Common Questions Prospective Clients Have About Virtual Assistants
Although Virtual Assistants (VA’s) are now widely sought after, there are still many business owners who wish they could understand what VA’s do and how they can help their business. In today’s blog post, we cover the top most asked questions about VA’s.
What exactly is a VA?
A Virtual Assistant or VA is generally someone who works from the comfort of their own home and serves you remotely using the latest technology.
What can a VA do?
There is a wide misconception that VA’s can only do admin-related tasks. But Virtual Assistants can handle a lot – from scheduling appointments to drawing up reports, they are quite capable of getting anything done in the administrative field. There are also specialised VA’s who work with clients needing technical skills such as IT and web design, bookkeeping, legal advice and so on. The range of VA’s available is endless.
Why should I hire a VA and not someone else?
Most small to medium-sized businesses hire Virtual Assistant’s to get expert help at a lower cost. Because VA’s are independent contractors, clients are not obligated to include any company benefits such as insurance and pension. In addition, clients also avoid expenses such as office space, equipment and supplies. Many entrepreneurs and start-ups find this as a highly attractive arrangement to help their business grow.
Am I locked into a contract?
It largely depends on your agreement with your VA. The nice thing about a VA-Client relationship is the terms are up to the two parties involved.
How do I hire a VA and how quickly can I get one?
Most Virtual Assistant’s in our database are available immediately. Contact us so we can help you.
How much does a VA cost?
VA costs depend on:
- Project size
- Project duration
- Rate and expertise of the VA you choose
We have written a detailed blog on this topic, read it here How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost?
How do I pay a Virtual Assistant?
If you’re in the same country, it’s simple. You can make a bank transfer into your Virtual Assistant’s bank account. If you’re in different countries, however, you may still deposit the funds into their bank account, but it is not an easy process. You will require your VA’s bank code, bank name and bank account number. You will also need to inquire with your own bank on how you can best set this up.
Alternatively, you can use PayPal. Many clients use PayPal to pay their virtual employees because it’s simple and fast. All you require is your VA’s email address and you can easily send money to that address. Both you and your VA must create a PayPal account for this to work. Your VA will receive the funds almost immediately, thereafter choose whether she wants to withdraw the funds or transfer it to her local bank account. If she transfers the funds to her bank account, it will reflect within 2-5 business days.
There are also alternatives to PayPal. To learn more read this blog How Do You Pay Your Virtual Assistant?
How do I communicate with my VA?
Generally, you will communicate via email and other video conferencing software such as Skype or Zoom. You are free to decide which method of communication works best for you and your VA.
How do I keep track of hours worked?
Time-tracking reports are important for VA’s as they manage their own time. Although you can create manual reports using Excel spreadsheets, we recommend you use a time tracking tool such as toggl. For more help on this, contact us.
Do you have any other questions concerning VA’s? We’d like to hear from you, give us a call!