An increasing number of business executives are taking their businesses global. They are onboarding digital assistants who live in other countries to work for them. While they already have staff to handle most of the routine tasks associated with their businesses, hiring a virtual assistant can help them save on costs and allow them time to approach more customers and earn more money.
The level of sophistication and competitiveness in a business environment is at an all-time high. So it won’t be surprising to see more and more executives hire virtual assistants to take care of routine tasks, check email, and other admin duties, thereby freeing up their time to concentrate on core business activities.
Who is a Virtual Assistant?
A Virtual Assistant (VA) or digital assistant (DA) is a remote business assistant who helps you handle various tasks in your everyday operations.
These experts specialize in handling the tasks they do on behalf of business owners and work full-time or part-time. Virtual assistants are usually hired for project-based work or on a per-hour basis. They are independent contractors rather than employees.
Working with a virtual assistant can offer many benefits to both the employer and the employee. Many people find that hiring a virtual assistant saves them time and money, ensuring they focus on running their own business.
Which Tasks do Virtual Assistants Handle?
Virtual assistants handle routine customer service, light administrative duties, online research, and other tasks. Some common skills in this category include full multi website chat support, social media management, graphic design, transcribing, content creation, and voice-over work.
Other important tasks include:
- Email management
- Data entry
- Research
- Web research
- Organizing information
- Writing and editing content for blogs and websites
- Creating graphics and web design to promote your business, blog, or website
- Project management, i.e., selecting other appropriate virtual assistants for a project, organizing the workflow, and providing guidance and feedback as needed to complete the venture effectively and efficiently.
- SEO strategy and implementation (keyword research, link building, backlink removal)
VAs can also provide more complex business services like accounting and payroll management or assist with marketing campaigns. Digital assistants in these positions typically need more advanced skills in addition to their communications skills; they may be highly experienced in office administration or have strong backgrounds in marketing and public relations.
As a business owner, you wear many hats. If you’re a contractor or sole proprietor who has provided work throughout the tax year? If so, you may be wondering how to get your 1099-NEC form. And with the increase in remote and freelance workers, you need to submit non-employee compensation (NEC) form.
The 1099-NEC form generator is used to report nonemployee compensation. This includes payments made to contractors and other service providers who are not considered employees.
The Far-reaching Pros of Hiring a Virtual Assistant
Beyond handling routine tasks, remote digital assistants offer far-reaching benefits to a business.
Here are some ways this new generation of workers can add value to your company.
- They allow you to focus on what you do best. VAs handle most of your routine tasks so your time isn’t wasted on tasks that others can easily accomplish.
- Remote assistants also cut operational costs because you hire them as part-time workers and not permanent employees. This frees you of the many expenses you cater for in an employed worker’s payslip.
- You get the value of your money because you only hire them when you need them and pay per task. Having a VA means never being short-staffed, even if it’s just for a few hours a week or month.
- Virtual assistants offer new perspectives and creative ways to handle tasks. These workers gain lots of experience working with different clients and may make valuable suggestions.
VAs also use their online presence to market your services or products on your behalf, even if you hire them for non-marketing tasks.
Essential Considerations for Working with VAs
If you love the idea of hiring a virtual assistant, here are some important considerations to keep in mind:
- Salary.
The most common VAs are freelancers who charge by the hour, but you can also hire someone on salary. It’s up to you whether you want to pay hourly or per month, but if your VA works out of his home, he’ll have regular overhead costs that are easier for him if he’s being paid a salary.
- What do I need help with?
Before interviewing candidates, determine what tasks you’re hoping they can handle. Decide upfront if you’re looking for someone to take care of administrative tasks or if you want them to be more involved in your business strategy.
- Where will the VA work?
VAs can work from anywhere in the world as long as they have reliable internet access and can communicate with clients via text messaging or video chat. Make sure you tell them up front where they’ll be working from so they don’t make any assumptions about your expectations concerning where they live or work.
- Training
VAs are accustomed to working independently, but sometimes, they require training before they start handling your projects. Make sure your VA is willing and able to learn what you need help with before onboarding them.
The Bottomline
Hiring a virtual assistant can increase your productivity and much more. They are your practical right hand, helping with everything from writing blog posts to managing client communication to brainstorming new blog ideas. This leaves you plenty of time to focus on what you do best while your assistant does the rest.