CHARLESTON, S.CAROLINA: According to the Society for Human Resource Management's (SHRM) Leading Indicators of National Employment (LINE) survey, hiring expectations are the lowest they have been in four years. Especially during a recession, the costs associated with taking on another employee can make small business owners think twice about hiring - even though additional help is desperately needed.

For some struggling small businesses, there is no choice, they simply cannot afford another worker so they are forced to put in longer hours or neglect aspects of their business.

As an affordable alternative to hiring an employee, a small business can have access to a college-educated "virtual worker." Essentially, small businesses purchase a share of the virtual workers' time, spreading the costs among them. The virtual worker is available on an as-needed basis to handle the tasks a low level employee would usually be responsible for.

A virtual assistant can answer the phones, coordinate schedules, design and package promotional material, create travel plans, proof read and format documents and presentations, update blogs and create newsletters, handle customer support, transcribe dictation, create a new website or logo, and much more. If it can be done remotely using phone, Internet, email, and/or fax, a virtual assistant can take care of it.

Brian Gladu, owner of LongerDays.com, a virtual assistant company in Charleston, SC, says: "It is unfortunate that so many small businesses are unaware that virtual assistance exists and how it can help their business. For micro and small business owners trying to keep costs down, there isn't a more low risk and affordable way to get work done and continue growing." Due to the "virtual" nature of their relationship with clients, LongerDays.com can offer its services to small businesses across the country.