Working remotely as a Virtual Assistant is not a new concept. In fact, the ability to work remotely dates back to the early days of the internet. Before there were virtual assistants, people had to physically meet in person to collaborate on tasks and projects. The emergence of Virtual Assistants (VAs) changed all that. Now, you can have people handling the minutiae of your life while you concentrate on the big picture.
The Rise In Popularity
The trend of working remotely as a VA is on the rise. According to a study conducted by HubSpot and Vantage, 76% of respondents currently work remotely as a part of their job. Only 12% of workers report that their company prevents them from working remotely.
The main reasons for this shift are convenience and productivity. A large number of workers (65%) say that they enjoy the flexibility of working remotely. Similarly, 56% reported that they feel more productive when working remotely, as opposed to being tethered to a desk. It seems that having a VA handle the administrative tasks and responsibilities of a boss is appealing because it frees up both time and resources. Especially since a VA can often accomplish more in a day than a regular employee can in a week.
Of course, there are also benefits to being in an office. A working desk is essential for most people. It provides a place to work, organize things, and make a bit of progress each day. Being in a physical space with coworkers is also important for social interaction and impromptu meetings. Having a physical space to accommodate all of this is generally a good thing. However, if you do opt for a desk-based office, make sure that you have a comfortable place to sit. You should also have proper workstations with good lighting and high-quality equipment. This way, you can ensure that you have all the tools and resources needed to get the job done.
Pros of Engaging Virtual Assistants
It’s no secret that working remotely can have its perks. You get to carve out your own schedule, be your own manager, and earn good money without having to worry about getting fired.
But what are the pros of working with a virtual assistant? Let’s dive into that.
Personalized Assistance
When you hire a virtual assistant, you’re getting someone to take care of all the busy work that comes with your job. If you’re already used to handling a lot of administrative work, you’ll appreciate the extra help. Your VA will be able to handle all the tasks that come with the job so that you can concentrate on what’s most important to you.
For instance, if you’re a blogger who also does podcasting, recording, and copywriting for businesses, having a VA who is familiar with podcasting and online marketing will save you a lot of time and energy. They can take care of all the routine tasks so that you can grow your business and be more effective at what you do.
Increased Freedom
With more and more people working remotely, businesses have started to offer remote assistance and virtual coaching as a way of gaining new customers and increasing productivity. So if you appreciate the flexibility that comes with working remotely, you’ll love what a virtual assistant provides. You won’t have to be tied down to a desk or a particular location.
A VA can help you work remotely at any time that you need, even if it’s not technically feasible for you to be there. This can increase your productivity and help you get more done in less time. It also means you have the flexibility to take on more work if you want or need to.
Flexible Working
If you’ve got a flexible working schedule, you’ve got a bit more freedom when it comes to working with a virtual assistant. You can set your own hours and work when and where you want. Plus, you don’t have to worry about getting stuck in an office with annoying co-workers. You can work remotely with a virtual assistant.
Many businesses, especially those in the gig-working space, allow their employees to work remotely. Some even offer fully-remote employee positions where you don’t have to set a single foot in the office. Naturally, these types of jobs come with their perks. You get to choose your own hours and work remotely. You don’t have to worry about commuting or finding a babysitter. Plus, you can take home what you earn, so you save money on childcare and you don’t have to worry about tips or gifts from customers.
Increased Productivity
Last but not least, let’s talk about productivity. If you’re regularly getting bogged down with busy work, having a VA who takes care of all that administrative stuff for you can increase your productivity. Instead of doing a million things at once, which often results in you getting distracted and having fewer completed tasks, you’ll get more accomplished because everything will be taken care of by the VA.
Productivity is one of the major pros of working with a virtual assistant. You’ll get tasks done faster, and you’ll have more time to focus on growing your business.
The reason why virtual assistants are increasingly in demand is because of the pandemic. With more and more people staying at home due to fears of COVID-19, virtual assistants offer a safe and productive way to work. If you’re a business owner or an employee who feels safer working remotely, this is a good option for you.
When it comes to choosing a VA, make sure that they are competent in all the areas that you need help with. This way, you can rest assured that you’ll get the best possible service and that your business will operate as smoothly and effectively as possible. And last but not least, make sure that they are affordable. You don’t want to spend more money on paying someone to do your work for you, especially if you’re already spending a fortune on gas. Working with an agency or freelancer might be cost-effective in the long run because you’re getting the job done but you’re also wasting a lot of time. Hiring a competent, trustworthy, and cost-effective VA is key to making the right decision for your business.
Working with a VA can increase your productivity and save you a ton of energy. Not only that, but you can also get the work done at a faster pace while enjoying the flexibility of working remotely. So if you’re looking for a way to improve your work-life balance, reduce your stress, and get more done, consider hiring a virtual assistant.
Cons of Engaging Virtual Assistants
If you’re reading this, I assume you’re already a virtual assistant. You’ve likely made the jump from being a secretary or administrative assistant to handling customer calls and scheduling meetings, organizing events, and taking notes for bosses. And you’re probably wondering if all of this is worth it. Why not just hire an actual assistant, you might ask?
Here are just some of the cons of having a virtual assistant. You might want to keep this in mind before making the leap.
Comfort
One of the first things you’ll notice about a virtual assistant is how little interaction you have with them. Since you’re dealing with software and APIs rather than people, it’s easy for them to just sit there while you do all the work. This can make it difficult to establish a rapport that encourages collaboration. Even when you’re working through issues, you’ll rarely have the opportunity to engage with the person helping you. This can make them less effective in terms of getting the work done.
Cost
One of the biggest cons of having a virtual assistant is the cost. It’s not uncommon for companies to lay out a decent chunk of change for the privilege of having someone available to answer your calls, take meetings, and get tickets for your events. Not to mention the opportunity cost of having someone sitting around doing nothing. Even worse is when companies try to upsell you the premium plans, knowing full well that you can’t afford a real assistant.
Productivity
Another important thing to consider when evaluating the pros and cons of a virtual assistant is how productive you and your team actually are able to be while using one. The answer is not very. Since you’re not actually in the same room as the person working for you, it’s difficult to get real work done. This is why a lot of businesses still prefer to hire real assistants rather than go the virtual route. Even Google, the masters of producing efficient worker bees, have said that productivity decreases by about 20% when using a virtual assistant. This doesn’t mean you should never use one — after all, some businesses have been able to realize tremendous benefits from a VA. Just make sure you’re aware of the productivity hit.
Scalability
Even when used efficiently and effectively, virtual assistant is limited in terms of the number of hours they can actually work. The reason for this is simple. Since you’re not in the same room, there’s always the possibility that something could go wrong. This could lead to errors and complications that eat into your workday. Even when all goes well, there’s simply no denying that working remotely takes more time — and in some cases, a lot more time. Before you know it, another call comes in, and before you know it, your day is gone.
As you can see, there are quite a few cons to having a virtual assistant. Hopefully, you’ll find the advantages of having a VA outweigh the disadvantages. If not, maybe it’s time to hire a personal assistant. But, until then, make sure you’re aware of the issues that could arise from using this valuable resource.
How To Find And Engage Virtual Assistants
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CErp6ClSvx8
Many businesses are exploring the use of virtual assistants (VAs) to assist with various tasks. If you’re considering the use of a VA, here are some tips on how to find and work with the best talent.
Do your research. Before you begin your search, you should have a clear idea of what type of virtual assistant you’re looking for and why you want one. It’s essential to do your research into the person’s background, track record, experience, and level of training, as well as what’s available in terms of pricing. Some VAs can be quite the bargain, especially if you consider the price of a competent human resource (HR) department. While competition in the VA market is fierce, many low-cost, competent VAs can be an affordable option for business. Remember, you’re investing in people’s time, so make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
Set A Budget
Budgets are very important when seeking virtual assistance, especially if you’re looking to outsource expensive processes that could be carried out internally. The first thing you should do before you begin your search is to consider your budget. The more you can afford to pay, the better the quality of the assistant you’ll be able to hire. You should also set a budget for the length of time you’ll need the assistant for. Short-term contracts are cheaper than long-term ones, so make sure you consider this as well.
Understand The Differences
There are many different types of VAs available, each with their own set of features, tools, and functionalities. In order to ensure you’re getting the best possible result from your search, you should try to find a VA that’s as specific to your needs as possible. For example, if you’re looking for assistance with sales, you should consider an email marketing VA that’s configured specifically for use within an organization like yours. Knowing how different VAs work and what their capabilities are can help you determine Which one is right for your needs.
Look At Reviews
One of the best ways to find out what other people think about a particular service or product is to review it. As a general rule, you should always look at reviews before you make a decision. This helps you get an idea of what other people think about the product or service, as well as whether or not it’s worth your time and effort to try it out. In the case of VAs, you can find a ton of reviews on the internet, so take out your laptop and begin searching. Look for reviews from previous clients as well as those that are current, as this will give you a good indication of how the product or service functions in real life situations. It’s also helpful to look at reviews from multiple sources, as this can help you get a feel for whether or not you’re getting good value for your money. Reviews from different websites and sources should be taken into consideration, as this gives you a better idea of whether or not you’ll be able to utilize a VA in a manner that meets your needs. As you’re reading reviews, be sure to keep in mind the pros and the cons of each product or service, as this will help you make a more informed decision.
Consider Signing Up For Email Alerts
When you sign up for email alerts from reputable companies, you’ll be notified whenever new products or services are announced that are compatible with your needs. You can then investigate the product further, or if you’re not convinced that it’s right for your needs, you can decline the alert and continue your search. It’s a great way to keep up-to-date on what’s new and what’s happening in the world of technology. By signing up for these alerts, you’re able to stay informed as new products and services are made available to the public.
Avoid Free Trials
Although it’s tempting to try out a product or service for free, especially if you’re struggling with a specific issue or need, these should be avoided. Free trials can be very enticing, as you’re often presented with a significant discount if you do decide to continue with the product or service after the trial period. However, you should avoid these as much as possible. The reason is simple: you’re better off investing your money in a product or service that you know is reliable and will serve your needs. In the case of VAs, you should avoid anything that’s offered under a free trial basis, as these companies often times cut corners and use low-quality VAs in order to save money. While it’s tempting to try out a beta product or service for free, you should always avoid doing so, as this could end up being a major problem down the line. Free trials oftentimes means there are still a lot of bugs to be worked out, and this can be very frustrating when trying to use the product or service as intended.
Be Picky
When you’re seeking out a VA, you’ll need to be picky about what you’re looking for. While there are a lot of VAs out there, not all of them will suit your needs. Be sure to seek out a few that do, and avoid those that don’t. It’s important to take your time and do your research before you make a decision, so you can be sure you’re making the right choice for your needs.
When it comes to finding and engaging with the right virtual assistant for your needs, it can be a complicated process. Be sure to do your research and consider all the available options, as there are pros and cons to each one. By understanding where you’re coming from and what you want out of the experience, you’ll be able to find the right virtual assistant for you. Good luck out there.
The Future Of Work
Nowadays, work is changing. The workplace is becoming more of a hybrid space with an increasing number of employees embracing remote work. This presents a unique set of challenges for offices and employers, especially since many businesses have invested heavily in adapting to the “new normal.”
If you’re struggling with finding ways to make your office more flexible and accommodating to remote workers, then it’s time to look at investing in a Virtual Assistant. A VA can help you to manage your workload, handle the administrative details of your job, and keep track of all the things that you need to get done. This could range from sending out annual reports to following up with clients to inputting data into your company’s analysis tools. Basically, a VA can help you to handle any process that comes up in the course of your job. This makes them the perfect hybrid employee to have on your staff. Not only will they be able to work remotely when needed, but they can also bring their expertise and knowledge to your office space when needed.
Working remotely as a Virtual Assistant is not a recent phenomenon. In fact, it dates back to the early days of the internet. Before there were Virtual Assistants, people had to physically meet in person to collaborate on tasks and projects. The emergence of VAs changed all that. Now, you can have people handling the minutiae of your life while you concentrate on the big picture.
