What Does a Virtual Assistant Actually Do? (And Could One Help You?)

15 April 2025

Featured image for Sarah Swinburn's blog post titled What Does a Virtual Assistant Actually Do? The image has a laptop in the background with someone writing notes. The title is at the forefront of the image.

(Spoiler: yes, probably!)

When you hear the term Virtual Assistant, what springs to mind? Do you ask yourself, what does a Virtual Assistant actually do?

Are they a voice assistant like Alexa?
Are they someone who only books meetings?
Or maybe they’re just a bit of help when things get busy?

The truth is, a VA (that’s me, by the way) can do so much more than most people realise. And if you’re a small business owner juggling ten different roles, a good VA can genuinely give you your time back and help you grow your business.

Let’s take a peek behind the scenes…

Admin Support Without the Overwhelm

Email inbox overflowing? Calendar a bit chaotic?

A VA can quietly swoop in and make all those little daily tasks disappear. I help clients:

Set up recurring tasks so things don’t fall through the cracks
Manage their inbox (including replying, flagging, and filing)
Book appointments and manage schedules
Send reminders and follow-ups

A laptop with an email inbox is displayed on the screen. The computer is on a desk, with a mobile phone and a small bouquet in a vase. A Virtual Assistant can provide admin support to small businesses.

Typing, Proofreading and Transcription

Whether it’s:

A laptop with a pair of headphones on top to demonstrate transcription services, which a Virtual Assistant can do.

Turning scribbled notes into a polished document
Proofreading a proposal before it goes out
Transcribing voice notes or Zoom meetings…

…it’s those little details that can save hours and help

GDPR, Compliance and Process Support

Not the most glamorous part of running a business, I know, but definitely one of the most important.

I can help with:

GDPR-friendly document templates
Data protection basics
Simple process mapping (think: how you onboard clients or manage enquiries)

A laptop on a desk with the word Policy displayed on the screen. A Virtual Assistant can assist with GDPR compliance and policies.

These are the bits that keep your business ticking along nicely behind the scenes.

Light Bookkeeping and Business Housekeeping

Not all VAs do this, but I offer basic support with things such as:

A laptop on a desk with the word Bookkeeping displayed on the screen. One thing a Virtual Assistant can do.

Tracking income and expenses
Preparing info for your accountant
Helping you stay on top of invoices and payments

No more scrambling at tax return time (you’re welcome!).

So… Do You Need a VA?

Here’s a quick check:

Are you answering emails at 10pm?
Is your to-do list mostly admin?
Do you know you should be working on your business… but you’re always working in it?

If any of that sounds familiar, it might be time to explore a bit of support.

You don’t need to be a big company or have everything figured out. My clients are small UK-based businesses or consultants who just want to reclaim a few hours a week.

Fancy a No-Pressure Chat?

If you’re curious about working with a Virtual Assistant but not sure where to start, let’s talk. You can find out more information on my website: https://www.sarahswinburnva.co.uk/

Drop me a message, and we can have a friendly chat about what’s on your plate and where I might be able to help.

Contact Me