FAQs

Everything you need to know about working with Red Desk.

What is a virtual assistant and what does one do?

A virtual assistant (VA) is a remote professional who provides administrative, creative or technical support to businesses and individuals. Rather than hiring a full-time member of staff, you bring in a VA for the hours and tasks you actually need. At Red Desk we support small businesses with everything from social media management and SEO to PA services, bookkeeping, property management, charity administration, event coordination and more.

How is Red Desk different from a traditional PA or admin agency?

We work entirely remotely, which means you get professional, experienced support without the overhead of a full-time employee. There is no desk to find, no equipment to provide and no employer responsibilities. You simply pay for the time and support you need. We have been doing this for over 20 years and our clients come back to us year after year because we are reliable, flexible and genuinely easy to work with.

What kinds of businesses do you work with?

We work with small businesses, freelancers, sole traders, charities, not-for-profit organisations and private landlords across the UK. Our clients come from a wide range of sectors including retail, media, property, education, hospitality and the creative industries. If you run a small business and need reliable support, we can almost certainly help.

How do you charge for your services?

We offer two options. You can choose an hourly rate or agree a fixed project fee upfront, whichever suits you best. We use an online time-tracking tool to record our hours precisely, so you are never charged for time we have not spent on your work. No rounding up, no guesswork. At the end of each month you receive a detailed timesheet alongside your invoice so you always know exactly what you are paying for. Visit our rates page for more information.

Do I have to commit to a minimum number of hours?

No. We offer a completely flexible ad hoc service as well as fixed monthly hour agreements. You can use us as much or as little as you need, which is one of the reasons small business owners find working with a VA so cost-effective.

What social media platforms do you manage?

We create and manage content for all the major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter). We also manage Google Business profiles, which is increasingly important for local search visibility. Every piece of content is written specifically for your business and your audience. Find out more on our social media page.

Can you help improve my website’s SEO?

Yes. We offer a full SEO service for small businesses including keyword research, website optimisation, Google Business profile management, Google Analytics reviews, Google Ads management and content strategy. We also keep up with how AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overviews are changing the way people find businesses online. Find out more on our SEO page.

Do you write website content and blog posts?

Yes, this is one of our core services. We write website copy, blog posts, email newsletters and social media content for small businesses across the UK. All content is written in plain English, tailored to your brand and optimised for search engines and AI search tools. Find out more on our web content page.

Can you help with email newsletters?

Absolutely. We write the content, manage your mailing list, schedule and send your newsletters using platforms including Mailchimp and Constant Contact, or any newsletter tool built into your existing website. We can also manage physical mail outs if you prefer to communicate by post. Find out more on our newsletters page.

Do you support charities and not-for-profit organisations?

Yes, and we offer our administration services to charities at a reduced rate because we understand that budgets in the voluntary sector are tight. We have five years of direct experience working with a soft skills charity in the education and youth sector. We can provide admin support, PA services for charity CEOs, stakeholder engagement, event coordination and process documentation. Find out more on our charity administration page.

Can you help private landlords with property management?

Yes. We have been supporting private landlords with their property portfolios for over ten years. We help with tenant and contractor communication, compliance scheduling, maintenance coordination, rent tracking and financial administration. We work entirely remotely so we can support landlords across the UK regardless of location. Find out more on our property management page.

Where are you based and do you work with businesses outside London?

Red Desk is based in the Aylesbury area and we have strong roots in North London where we have worked with many clients over the years. However, because we work entirely remotely, we support businesses and organisations across the UK. Location is no barrier.

How do I get started?

Just get in touch for an informal chat. We will talk through what you need, how much time you are looking for and which services would suit you best. There is no obligation and no hard sell. You can reach Mel directly at mel@reddesk.co.uk or call 07989 683569. You can also use the contact form on our contact page.