Not unlike Chris Grundy on DIY’s Cool Tools, we Virtual Assistants LOVE cool tools – it’s just that ours are virtual!
And as Virtual Assistants, we’re always top of the best tools to make it easy to work with our clients. We’ve listed below fax and online screen sharing tools for you to check out or just ask your VA which service would work best for you.
As you may know, a Virtual Assistant, also known as a VA, is an independent contractor that provides business support to clients from their home office. Clients include businesses, entrepreneurs, startups, executives and individuals. Professional virtual assistants establish their own business based upon their years of ‘corporate’ experience, education and/or sharp business savvy.
Fax Service
Faxing is still a way to get paperwork to your VA safely and promptly. If you don’t have an external fax machine, following are some of the most popular and respected online fax services on the market.
RingCentral Fax features a toll free or local number, dedicated fax number, receives faxes on your PC, via email, or with our mobile application, sends faxes by email and from your PC from any application.
MyFax allows you to send and receive faxes through your email, the web, or smart phone. It also features a local or toll free fax number, no software download required, saves sent and received faxes online for one year and can personalize your faxes with your logo. MyFax provides the capability to fax from up to 5 different email addresses.
eXtremeFax is an online fax service that uses technology developed by RingCentral, Inc. You can choose a toll-free or local number to send and receive faxes from around the world. eXtremeFax also allows you to send and receive faxes by email, either from your PC or your phone, receive notifications by SMS, email, and on your PC, whenever you get an incoming fax.
Nextiva Fax highlights includes sending and receiving faxes by email, directly from Microsoft Apps and by cell phone. Nextiva also allows you to keep your fax machine for convenient sending of paper based faxes. In many cases you can keep your current fax number.
eFax is an internet fax solution offering the largest selection of local and toll-free fax numbers in over 3,500 cities and 48 countries around the world. It features lifetime storage, local and toll free numbers, enhanced security, to send or receive faxes as email attachments and fax from up to five email addresses.
TrustFax’s monthly plan includes a US local or toll free fax number, capability to send/receive 250 pages per month, free account setup, faxes sent to your email, digitized signatures tool, secure online fax storage and international faxing.
Screen Sharing
Below is a list of popular tools used for screen sharing.
Skype allows you to share your screen with anyone on Skype for free. There is also group screen sharing but it is currently only available to Skype for Mac.
Join.me is a simple screen sharing tool perfect for impromptu meetings. This free tool gives you the ability to share your screen with up to 250 views. You may also share control, chat and send files. For additional features you can upgrade to Join.me Pro.
Vyew (pronounced “view”) is a free and easy online collaboration and web conferencing service with unlimited use with up to 10 people. It is an ad supported service. Vyew allows you to meet and share content in real-time or anytime. You can also upload images, files, documents and videos into a room. Users can access and contribute at anytime. It is compatible with PC, Mac, and Linux users.
CrossLoop is a free easy-to-use software application for desktop sharing with unlimited sessions. It is also available in 21 languages. CrossLoop is simple, safe and quick.
QuickScreenShare is the simple and free way to share screens with anybody with no registration required. There is absolutely nothing to install. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. It allows you remotely control the mouse and keyboard.
FreeScreenSharing is a free online meeting service designed for screen sharing, web conferencing, product demonstrations, webinars and more. FreeScreenSharing features free unlimited meetings with up to 96 participants, audio conferencing and your own lobby.
How Having Your Own VA Saves You Money
We have already established that VA’s are business owners and not employees. They are responsible for their own operational expenses and taxes – and should carry professional liability insurance as well. You do not pay for any employee-related taxes, equipment-related expenses, benefits or insurance, and VA’s work from a fully equipped home office. Although many virtual assistants work on retainer basis; others offer services on a project or an as-needed basis. This allows you to pay only for the time used for that specific project or task. Others look to cultivate long-term working relationships with their clients and bill at an hourly rate.
Working With a VA Saves Time
Another great benefit of working with a VA is saving time by delegating tasks that you lack expertise or do not enjoy. Saving time with a VA allows you to dedicate time to other priorities such as running your business, networking and family. As we say in the industry – we give you back the time to work ON your business – not In it!
Need to find the right VA for you? Go to www.TheRightVA.com and know you’ll be matched to an experienced, professional VA.
Nickey Hollenbach Personal Touch Concierge Service, LLC “Virtual Assistance with a Personal Touch” www.ptconciergeservice.com info@ptconciergeservice.com
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