Many newly established businesses have a lot on their plates, but they often don’t have the resources to employ additional staff. To keep up with the workload, many hire virtual assistants (VAs) who can support business owners as they build their firm without investing in more full-time employees. VAs are unique kinds of administrative assistants who work using remote communication channels. A lot of their work can be done off-site and done via online tools.
There are two primary types of VAs you can work with: generalists and specialists. Generalist VAs have a wide range of skills and can carry out a long list of administrative responsibilities. Specialists, on the other hand, have honed skills in specific business duties and are likely to have more experience. Data entry, bookkeeping, email management, travel arranging, internet marketing, content development, and more are a few samples of skills generalists may have and specialists may know in-depth.
Do I Need a Virtual Assistant for My Team?
Virtual assistants have a lot to offer, but before hiring one, you’ll need to evaluate the business demands of your organization. VAs are typically a good decision when you have some extra work that needs to be done, but not enough to warrant hiring full-time personnel. The services of a VA are often cheaper while your business grows. These professionals also have a lot to offer businesses, only starting from increased productivity and job efficiency.
What Benefits Can I Get from Hiring a VA?
Adding a VA to your workforce can help your business thrive and grow to the next level. Here are some other benefits you can enjoy:
1 – There’s No Need for Training
It’s pretty unlikely that you and your team have every single skill needed to operate the business. Virtual assistants, on the other hand, have spent time honing abilities to run and operate a small business—and do it well. They are valuable resources for whatever work you need to be performed, whether it’s writing marketing copy or organizing payroll.
Even if there’s enough work for a full-time employee, you have to consider the resources you have to offer. New hires mean a training and onboarding period. With VAs, you can choose someone who already possesses the talents you need to accomplish the task. Outsourcing VAs who have the necessary skills to perform non-core duties can free you from managing them. That makes it possible for you to dedicate yourself to vital business tasks that your on-site team needs to complete.
2 – You’ll Cut Overhead Expenses
Working with full-time employees means you will be paying for a full-time employee’s salary, as well as the taxes, sick days, holidays, and other benefits that come with it. These expenses often cause overhead costs to grow. On the other side, you have greater leeway with VA personnel because they are flexible. They often operate as independent contractors and are considered self-employed. They manage all their financial obligations—including taxes and insurance—freeing you from these expenses and responsibilities.
Another advantage is that with VAs, there are no long-term responsibilities because their only job is to complete a specific task and collect payment depending on the prior agreement. When you pay an hourly or project-based fee, you only pay for completed work. That allows you to guarantee good work and enjoy greater control over your budget.
3 – You’ll Save Time and Gain Flexibility
Time is money, so you need to make sure that you use it wisely. Hiring a VA does not only mean that a task gets done, but it also means you don’t have to do it. As a result, you enjoy more time and flexibility!
Many minor administrative tasks do not require your attention, and outsourcing allows you chances to focus on other tasks. It even works if you hire someone in a different timezone. You need to design a shift schedule that balances productivity and cost control. If you have a VA, there’s no need to stick to a traditional 9-5 workweek. Their hours are flexible, and they are always available when you need them.
How Do I Start Hiring a Virtual Assistant?
If you’ve decided to outsource some of your tasks to a virtual assistant, you may be overwhelmed with where to begin. To better analyze your demands, be prepared with a shortlist of activities. When you’re starting, the first thing you should do is define the duties or roles you wish to outsource.
You can begin obtaining a VA by looking for a reputable outsourcing company to work with. To start, you can contact the company’s human resources department, meet with a representative, and review the job criteria you are looking for. Define the VA type you require and decide if you want someone part-time, full-time, or just project-based. It may also be beneficial to determine if you want a generalist or a specialist. Doing so will help you sift through potential VAs more easily.
Partnering with a trusted company will help you find a good VA partner. They can help you as an outsourcing agency to match you with the right person. It isn’t just an assistant’s skill set that impacts the working experience but also the characteristics of both employer and employee.
How Many Hours Do Virtual Assistants Usually Work?
The amount of time each company gives to virtual assistants varies. VAs can come to an agreement with an output-based arrangement. This arrangement does not bother with tracking any time. It doesn’t matter how much time they spend working, as long as they finish the task.
That being said, many VAs are recruited on a time-based agreement. You can start with your assistant on a commitment to work for 20 hours per week at a mutually agreed upon time. You also have the option to require 40 hours a week with full-time VAs. Most essentially, it is entirely up to the discretion of the two parties involved.
Final Thoughts
Having a growing company requires making every part of your organization flexible to any possible change. To ensure that you have the time and focus on building your business and plan for the future, consider outsourcing some of your business functions to a virtual assistant. The multiple benefits of using a virtual assistant in your organization are rather noteworthy. Focusing on what you need to do saves you the time you otherwise waste working on things you can delegate to other people.
By relying on virtual personnel, you can boost your productivity and team performance. When you and your regular employees are free from any routinary day-to-day activities, you have the opportunity to devote yourself to business functions of a higher level. Virtual assistants provide numerous benefits, especially for growing businesses these days. The chance to help ensure your business is functioning as smoothly as possible while also saving money makes virtual assistants worth considering.
Get the virtual solution you need and find the best remote support for business today. CrewBloom can provide you with every solution you need to help your business thrive. Check out our services today and allow us to connect you with the best talent you can find!
