Hiring a VA is a big step for any business owner – and one you’ll come to when you realise running your business is more than just a one person job!  Naturally you’re full of questions about just how this outsourcing stuff works, and you want to know how it could benefit you and your unique needs.

Now I know a thing or two about Virtual Assistants – I’ve built my business using my own VA support network, and I’ve worked hard on nailing down just what it is that makes a successful outsourced partnership. When you dedicate years of your life learning the in’s and out’s of an industry, you come out the other side armed with a sizeable chunk of knowledge on the subject.

So here’s some real talk on the main issues surrounding sourcing, hiring and working with an offshore Virtual Assistant.

1.  Is it ethical?

Short answer: It depends on what channels you go through. I know of some agencies that pay their VA’s as little as $2 an hour. The rule of thumb is, if it really sounds too good to be true, corners are being cut somewhere along the line.

2.  Sooo…should I hire my VA privately? Or through an agency?

Obviously I’m not going to tell you that hiring your VA privately is the best way to go. But honestly there are so many benefits to going through an agency. Let me tell you why:

• If you’re not an expert recruiter you could struggle with sourcing and engaging the correct candidates. An outsourcing recruitment agency will have systems and procedures in place to find you a suitable VA swiftly and painlessly. [tweet this quote]
• Once you have a VA – what do you do with them? A good agency will help you with the initial set up and management of your Virtual Assistant. A great agency will assist you in the on-going management of your VA.
• Many agencies will have local staff on the ground in the country you’re outsourcing to who are familiar with the language and culture – providing a vital link between you and your VA.
• An agency provides you with a safety net in case the shit hits the fan and you can’t contact your VA – giving you back up assistance if needed.

3. How much does it cost to hire a Virtual Assistant?

How much you pay for a VA will depend on a number of factors:

• The level of skill required for the work
• What country you outsource to and;
• If you go through an agency or not

The Facts: An hourly rate from an agency can range from anywhere between $8 – $30 p/h for an offshore VA. You’ll find that artisan work such as graphic or web design will be at the higher end of the scale where tasks such as data entry or online research will be less. Places like China or India will have the lowest rates, other countries like the Philippines where I recruit are slightly higher.

A good onshore VA here in Australia will set you back anywhere between $40 – $100 p/h.

Why the Philippines?

The Filipino assistants that I recruit are perfect VA’s for Australian clients. Here’s why:

• They speak Americanised English with an American/Filipino accent, making it much easier to communicate in a remote setting
• They are only 2-3 hours behind us on the global clock – meaning they come online around the same time we do during business hours
• Their cost of living is much less than in Australia, offering overseas clients a competitive hourly rate, comparable to the ‘big hitter’ counties China and India
• They are pretty much some of the most awesome people to work with, highly educated and with a fantastic work ethic. You can learn more about my experiences whilst travelling in the Philippines here.

What Can a VA actually do?

To be frank – a good Virtual Assistant can do anything you train them to do. But it takes dedication. If you spend the time at the beginning to get the right VA, set up the systems and train them in your exact requirements, a VA can be exactly what they’re meant to be: a support for your business.

A shortlist of some of the simple things a VA can do for you:

• Social Media Management
• Diary Management
• Email Management
• Event Management
• Blog Management
• Client Relations
• Research
• Data Entry
• Email Marketing
• Website Maintenance & Updates
• General Administration
• Invoicing & Debtors
• Case Studies

A more experienced or skilled VA can also do higher level tasks such as copywriting and proofing, graphic or web design. For further inspiration check out 100 Things A VA Can Do For You

Do you have another question about Virtual Assistants that you’d like answered? Write to me in the comment section below or connect with us on social media.

I look forward to hearing from you!