Are your up to your ears in administrative tasks for your small business? Are you overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done NOW? If you answered “Yes” to these questions, it may be time to bring someone else on board. Let’s find out how to hire a virtual assistant to help you free up time and get more done.
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We Live In A Virtual World
It seems the whole world is going virtual. The time may be right for you to take advantage of this time-saving option. Many small businesses and entrepreneurs find it difficult to keep up with the high costs of paying for full-time employees. Reduce both your costs, and your workflow, by hiring a virtual assistant.
Virtual assistants (VAs) are, generally, self-employed professionals who provide administrative, clerical, technical, and artistic assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs. These professionals typically work remotely from their own home offices. Working remotely is made possible through technological advances, such as, high-speed internet, document sharing, and video calls. VAs are an alternative to hiring in-house, full-time employees, which can be cost prohibitive.
Independent freelance contractors, VAs help reduce work load by accomplishing various tasks delegated to them. Think of a VA as a jack of all trades when it comes to seamlessly managing tasks that can be easily taught. Of course, each VA, will have their own set of talents in which they excel and have experience with. Many VAs specialize – for example, those who have extensive skills in graphic design or video editing. Check out the article below:
Virtual Assistant Salary: The Definitive Guide
What Does A Virtual Assistant Do?
- Social media management
- Website development and maintenance
- Blog management
- Logo design
- Word processing
- Webinar and podcast transcription
- Article writing
- Autoresponder set-up
- Email management
- Phone and chat support
- Administrative services
- Travel arrangements
- Bookkeeping
- Oversee projects
- Research
- Appointment setting
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Advantages Of Hiring A Virtual Assistant
There are many advantages to hiring a virtual assistant:
- VAs work remotely so they can be located anywhere in the world, and don’t need to be in close proximity to a home office.
- Because they are self-employed, VAs are more affordable than hiring a part or full-time staff employee, who requires a monthly salary and benefits. You’ll pay for time worked only.
- VAs have their own equipment, such as, computers, an internet connection, and software. This saves you money as you won’t need to provide expensive office space. You also won’t incur any ongoing training expenses.
- Since VAs are independent contractors, and, technically, not on your staff, you won’t have to worry about employee taxes.
- Some VAs offer unlimited availability and reduced costs. This is especially true of overseas workers.
- Virtual assistants can be hired temporarily or on a long-term basis.
- VAs increase your company’s productivity by enabling your to focus on the strategies that matter most to the long-term success of your business.
Qualities To Look For In A Virtual Assistant
Think of a VA as an online personal assistant. Look for someone who has good communication skills, speaks English well, is detail-oriented and learns quickly. They must be adept at communicating effectively through the written and spoken word. This is a non-negotiable skill. First and foremost, they must have your company’s best interest in mind.
A dependable VA can be your greatest asset, and play a fundamental role in the success of your company. Is your potential VA teachable? Are they willing and able to learn new skills? These are important questions to ask. Find someone who can adapt to change, and has a positive attitude. Are they reliable? Can they be trusted? Most importantly, determine if they possess the skills that allow them to work together as a team with your and your employees.
Some virtual assistants are specialists in certain areas including: writers, video and photo editors, website and graphic designers, SEO specialists, accountants, and logo designers. Others are more managerial in nature, and excel at paperwork, secretarial tasks, and anything that requires planning and organization.
Determine the specific tasks your VA will be responsible for. Then hire a person who possesses this particular skill set. For a long-term, productive relationship, choose a VA that will cater to your individual needs.
How To Hire A Virtual Assistant
Hiring VAs is a popular trend in the business world today. Whether your are a new startup or an established corporation, saving time and money is always a consideration. Finding the perfect person to be a part of your team can be an invaluable asset to your business’ growth and productivity.
Where can your find a virtual assistant? Here are a few options to consider:
1. AirTasker
This trusted company connects people who are offering their expertise and services to individuals or businesses looking to outsource tasks. Check out the video below for more information.
2. Upwork – formerly oDesk and Elance
The range of quotes is extremely variable, and this may not be the site to hire a permanent worker. If you’re looking for a part-time VA, this site is for you. Keep in mind that their star-ranking system may not be a reliable representation of a worker’s performance. Reviews carry a lot of weight, and workers have been know to pester those who hire until they get what they want – a five-star review.
3. Fiverr – the five buck site
This is a good company for quick, one-time projects. Use this resource if you’re looking for someone to complete a fast, simple project such as liking posts on social media. Website design, and other complicated projects, will, obviously cost your more than five dollars.
This is a great place to find part or full-time workers in any geographical area, particularly Filipino virtual assistants.
Use this site if you’re looking for a general virtual assistant. Don’t look here for specialized VAs such as video editors, coders, or website designers.
Carefully weigh all your options before deciding on an assistant. You really have little to lose. If you hire someone, and it doesn’t work out, for whatever reason, you are not obligated to use them indefinitely.
Seek someone you can form a relationship with, and who will care about your company like your do.
Key Points
Hiring a virtual assistant may be the best kept secret yet. Find a dynamic person to handle the tasks that drain your valuable time and energy. Then focus your energy on tasks that will be most beneficial to your business.
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Time is a precious commodity. There never seems to be enough of it. Take advantage of the benefits a dependable and trustworthy virtual assistant can provide. You may just find them indispensable to the success of your online business. Don’t waste another minute of your valuable time. Hire a virtual assistant today!
Have you considered hiring a virtual assistant? Let me know in the comments:)
I love the idea of a VA. You are quite right about the world being so different now and that everything really is at your finger tips. I have used Fiverr before for some stuff, but I like the idea that you can get quick help relatively cheap.
I hope one day to be hiring my own VA to do some of the more specific duties like video and maybe some graphic designs. Thank you for all the company names of where to look. I will be referring back to this post. Great job and I really enjoyed it.
The internet has revolutionized the way things are done. It’s really quite amazing.
I’ve used Fiverr as well. I had a logo made quickly and it was affordable. It’s would be awesome to have a VA to do tasks like keeping up on social media, graphic design, proofreading, and answering comments. All these tasks eat up time.
Do check out the companies I referenced to find a VA when you’re ready. Thanks for reading my article and taking the time to comment. Much appreciated!
As a newbie in the affiliate marketing business, the idea of a virtual assistant was intuitively attractive. How to save time when you have to put so much time into your online business. Could a virtual assistant (VA) help me make more money than I would have to spend one? How much time would I have to spend training the VA to make it worth my while?
You did a great job in explaining what a VA does, advantages of hiring, qualities to look for, etc. but clearly a VA would only make sense if having one actually helps you make money and more money than you spend. The base for that can obviously be WA. After you have built to the desired point you can opt to acquire a VA. Those who have the money should make sure they hire one, as soon as possible. Personally, I’m looking forward to being at a point where I need a VA.
Thank you for introducing this idea to me.
God bless you!
You’re right Ronald. It wouldn’t make sense to get a VA when you’re just starting out. You would have to get to a point where you know what you’re doing so you can then train someone else to take over certain tasks that don’t have to be done by you.
I think at that point it would be advantageous and cost effective to get a VA to expedite things. Your website should also be making sales before you hire help. Of course, that’s an individual choice depending where you’re at financially.
There are certainly many advantages of working with a virtual assistant and you’ll know when it’s time to bring one on board. They can be life savers for sure.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting!