How Virtual Assistants Can Boost Your Business

Virtual Assistants (VAs) aren’t as complex or costly as they sound. In fact, you may already be using one or more of them. You can also work with an assistant directly to help with specific business tasks. Here’s what you need to know:

What's a Virtual Assistant?

A Virtual Assistant, or VA, is an administrative professional who provides immediate professional support, services, and skills to busy entrepreneurs and business managers via the Internet, usually from their home office. He or she is a remote contractor who helps with all aspects of your business. A VA may help you book events, organize your work calendar, or manage your email correspondence. A VA is usually hired part-time and paid by the hour, though some focus on just one client full-time. He or she can be in another country or continent.

How Do I Know If I Need One?

A lot of people wonder how virtual assistants stay in business. I mean, if you need an assistant, why not just hire someone to work at your business full-time? There are two common reasons. First, your business has grown to the point where you need an extra set of hands to handle more administrative tasks. In this case, a VA may serve as a bridge until you need to hire someone permanently, though some assistants work with the same clients for years.

Second, you are spending too much time on basic activities and not enough time on the vision of your business. With a VA, you can offload work so you can focus on the big picture of your business.

How Much Does a VA Cost?

Expect to pay $15 to $20 an hour for this service. VAs can also get paid per project (such as per written article) instead of on an hourly basis. Because VAs work on an "as needed basis" and only when you have work, hiring a VA can save you money. Clients only pay for the work done and don’t have to pay for benefits, equipment, or supplies. What a cost savings that can be!

How Do I Find One?

There are so many services that verify, organize, and categorize virtual assistance. You will find that people with various backgrounds and skills from around the world will apply to your job posting. There are a few websites where you can search for a virtual assistant. Popular companies like Zirtual (zirtual.com) and Upwork (upwork.com) are one-stop shops for VAs.

You can also find them through bulletin boards like Craiglist (sfbay.craigslist.org) and Fiverr (fiverr.com).

Moreover, you may encounter language or cultural barriers. It’s your job as the potential employer to evaluate whether an applicant will be able to perform the duties you expect and is worth the pay they request.

How Do I Find the Right One for Me?

It depends on a few factors. This is the most important aspect of hiring a virtual assistant. You should have a clear idea of what you should delegate. Make a list of tasks that you want to delegate. Consider the length of work you need, e.g., one project versus a long-term assignment. Also, think about the amount of communication you need, as you may prefer someone in the same time zone.

Lastly, know your budget before you start looking, as VA pricing can add up quickly, particularly if you don’t have a plan. Remember to add into your budget calculations the fact that you’ll be able to generate more income and design more products and services with the time that is freed up by hiring a VA. But if used strategically, a VA is well worth the expense.

Hiring a VA lets you focus on the things that matter most—growing your business, spending time with your family, or just giving yourself a few more moments to catch your breath.