What does a Virtual Assistant do, and is it worth it for Your business?
Virtual Assistants, or VAs, are professionals who perform services for their clients remotely. More and more small business owners are hiring VAs to help them with various tasks. You’ll likely find that VAs can do everything from social media marketing, customer service, graphic design, website development, customer service, and more. And since they work remotely, they can do all this from anywhere in the world. So what does a VA do, and is it worth it for your business?
Let’s take a closer look:
How a Virtual Assistant can help your business
There are many benefits to hiring a Virtual Assistant, or VA. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that you can save time and money by outsourcing tasks to a VA. VAs are professionals who have years of experience in providing administrative, technical, or creative services. They are experts in their field and can help you with a wide range of tasks, whether they are local in Vancouver, or from anywhere in the world. So a VA can get the job done quickly and efficiently if you need help with bookkeeping, website design, or social media marketing.
Another significant benefit of hiring a VA is that you can focus on what you do best – running your business. When you outsource tasks to a VA, you free up time to work on other, perhaps more critical projects to grow your business. And since VAs work remotely, you don’t have to worry about office space or hiring additional staff.
How to find the right Virtual Assistant for your business
Finding the right Virtual Assistant for your business can be a daunting task. But with the right tips and advice, you can find the perfect VA to help you grow your business.
Here are some tips on how to find a suitable VA for you:
Search online directories or classified websites
There are a number of directories and classifieds websites that allow you to search for VAs by area of expertise, country, or language. One such resource for finding a VA is the Canadian Association of Virtual Assistants (CAVA). The CAVA is a professional association for Virtual Assistants with a directory of member VAs.
Work with a freelance job site
A freelance job site is a website where people can find work opportunities as independent contractors. Sites like Upwork.com and Freelancer.ca can be an excellent resources for finding virtual assistants, as they allow you to search for qualified professionals based on specific criteria. You can also read reviews from other business owners who have worked with the VA in question to get a better idea of their quality of work.
When searching for a VA on a freelance job site, clearly define the tasks you need help with. This will help you find a VA with the skills and experience to meet your needs. Once you’ve found a few VAs you’re interested in working with, check references and ask for samples of their work. And finally, be sure to communicate your expectations clearly from the start to avoid any misunderstandings down the road.
Contact a Virtual Assistant agency.
A Virtual Assistant agency can be a great way to find the perfect VA for your business. Agencies like Virtual Assistant Canada and VA Staffing Agency have large pools of qualified professionals to choose from, so you can find the perfect VA for your needs. They also take care of administrative work, such as pre-screening qualified candidates to determine their experience and specialties, so you can focus on running your business.
If you’re looking for a reliable and experienced virtual assistant, contacting a Virtual Assistant agency may be the best way to go.
What does it cost to hire a Virtual Assistant?
First, you must decide what services you need and then find a VA who offers those services. The cost of hiring a VA can vary depending on their skillset and experience. However, most VAs charge by the hour. The going rate for a virtual assistant is anywhere from $15 to 100 dollars an hour, but the sweet spot generally falls between $40 to $75. However, if you require VAs with high-level executive skills and experience, you can expect to pay in the upper ranges of $75 to $100 per hour.
Should I hire a Virtual Assistant as an employee or independent contractor?
Careful consideration should be given to the status of your business relationship with your Virtual Assistant.
Whether a Virtual Assistant is considered an hourly employee or a self-employed freelance contractor depends on certain factors. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has particular methods to determine the difference between the two.
Here are the initial considerations taken directly from the CRA website:
Indicators showing that the worker is an employee
- The payer will often direct, oversee, and effectively control many elements of how and when the work is carried out.
- The payer controls the work results and the method used to do the job.
- The payer controls the method and amount of pay.
- The payer decides what jobs the worker will do.
- The payer chooses to listen to the worker’s suggestions but has the final word.
- The worker requires permission to work for other payers while working for this payer.
- Where the schedule is irregular, priority on the worker’s time indicates control over the worker.
- The worker receives training or direction from the payer on how to do the work. The overall work environment between the worker and the payer is one of subordination.
Indicators showing that the worker is a self-employed individual
- A self-employed individual usually works independently.
- The worker does not have anyone overseeing their activities.
- The worker is usually free to work when and for whom they choose and may simultaneously provide their services to different payers.
- The worker can accept or refuse work from the payer.
Workers and payers can choose how they set up their affairs; however, the employment status they choose must reflect their working relationship. In other words, all the facts, including the actual terms and conditions of employment, determine a worker’s employment status, not just the intention.
More information about the employer-employee relationship is available from The CRA website.
Before hiring a virtual assistant, it may be prudent to consult your financial advisor or accountant about the best option for your business.
How to manage a Virtual Assistant.
Managing a Virtual Assistant can be challenging, but it’s worth it for the time and money savings.
Here are some tips on how to make the most of your VA:
Establish clear expectations.
When you first hire a Virtual Assistant, be sure to establish clear expectations. What tasks do you want them to complete? What hours do they work? What is their role in your business? By setting clear expectations, you can avoid any confusion or misunderstandings down the road.
Create a task list.
Once you have established what tasks you want your VA to complete, create a task list for them. This will help them stay organized and on track with their work. You can also use this list as a guideline to measure their progress over time.
Communicate regularly.
Communication is critical when working with a Virtual Assistant. Be sure to communicate with them regularly through email, chat, or phone calls. This will help ensure that all tasks are completed efficiently and on schedule.
Conclusion
Hiring a Virtual Assistant can be a great way to take your business to the next level. And the idea of hiring a virtual assistant to help with the administrative tasks for your new business is an excellent way to reduce stress and get organized. They can help with various tasks, from administrative work to marketing and social media. By outsourcing these tasks, you can focus on what you do best and grow your business more quickly.
If you are on the fence about whether or not to hire a VA, ask yourself these questions:
- Does delegating these tasks to a VA allow me to free up capacity to grow my business?
- Does the cost of a VA get offset by the revenue growth attributable to that newfound capacity?
- Does having additional support allow me to achieve the business goals I set for myself?
Answering these questions should help you decide whether hiring a VA is the right step for you and your business.
