more concentrated, flexible, and efficient. We don’t have the same 24 hours, so make better use of yours.

Once you decide to hire virtual assistants, here are some of the responsibilities you can delegate to them:

Maintenance of data and contact sheets 

As someone’s assistant (whether you’re a virtual or an office-based one), VAs are expected to at least handle a workload of maintaining contact books.

Digitization of files

Clients with a plethora of files and folders just waiting to be encoded and backed up onto the cloud can delegate these tasks to their trusted VA.

Organization of work and personal calendars

A task is as old as time. All assistants, not just the virtual ones, are offloaded with the responsibility of organizing their client’s work and personal calendars. From booking a meeting to blocking off a weekend for a mini-vacation, VAs have the power to schedule their clients to the brim.

Daily support

Taking meeting notes, whipping up a newsletter, sending emails, and rerouting calls are what VAs do in general. VAs are a jack of all trades but they usually excel at one or two specific responsibilities.

Can virtual assistants do data entry?

Data entry is one of the well-known admin tasks. Its responsibilities include managing, reviewing, and arranging paperwork and files. As a VA, most of them should be able to juggle the roles of a data entry clerk.

Remember that as an employer, it’s your job to properly indicate what the role is for. There are multiple cases in which employers fail to assimilate the difference between having virtual assistants and administrative clerks.

To further clarify, some jobs may overlap between the two. Virtual assistants often work with a client as an individual support system while administrative clerks work within departments.

That being said, virtual assistants drive value to the companies and businesses they chose to work with. From making sure that the day goes by smoothly to juggling tasks for their clients, investing in a good VA pays off in the long run.