The history of the virtual assistant industry all began with the emergence of personal computers in the 1980s and the popularity of the internet in the 1990s. This means that the concept of hiring remote workers has been around for decades, but it wasn’t until the advent of the internet and remote collaboration technology that it really took off.
Virtual Assistant Industry: Then and Now
The first virtual assistants were executive secretaries who worked remotely, using primitive communication technologies like phone and fax. However, as the internet became faster and more reliable, and as communication tools like email and video conferencing became more sophisticated, the virtual assistant industry grew rapidly.
In the early years, virtual assistants were primarily used by small business owners and entrepreneurs who couldn’t afford to hire a full-time employee but needed help with administrative tasks. As the industry grew, virtual assistants began to specialize in particular areas, such as social media management, bookkeeping, and marketing. Today, there are virtual assistants who specialize in almost every area of business, from graphic design to web development to project management.
The virtual assistant industry has also grown geographically, with virtual assistants now working from all over the world. This has been made possible by advances in cloud computing and communication tools -such as Slack and Zoom- as well as changes in the way companies do business. Many businesses today are run entirely or mostly online, which means that they can work with virtual assistants from anywhere in the world, providing they have a reliable internet connection.
Overall, the virtual assistant industry has come a long way since its early days. As technology continues to evolve, it is likely that the industry will continue to grow, with more businesses realizing the benefits of working with remote professionals who can help them to achieve their goals.