Virtual Assistants: Are they really worth hiring?

We get it– as an entrepreneur you probably like things done a certain way. You’ve put countless hours of sweat and tears into creating your business, turning your unique brainchild into an exciting reality and you’re on your way to manifesting your dreams. How could you possibly trust someone else to take on responsibilities of such high stake? To meddle in your business affairs? Of course, no one else could connect with, build, or expand your business like you!

And yet… Do you find that there never seem to be enough hours in the day? That your responsibilities are piling up and you’re trying to do too many things at once- running a website while keeping up with the never-ending demands of your business, building relationships with existing customers while trying to draw in new ones...?  If so, your business may be thriving, and you may have single-handedly gotten it there, but now, for sustainable growth and productivity, it’s time for an additional set of hands. Enter: the virtual assistant.

A virtual assistant (VA) is a person who provides support services to a business from a remote location. Administrative tasks are most common for virtual assistants, but they may also help you with any number of other services. Virtual support duties are not limited to clerical work; VAs may provide assistance with marketing, web design, bookkeeping, and many other elements across a variety of domains. Some virtual assistants specialize in a specific skill set, and only perform duties related to those skills, while others are more generalists and have the ability to dip their toes into anything. 

So, when it comes down to it, is hiring a virtual assistant really worth it?

Here are ten reasons why we believe that answer is an easy YES:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

1. 𝘝𝘈𝘴 drive growth - Consistently having extra hands to work with is extremely advantageous for business growth. Not only will you be able to tackle more tasks at once with the help of a VA, but you’ll also be able to explore new avenues for your business, begin new projects, and consistently expand your horizons. A VA will take you from treading water just to keep things afloat, to set sail on an ever-expanding adventure.  

2. 𝘝𝘈𝘴 lessen your workload - Tackling more tasks is one thing, but what about making your time more meaningful? It’s likely that there are at least a few necessary tasks you find tedious and unexciting, tasks that make you wish you were doing something else; A VA can help with these!  By assigning dull, time-consuming tasks to a virtual assistant, you’ll free up valuable time to focus on your business’s core, on the things that need your personal touch and meaningful attention. In turn, you’ll feel more energized and fulfilled with your work, and together you’ll increase the overall productivity of your business while actually lessening your workload.

3. 𝘝𝘈𝘴 reduce your operational costs - By opting for a  virtual assistant, you’ll save money on office space, furnishings, equipment, etc. because none are necessary! Getting tasks outsourced to someone working within their own space is one of the best money-saving options for entrepreneurs in need of additional support. Especially in the age of technology, there are endless ways to stay connected with your VA without ever having to meet in the same space. 

4. 𝘝𝘈𝘴 are multifaceted go-tos-  When running a business, and especially a startup, your needs will fluctuate as your business grows through different stages. Virtual Assistants are committed to providing productive results while delivering value to their clients, whatever stage they may be in. Virtual assistants are often multifaceted experts who can provide support with many different tasks, especially those who can work within different domains. They have a broad understanding of what needs to be done, and more importantly, how to do it. Not only are they multitaskers, but they are also dynamic experts that will adapt to meet your needs. 

5. 𝘝𝘈𝘴 improve your online presence - We are now in a digital era, where technology trends are evident and expected to continue. Social media platforms especially are a major hook right now and businesses that can build a strong presence online, where viewers congregate most, will have a great advantage. VAs can help conquer and manage your place in the digital world, a feat that takes a lot of persistence and upkeep. They’ll use effective strategies to create a strong online presence and increase popularity, bringing you more inbound leads and enhancing your brand awareness.

6. 𝘝𝘈𝘴 are flexible - One of the beauties of working with a VA is their ability to (generally) have a flexible working schedule. Which means that they are adaptable and able to adjust to your business needs at any given time. VAs often work with their clients right off the bat to establish an agreed-upon work schedule, but since you aren’t sharing a working space or physically meeting to get things done, there’s a lot of wiggle room for both parties. If your VA is a night owl and you tend to be more functional in the morning, it’s no biggie. As long as you establish turn-around times and deadlines for projects and tasks, flexibility is a no-brainer.

7. 𝘝𝘈𝘴 require less supervision - Virtual assistants are known for being driven individuals, which means less supervision is required on your end; this leads to increased productivity for everyone. An ability to carefully manage their time, multitask, prioritize, and get ahead of the game are all competencies that VAs are known for taking advantage of their independence!

8. 𝘝𝘈𝘴 are confidential - A major component of a VA contract covers confidentiality. VAs understand that they are expected to work discreetly and they are generally dutifully committed to protecting your interests and the company’s reputation. They also know not to share sensitive information or anything that competitors could use to their advantage. 

9. 𝘝𝘈𝘴 give you strength- We all know it isn’t possible to be the jack of all trades! If you find there are tasks that require specialized skills or knowledge outside of your wheelhouse, that’s where VA’s come in. As we mentioned above, VAs can be specialists or generalists. If you find that there’s just one weak link in your own skillset, find a VA that specializes in what you need and allow them to strengthen your business in those areas. They can make up for any skill gaps in your business and provide you with a pipeline of extra skills.

10. 𝘝𝘈𝘴 give you more leisure time - Every entrepreneur craves a work-life balance and sometimes it is hard to switch off.  So hiring a VA to reduce your workload will give you the opportunity to rebalance and refocus in all aspects of your life. It’s okay to plan for a little you-time!

While it may be tempting to do everything on your own, remember that no business has flourished without the help of a reliable team. Getting a virtual assistant can be heaven-sent for busy entrepreneurs and luckily there is no shortage of these professionals.

When deciding if the addition of a virtual assistant is right for you, consider your business’s operational capacity and what exactly you need support with. Generally speaking, having a VA will allow you to work smarter and increase productivity- two key factors in getting ahead. If you can be willing to let someone else take the reins (as a co-pilot, of course) a VA will very likely prove to be indispensable and a worthwhile asset to your business. 

Have we convinced you? If you’re ready to hire a talented VA, you’re only a few steps away… ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Schedule 𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀 𝘾𝘼𝙇𝙇 with us today! We’ve got all the extra hands you need.

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