Running a business can be a lot to handle, right? You want to make sure your products and services are amazing, your customers are happy, and your finances are organized. But what about those small, day-to-day tasks that don’t fit into any category? Well, that’s where a virtual assistant can come in handy!

In this article, we’ll explore what virtual assistants are and how they can help you with all those little things so you can focus on growing your business. So, let’s get started!

Take Your Business to the Next Level: Virtual Assistant Services to Scale Up Your Business

What Is a Virtual Assistant (VA)?

They’re a type of administrative assistant who work remotely, meaning they can do most of their tasks off-site and online.

VAs are not all the same though! Each VA has their own set of skills and can offer different services. There are two main categories of VAs:

• Generalists: VAs who can do a lot of different administrative tasks.
• Specialists: VAs who have more experience in a few specific business functions.

Here are a variety of tasks that are well within the skillset of a generalist VA:

• calendar management
• data entry or database management
• fielding phone calls
• bookkeeping
• making travel arrangements
• schedule appointments
• email management
• file management
• general research
• other personal tasks

Here are some common business functions handled by a specialist VA:

• online or digital marketing
• content creation or management
• customer support services
• lead generation
• web research or online research
• web design
• project management
• systems management
• social media management

Some VAs do specialised in certain industries. For example, there are VAs who focus on finance or ecommerce. And, on top of that, some VAs have additional skills like graphic design that can come in handy for your business. So, if you need a VA with specific industry knowledge or additional skills, there’s likely one out there for you!

What Is the Difference between an Executive Assistant and a Virtual Assistant?

Having some help with organizing your life and business can make a big difference! Let’s take a look at two types of assistants that can provide that help:

• An executive assistant is a traditional administrative role that’s usually based in an office and provides in-person support to executives in an organization.
• A virtual assistant is a more modern role that provides administrative support to clients remotely, meaning they can work from anywhere in the world! This gives virtual assistants more flexibility in their hours, allows them to provide support during non-traditional business hours, and work in different time zones.

While an executive assistant typically supports one or more executives within a company, virtual assistants can support anyone from busy entrepreneurs to large businesses to individuals with complex schedules. So, whether you need in-person support or support from a distance, there’s an assistant out there for you!

Why Hire a Virtual Assistant?

Using virtual assistant services can really boost your business! Here are some of the advantages:

• Maximize On-site Employees: If you already have a team working for you on-site, a virtual assistant can help by taking on time-consuming tasks. This frees up your team to focus on more critical tasks or to improve their skills.
• Reduced Costs: Hiring a full-time employee on-site can be expensive. But hiring a virtual assistant is a cost-effective solution that saves you money on office space, equipment, and benefits. You only pay for the services you need, without the added costs of a full-time employee!
• Focused Leadership: By outsourcing tasks to a virtual assistant, you can focus more on your company’s strategic vision and goals. You won’t have to worry about day-to-day tasks that keep your business running smoothly. This allows you to work on growing your business.
• Reduced Training Needs: When working with a virtual assistant, you can choose someone who already has the skills you need. This saves you time and money on training.
• Optimized Time: A virtual assistant can free up your valuable time by taking care of administrative work. This allows you to focus on more important matters.
• More Work-Life Balance: If you’re struggling to balance work and personal life responsibilities, a virtual assistant can take some tasks off your plate. With more free time, you can enjoy a better work-life balance.
• Scalability: With a virtual assistant, you only pay for the services you need and use. So, when business is slow, you don’t have to keep them on retainer. And when business picks up and you need more help, it’s easy to scale up your VA services.

Who Needs a Virtual Assistant?

Virtual assistance is a great way for both large and small business owners to improve productivity! Many tasks in a business don’t need to be done on-site or face-to-face, so they can easily be outsourced to a dedicated assistant.

Sometimes, businesses have seasonal functions that don’t require full-time employees. These tasks can be outsourced to a virtual assistant instead of hiring someone full-time.

For new business owners who have a lot on their plate but can’t afford to hire full-time employees yet, a virtual assistant is a more affordable way to get some extra help while growing their business.

However, before hiring a virtual assistant, business owners should be comfortable using a computer or smart device. Proper communication is essential when managing a virtual assistant, and most of that communication happens online. Managers should be comfortable with using email, chat apps, or video conferencing apps, and having a stable internet connection is helpful too.

How Many Hours Does a Virtual Assistant Work?

The number of hours a virtual assistant works for each business can vary depending on the agreement between both parties.

Some virtual assistants work on an output-based agreement, which means the total hours they work don’t matter as long as they get the job done.

Others are hired on a time-based agreement, where they work for a set number of hours each week or day. Part-time VAs usually get paid by the hour, while full-time VAs work the usual eight hours per day or 40 hours each week.

Some virtual assistants work for a virtual assistant company as full-time employees, while others work independently.

Where Can You Find Virtual Assistants?

While there are independent contractor or freelancer virtual assistants who work independently, it’s a good idea to hire a VA through a virtual assistant company. Here’s why:

• Vetted Assistants: When you work with a VA company, you can be sure that the assistant they provide has been properly vetted. They’ll have gone through a screening process and training before being matched with clients. You can also request assistants with specific skillsets or personalities, and be assured that they’re knowledgeable about data privacy and security protocols.
• Better Support: When working with an established company, you’ll have support should any problems arise. You can contact customer service if there are any issues with your account or the services rendered.
• Easier to Find the Right Fit: If you’re not happy with the assistant you were matched with, a VA company can easily replace them. You don’t have to go through the hassle of looking for a new assistant on your own.
• More Accountability: A VA company usually hires a full-time assistant, so this can help reduce the risk of turnover. You can also be sure that the assistant will be available when you need them.
• Extra Pair of Eyes: A good VA company will constantly monitor the work and progress of all of its assistants. They’ll help ensure that your assistant provides high-quality work.
• Simplify Outsourcing: From payment, onboarding, to evaluations, a company can help simplify the outsourcing process. A good VA company can serve as a one-stop shop for most of your outsourcing needs.

So, if you’re looking for a virtual assistant, consider working with an established company to enjoy these benefits!

How Do You Hire a Virtual Assistant?

Before hiring a virtual assistant, it’s important to have a good understanding of what you need help with. Make a shortlist of tasks or roles that you want to outsource to a virtual assistant. This will help a VA company better assess your needs.

Once you’re clear on your needs, contact a reputable virtual assistant company to begin the process. Here’s what the onboarding process usually involves:

1. Book a Call: The first step is to book a call with the company. You’ll provide basic information like your name and email address. You may also be asked a few questions related to your outsourcing needs.
2. Schedule a Consultation: After booking a call, the VA company will contact you to schedule a consultation. During the consultation, the company will try to get to know your business better. They’ll ask about your target market, business goals, and brand identity. All of these factors will help them find the best possible assistant for you.
3. Decide on the Kind of VA Needed: You’ll need to decide if you want a part-time or full-time VA, and if your needs are best met by a generalist or specialist. The VA company can also make recommendations.
4. Company Initiates Pairing: A good company will thoughtfully pair you with a VA, considering their skills and personality as well as your needs.
5. Interviews with Prospective VA: The VA company will arrange for an online meeting with the prospective VA. This is an opportunity for you to get to know them before making your final decision.
6. Selection and Onboarding: Once you choose a VA, the company will facilitate the onboarding process and the VA can start working.

By following these steps, you can find the right virtual assistant to help you with your business needs!

A good VA company will always be there to support you and your virtual assistant. They’ll also provide ongoing training to help their assistants improve their skills.

However, not all VA companies are the same. Some may not provide enough support after assigning an assistant, so it’s important to choose an experienced company that won’t leave you hanging!

VA Hiring Service at Leadsourcing

At Leadsourcing, we’re proud to offer top-tier virtual assistants who are highly skilled and constantly trained. We carefully match our clients with the right assistant and provide ongoing support to help them grow their business. We could also provide advice on how to streamline the operations effectively. We focus on operations. Our client focus on business strategy.

If you’re looking for a reliable virtual assistant, we’d love to chat with you! Schedule a call with us to discuss your needs and find out how we can help.