Recent Activities

Lots and lots happening with Delphian (i.e., me!). In addition to my association with My Creative Assistant (which has given me an opportunity to do more writing, something I've been anxious to do), I've been very busy on the technology front. With the impending release of Office 2010, Microsoft tried a different tact: we had to apply to be beta testers. I feel fortunate in have been chosen as one of them. Then there's Windows 7. And very recently, I won VAnetworking's VAccolade award. More...

What is Virtual Assistance?

Virtual Assistants (VA's) partner with their clients to provide administrative, organizational, calendaring, marketing, research, or other more specialized services. All of this is done virtually; through phone calls, over the Internet, via e-mail, and using collaborative software.

In November 2006, I completed a comprehensive Virtual Training Program (VTP) at AssistU. During my five months of training, I learned much more about the value of relationships in the business arena. Sure, I bring tons of administrative, communications, teaching and training, and software skills to my practice :)  But it is the relationships between myself and my clients that I value most and build upon.

Are you sweating the small stuff because there's no one else to? Do you wish you could spend more time expanding your audience's awareness of your work, at personal appearances, or at building your business? Why not turn your wishes into realities? Virtual Assistants help you free up time to do the important stuff.

What's so unique about Delphian? I offer the education connection, a passion for the entertainment industry, and over 2 decades of experience in the corporate world. What's the "education connection"? For much of my working life, I've had one foot in the corporate world, and the other in the education system. I've delivered software training to companies since 1987, to Seneca College since 1990 (as a member of their part-time faculty, recently, as part of their Fashion diploma program), and to Humber College since 2003 (as a contract teacher in two of their diploma programs). I understand group and classroom dynamics. This means that I understand people's needs! My classrooms have always been multicultural, so I also understand how to address very diverse audiences.

This ties in nicely to my desire to work with clients in the entertainment field: I just know you're going to ask 'how'! Every year for the past five years I've taught students in the Fashion Arts diploma program at Humber. This has not only exposed me to the world of fashion, but also the very interrelated world of entertainment and music. That, a very healthy and keen interest in the industry, and yes, even a brief stint as a background Extra in a few movies!

Here's something that might come as news: VAs are not employees. I am a business owner, interested in partnering with you for your success. Your success will be my success! I am independent, so there are none of the associated expenses and investments that go along with employees. If you don't need a full-time employee, but do need a personal, virtual assistant (a PVA), going the VA route is a wise choice.

What do VAs Charge?

To answer the question, why not start with a little comparison 'shopping'? See for yourself some of the benefits of partnering with a VA.  Have a look at this chart to find out why, in fewer hours, a virtual assistant can get the job done at a much lower overall cost. The chart uses a sample hourly rate. My own rate, and the rate of other VAs, will be different.

Most experienced and trained virtual assistants–i.e., the ones with significant working experience behind them, the ones who have paid for excellent formal training to become VAs, and the ones who have made major investments in order to open their own business practices–charge from $35.00 to $70.00 an hour; or more. Does that sound like a lot? A little? Each and every hour you pay a VA for is a productive hour. You are only ever billed for actual hours worked. And the time it takes most VAs to do your work will usually be less than the time it takes an employee to do the same work.

When discussing rates, it's important to note this: you are not paying for overhead, equipment, office space, benefits, or other costs associated with employees. You are a business owner, an entrepreneur, or 'solopreneur'. The fees you charge accurately reflect the value of your time. The same thing is true with VAs! In fact, if you charge more than your VA, you should think about getting your VA to do some of the work, so you can free up your time and use it to get clients, grow your business, or even take a little more time off for yourself and your family.

For information about my rates, please contact me. I offer two distinct 'rate scales' if you will. The first is my hourly rate. I only charge my hourly rate to new clients who have been with me for 3 months or less. This gives us both time to mutually evaluate the fit, and our respective working styles. After three months, or in some cases immediately if they wish, my clients move to one of my retainer packages. These packages start at 10 hours per month. Why enter into a retainer arrangement with me? For one thing, you will save 5 - 10% off your monthly bill. The more hours in the retainer, the more you will save! For another, I will guarantee you those hours, and my availability to you, during the month. It's a win-win situation, and a commitment on both of our parts.

The Interview Process

Virtual Assistants do not hard sell. I have a two-part interview process that I will ask you to go through with me before we hook up and begin working together. This is something I insist on, but it's also something that is mutually beneficial. It allows us to get to know each other–to discover if there's a fit and resonance–before either of us invest our time and energy. We may discover, together, that you really do need an employee, temporary help with personal marketing, or have a single project that needs doing. That just means that you might not need a VA right now. And if that's true, I'll try to point you in the right direction. I am interested in long-term, collaborative relationships.

Services Checklist

Here's a quick reference list, showing how I can help you manage your professional life and career, or grow your small business, and free up your time! Please click on my services links for more detailed information.

Ghost writing, light writing tasks PowerPoint and other presentations Document and word Processing Calendaring, Tasks, To Do's, travel arrangements

Meeting planning E-mail setup, maintenance and related services Website maintenance and updates Various administrative services

Rob W. Neilly | Create your badge