Virtual Assistant Services

What are virtual assistant services?

Virtual assistant services are remote support tasks a business hires out, such as scheduling, client research, marketing help, and data entry.

• A virtual assistant (VA) works remotely for a company.
• VAs handle admin work, marketing plans, client coordination, and database updates.
• You can hire one through a freelance platform or an outsourcing firm.

In short, virtual assistant services let you get key work done without adding a desk in your office. VAs work on admin tasks like client coordination, scheduling, research, and data entry. They also help with marketing plans and campaigns.

Virtual assistant services may also include personal errands. For example, a VA can book travel or make online purchases for you.

This article covers the common questions about VAs. So you will learn what they do, why hiring one helps, and where to find one.

Virtual assistants for hire

Virtual assistants can be hired in two main ways. First, you can hire them through freelance platforms. There, businesses contact them directly by email, chat, or phone.

Outsourcing is the second option. Here, a business hires a VA through an outsourcing company.

As a result, the outsourcing firm legally employs the staff. It also provides HR and management support. In fact, many firms that handle roles outsourced to the Philippines run VA teams this way.

Benefits of hiring a virtual assistant

As an online personal assistant, a virtual assistant brings real value to any business. Here are the main benefits.

Saves time and effort

VAs help owners save time on repetitive admin tasks. For example, they do data entry, appointment setting, email management, and lead generation.

They can also prepare reports, presentations, and letters for clients. So they may not make your coffee, but they can order it and have it delivered.

Generates savings

Outsourcing generates big savings because you skip extra workspace and gear. As a result, this helps small owners focus more on growth.

Freelance VAs mostly work from home. They use a PC, an internet connection, and the tools their job needs.

Meanwhile, VA teams hired through business process outsourcing are managed by the BPO firm. That firm covers the workspace, PC, phones, and internet. It also covers salaries, benefits, and training.

Utilizes workload

VAs serve as the right hand of the owner. So their tasks are key to running the business. For example, they help promote the brand by building campaigns and running ads.

VAs can also assign tasks to other staff. In addition, they help spread the workload so you can focus on bigger goals. To see more use cases, read how virtual assistants help businesses.

What does a virtual assistant do

Virtual assistants perform a wide range of duties. They can also have different specializations. Still, it is common for VAs to become generalists as they grow with a client.

Popular tasks that a VA does are:

• Customer service (voice, chat or email)
• Bookkeeping
• Business presentations
• Digital marketing
• Online research and lead generation
• Supplier and vendor coordination
• Calendar management
• Travel arrangements (personal or business)
• Social media management

For more ideas, see this list of virtual assistant tools that make these tasks easier.

Virtual assistant salary

According to Payscale, a virtual assistant can start at around $4 per hour. So this rate rises with experience and skills. For a wider view, check virtual assistant services pay in this virtual assistant salary around the world guide.

Freelancer

Freelance VAs can be hired on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. Their pay often starts at about $5. Still, it varies by experience, location, and skill set.

Office-based

Office-based VAs work in a managed office. So you hire them by outsourcing through a third-party firm.

Their rate starts at around $8 per hour. In addition, the firm covers equipment, training, onboarding, and benefits.

Specialized virtual assistants

Specialized VAs are hired for skills in a specific field. For example, an employer can hire a VA who is a certified public accountant. Meanwhile, others hire VAs with software development experience. As a result, rates can range between $10 to $50 per hour, based on the skill needed.

Virtual assistant websites

There are several virtual assistant services websites on the market. They may be based in different places. Still, the pay rate varies by the type of VA you hire. For a curated list, see these virtual assistant websites.

Outsource Accelerator

Outsource Accelerator is the leading marketplace and advisory for business process outsourcing. In fact, we list over 700 BPO companies. We also offer brokerage, implementation, and fully managed solutions for small and medium businesses.

Upwork

Upwork is a freelance platform. There, businesses can hire a wide range of talent, including virtual assistants.

They contact and hire freelancers right on the platform. In addition, they can track work from the start of a project up to final payment.

FreeeUp

Unlike other platforms, FreeeUp does not let you browse VAs. Instead, businesses submit a request. Then the platform matches them with a vetted candidate to reduce turnover.

Fiverr

On Fiverr, businesses “buy” a virtual assistant’s “offer” and contact them on the platform. Offers usually start at $5 a project. They can be one-off or run for a set time.

OnlineJobs.ph

Onlinejobs.ph lets clients hire VAs based in the Philippines. It highlights applicants with updated resumes and English proficiency. So employers can feel sure they hire strong VAs.

Freelancer.com

One of the oldest platforms on the market, Freelancer offers a wide range of skills, including virtual assistant services.

The platform allows direct hiring of freelancers. It also supports collaboration, monitoring, and payment.

Guru

Guru offers freelance hiring for small businesses at low cost. Users can manage several VAs and collaborate with them on the platform for secure, clear work progress.

PeoplePerHour

VAs on PeoplePerHour offer their services per hour, starting at $5. In addition, freelancers can make custom bids for each job posting.

Collaboration software

Virtual assistants use collaboration tools to track project progress. Here are some of the most popular ones to use:

• Slack helps streamline projects. For example, it uses channels to delegate tasks, group chats, and share files for a project.
• Asana keeps tasks, processes, and goals simple. It even has a free version that small businesses can use.
• Trello is great for organizing tasks. It uses the Kanban method, so projects look like sticky notes on a board.
• Skype is a messaging tool for chats and internet calls. In addition, it supports file sharing, video calls, and screen sharing.
• G Suite is a collaboration suite from Google. It includes cloud storage, docs, sheets, and slides.

Payment processing

You do not need to worry about paying your VAs anymore. Payment tools make it fast, easy, and cheap, with small fees.

• Payoneer gives users virtual receiving accounts for easier transactions. So businesses can pay in many currencies fast, with only small conversion fees.
• PayPal lets users receive payments easily for a small fee. In fact, it is very popular in e-commerce and online business.
• TransferWise also offers fast, low-cost international transfers. Users can open a borderless account with a card for ATMs worldwide.
• Skrill is a well-known alternative to PayPal. For example, its VIP program is open to US-based customers.
• Escrow is often used by freelance VAs. It holds and releases payment based on terms both sides agree on.

Outsource virtual assistant

The Philippines is a top outsourcing country, along with India and others in Asia.

Low labor costs, good equipment, and strong English skills draw many businesses. As a result, the country is a leading outsourcing hub.

BPO firms in the Philippines serve many sectors. So they can deliver high-quality virtual assistant services to clients. To learn more, check out the Top 40 companies guide.

Frequently asked questions

What are virtual assistant services?

They are remote tasks a business hires out. For example, a VA can handle scheduling, email, research, and marketing support. So you get help without adding an in-house desk.

How much do virtual assistant services cost?

Freelance VAs often start at about $5 per hour. Office-based VAs start around $8. Meanwhile, specialized VAs can charge $10 to $50 per hour.

Where can I find virtual assistant services?

You can use freelance sites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Onlinejobs.ph. You can also hire through a BPO firm. As a result, the firm handles employment, HR, and management for you.

What tasks can a virtual assistant handle?

VAs do admin work, bookkeeping, and customer service. In addition, they support digital marketing, lead generation, and calendar management.

Key takeaways

• Virtual assistant services cover admin, marketing, research, and personal tasks done remotely.
• You can hire a VA through a freelance platform or an outsourcing firm.
• Rates range from about $4 to $50 per hour, based on skill and setup.
• The Philippines is a top hub for affordable, English-fluent VAs.