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When to Hire a Virtual Assistant

When to hire a virtual assistant?

For small businesses or individuals who need help with tasks like administrative work, email management, data entry, and more but do not require a full-time employee, hiring a virtual assistant can be a great option. Virtual assistants work remotely and can help you minimize costs while maximizing productivity.

When Should You Hire a Virtual Assistant?

When workload increases

If your workload is increasing due to business growth and you’re finding it difficult to keep up with all the demands of your job, it may be a good time to consider a virtual assistant. They can take over routine, time-consuming tasks so you can focus on higher priorities. According to Inc. Magazine, administrative tasks are necessary. However, they often hinder you from doing other essential tasks that directly aim at increasing your business’s value.

Reduction in staff

Conversely, if you have had to let employees go due to budget cuts, a virtual assistant could help fill in the gaps without the high costs of benefits and overhead. They are a more affordable solution to complement your existing team.

Need for specialized skills

Do you have specific projects that require skills or experience that you lack? Hiring a virtual assistant with the appropriate expertise can help ensure the work is done properly. Their specialized knowledge and abilities can benefit your business greatly.

It will benefit your company if you admit that you need expert help when it comes to specific skill set, such as bookkeeping or SEO marketing. As Time Doctor pointed out, hiring the virtual assistant with these specific skills will ensure that the work is done right the first time.

Better work-life balance

For many business owners and employees, a virtual assistant provides an opportunity for a better work-life balance. Not having to commute into an office can save time that would otherwise be spent on traffic and finding parking. This extra time can be spent on exercise, family, and recharging. This also keeps you from experiencing workplace burnout.

There are several signs it may be time to hire a virtual assistant to support your business needs. By evaluating your workload, staffing requirements, specialized skills gaps, and work-life balance goals, you can determine if bringing on a virtual assistant makes sense for your unique situation.

Virtual Assistant Tasks: What Jobs Can I Delegate to My VA

Virtual assistant tasks range from administrative to email management to appointment setting, etc.

Nowadays, the virtual assistants industry is becoming increasingly popular among businesses and individuals who need help with various tasks but may not have the capacity or resources to hire a full-time employee. A virtual assistant can help with numerous tasks, either on a one-time or ongoing basis. 

Specific Tasks of a Virtual Assistant

 

    • Email management: A virtual assistant can help manage your inbox, reply to emails, prioritize messages and flag important ones for your attention.

    • Scheduling: VAs can assist with scheduling appointments, setting reminders and arranging meetings and calls for you.

    • Research: If you need assistance finding information, conducting internet research or gathering data, a VA can help save you time and effort.

    • Administrative tasks: VAs can help with tasks such as data entry, preparing reports, transcribing documents and other administrative duties.

    • Social media: If you need help with managing your social media profiles, a VA can help create content, schedule posts and reply to comments.

    • Travel planning: VAs can help with booking transportation, accommodation and itinerary planning for business or personal travel.

    • Customer service: If you need help with answering customer inquiries, resolving issues and providing support, a VA can help.

    • Personal tasks: VAs can also help with personal tasks such as booking appointments, running errands and other personal assistant duties.

A virtual assistant can assist with several tasks to help streamline your work-life balance and free up time for things that matter most to you. Be sure to communicate with your VA effectively and provide clear instructions to help them achieve the best result possible.

History of the Virtual Assistant Industry

The history of the virtual assistant industry all began with the emergence of personal computers in the 1980s and the popularity of the internet in the 1990s. This means that the concept of hiring remote workers has been around for decades, but it wasn’t until the advent of the internet and remote collaboration technology that it really took off.

Virtual Assistant Industry: Then and Now

The first virtual assistants were executive secretaries who worked remotely, using primitive communication technologies like phone and fax. However, as the internet became faster and more reliable, and as communication tools like email and video conferencing became more sophisticated, the virtual assistant industry grew rapidly.

In the early years, virtual assistants were primarily used by small business owners and entrepreneurs who couldn’t afford to hire a full-time employee but needed help with administrative tasks. As the industry grew, virtual assistants began to specialize in particular areas, such as social media management, bookkeeping, and marketing. Today, there are virtual assistants who specialize in almost every area of business, from graphic design to web development to project management.

The virtual assistant industry has also grown geographically, with virtual assistants now working from all over the world. This has been made possible by advances in cloud computing and communication tools -such as Slack and Zoom- as well as changes in the way companies do business. Many businesses today are run entirely or mostly online, which means that they can work with virtual assistants from anywhere in the world, providing they have a reliable internet connection.

Overall, the virtual assistant industry has come a long way since its early days. As technology continues to evolve, it is likely that the industry will continue to grow, with more businesses realizing the benefits of working with remote professionals who can help them to achieve their goals.

Virtual Assistant vs Employee: Which Should I Hire?

Many businesses need assistance with administrative tasks. For business owners, there is one common dilemma of which one to hire: virtual assistant vs. employee.

Both virtual assistants and in-house employees can be valuable assets to a company, and each of them has an advantage over the other. For example, if you need someone who can think creatively and solve problems quickly, then an employee might be a better option than a virtual assistant. However, if you need someone who can handle mundane tasks quickly and efficiently, then a virtual assistant might be the best choice for your business.

The key is knowing the difference between the two to find out which works better for your business’s needs.

Advantages of Virtual Assistant over Employee

Cost Effectiveness

Employing a virtual assistant is often more cost-effective than getting an in-house employee. Virtual assistants work remotely, which means businesses do not have to worry about office space, employee benefits, or training costs. Virtual assistants are usually paid on an hourly or per-project basis, making it easy to control costs.

On the other hand, employees require a consistent salary, benefits, and paid time off. In addition, businesses need to provide equipment such as computers, phones, and office space for employees. These costs can add up quickly and may cause financial strain on small businesses.

Flexibility

Virtual assistants offer a great deal of flexibility for businesses. They are able to work on an as-needed basis, which means companies only pay for the services they require. Additionally, virtual assistants can work outside of traditional office hours, which may be beneficial for businesses with employees in different time zones.

Employees are required to work a set number of hours per week, and may not be available during non-traditional office hours. This can create scheduling conflicts and limit a company’s flexibility.

Skillset

When hiring an employee, businesses must consider the candidate’s qualifications and ensure they have the expertise to fulfill the job responsibilities. However, virtual assistants are often hired for specific tasks or projects, meaning businesses can access specialists in various fields. This allows companies to tap into the knowledge and experience of highly skilled individuals without the cost of a full-time employee.

Both virtual assistants and in-house employees have their advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the decision should be based on the company’s specific needs and resources. However, in today’s digital age, many small businesses find that outsourcing administrative tasks to virtual assistants is the most cost-effective and efficient solution.

Social Media for Business: How Digital Platforms Help Companies

In the digital age, social media has become an essential part of businesses, whether small start-ups or big companies. Business.com recommends companies to establish online presence on various platforms, specifically Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Why Social Media Is Important for Businesses

Statista estimates that there are 4.59 billion social media users worldwide in 2022. It is projected to increase to 4.89 billion users this year and 5.85 billion by the year 2027.

Given this reach, social media is now an integral tool for companies to reach their target audience, build relationships, and increase brand awareness. With the right strategy, businesses can use social media to effectively engage with customers and potential customers.

Many businesses are taking advantage of the various social media platforms to market their company.

Reach Target Audience and Build Relationships and Network

As the world goes digital, social media has gained an advantage over traditional media platforms, such as TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines. Forbes reported that with social media, spreading information about one’s business has become faster and cost-efficient. Imagine reaching possible millions of potential customers with just one post.

Social media also helps businesses stay connected with their customers, as they can directly contact you via comment section and direct messages. It is also a good avenue for them to build meaningful relationships with the customers, which can be beneficial in the long run. Additionally, it gives businesses the opportunity to get feedback from their customers, which helps them understand what business strategies work and what do not.

Build and Increase Brand Awareness

According to a study conducted by SCORE, 77% of small businesses utilize social media not only to establish brand awareness but also to facilitate customer service and increase sales.

Another report states that social media users discover new brands through social media platforms and share the posts on their timeline for their friends, followers, and connections to see, thus, increasing brand awareness.

Social media can provide businesses with a platform to showcase their products and services in a creative way. Thinking outside the box when it comes to creating social media content can significantly increase brand awareness.

Improve Website Traffic

SEO or Search Engine Optimization and Google Search ranking have been proven to directly translate to website visits, clicks, and even sales. However, with the number of competitors on the web, this could be extra challenging.

The good news is you do not have to rely solely on that. Social media can also drive traffic to your business website. You can post your website link on your account bio, feed, story, reels, and any other features, depending on which social media platform you use.

Use your creativity to come up with posts that will trigger the curiosity of the customers and make them want to visit your website to know more about your products, services, and your brand as a whole.

St Patrick’s Day: An Opportunity to Grow Your Business

St. Patrick’s Day can be a great opportunity for business owners to attract customers and increase sales. Here are a few ways businesses can capitalize on the holiday:

Decorate

Decorate your business with green and gold colors to create a festive atmosphere. Hang shamrocks or banners that say “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” to attract attention.

Special Promotions

Offer special promotions or discounts for St. Patrick’s Day. You can create themed products or services, such as green-colored foods or drinks or Irish-themed merchandise.

Social Media

Utilize social media platforms to promote your business and St. Patrick’s Day-related content. Create posts with themed hashtags and encourage customers to share their St. Patrick’s Day experiences at your business.

Community Involvement

Consider getting involved in your local St. Patrick’s Day parade or event to show support for the holiday and increase visibility for your business.

Giveaways

Consider hosting a St. Patrick’s Day-themed giveaway to attract customers and generate excitement around your business.

Overall, St. Patrick’s Day is a great opportunity for businesses to engage with customers and increase sales by incorporating festive and creative marketing strategies. 

Hiring Virtual Assistants: How Successful Companies Benefit from Hiring VAs

Running a business can be overwhelming. There are plenty of tasks to do, and most of the time, hiring a full-time on-site employee to perform specific tasks may be impractical. This is where hiring virtual assistants will be beneficial.

Having a virtual assistant is practically the same as hiring an office employee but with a lot more efficiency and flexibility. Virtual assistants, or VAs, are professionals working from their homes. They complete their tasks virtually within or beyond your business operating hours. VAs can perform a wide range of tasks – from usual administrative jobs to complex, specialized tasks.

Key Benefits of Hiring Virtual Assistants

Having a virtual assistant is much more advantageous than you think. Here are some of the key benefits of adding a VA to your team.

1.     Cost Reduction

Compared to hiring an in-house employee, outsourcing a virtual assistant is more cost-efficient. VAs are paid either at a fixed hourly rate or on a per-task basis.

Most VAs can be outsourced from countries with a lower cost of living. This means that you do not have to pay as much as you would if you hire someone from the United States.

According to Glassdoor, a virtual assistant from the Philippines earns $20750 annually. This is almost half compared to the average annual pay of $59,153 for VAs in the US as of February 2023, per ZipRecruiter.

You can also save on miscellaneous costs, such as internet connection, computers and other equipment, and other office space expenses. There is also no need for you to provide a complete employee benefits package.

In addition, you usually spend time and resources training new-hire employees on various aspects of the job. You don’t have to do so if you hire virtual professionals as they work on specific tasks they are already good at. This means additional savings on training costs.

2.     Time Saving

Other than overseeing the main aspects of business operations, running a company entails plenty of tasks, such as email, calendar, website, and social media management; data entry and document creation; creating reports and presentations; internet research; and booking travels and accommodations, among others. Some of these can be mundane and time-consuming, but they are equally important.

Getting a virtual professional to perform these tasks frees you of hours of work, which you can allot in more essential tasks such as forging partnerships, focusing on how to increase your revenue, and creating other business strategies.

3.     Flexibility and Increased Productivity

Having virtual assistants from a different time zone practically prolongs your business hours without actually extending office operations. For example, you can set up a team of virtual professionals to attend to customer needs and inquiries. If you schedule them strategically, you can even have 24/7 customer support for your business. This is especially beneficial if you have clients and customers from different time zones.

4.     Streamlining Business Operations

If your business does not have well-documented processes and systems set up yet, let a virtual professional help you create these strategies and streamline your business operations.

Hiring virtual assistants can also be done on a per-project basis. This can help you address increasing work demands without having to spend as much as you will if you hire a full-time in-house employee.

5.     Access to Specialized Services

One good thing about hiring a virtual assistant is that you can select the candidate that best fits your requirement. Most virtual assistants either have solid work experience, have undergone specialized training, or have taken certificate courses to improve the service they offer.

Whether you want someone to focus on managing your website and social media accounts, an assistant who has advanced proficiency in specific tools and software, or a person who will help you create campaign materials for your company, you can select from the pool of candidates the one that has the perfect skill set tailor fit for your needs.

6.     Avoiding Burnout and Achieving Work-Life Balance

Since you have the majority of repetitive and time-consuming tasks already taken care of by your virtual assistants, you can just focus on your company’s long-term growth.

Hiring virtual professionals gives you not only peace of mind. With the majority of your tasks delegated to virtual professionals, you now have more time for yourself, so you can do things that you love outside work and more time for your family and friends.

Enjoying these perks allow you to have a good work-life balance and avoid work burnout.

The Remotely LLC Guarantee

There are hundreds upon hundreds of Virtual Assistant companies out there trying to set up businesses in the Philippines of all places. They also saw the opportunity that is before them, just how cost-effective it is to hire Filipino virtual assistants. Not only are they college-educated, but also easy to work with.

What sets Remotely LLC apart is the owner. Her mission to provide a livelihood to hundreds of Filipinos is in itself a good deed steeped in good intentions. At this point in her life, she wants to make a difference! It is still a business that she is creating and managing, but with thoughtful consideration of how workers are going to be treated.

You’ve heard horror stories of assistants not being equipped with the needed skills or how bosses will fire workers at the drop of a hat if they are not satisfied with the deployed employee. It won’t happen here. That is why we need more time so that the candidate is ready to be deployed to you. If they need to be trained on something specific to your business, we will do whatever we can to train him/her further. As a result, we will be able to cut your training costs and give you a more competent worker ready to start. We also hire experienced employees. 

We guarantee that we will get the right candidate for your business as you concentrate more on your business and generate more sales. Replacements can be an option, but why replace them when we can retrain them? It is recognizing that each candidate has the potential to get embedded into your company.

We also advocate staff wellness and happiness which is rare. We will reward them accordingly and make sure to practice meritocracy. We will make you proud of them!

Here are further reasons why you should choose us:

  • We make sure that you can focus on your business. We will provide the talent that will accomplish your daily mundane tasks. 
  • We are cost-effective, but make sure that the worker is fairly compensated for the work that they do so that they can support their families.
  • We train the employee so that they are ready to tackle your business needs.
  • We mentor even after deployment, we follow through.
  • We advocate wellness and happiness for both the employee and yours.
  • We make sure to comply with legal employment in the Philippines.
  • We don’t discriminate. We practice ethical standards.
  • We give your superior assistance.

Disadvantages:

  • No disadvantages just blessings. We will not disappoint!

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