Virtual assistants use technology each and every day. We email. We blog. We work on websites (our own for marketing purposes and the sites that we work on for our clients). We create databases, spreadsheets and presentations. We type correspondence. We create logos and edit photos and do other graphic work.

Unfortunately, there’s something that’s very true about technology that we do not always want to think about: computers sometimes crash.

Many virtual assistants offer data backup services to their clients: in addition to helping to create a more effective customer database, we offer to burn it onto a CD or DVD so that they can get back to that point if something happens. Many others who offer web site services back up the files that they create before and after editing.

Any VA who has ever lost data, however, will tell you that you need to be backing up your own files as well. Business records, timesheets that you’ve used to track work for clients, marketing materials: it’s important to keep a backup copy of all of your important virtual assistant business files. You never know what could happen; it’s important to be prepared.

The technology that you need to backup your files is readily available – chances are good that you already have it; shouldn’t you be using it?