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Chat Support Virtual Assistant

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Ynah Edillor

Last updated: February 3, 2023 1 min read
Definition

What is a chat support virtual assistant?

Everyone and everything is online, and businesses have no choice but to step up their online game to lure and retain customers. Businesses hire chat support virtual assistants as an inexpensive yet effective way to make sure that their customers are being well taken care of.

Chat support VAs provide guidance and answers to various customer queries through chat. They answer in a way that is in line with the company’s standard procedures. However, they’re not only responsible for chat customer support, they also communicate with leads, do email support, and market/competitor research.

What is a chat support virtual assistant

Customer support VA vs. Chat support VA

Both virtual assistants are in charge of taking care of customers’ needs, handling complaints, answering questions, and resolving problems. The main difference between the two is that customer support VAs usually perform their services via the phone, while chat support VAs perform their services through chats, either via social media or the company’s website.

A customer support VA offers “voice” customer service, while chat support VAs offer “non-voice” customer service.

Outsourcing FAQ

What are the skills needed to be a chat support virtual assistant?

Virtual assistants in general need to be tech-savvy, flexible, and fast learners. Further, to be a successful chat support virtual assistant, you need to be a people person with good listening skills, since you’ll be dealing with confused or irate customers. You also need to have problem-solving skills to appease customers.

Additionally, chat support virtual assistants need to posses the following traits and skills:

– Excellent communication and customer service skills;

– Empathy and patience;

– Friendly phone presence;

– Brand/product knowledge;

– Ability to resolve conflict.

How do I start working as a virtual assistant?

When you feel like you have the right skills and qualifications for the job, you may start working as a virtual assistant. There are different types of virtual assistants, like chat support VA, WordPress VA, marketing VA, and more. The first step is to find your niche, so you can market yourself better for potential clients.

Aspiring VAs can create accounts on Upwork or Freelancer to find jobs, but some small to medium-sized companies prefer hiring through business process outsourcing companies to ensure workforce quality and stability. If a company is hiring more than one VA, it would be more practical to seek the help of an outsourcing company.

How old do you have to be to become a virtual assistant?

Virtual assistance is a tough and legitimate job. While some clients prefer to hire VAs for part-time or full-time positions, you will still be given a good amount of responsibilities. You can possibly be a VA with no prior experience, but you have to be at least 18 years old when applying, especially when it’s done online.

Most companies outsource their VA needs, and outsourcing companies always require proof that the applicant is at least 18 years of age before pushing through with the application.

How do I promote myself as a virtual assistant?

There are a variety of ways to get a gig as a virtual assistant. You may start on your own. Once you have mastered your niche (i.e. SEO, real estate, recruitment, etc.), you may start building your website to promote your services. You may also create an account to various online job platforms like Upwork and Freelancer, send proposals, and wait for clients to hire you.

Most clients prefer hiring virtual assistants through their trusted outsourcing partners, like Outsource Accelerator. Outsourcing firms handle everything from recruitment, to day-to-day operations, to overhead costs, so business owners can relax and reap the benefits of hiring VAs to a business.

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About OA

Outsource Accelerator is the trusted source of independent information, advisory and expert implementation of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).

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Outsource Accelerator offers the world’s leading aggregator marketplace for outsourcing. It specifically provides the conduit between world-leading outsourcing suppliers and the businesses – clients – across the globe.

The Outsource Accelerator website has over 5,000 articles, 450+ podcast episodes, and a comprehensive directory with 3,900+ BPO companies… all designed to make it easier for clients to learn about – and engage with – outsourcing.

About Derek Gallimore

Derek Gallimore has been in business for 20 years, outsourcing for over eight years, and has been living in Manila (the heart of global outsourcing) since 2014. Derek is the founder and CEO of Outsource Accelerator, and is regarded as a leading expert on all things outsourcing.

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