Busy professionals can always use more hours in their day, and deciding to hire a virtual assistant (VA) is one of the best and most recommended ways to create that time. VAs provide just about every type of support service you can think of that can be performed remotely. They work with individuals, solopreneurs, small businesses, medium-sized teams, enterprises, etc.
There are general VAs who handle basic admin tasks and there are specialized VAs who have advanced experience in higher-level tasks, specific industries or both. When you start to pick your tasks apart, you’ll realize that almost all of them can be taught to someone else. And while you can’t always find someone to think like you, there are plenty of VAs who will be able to act like you.
Different Types of Virtual Assistants
There are a few different ways that VAs work:
- The VA runs their own business. They’re able to charge more, usually starting around $25 per hour and then raising their rate as their career continues. They set their own schedule and determine which tasks they will and will not perform.
- The VA works for a company that connects clients with VAs. Their rate is usually lower, ranging from $10 to $15 per hour.
- The VA connects with clients via a micro-work site, like Fiverr. Instead of being employed on an ongoing basis, they perform quick, one-off jobs for clients. Rates are low, even lower than hiring a VA through a company because tasks are simple and/or the VA is at the very start of their career.
While plenty of international VAs charge a premium, some will have a super low hourly rate depending upon where they are in the world and the cost of living. If hiring a native English speaker isn’t your main concern, you can get a lot of help even if your budget is small.
General vs. Specialized Virtual Assistants
A general VA can handle daily admin work and processes – the tasks that help you run your business, but won’t necessarily grow it. This includes tasks like making travel arrangements, managing your inbox, scheduling blog posts and performing research. A specialized VA is advanced in certain growth-related skills, like customer service, photo editing or marketing your social media platforms.
When outsourcing work to a general VA, you should give them detailed training and step-by-step processes. When outsourcing work to a specialized VA, you can tell them the outcomes you’re hoping for – you’re hiring an expert, so they know the best way to deliver results.
Pros and Cons of Hiring a Virtual Assistant
Ultimately, deciding to hire a virtual assistant is a great move for practically any professional, but it does come with a few downsides.
Pros
- Work that you can’t stand doing can be handed off.
- You have the option to work fewer hours or to do more with the hours you’re currently working.
- You’ll be more productive overall. Two people will be working instead of one; work will
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This article was written by Lindsay Pietroluongo and originally published on Elegant Themes Blog.