Hiring a virtual assistant to delegate tasks to is always going to be a great idea, especially if you're a business owner who feels overworked and crunched with time.
In that regard, where and how you search for your virtual assistant matters just as much as finding the perfect one. In fact, the most common reason why VAs aren't effective in companies is the incorrect or inappropriate outsourcing method.
Unfortunate entrepreneurs who share this experience will swear that virtual assistants are a waste of time and money, but don't let this hold you back. Utilizing the correct platforms for outsourcing is the first step to effectively working with remote employees and maximizing their full potential - so you can scale your business!
As a VA placement agency working with a fully operational virtual assistant team, the merits brought upon by working with remote employees are endless. And while their nature being remote may cause problems, the solutions for these are as simple as systemizing workflow and utilizing the appropriate software and programs.
That said, the most common reason why virtual assistants don't work for a lot of people is using the incorrect method of outsourcing. To date, there are at least 3 ways to outsource a virtual assistant.
The first one is through online platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and OnlineJobs. This method is arguably the easiest and fastest approach to hiring virtual assistants. Being an open platform for remote work, they also contain the majority of the virtual assistants in the market. The tradeoff for this is you're more prone to hiring the incorrect employee given your number of options, which is why you'd also need to allot time and effort to vet applicants yourself. That said, they work best for hiring part-time or project-based VAs. Need someone to design a logo for your company or a video editor for your next YouTube video? Hire a freelancer through Fiverr or UpWork.
The second method is through hourly-premium services - where companies assess your needs and places a virtual assistant that's most suitable for the job that you require. Being an hourly-premium, their rates are naturally higher compared to others. And how it works is while your virtual assistant will be working for you, your contract is still with the agency and therefore you'll still be directly coordinating and paying them. This means that your virtual assistant will actually be only getting a percentage out of the hourly rate that you'll be paying. That said, quality of service is still of course assured, and replacement will vary depending on the company if the need arises - a suitable, if not perfect, approach for working with a long-term remote employee.
The last is a headhunting approach that's also best utilized for long-term virtual assistants, where a company outsources an employee that's most capable for the job and industry that you require - a method currently utilized by Virtual Assistant Staffing Agency (VASA). Unlike the hourly-premium approach, you'll only be paying a one-time headhunting fee for a virtual assistant, but still, be able to enjoy all of an agency's perks and advantages when it comes to quality of service. Because of this, your virtual assistant will be working for you directly and is eligible for 100% of what you're paying them.
Statistically speaking, this method saves you a ton of money if you've invested in keeping your VA in the long run. This is why in addition to a placement service, VASA is committed to devising ways and strategies to continue systemizing workflows through automation, systems, and processes.
Employing a virtual assistant in your team is always going to be a smart choice, and optimizing your business is crucial if you want to maximize their potential. That said, when looking for one, it's important to know what you're looking for, so you'll know exactly where to look at.
We work with clients in any industry or niche. In the past, we've staffed hundreds of virtual assistants for real estate professionals, insurance agents, marketing agency founders, SaaS CEOs, podcasters, authors, and even business coaches.
We're confident that, regardless of your niche, we can help you work less, grow faster, and be happier than ever.
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