Virtually Hug A Virtual Assistant Day falls on July 6 every year. In this digital age, more and more jobs can be found outside the physical office. Companies big and small are embracing the non-traditional way of running their organization remotely. Staff now meet online instead of the more traditional face-to-face. This day is dedicated to those who make a career out of making sure their clients’ businesses run smoothly, virtually.
History of Virtually Hug a Virtual Assistant Day
Sir Isaac Pitman’s invention of the shorthand method led to the beginnings of the secretarial service industry. His secretarial school only accepted men until the invention of the typewriter. This allowed the entry of women into the industry who dominated these jobs until men were completely eased out by the 1930s.
As technology progressed, typewriters gave way to word processing systems, telephones, and fax machines. With the dawn of the internet, business transactions could be made sitting thousands of miles away. This digital revolution ushered in the birth of the virtual industry when Anastacia Brice spoke with life coach Thomas Lenard and described the work she’d perform for him as ‘virtual assistance’ in 1996. She worked as his full-time secretary from home. Using the internet to provide such services as personal assistance, administrative support, and travel planning. She called herself a ‘virtual assistant,’ and this gave rise to an emerging profession that continues today.
A virtual assistant or V.A. provides services to a business remotely. They’re usually assigned administrative and clerical tasks but can also assist with other requirements. Some are skilled in bookkeeping, web design, social media management, and marketing. Some of them have specialized skills and only perform duties related to those skills. Others specialize in an industry, such as one who assists realtors. Virtual assistants can work for multiple companies or dedicate themselves to one employer. Many people are doing it as a side job too for some extra cash.
This work arrangement is beneficial to both parties as businesses are free to engage with the V.A.s only to the degree they need. The V.A. has the opportunity to pursue their personal goals while earning from home. With more and more services going online, the role of the virtual assistant will grow in the future.
Virtually Hug a Virtual Assistant Day timeline
American inventor Christopher Latham Sholes creates what would soon be a staple in offices.
The World Wide Web becomes publicly available thanks to Tim Berners-Lee.
The virtual assistant industry is professionalized under the organization AssistU.
Christine Durst, the founder of the virtual assistant industry, writes “The 2-Second Commute.”
Virtually Hug a Virtual Assistant Day FAQs
What is the text symbol for a hug?
To send a virtual hug via text message, you type an enclosed pair of parentheses, ( ), or curly braces, { }.
Can you make money being a virtual assistant?
The rates you charge will be based on the skills and services you offer. An entry-level virtual assistant may earn about 15 USD per hour. On average they can earn around 19.46 USD per hour.
What educational qualifications are needed to become a virtual assistant?
In the last five years, remote work has increased by 44%. You don’t need a degree to get started. You can have a lucrative career as long as you’re smart and responsible.
Virtually Hug a Virtual Assistant Day Activities
Send a virtual hug to a virtual assistant
Send it by text or email. Hop on to a video chat and reach out to hug them through the screen.
Apply to be a virtual assistant
Sick of the daily commute to work? Look into a change of career and seek opportunities as a virtual assistant. Who knows, you might be on the receiving end of virtual hugs next year!
Hire a virtual assistant
Have a look at how your office or business is running. Maybe it’s time to take the virtual leap and hire someone to help run things better.
5 Soft Skills Needed By A Virtual Assistant
Highly organized
Be exceptionally organized and keep track of your client’s business virtually.
Good communication skills
Be able to express yourself both verbally and in writing.
Can’t do without flexibility
You’ll be encountering different situations and dealing with different clients which will require you to be highly adaptable.
Attention to detail
Approaching each task with care ensures that you get the job done correctly.
Excellent time management
Sticking to a schedule and not getting distracted is crucial to accomplishing your daily tasks.
Why We Love Virtually Hug a Virtual Assistant Day
It gives you more freedom
Having someone else handle the daily grind of the back end of your business can be a time-saver. It frees you up to focus more on other concerns like operations and growing your business.
No more office politics
Goodbye, office drama! No need to worry about how they’ll get along with other employees.
It’s a money saver
No office furniture, no rent, and no utility bills mean less overhead costs for your business. Another advantage is you need not pay benefits since they are classified as contract workers.
Virtually Hug a Virtual Assistant Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | July 6 | Saturday |
| 2025 | July 6 | Sunday |
| 2026 | July 6 | Monday |
| 2027 | July 6 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | July 6 | Thursday |
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