The Secret to Efficiency: Why Hiring a Virtual Assistant is the Solution You Need for Your Business

Imagine an independent contractor providing administrative services to your clients while working remotely. An assistant that saved you time by handling social media, blog post writing, internet marketing, graphic design etc., to make your entrepreneurial journey a cakewalk.

That's what you get once you hire a virtual assistant. Solopreneurs, small to medium-sized business owners, and busy professionals mostly hire virtual assistants. It will help to fuel their business growth with the expertise of virtual assistants.

That's just the beginning. In this blog, we will discuss how a virtual assistant can help you to skyrocket your business growth by streamlining day-to-day tasks. Before diving in, let's briefly define a virtual assistant.

What is a virtual assistant?

A virtual assistant is a contractual remote employee who offers consistent administrative support for your business. They can perform the tasks that an on-site executive assistant would handle. It includes making phone calls, scheduling appointments, organizing emails, arranging travel etc.

Generally, the virtual assistant works as an independent contractor. However, some are also hired as full-time remote workers. Companies across many industries employ virtual assistants to streamline tasks. The need for a virtual assistant is higher as small business entrepreneurs like you are hiring more virtual assistants to streamline their tasks.

What does a virtual assistant do?

A virtual assistant's day-to-day tasks can vary depending on the employer's requirements. Here are some common tasks given to virtual assistants-

• Administrative work- Virtual assistants are most commonly hired to perform the admin work. It includes booking travel, scheduling meetings, organizing calendars, answering phone calls via a connecting line etc.

• Database management- Companies with thousands of clients must keep their leads full. It helps potential clients to learn about what you do and how you can help them. A virtual assistant can tap into the right leads based on certain needs.

• Social media management- As we all know, social media plays a pivotal role in marketing your service/product. A virtual assistant can create and publish quality content that persuades with proof and educates with authority. Besides, the assistant can respond to online queries while engaging with social media influencers.

• Bookkeeping- An experienced VA can help you with bookkeeping, invoice and payroll preparation, financial management, financial analysis and financial reports preparation. 

• Customer support- Would you like to spend most of the time answering phone calls from your customers to resolve their queries? Definitely not. A virtual assistant is handier to deal with the situation mellifluously. They will ensure that the clients are satisfied with your products/services. Bear in mind that a good impression leaves your customer happy. It means a better retention rate and more referral chances.

Benefits of hiring a virtual assistant

Gone are those days when you work as your marketer, salesman, project manager, financier, publicist, and so much more. Virtual assistants for hire can make tasks easier for you by taking things from your plate. Here are some compelling benefits of hiring a VA-

• Less hiring and onboarding costs- According to Stanford University study, virtual assistants could cut the attrition rates in half. During the talent hunt, the end-to-end hiring procedure takes time. Additionally, it doesn't assure that the hired employees are trained specifically for the job you want from them. Hiring a VA can help you reap more value when reducing hiring costs.

• 3X better productivity- Virtual assistants have more time to complete tasks efficiently while working from home. According to Stanford University study, virtual assistants take fewer sick days to break. It results in a 13% increase in their current productivity.

• Maintains a consistent online presence- You must have a strong online presence through your business website, LinkedIn, Twitter and social media handles. However, managing the time could be a headache for you. Here, the virtual assistant comes into the picture by handling these things in order to maintain your online presence.

• Helps your business to scale- VA enables you to scale business operations. As the growth needs capital, virtual assistants are the cost-effective alternative to on-site employees. It helps you to cut down the costs. Instead, you can invest the money back to scale your business.

• Improves the process- VA streamlines the business operations by monitoring the markets, checking the competitor actions and collating feedback from the current clients.

5 things you should check while hiring a VA

Virtual assistants can be a game-changer for your business. However, there is a unique set of challenges when hiring a virtual assistant. You must research to select the right person for your task. Here are the top 5 things you should consider-

• Technical skills- A virtual assistant must have the required software and hardware skills to handle complex tasks. You can assess their skills by asking them questions or giving them assignments to solve. It will help you to determine their proficiency from the technical aspect.

• Language skills- Your VA needs to be fluent in the language that you need for your business. You can ask them whether they have any language certifications. In a nutshell, the communication method must align with your client's requirements. Here, language skills play a crucial role in getting it done smoothly.

• Availability- One of the important aspects you should consider when hiring a VA. Ask about their work hours to check whether they fit your bill. Also, ensure the assistant knows different time zone differences to serve your clients accordingly.

• Flexibility- Make sure the VA can adapt to changing tasks while handling the same effectively and efficiently.

• Problem-solving skills- Resolving persistent issues within a stipulated time is essential. Ask the VA whether they can do this. Check their previously solved issues and what technique they've used for the same.

Take your business to the next level!

Every company has its unique work culture tailored to its industry, target audiences and available resources. As a result, business tactics can vary greatly. However, the advantages of hiring a virtual assistant are worth considering, as it can help your business stand out.