In this blog post, I cover the difference between these two similar but often misunderstood business support roles.
Q. What is the difference between a Personal Assistant & a Virtual Assistant?
A. The short answer is … one is an ‘In-person Employee’ and the other is a ‘Remote Contractor’.
In today’s digital-driven world, businesses are embracing the internet’s potential like never before. For business owners, especially those who are new to this online world, it’s important to understand the distinctions between these two support roles. Not only will this help you to make smart hiring decisions, it should also help you to avoid any potentially awkward “Oh I thought you could do that” conversations with your new assistant.
Some of the key differences between the two roles are outlined below:
Personal Assistant – PA ⤵
Virtual Assistant – VA ⤵
Physical Presence
PAs typically work on-site, either in the employer’s office or home, providing in-person assistance
Personal Tasks
They primarily handle personal and administrative tasks for individuals, often extending beyond business-related responsibilities.
Calendar & Schedule Management
PAs excel at managing multiple calendars and scheduling appointments and ensuring their employer’s day is organised and efficient.
Travel Arrangements
They book flights, accommodation, transport and create travel itineraries, and can do travel planning for large groups.
Event Coordination
PAs can plan and coordinate events, from small gatherings to large corporate functions and will usually manage the relationship with the venue.
Office Administration
In an office setting, PAs may assist with tasks like answering phones, organising meetings, managing orders, supporting teams, invoicing, maintaining databases, admin and more.
Remote Work
VAs work remotely from various locations and provide support through digital means.
Business-Centric
They specialise in business-related tasks and focus on enhancing a businesses online presence and improving operations.
Online Tasks
VAs commonly manage online tasks such as social media management, website maintenance and content creation to ensure business efficiency.
Specialised Skills
Often possess specialised skills like customer service, basic graphic design, video/audio editing, depending on their niche.
Online Event Coordination
VAs can plan and manage online/virtual events such as webinars and will usually manage the tech set up or moderate the group discussions.
Online Administration
VAs communicate with clients through email, messaging apps, and virtual meetings. They may assist with tasks like customer support, email marketing, community management and more.
Define Your Task List
Business owners should have a clear grasp of the specific tasks and responsibilities they need assistance with. Whether it’s managing emails, scheduling appointments, or creating online content, outlining your requirements sets the stage for hiring success.
Identify Skill Sets
Outline the skill sets and expertise required for the tasks at hand. Are you seeking someone with exceptional organisation skills, social media, or project management expertise? Knowing the skills you need allows you to narrow down your search.
Consider Work Environment
Determine whether the tasks can or should be accomplished remotely, or require in-person presence. This choice can influence whether a Personal Assistant (PA) or a Virtual Assistant (VA) is the right fit for your needs.
Budget Accordingly
Assess your budget for hiring support. Take into consideration that PA roles are usually permanent empolyees and will require an office space and equipment. VAs are contractors who work from their own office and use their own eqiupment. Understanding your financial constraints ensures a seamless hiring process.
Communication Preferences
Do you require daily in-person briefings, or are you comfortable with virtual updates and meetings? Your communication expectations should align with your chosen support role.
It’s worth noting that while I’ve highlighted the key differences between a Personal Assistant (PA) and a Virtual Assistant (VA), there’s often some overlap in the tasks they do, such as email management, document preparation and general admin tasks, not every task and responsibility has been covered here. However, the key takeaway to remember is a PA usually operates as a hands-on support role, providing in-person assistance, while a VA operates in the area of remote/virtual online business support and it very much depends on the type of support you and your business needs.
Should you find yourself in need of Virtual Assistant (VA) support for your business after reading this, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d be delighted to chat with you about your available options.
Save to Pinterest ↴
