Many professionals tell us that they wish they could clone themselves. They have a tonne of things to do! Unfortunately, science has yet to progress to the point where it is possible to make new human beings. There are other ways to accomplish things, though. Using a virtual assistant is part of this.
We've compiled the top ten benefits of hiring Virtual Assistants if you've ever thought about hiring one. You'll get flooded with people and industries praising virtual assistants when you search for reasons to employ one.
These four points help to promote the discussion about why remote executive assistants are a good choice for many companies. A Google search for virtual assistant jobs returns 285,000 results. This is a great time to join the ranks of those already looking and being hired.
Virtual assistants perform the same tasks as traditional staff but cost much less. Virtual assistants have emerged as the go-to option for companies, medical practices, and other organizations that need more personnel but don't want to increase their budgets for full-time employees. Virtual assistants offer more than just cost savings. Here are 14 of the most significant benefits of hiring a virtual assistant. Let's first learn what a virtual assistant is and its types.
What does a Virtual Assistant Do?
Virtual assistants are independent contractors that provide remote administrative services for companies. In the 1990s, the term "virtual assistant" was used to characterize the expanding trend of virtual work.
Technological advancements allow workers to share information and make critical business calls anywhere. Virtual assistants can be responsible for specific tasks such as scheduling appointments, travel arrangements, admin tasks, personal tasks, and scheduling posts for social media by using several project management tools.
Virtual assistants have become increasingly well-liked over the past few decades due to the changing nature of business. Many businesses invest in flexible work schedules and arrangements rather than spending large amounts on expensive office space and overburdened teams. This has resulted in a modern, agile project management and team organization approach.
Virtual Assistant Types
Virtual assistants can have different specializations and skills. Virtual assistants can be assigned to your company's specific department or function. Here are some examples of virtual assistants that you might be able to use:
- Bookkeeper: Great for tracking and accounting budgets.
- Administrative Assistant: Schedules meetings, prepares routine reports, and communicates with executives and other entities.
- Scribe: During meetings and presentations and type notes.
- Social Media Manager: Controls the business's social media profiles and posts.
- Designer: Designs infographics, presentations, logos, and flyers.
- Research Analyst: Performs interviews or research tasks and analyzes business data.
The virtual assistant position can vary based on the company they work for. Companies can hire virtual assistants to handle multiple tasks at once.
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Why Work With A Virtual Assistant?
Hire Top Talent
Untapped talent can be reached from various virtual assistant companies when decision-makers are open to the idea that remote executive assistants could be hired. Businesses can now find talent globally and are no longer limited by geographic location. This can provide tremendous value to businesses in smaller cities or low-tier metropolitan areas where the local talent pool might be limited or exhausted.
By casting a wide range of nets, employers with specialized skills and capabilities increase their chances of finding the qualified help they require. Suppose a company searches solely within a 30-mile radius. In that case, they may need help locating an executive assistant with a history in business development, excel abilities, excellent graphic editing skills, a flair for boosting operational efficiency, and exceptional accounting skills. The virtual option makes it easier to find such "unicorns."
The Happiness Of Employees And Engagement
Consider how a team member's workload and quality of life might change if they didn't have to commute. The average commute time in America has climbed by 20%. It takes 26 minutes right now. It worsens in large cities and metros with sprawling, densely populated suburbs. Employees increasingly face the "mega commute," which involves driving for 90 minutes to work.
You can also wear ultra-casual clothing, have healthy snacks at home, and enjoy the comfort of working from your home. Remote employment has positive health effects for employers as well. Remote workers are more likely to be enthusiastic, have fewer sick days, work harder, and contribute longer hours. A research firm discovered that remote employees felt more connected to their companies. They sense a sense of power and affiliation with the goals and missions of their employer.
Save Time And Get More Done
Working from home lets you focus on what is most important: getting your job done. This is supported by research. They made more calls per minute while taking fewer breaks and sick days. Participants reported higher levels of job satisfaction, and the company had a better retention rate.
Businesses that use virtual assistant services in their company models can profit from comparable advantages. The consequences to businesses of inflexible work cultures include turnover, sick days, disengagement, and other issues. Virtual options can ease some of the burdens and reduce risks. They also offer faster performance.
You Can Cut Expenses And Increase Your Savings
A new cubicle can cost around $2,000. You can find used cubicles for as low as one-third of the price. For much less, you can get more modern and better-constructed office partitions and workstations. Employing remote executive assistants can help firms save money above and beyond the cost of a cube. Office supplies and furniture are additional hard assets. In particular, "best-in-class" businesses may incur additional costs for utilities (lighting, heat, and air), parking, refreshments, meals, on-site childcare, work-life amenities (auto detailing, dry cleaning), and even on-site wellness and exercise facilities.
Other components on the soft side of the equation may require more work to calculate. Innovation and dependable quality are influenced by increased productivity, long-tenured employees, and employee contentment. Tight work and genuine client service that is beyond estimation. You may have hesitated about hiring remote assistants or whether your current team can try it. These points demonstrate much to be gained from embracing remote workers at this stage.
Read More: Benefits: Virtual Assistants Can Offer To Businesses By Completing Various Tasks
14 Benefits Of Virtual Assistant
Here are some persuasive arguments to finally hire a virtual assistant once and for all, if that wasn't enough to persuade you!
You Can Extend Your Day's Duration: Time, not money, is the most valuable resource anyone can own. If it's gone, it's gone forever. It is, therefore, crucial to delegate tasks to people you trust. Solopreneurs who spend too much time dealing with administrative tasks at the low end of the scale are bound to fail.
Let Someone Else Handle Those Administrative Tasks: Virtual Assistants can manage everything from calendar management to email management and answering phones. Their area of expertise, which includes marketing, web design, and bookkeeping, is virtually as diverse as the businesses for which they are engaged.
Start Scaling Up Your Business: Virtual assistants can help you scale your operations with less risk and cost. Virtual Assistants can be a cost-effective alternative for IRL virtual staff because development takes capital. You can reduce your expenses and invest the money back into your business strategy.
Keep A Consistent Online Presence: You can't deny the fact that small business owners need to have an online presence. This includes a website, Facebook, and Twitter. However, managing all of them can be time-consuming for solopreneurs. Your Virtual Assistant can.
Generate Your Leads: Either inbound digital marketing initiatives to your website or social media accounts can be used to generate leads. Your virtual assistant will categorize and value each of your leads. They will then include these potential clients in your current client database.
Create And Produce Content: You want to establish yourself as an authority in your field by writing and studying material about your good or service. To drive more traffic to your website, your virtual assistant may manage content creation, from market research to publishing.
Manage Your Bookkeeping: This is true, which many small business owners find surprising. Your virtual assistant can handle your bookkeeping. Your finances will be managed timely and in order.
Take Care of Customer Service: You can provide better service to your consumers with the help of your virtual assistant.
- Answer customer questions.
- Email responses and Frequently Asked Questions can be created.
- Follow up with customers.
- Respond to any complaints or requests.
Improve Processes, Products & Services: A virtual assistant can help streamline your business processes and improve productivity. They can also monitor your markets and listen to social media presence discussions regarding your business or brand.
Enjoy Peace of Mind: Simply put, it's priceless. If you don't have someone who can assign tasks faithfully, your sanity and peace of mind will be in jeopardy. As mentioned, multitasking can be far more efficient and effective than monotasking. A virtual assistant can assist you in maintaining your attention on what matters most.
Lower Operating Costs: Virtual assistants are a cost-effective way to increase efficiency and reduce costs in your business goals. You can hire an assistant as needed or part-time or full-time.
Spend Less Time on Projects and Initiatives: Virtual assistants often perform repetitive tasks or take notes. These tasks can distract from urgent issues like client meetings and lead generation. Leaders can delegate tedious tasks to virtual personal assistants to concentrate on critical tasks.
Greater Work Efficiency: Leaders don't have to be the only ones who benefit. Other team members might likewise be overworked and need occasional or ongoing assistance. To concentrate on editing and delivery, social media platform managers, for instance, are more effective when they can assign writing, research, or graphic design tasks to their assistants.
An Environment at Work That is More Adaptable and Healthy: Remote work can transform your company's culture. Remote work can make a significant impact on employee well-being. Think about a mother who needs to be away from work or a digital native who prefers to be on the move. These employees can do their jobs like any other. Still, remote work may offer greater satisfaction because they can easily manage other demands and desires.
Five Ways A Virtual Assistant Can Aid In Business Growth
Data Entry
Data is necessary for data management, data firms, finance, and accounting. Although data entry can be pretty straightforward, it can become monotonous if you have better skill sets elsewhere. With a specialized virtual assistant, you can better manage your valuable time and create a more effective data-gathering strategy.
Customer Service
96% of consumers consider customer service a key factor in sticking with a brand. Even though providing excellent customer service is crucial in today's business environment, many firms still need to give it more priority. Bad experiences could harm brand loyalty and satisfaction and even happen to loyal leads and potential customers. A virtual assistant can also answer customer questions. This significantly impacts the reputation of a corporation.
Administrative Tasks
These tasks are simple enough to be completed by anyone. However, to do these tasks well, you should hire a specialist in this area of work. Less administrative work will free up your team to focus on the things for which they are most qualified.
Sales Outreach
While sales are essential to a company's survival, outreach, and activity tracking can be costly. Cold calls, email marketing, and other administrative activities can all be handled by virtual assistants. Many of these chores can be performed by virtual assistants over the phone or using a laptop.
Management Of Social Media
Despite social media's extensive usage in contemporary life, many corporate leaders need help to see its potential. This frequently occurs due to how long it takes to create engaging content regularly. Virtual assistants can be invaluable in helping your company to maintain its online presence and create a channel for loyal customers.
What Does A Virtual Assistant Cost?
The cost of hiring a virtual assistant might differ depending on several variables, including the volume and type of work, professional experience, place of origin, and level of technical skill necessary. Here are some examples of virtual assistant costs.
Administrative Professionals, Data Entry
- Description: Proofreading, data entry, and clerical work.
- Hourly Average Rate: $12-20
- Average Monthly Charge (20 hrs/wk): $960-1,600
- Average Monthly Charge (40 hours/wk): $1920 - $3200
Marketing VA, Customer Service, And Accounting Support
- Description: Budgeting/accounting, copywriting, and customer service. Experience with CRM software includes social media marketing, email marketing, and programs like WordPress.
- Hourly Average Rate: $20-35+
- Average Monthly Charge (20 hours/wk): $1600 - 2,800
- Average Monthly Charge (40 hours/wk): $3.200 - $5.600
Advanced VA Consultant, Executive Assistant
- Description: Project management, sophisticated IT/site management, and business consultancy. Server administration and web development.
- Hourly Average Rate: $38--50
- Average Monthly Charge (20 hours/wk): $3.040 - $4,000
- Average Monthly Charge (40 hours/wk): $6.080 - $8,000
Read More: Myths: About Hiring A Virtual Assistant
How To Hire And Manage A Virtual Assistant
Start Setting Expectations
Start by outlining the project's parameters and the duties the virtual assistant will be expected to perform. How long should the project take to complete? What amount will the VA receive? What is a stretch, and what is in scope? It would help if you were asking yourself these inquiries since, after being employed, your virtual assistant will also. To define the scope and duties, it is crucial to produce precise guidelines and process papers, such as an SOW (Scope of Work). This will clear up any misunderstandings and improve the likelihood of success.
Define A Daily Routine
After all, contracts have been signed; it is time to set up a consistent work schedule, daily tasks, or check-in. Because virtual assistants aren't physically present at the office, ensuring they stay on target and communicate effectively can be challenging. Discuss the virtual assistant's availability and look for times when their schedule and your business overlap. You will also need to consider the time difference if they are overseas.
Set A Budget
The cost is the entire justification for using a virtual assistant in your company. Virtual assistants cost a fraction of what full-time staff does. Spending more than anticipated is simple when you don't have a budget. When setting up a VA project, determine how much time each activity will take and how much it will likely cost, depending on the VA's rate. Avoid potential disagreements and falls outs about compensation by being as transparent as possible.
Keep Track Of Time And Complete Tasks
Remote work requires accountability and time tracking. Virtual assistants can claim to have worked on a project but need a track record. While self-tracking is not a moral obligation, it can be a helpful approach to monitoring workload and project completion.
Give Useful Feedback On Performance
Your virtual assistants will value your encouragement and support. Reports every month or every three months are acceptable. This is a great way to encourage and motivate them to be better. Your virtual assistant will be grateful for your honesty and return the favor by recompiling their efforts.
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Conclusion
Virtual assistants can be more than remote workers. Virtual assistants can be the center of your business while you focus on other things. Even though their job might not immediately affect your company's financial line, it can be very effective. All team members are still affected by their absence. This is especially true if they can divert their attention from monotonous activities like data entry or social media management. Virtual assistants can revolutionize your team's functions by giving them the correct objectives and guidance.
