- Emanuela Elias
- May 5
- 3 min read
A friend recently asked me, “Wait...what’s a VA? Is that like…AI?”
In my world, virtual assistants are a regular part of doing business, often times outnumbering in-house or in-office employees. But I know that's not the case everywhere. So if you’ve heard the term “VA” floating around but aren’t totally sure what it means (or how it works), this one’s for you.
So… What Is a Virtual Assistant?
A Virtual Assistant (or VA) is a remote worker who provides administrative, creative, or operational support to a business. They’re called “virtual” because they work remotely, not because they’re bots. 😅
VAs can work part-time, full-time, or on a per-project basis. Some are generalists who handle a variety of day-to-day tasks, and others specialize in things like social media, customer service, or systems management. They can be independent freelancers or work through an agency, but in every case, they’re real people providing real support.
The Rise of the VA Role
The concept of virtual assistance began gaining traction in the early 2000s, as high-speed internet made remote work more accessible. By 2007, more business owners were turning to virtual support as a flexible, cost-effective alternative to in-house hires. As this shift took hold, so did a new approach to hiring: one that prioritized flexibility, specialization, and the freedom to work with talent beyond the local pool.
In 2020, the role gained major momentum. As COVID-19 reshaped how the world worked, remote setups became the norm. Even the most traditional office environments began to see the benefits. For many business owners, it was a mindset shift. Hiring was no longer limited by geography, and suddenly the talent pool was global.
Today, virtual assistants are an essential component of many teams, providing specialized, dependable support from anywhere around the globe.
Enter: the rise of the modern VA.
What Can a VA Actually Do?
A virtual assistant is just that: a person who assists you remotely. If it can be done from a computer, chances are a VA can help with it (barring any legal or licensed exceptions, like handling protected health information).
The beauty of working with a VA is that you're not limited to hiring someone locally. You can work with talented people across the country, or around the world.
Most virtual assistants handle things like:
Inbox and calendar management
Social media scheduling or content prep
Responding to emails, DMs, or customer service tickets
Data entry, CRM updates, or backend clean-up
Online research or lead generation
Podcast, blog, or newsletter support
Light graphic design or Canva updates
Organizing SOPs and creating basic systems
Some VAs are generalists. Others specialize in very specific areas. Those specialties can may include:
Systems strategists and tech integrators
Web developers or funnel builders
Video editors or podcast producers
Project managers and operations coordinators
eCommerce or Amazon support specialists
Customer experience or community managers
There are VAs who write copy, manage launches, build dashboards, and support high-level teams. It really comes down to what your business needs, and how clearly you define the role.
Where Are VAs Based?
Virtual assistants can be based anywhere in the world. Many work from the U.S., the Philippines, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and beyond.
Personally, I specialize in hiring from the Philippines, where I’ve consistently seen not only strong work ethic and high English fluency, but also something that’s harder to teach: genuine warmth, dedication, and a deep sense of pride in their work. The professionalism, reliability, and heart that so many VAs bring to the table is part of what makes this work so impactful.
Every business is different, but the key is to find the right fit.
Hiring a VA is about getting the right kind of support in the areas where you need it most. It’s one of the simplest (and smartest) ways to grow with less overwhelm.
And no, it’s not AI. 😅 It’s a real human, helping you run your business better.
Ready to hire your first VA, or add to your team?
I’d love to help. We’ll talk through what you need, what makes sense to delegate, and how to set things up right from the start.
Book a call with me ⬇️