Day: March 16, 2023

Thinking about hiring a remote virtual assistant?

You’re in the right place!

My name is Connor Gillivan. I’ve been an entrepreneur for the past 10 years and I’ve hired 100s of remote virtual assistants for my companies.

They’ve helped me scale to 6, 7, and 8 figures in sales and profits per year with an exit in 2019.

In this article, I’ll share everything I know about hiring remote virtual assistants, so you can tap into their power as well.

Here’s what we’ll cover: 

• What Is A Remote Virtual Assistant?
• How Much Money Can You Make As A Virtual Assistant?
• 15 Remote Virtual Assistant Tasks
• Case Study: How A Remote Virtual Assistant Can Transform Your Business
• Final Remote Virtual Assistant Tips

Let’s get into it!

What Is A Remote Virtual Assistant?

Essentially, a remote virtual assistant is someone who works for you from a remote location, providing various administrative, creative, or technical tasks to support your online business.

They can help with things like customer support, social media management, content creation, email marketing, and more.

One of the biggest benefits of hiring a remote virtual assistant is the flexibility it offers.

You don’t need to worry about office space, equipment, or anything like that.

They work from their own location and you communicate with them via phone, Zoom, email, or other online communication tools like Slack.

Plus, because they’re working remotely, you have access to a global talent pool, which means you can find the best person for the job no matter where they are in the world.

Of course, like any employee, it’s important to find the right fit for your business.

You want someone who is reliable, trustworthy, and capable of handling the tasks you need them to do.

And while it can take some time to find the perfect virtual assistant, once you do, the benefits can be immense.

So, if you’re an online entrepreneur looking to scale your business, hiring a remote virtual assistant could be just what you need to take things to the next level.

Trust me, I’ve been there and it’s been a game-changer for me and my companies.

Here’s a video as well to learn more:

How Much Money Can You Make As A Virtual Assistant?

Generally speaking, virtual assistants can make anywhere from $5-$30 per hour, with some experienced VAs charging even more.

Of course, this can vary depending on your location, niche, and the type of services you offer.

For example, if you specialize in high-level technical or creative tasks, you may be able to charge more than someone who is providing basic administrative support.

Similarly, if you have a particular expertise or certification, that can also increase your earning potential.

Another important factor to consider is the demand for virtual assistants in your particular niche or industry.

If you’re working in a high-growth industry with lots of online businesses, there may be more demand for your services, which can drive up your rates.

We share this information so that you as a business owner can understand what virtual assistants are making across different countries and industries.

It’s not a one price fits all model. The price of hiring a VA will vary depending on what you’re looking for them to do for your business.

15 Remote Virtual Assistant Tasks

Gere are the 15 most common remote virtual assistant tasks:

1. Email management: sorting, responding to emails, and keeping an organized inbox
2. Social media management: creating and scheduling posts, engaging with followers, and monitoring analytics
3. Calendar management: scheduling appointments, coordinating meetings, and managing deadlines
4. Customer service: responding to inquiries and resolving issues through email or chat support
5. Data entry: entering and organizing data in spreadsheets or databases
6. Internet research: conducting market research, finding new leads, and gathering information on competitors
7. Travel arrangements: booking flights, hotels, and transportation for business trips
8. Content creation: writing blog posts, creating graphics, and editing videos or podcasts
9. Bookkeeping: managing invoices, expenses, and financial records
10. Event planning: coordinating virtual events and webinars, managing guest lists, and handling logistics
11. SEO optimization: improving website rankings through keyword research and optimization
12. Online advertising: creating and managing ad campaigns on platforms like Google Ads or Facebook Ads
13. Personal assistant tasks: managing personal appointments, shopping, and other personal errands
14. Proofreading and editing: reviewing written content for errors and making necessary corrections
15. Lead generation: finding potential clients or customers and generating leads for the business

Of course, this is just a sample of the many tasks that virtual assistants can handle.

The specific tasks you delegate to your remote virtual assistant will depend on your business needs and the expertise of your virtual assistant.

Case Study: How A Remote Virtual Assistant Can Transform Your Business

Let me tell you a story about an entrepreneur friend that I know who decided to hire a remote VA for her business.

Before Hiring a VA

Before hiring a virtual assistant, Sarah was running a successful e-commerce business.

However, Sarah was feeling overwhelmed and burnt out from trying to handle everything on her own.

She was spending all of her time managing orders, responding to customer inquiries, and trying to keep up with social media.

She was working long hours and weekends, and she felt like she couldn’t keep up with the demands of the business.

After Hiring a VA

That’s when Sarah decided to hire a remote virtual assistant to help her manage the day-to-day tasks of the business.

She found a virtual assistant who had experience in e-commerce and social media management, and they started working together right away.

The impact of hiring a virtual assistant was almost immediate. With her virtual assistant handling customer inquiries and managing social media, Sarah was able to free up several hours each day.

She no longer had to worry about staying on top of every little detail, and she was able to focus on growing the business in other ways.

Sarah used the extra time to work on developing new products, improving her website, and developing a marketing strategy.

She also took some much-needed time off, knowing that her virtual assistant had everything under control.

What Happened Next?

Over time, Sarah’s business continued to grow and thrive. She was able to launch new product lines and expand her customer base, all while working fewer hours than before.

Her virtual assistant continued to provide reliable and efficient support, and Sarah was able to trust that her business was in good hands.

Looking back on her decision to hire a virtual assistant, Sarah said it was one of the best decisions she ever made for her business.

She was able to reclaim her time and focus on the things that mattered most, all while growing her business and achieving new levels of success.

Final Remote Virtual Assistant Tips

Here are my top 5 tips for entrepreneurs looking to hire a remote virtual assistant:

1. Clearly define the tasks and responsibilities: Before hiring a virtual assistant, make sure you have a clear understanding of the tasks and responsibilities you want to delegate. This will help you find a virtual assistant with the right skills and experience for the job.
2. Set clear expectations and communication channels: It’s important to establish clear communication channels with your virtual assistant and set expectations for response times, project deadlines, and other important details. This will ensure that you and your virtual assistant are on the same page and can work together efficiently.
3. Look for relevant experience: When hiring a virtual assistant, look for someone with relevant experience in your industry or field. This will help ensure that your virtual assistant can hit the ground running and provide valuable insights and support for your business.
4. Consider personality fit: Hiring a virtual assistant is not just about skills and experience, it’s also important to find someone who is a good personality fit for you and your business. Look for someone who shares your values and communication style, and who you feel comfortable working with.
5. Start small and build trust: When hiring a virtual assistant for the first time, start with a small project or set of tasks to build trust and ensure that the virtual assistant is a good fit for your business. As you build trust and confidence in your virtual assistant, you can gradually delegate more tasks and responsibilities.

What Is Outsource School?

Outsource School helps you to unlock the potential of virtual assistants and accelerate your business growth.

This is the exact system Outsource School’s founders, Nathan Hirsch and Connor Gillivan, used to go from zero to 8 figures and 40+ virtual assistants with an exit in 2019.

Since being founded in 2020, Outsource School has helped 1,000+ business owners hire 2,000+ virtual assistants for their companies.

Schedule a free sales call to learn more

Free resources you might like: 

• Outsource School Case Study: How We Scaled to 45+ VAs and 8 Figures in Revenue
• Free VA Calculator | See How Many VAs You Can Afford
• Free Training on 5 Keys to Working With VAs
• Learn Outsourcing 101 | Guides, Downloads, and Checklists

Conclusion

Remote virtual assistants can be absolute game changers.

Think of a life where:

• You have time to go on vacation
• Repetitive tasks are handled by your VA
• You spend less time in your email
• You have more time to focus on growth
• You’re not overworked and underpaid
• You trust your team of virtual assistants
• You could step away and not worry about the business

If that’s a life you’re interested in, go out and hire a remote VA asap!

If you have questions about how to do it, reach out to me at Support@OutsourceSchool.com.

Happy hiring!

What Virtual Assistant Rates Can You Expect in 2023?

Wanting to know common virtual assistant rates?

In general, virtual assistant rates vary between $3 per hour up to $20+ per hour.

My name is Connor Gillivan. I’m an entrepreneur and I’ve been hiring virtual assistants for the past 10 years. I’ve hired 100s of VAs for scaling my companies to 6, 7, and 8 figures with an exit in 2019.

When I first started hiring VAs, I too wondered:

How much does a virtual assistant cost?

What virtual assistant rates should I expect to pay?

In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about virtual assistants and the rates associated with them.

Here’s what we’ll cover: 

• The Rise of Virtual Assistants
• What Services Do Virtual Assistants Offer?
• What Virtual Assistant Rates You Can Expect
• Factors Influencing Virtual Assistant Rates
• How to Negotiate a Good Rate with a Virtual Assistant
• Is Hiring a Virtual Assistant Worth It?

The Rise of Virtual Assistants

The demand for virtual assistants has grown rapidly in recent years.

According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the number of virtual assistants in the United States alone has increased by an average of 10% every year since 2016.

The growth rate is expected to continue over the next decade, with virtual assistants becoming increasingly more sought-after and in-demand.

The rise of virtual assistants is due to the increasing need for businesses to streamline their operations and reduce costs.

Virtual assistants can provide a range of services, from customer service and data entry to more complex tasks such as scheduling and project management.

They can also be used to automate mundane tasks, freeing up time for employees to focus on more important tasks.

The 2020 pandemic also caused more business owners to look for remote talent, instead of only being focused on talent that could work in a local office.

Needless to say, virtual assistants are on the rise and it’s important to learn how to incorporate them into your business.

What Services Do Virtual Assistants Offer?

The range of services that are offered by virtual assistants is vast and varied, but certainly not limited.

They can be hired for:

• administrative support
• customer service
• technical support
• project management
• marketing
• sales support
• data entry
• online research
• content management

They can also provide creative services, such as:

• web design
• logo design
• video editing
• animation
• graphic design.

Finally, virtual assistants can also handle: 

• virtual event planning
• social media management
• virtual bookkeeping
• virtual receptionist services
• scheduling appointments
• managing calendars
• creating reports.

With the right virtual assistant, businesses can save time and money while still getting the help they need.

What Virtual Assistant Rates You Can Expect

As the demand for virtual assistants increases, so too do the rates they charge.

According to data compiled by virtual assistant companies, the average hourly rate for a virtual assistant in the United States is currently $22 per hour. But you can find VAs in the US starting at $15 per hour. 

This rate is expected to increase significantly over the next few years and could reach as high as $35 per hour by 2023.

For virtual assistants in countries like the Philippines and India, the average hourly rate for a virtual assistant is currently $7 per hour. But you can find VAs between $3 and $20 per hour. 

The demand for virtual assistants is driven by the need for businesses to outsource certain tasks to save time and money.

And as we listed above, virtual assistants can provide a wide range of services, from administrative tasks to customer service and more.

As businesses become more aware of the benefits of using virtual assistants, the demand for these services is expected to continue to grow.

Factors Influencing Virtual Assistant Rates

The rate a virtual assistant charges for their services will depend on a variety of factors:

1. experience level
2. skill set
3. the complexity of the services being provided
4. the amount of time required to complete the task
5. the geographical location of the client

Virtual assistants with more experience and specialized skills will tend to charge higher rates than those who are just starting out.

In addition, the type of services being provided can also affect the rate.

For example, virtual assistants who provide administrative services such as data entry, scheduling, and customer service may charge lower rates than those who provide more specialized services such as web design, graphic design, or software development.

Furthermore, virtual assistants who are able to provide services on a short-term or project basis may also be able to negotiate lower rates than those who are hired for long-term contracts.

How to Negotiate a Good Rate with a Virtual Assistant

When negotiating rates with a virtual assistant, it’s important to be upfront about your budget and expectations.

Be sure to ask questions about the services they provide and what types of tasks they are comfortable with completing.

If there are certain tasks you require that they are not comfortable with, ask if they can recommend someone who may be able to help.

Don’t be afraid to negotiate on price as most virtual assistants are willing to work with you on their price. Just make sure to be respectful and not negotiate too low to where it offends the virtual assistant.

Also, consider the virtual assistant’s experience and qualifications when negotiating a rate.

Ask for references and look for reviews online to ensure that the virtual assistant is reliable and trustworthy.

Additionally, make sure to discuss payment terms and any additional fees that may be associated with the services. This will help you to avoid any surprises down the line.

Conclusion: Is Hiring a Virtual Assistant Worth It?

Hiring a virtual assistant can be a great way to increase productivity and reduce costs associated with additional office staff or third-party vendors.

However, it’s important to find the right person for the job as this will ensure that you get the best results possible.

With the right person in place and an understanding of best practices when working with a virtual assistant, hiring a virtual assistant can be well worth it.

When considering hiring a virtual assistant, it is important to consider the cost of the service, the skillset of the virtual assistant, and the amount of time and effort that will be required to manage the relationship.

What is Outsource School?

Outsource School is a hiring system that has helped 1,000+ students hire 2,000+ virtual assistants and freelancers.

Outsource School teaches you how to interview, onboard, train, and manage virtual assistants for your business.

You also gain access to Outsource School’s private community, Monthly Coaching Calls, and on-demand support from Outsource School’s founders.

If you need some more advice regarding VA rates, here’s a video which could give you a simple rundown of How Virtual Assistants Rate Themselves: