Author: Julia Valdez

A resume cover letter may be one of the most important letters you have to write. But what is it and how should you write one?

The job market is extremely competitive. With outsourcing and VA hiring becoming more common, the number of potential candidates has grown. How can a cover letter benefit you and catch the attention of hiring staff?

In this post, we are going to cover 

• What is a Cover Letter?
• Purpose and Importance of a Resume Cover Letter
• When to Write a Cover Letter?
• Formatting Your Resume Cover Letter
• Tips for Writing a Compelling Virtual Assistant Cover Letter that Complements your Resume

What is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter, also known as an application letter, is correspondence sent as part of a job application. You usually send this to employers together with a resume. Unlike a letter of interest, a cover letter is for an advertised job opening.

Purpose and Importance of a Resume Cover Letter

In a different post, we talked about virtual assistant resumes and how they help you market your skills and experiences. So what about cover letters? Why would you write one?

There are a few benefits and reasons to write a cover letter alongside your resume. 

For one, it’s more personal than a resume. A resume is a lot more technical. Through a letter, you can introduce yourself in a more personal way. You can convey your interest in the job position in a way that displays personality and emotion. At the same time, you can still be professional. 

Second, a cover letter can help you convince those in charge of hiring that you are the best candidate. The goal of both resumes and cover letters is persuasion. However, the format of cover letter writing is more flexible and allows you to communicate more using persuasive writing. You can show how well you connect to and qualify for the role. A cover letter allows you to express why you want the position, convince them to follow up, and consider you for an interview. 

Third, you have a chance to expand on key skills or experiences listed on your resume. You can tell them what exactly you bring to the table. Anecdotes and stories with real quantifiable results are a great way to do this. 

Fourth, it shows your ability to communicate. A letter gives a better glimpse into your ability to convey information, ideas, and enthusiasm. It’s especially beneficial if English-speaking skills are a requirement. Not only can you supplement your resume, you also meet a requirement on the job brief. That can definitely improve your chances of getting an interview. 

Lastly, you can use your cover letter to help you explain certain red flags on your resume. For instance, employment gaps are something recruiters or hiring managers notice right away. This can be concerning because they don’t know what could have happened during that time. Instead of trying to hide it, you can explain the reason behind it. 

When Should You Write a Cover Letter?

While we do believe a virtual assistant cover letter is important, it’s not always necessary. Cover letters and resumes usually come in pairs. So, it’s a good idea to check if the job post mentions anything about a cover letter. Some mark it as a requirement, others say it’s optional, and some tell you not to send one. Job posts may not even mention it at all. 

So, what situations would you write or send a cover letter?

• If they request for one
• If there are gaps in employment history or other things you need to explain
• If the company you are applying to are mission-driven and goal-oriented

Tip: If it is optional or not mentioned, weigh the pros and cons of writing one. 

Before you start writing, consider:

• Would the cover letter be something that improved your chances of getting an interview? 
• Would your resume stand better by itself? 
• Is there even a way for you to send the cover letter? 

Formatting Your Resume Cover Letter

Header

Similar to your resume, your heading includes the essential information the hiring managers need to contact you. This includes your email address, phone number, and perhaps even a LinkedIn profile. You can also include your address.

Professional Greeting 

It can be tempting to go with the cookie-cutter option of “To Whom it May Concern”. I remember this being taught from middle school all the way up to my high school senior year. However, this isn’t actually the best way to address your cover letter. It could even slightly lower the chances they read your letter. A cover letter is meant to be a more personal application for a job. Aligning with that, you should also use a greeting that is more personal without being unprofessional.

The best way to do this is to address hiring managers by name if possible. If you cannot find their names, then a simple “Dear Hiring Managers” will do. 

Introduction Statement / Paragraph

Like bait on a hook, introductions are meant to reel you into the rest of the content. In a cover letter, the introductory statement is usually a 2-3 sentence paragraph that does a number of things. 

To grab attention in this context, there are a few things you can do:

• Introduce yourself 
• Describe yourself using soft skills (organized, creative, resourceful, etc. )
• Mention the job or position you are applying for
• Provide a brief history of your experience or qualifications
• Write in the appropriate tone used by the company 
• Display enthusiasm for the job and confidence in your abilities 

Body

Getting attention can sometimes be easier than keeping it. The body should be the most persuasive part of your virtual assistant cover letter. 

Here you can detail experiences, qualify your skills, and quantify your accomplishments. However, just because this makes up the bulk of the letter, doesn’t mean you need to or should be wordy.

Your letter should not be longer than a single page with readable font choice and size. A safe example is Times New Roman 12. Make sure, also, to include a margin and to separate your paragraphs. 

Conclusion

Your conclusion can be a summary of your letter. It can also be where you express your desire and excitement towards the possibility of working for that company.  

Call to Action

You can combine this into your conclusion or this can be a separate sentence after. Simply, this is where you subtly suggest a course of action that the interviewers can take. 

For instance, you can redirect their attention to your contact information should they need to reach you for a follow-up. You can also express interest in discussing things further through an interview. 

Professional Sign-Off

You can then end with any of the sign-offs below. Use your best judgment based on the tone of the letter. Then end the whole letter with your name once again at the end. 

• Sincerely (most recommended)
• Regards
• Best
• Respectfully
• Thank you
• Thank you for your consideration

Note: This is the general format that most cover letters will follow. However, always check and see if they mention any formatting rules. If they do, always prioritize those rules. 

Tips for Writing a Compelling Virtual Assistant Cover Letter that Complements your Resume

Write Them Together

Just like you should tailor your resume to the job description, you should also write your cover letter alongside these two. Remember, you’re submitting a cover letter with your resume, so they should support one another. The cover letter should not be a reiteration of resume information, but rather an expansion or explanation of the information.

Include Work Anecdotes/Describe a Work Experience in Greater Detail 

Through your resume, you can show the quantifiable results of your time with a company. A cover letter allows you to go into deeper detail. You can provide more context surrounding an experience that you believe will stand out to the hiring manager. This is a way to show how you problem-solve and come up with effective courses of action. You can also add more quantifiable data you may not have been able to in your resume. 

Describe Your Experiences in Job-related Organizations

If your resume mentions your membership to a well-respected organization, you can include your related accomplishments in your cover letter. You can also mention any contests or events you have been a part of. Make sure, though, that these achievements are relevant and will be valuable information to the hiring manager. 

Use the Same Keywords and Language

Use the language, tone and keywords used in the job description and resume. This shows those in charge of recruitment that you read and understood the post well. Not only that, but it also signals you will be a good fit for the team. It can indicate your ability to adapt to work culture. Using the same language also reveals your ability to maintain consistency. Anybody can use a template for resumes. However, if your cover letter is just as well-written as your resume, that’s a green flag. It also makes it much easier for hiring managers to go back and forth between your resume and cover letter.

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

A resume cover letter takes the facts in your resume and attaches it to a personality. Show employers how impressive you are but also show them that you are more than numbers or figures. A cover letter is also a great way to let employers know how eager you are for the job position. It’s a great way to convince them how well a partnership could work out between you and the company. 

On the other side, are you a business owner trying to make better hires? 

Check out 9 Common Hiring Mistakes Costing Time and Money

Wondering how you can build a stellar virtual assistant resume that catches attention among the sea of others?

This time we’re exploring the ins and outs of resume creation. We’ll explain why they’re important. We’ll also go over the key components involved in creating one, and good examples you can follow. 

Why is Having a Well-Written Virtual Assistant Resume Important?

That’s like asking why you should make a marketable advertisement.

Your resume is how you market your skill in a professional market. There are a ton of people out there looking for jobs. A resume spells the difference. It distinguishes those who are considered eligible for an interview and those who are ignored. This isn’t solely about how many years of experience you have. It’s not even about how many certifications you qualified for. It’s about how you present yourself. 

A well-written resume:

• Shows your capabilities and value you bring to the table.
• Clearly communicates your skills and experiences.
• Grabs attention either through word choice, layout, or design.
• Saves interviewers time by communicating all the necessary information concisely but meaningfully.

What Are The Different Types of Virtual Assistants?

Virtual assistants are simply remote workers covering many skills and industries. This means that the categories of virtual assistants are virtually endless. However, no matter the industry, we categorize VAs into three different types based on skill level, experience, and roles. 

The three main types of virtual assistant are: 

• Follower – entry level, basic menial tasks, less initiative but more flexible.
• Doer – intermediate level, specialized expertise, higher proficiency, more initiative and has own processes and workflows.
• Expert  – advanced level, are typically guides, advisors, strategists and developers. They have tons of work experience and are industry experts, they are those that can manage doers and followers.

What Are The Key Components of a Virtual Assistant Resume?

There are about 6 crucial elements in a resume. Below is the typical order you would write them in.

Header and Contact Information

The main header, which is the biggest text on your resume, contains an applicant’s first and last name. Underneath you will find contact details such as email, work address, and phone number. 

Summary Statement or Objective

This shows up near the top of the resume and acts as a kind of introduction. It is a few sentences that sums up your experience in that field or industry, skills, goals, and even achievements. 

Work Experience

This section contains a list of clients or companies you’ve worked with. It also lists the duration of work. You usually write the most recent experiences first. The subheading usually contains the name of the role next to the company name. Underneath, you can find a bulleted list of responsibilities fulfilled and highlighted experiences in that position.

Education

This section contains the applicant’s formal education experience, usually the highest level attained. It can be high school, college, master’s, doctorate, etc. 

This includes: 

• Name of the course taken (if college educated).
• Number of years in the course.
• Name of college or university.
• Address of school.
• Date of graduation.

Skills Section

This important part of a virtual assistant resume contains the hard and soft skills relevant to the position. You would usually list hard skills first if there is a heavy requirement placed on technical expertise. Soft skills reveal how you manage yourself, the work, and relationships with other people. 

Some resumes include an indicator of proficiency in that skill via a scale or stars. This helps quantify your abilities, which can attract more attention from hiring managers. 

Certifications and Memberships

You can think of this part as an extension of the education section. Here you list other forms of continuing education (if any) such as courses and licenses. Next to the license or certificate name, you can list the name of the organization and the date you obtained it. 

You can also list if you are a member of a professional group or association relevant to the job or industry. 

How Do I Customize My Virtual Assistant Resume to The Job Description?

Not every employer comes to you. A lot of the time you are the one that needs to write an application for a job post. There are many job description templates that are helpful to get you started, but it’s important that you personalize those information fields. 

Importance of Customizing Your Resume for Each Application

There are a few reasons why you should tailor your resume to each company. 

• Management might require specific skills, certifications, education requirements, location requirements, and number of years of experience.
• The department may have a preferred format. 
• HR may include something outside the template, like a pre-interview question.

Tips for Aligning Your Skills and Experience with the Job Description

• Highlight unique experiences you know will benefit your employer and give you an edge over other resumes.
• Write your skills and experiences parallel to how the job post lays it out. Think of it as a question and answer. It makes it much easier for them. 
• Use the same keywords, language, and phrasing they use. Add in some industry language to flex your knowledge. 
• Use language that quantifies your skills and experience. Show how you impacted certain key metrics during your stay. For example, you can use percentages to indicate how you helped increase monthly sales. 
• Quantify experience into years and hours. Some companies may have education requirements for a certain number of years. In the event that you don’t meet the brief, you can quantify the hours and months spent on other certifications. This helps justify your place in the roster of candidates. 

Virtual Assistant Resume Examples

Template 1

Analysis

Notice how Thomas, applying as a personal / administrative virtual assistant, writes his summary statement:

He qualifies that position in two ways. First, he states the number of years (2) he has worked in this role professionally. Second, he states which industries he has experience in: business, sales, marketing, and finance. He also brings attention to two skills, one soft and one hard skill: attention to detail and technological proficiency. 

From those few sentences alone, a hiring manager would already have a good idea about him. 

When it comes to work experience, what can we learn about Thomas from his descriptions?

First company: 

• Appears particularly experienced in calendar management and scheduling.
• Is capable of organizing multiple business trips for large groups of people.
• Garnered trust to speak with important clients.
• Has research and bookkeeping skills.

Second company: 

• Managed emails for someone in a high-ranking position.
• Has experience in customer service and data entry.

You can see that his experiences tell us more about his roles and responsibilities. Notice also how we can get an idea of his capabilities. See how this aligns with the skills he chose to list down. 

How does the example align with the key components?

While they swapped the education and experience section, we see that Thomas checks all the boxes for a good resume.

Template 2

Analysis

This resume template includes a sidebar. One of the reasons this type of resume is effective relates to the importance of information and the direction people read. Notice the sidebar includes contact info, education, and skills. 

A hiring manager can go through hundreds of resumes in a day. This style of resume can catch their attention and give them the key information they need. The other side contains the summary and then the expanded work experience. 

There are four things main things I want to focus on:

• Notice how the summary catches attention. Sierra almost makes a claim that she then backs up with her work experience. 
• Look at how they use industry language that relates to the Amazon Virtual Assistant position.
• She qualifies her experiences and skills with numbers and percentages. 
• Her listed skills are purely technical/software-related. Notice how she makes inference to her other skills by weaving it into the work experiences section. 

How does the example align with the key components?

Of the two virtual assistant resume examples we’ve listed, this one meets more than just the basics. It combines resume layout, quantifiers, and industry language to grab attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I include references on my resume?

Including references right there on your resume can be tempting. It’s understandable that you would want to further convince future employers with verifiable endorsement. However, most companies prefer you don’t do this until they specifically request it. 

How can I demonstrate problem-solving abilities on my resume?

You can cite specific examples that inherently require you to be resourceful, show your ability to take initiative, and results of your decision making. 

Ex: “Contributed to the creation of a company FAQ page after noticing an influx of similar customer inquiries. This led to a 30% increase in customer satisfaction.”

How do I address gaps in my work history on my resume?

Gaps in work history can sometimes raise the eyebrows of those in charge of hiring. 

Here are some tips if you have gaps in your work history:

• Be honest but brief about why you took the break using professional terminology such as planned career break, sabbatical, job search, etc.
• Highlight lessons learned and skills acquired during that gap time.
• Explain if the gap was voluntary or involuntary like if you were volunteering, moving, or had health complications.
• Omit months when talking about work history.

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

Now you know how to craft a winning virtual assistant resume to get ahead of the herd. You’re one step closer to landing that job interview and further expanding your qualifications and experience.

 

Are you worried about what it will cost to outsource work in 2024? Let us ease your minds. Yes, virtual assistants do expect raises and freelancers do update their rates from time to time. However, at the industry level, there is no hard and fast rule about rates. This means that you are not necessarily facing an increased outsourcing cost. 

That’s great news! But wait, there’s more… You, as the business owner, can actually manage your costs and therefore control spending. In this post, we’ll show you just how to do that!

Factors That Affect Outsourcing Costs in 2024

Before we dive into how your cost to outsource work is manageable, let’s establish some basics. These factors exist for every person looking to hire from overseas. 

1. Location and Geographic Considerations

Where you are hiring from and where you are sourcing hires from matters. Below are the two major areas to think over when looking at the cost to outsource.

First, you need to know about the cost of living in the country you want to hire from. This is the biggest factor that affects rate ranges when outsourcing. If you are looking within the Americas, Europe, and other first-world nations, you will pay much higher rates. Hiring from less developed nations will allow you to pay less while not low-balling prospects. This gets you off on the right foot with candidates. This is especially true for those who aren’t hurting for work because they have the best qualifications. And, frankly, these are the ones you want.

Second, consider your partner options. Hiring through a BPO or an agency will cost more upfront than hiring direct. However, if you have little experience, having a partner can make it worthwhile. Hiring direct leaves you completely unprotected. So, if you’re not savvy with interviewing freelancers and VAs, collaborate with a team that is. This way, you can avoid getting duped because they know how to spot the red flags. Your partner will have contact in the area you’re hiring from. This means that they will have systems in place to screen candidates to ensure quality and performance. 

If you want to check out more information on geographic considerations, we have the following resources:

• Outsourcing strategies – an overview of offshoring vs. nearshoring vs. onshoring
• Offshoring vs outsourcing – more details on these options

2. Type of Services Outsourced

All things being equal in the above areas, the actual work you need done will affect costs. Different types of skills are priced differently, mainly based on scarcity and cost to acquire. 

First, certain innate skills, soft skills, and character traits can be hard to find. And since you can’t teach them, they will come at a higher cost. For instance, artistic talent, high-level communication, and friendliness. This is why you would pay a higher rate for a talented t-shirt designer.

Moreover, they’d be well worth the cost with a good reporting routing and an easy-going personality. This is in contrast to someone who uses software and templates to create infographics. If you constantly have to follow up with them, that’s not good. Let’s not even talk about how little you want to hire someone who comes to work in a bad mood half the time. You would not pay well for that kind of performance. 

Second, some hard skills and knowledge-based skills are in high demand. Although teachable, some of these skills can be expensive and difficult to acquire, and then, master. This raises the rate that you can expect to pay for someone who has this skill. Note that the expense and difficulty can also make this skill rare, which supports the high price tag. 

3. Skill Level and Expertise

Take a close look at the skill levels and years of experience that you need and want. These two factors can mean a significant bump in qualified candidates’ rates. Most hiring parties ignore this, and it’s a huge turn-off to the most qualified candidates. If you don’t require that much background or know-how for the job, you can hire entry-level. Consider, however, how much virtual assistant training will cost you. They still do, after all, need to get up to speed on everything.

4. Cultures and Time Zones 

Most of the time, a person’s time zone would be cause for concern. This can raise the cost to outsource if you want specific work hours. However, in today’s outsourcing world, most freelancers and virtual assistants are willing to adjust. The best of the best may not want to work crazy hours like nurses and emergency personnel. But they generally will agree to work when necessary. Odd hours can be concerning over the long term, even when VAs agree initially. Be sure you check in with hires regularly. This way, you can make sure they’re getting enough quality rest and not hurting their health.

When we talk about culture, it can be a sort of hidden cost under certain conditions. If you are insensitive to hires with different holidays than you, for instance, it can cause tension. For example, people in India and the Philippines have certain annual observances that are non-negotiable. Other people have certain days when they will refuse to work because of their faith. 

You must know these cultural nuances before you hire so you can make an informed decision. We encourage you not to push people in these areas if they tell you that it’s not flexible. Work around their special days, or consider other candidates. If you are working with inexperienced people, they will not even know what to inform you about. They simply will not know what is normal for them is not normal for you. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with these matters and start the conversation.

Common Pay Structures in Outsourcing

You have the freedom to choose from any of these pay models when you outsource. This is the foundation for how you will control your outsourcing cost.

Difference Between Project-Based vs. Dedicated In-House VA

The cost to outsource can change based on the term and stability of the job. Whether you go for project-based or long-term structures, you can still save. The key is choosing the system that’s best for the type of work you need done.

For repetitive work, the obvious choice is to a dedicated person who can stay on for the long haul. This reduces your training costs and gives both you and the hire the benefits of stability. Then you can work out a scheme for when that hire can expect a raise, and what the conditions are. For instance, you can present a set of metrics to meet. Then, schedule check-ins and evaluations so they know where they are on the scale. This sets a clear expectation and goals to work towards. 

When you have work that is one-off or periodic, we recommend that you hire on a per-project basis. It makes no sense to hire someone long-term if they will have nothing much to do most of the time. You may want to lock in that person because they’re good. You can, of course, give them other things to do while waiting for the next project. However, note that if they are not happy with the other work, their performance will drop. They are also not likely to stay on with you anyway of they don’t like the job.

Sometimes, you’ll have in-between work. There’s no issue with hiring a part-time VA. You may not get the same availability because they’re part time. But you can still encourage a high level of loyalty based on how you treat them. Respect and appreciation go a very long way. 

Hidden Costs to Consider When Outsourcing

Most of the time, you are not going to need to think about hidden costs. Freelancers and VAs pay for their own basic equipment, internet connections, power consumption, workspace rent, and the like. This is one thing that makes the cost to outsource so low! All you need to pay for in most cases is their rate. Maybe you purchase special software tools that you require them to use. That is, if they did not specify that it’s included with the rate. 

So, what are the hidden charges you need to look out for?

This usually refers to the cost that you face for being careless. 

One way to get into trouble here is not having clear agreements with hires or with hiring partners like BPOs and agencies. You have to specify everything and get written consent as much as possible. This will save you from future battles – some of them legal.

Another hidden cost comes to bite you unexpectedly. This one is what you get for low-balling candidates. You may think you got away with paying a lower rate than a prospect asked for. Unless you make up for it, and quick, you will most likely find yourself holding the short end of the stick. No one likes to be stiffed, and no matter how much a candidate agrees and smiles, they aren’t dumb. If you mistreat them by being cheap, they will usually find a way to get back at you. Here are a few common ways you’ll pay for it:

• Underperforming whenever they can get away with it
• Stealing (clients, goods, subscriptions, etc.)
• Dropping you as soon as a better offer comes along
• Reporting you and your business to inner circles so no one decent in the online community will want to work with you

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

When you count the cost to outsource, you are planning for success. We all know that failing to plan is planning to fail, and cost analysis is vital. We are confident, however, that choosing the right combination of factors will spell success for your outsourcing journey. The right location, skills and experience, and payment structure can keep costs down and productivity high.

 

Are you looking for the best entrepreneur podcasts out there? 

About half of the U.S. has listened to a podcast, citing entertainment and learning as the major reasons. 

So, we’ve collected 25 podcasts that fit this category. 

1. Goal Digger Podcast

This workshop-like listening experience is one of the top marketing podcasts. It has millions of downloads and over 700 episodes. Jenna Hutcher, the host, is a self-made millionaire. She draws on her experience as a best-selling author, digital marketer, mother, and much more. Along with her guests, they dive into topics surrounding business, marketing, and life. The goal is to help others live their dream lives. 

2. The Side Hustle Show

This is an award-winning, top-rated entrepreneurship podcast. It helps people start and improve their business. Nick Loper is a former 9-5 worker turned successful entrepreneur, author, and coach. He helps those who are looking for financial security and freedom. On the podcast, he interviews business owners who have made money in creatively different ways. It’s all about real strategies, actionable steps, and applications that 100,000+ listeners tune in for. 

3. Working Hard, Hardly Working

This popular business podcast blends business tips with life advice. It’s great for anyone on the spectrum of “working hard to hardly working”. Host Grace Beverely is an entrepreneur and lifestyle and fitness influencer with millions of followers. She interviews guests from all walks of life and success. Their discussions cover a wide range of topics. These include entrepreneurial lessons and experiences, mental and physical health, and social issues. 

4. The Diary of a CEO

The UK’s top podcast features influential people from all over the world. They tell their stories in a very honest and open dialogue style. The host is entrepreneur, investor, best-selling author, and former Dragon’s Den star Steven Bartlett. He speaks candidly with celebrities of all types. Their near 300 episode count features athletes, musicians, CEOs, doctors, PhDs, authors, and many other experts and influencers. 

5. The Tim Ferriss Show

This is the first business / interview podcast to reach 100 million downloads. It remains one of the best entrepreneur podcasts, with now over 900 million downloads. Tim Ferriss is a best-selling author, guest speaker, and technology investor / advisor. This “Oprah of Audio” interviews other world renowned people from various walks of life. Targeted areas include business, sports, history, self-improvement, and more. These 2-3 hour episodes are packed with information, raw discussions, and actionable steps to apply in your own life.

6. The How of Business

This podcast teaches entrepreneurs “how to start, run, and grow a small business.” Host Henry Lopez takes his 35 years of business experience and uses it to teach other aspiring business owners. From the title, you can expect to learn how to do it all, too. His industry knowledge is diverse. These include restaurants, software systems, real estate, sales and marketing, and small business coaching and consulting.

7. BiggerPockets Money Podcast

Looking for ways to get out of debt, grow your money, and gain financial freedom? Co-hosts and finance experts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench interview entrepreneurs and breakdown listener money stories. Learn earning tactics, spending tips, and get a grip on your personal finances. 

8. Entrepreneurs on Fire

Consistently generating more than a million views and 7 figures monthly, EOP is a top rated, award-winning podcast. Podcast host and author, John Lee Dumas, has interviewed thousands of successful entrepreneurs. This winner has put out over 3000 episodes to date. He aims to both inspire and give real strategies to help those seeking financial freedom and fulfillment.

9. Ambitious Entrepreneur Show

This is an award-winning marketing and entrepreneurship podcast aimed at businesses that want to stand out. Annemarie Cross, “The Podcasting Queen”, is a pioneer in the space. She has over 13 years of podcasting experience. She and her guests coach business owners in podcast strategy, client relationships, branding, and other areas. 

10. Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders

This is produced by Stanford eCorner—a place where people can access Stanford ideas, research and insights for free. This series focuses on the entrepreneurial journey. Here, entrepreneurs and innovators share their successes and failures along the way. 

11. The $100 MBA Show

This Best of iTunes show is all about providing practical business tips. Get practical business insights and advice from Omar Zenhom, the founder of WebinarNinja. There are 2000+ 15-20min episodes for those who prefer a more straightforward approach to business advice content. 

12. How I Built This

This podcast explores how entrepreneurs built some of the world’s most influential and iconic brands. This is only one of the many successful podcasts hosted by Guy Raz. He is one of the most popular in the podcasting space. He consistently brings in over 19 million views across multiple shows. This show focuses on innovation, leadership, creativity, and deep conversations surrounding challenges and failures. 

13. The Rise to the Top

This podcast takes us backstage of the host’s 7 figure online business. David Siteman Garland is a founder of many successful businesses, including The Rise to the Top. This business helps people create online courses. He narrates “the good, bad, and ugly” behind the scenes and interviews other entrepreneurs as well. There hasn’t been a new episode in years, but there is still a lot of advice, tips, and stories packed in.  

14. Smart Passive Income

This podcast helps listeners create multiple passive income streams so they can do what they love. Mainly, people love to learn how not to experience business burnout. Pat Flynn is the founder of the Smart Passive Income blog, which provides online education for entrepreneurs. He shares real-life experiences as a 6-figure business owner and inventor. Learn about marketing strategies, niche markets, SEO, building authority, online course creation, and more.

15. The Startup Chat

This is another podcast on the shorter side with 20-minute conversations. Hosts Steli Efti and Hiten Shah are serial entrepreneurs. They are nest knows for being sales and marketing experts and founders of multi-million dollar startups. No guests or fluff, just unfiltered yet succinct advice from CEOs who know the value of time. 

16. The GaryVee Audio Experience

This podcast is a collection of audio snippets and full episodes from various places. You’ll find talks, shows, videos, and speeches, as well as original content. Gary Vaynerchuck is a serial entrepreneur, including CEO of VaynerMedia. He’s also a best-selling author and content creator. Interestingly, he was an angel investor in Facebook and Twitter. He shares advice from his experience as a multi-business owner, advisor, and trendspotter. With his sheer influence in the space, he had to make it on this best entrepreneur podcasts list. 

17. Youpreneur

Focusing on “the business of you”, this podcast aims to help people grow their personal brand, become profitable, and industry authorities. Helming this is Chris Ducker, an international keynote speaker, entrepreneur, advisor, and investor. He created the term “Youpreneur.” This is for entrepreneurs building sustainable businesses based on their expertise and personality. 

18. Planet Money

This is one of the many podcasts created by the National Public Radio (NPR) network. In 20-30 minutes, learn how anything can connect to the economy. Gain a better understanding of the economy and the world it operates in.

19. My First Million

This one is under the HubSpot Podcast Network co-hosted by business owners Sam Paar and Shaan Puri. Here, they brainstorm potential business ideas and opportunities you can try yourself. They also do business breakdowns and interview the brains behind built and failed businesses. Their hope is you reach that first million of whatever metric you choose.

20. The School of Greatness

After two life-changing injuries, one his dad’s and another his own, host Lewis Howles began his podcast. Once a former two-time All-American, he is now an entrepreneur and coach. He is also the best-selling author of a book of the same name. His goal is now to help others overcome challenges and achieve greatness. The show offers a collection of 1000+ interviews with prominent individuals. They discuss subjects like business and self-development.

21. Listen Money Matters

Matt Giovanisci and Andrew Fiebert partner together to bring you a down-to-earth personal finance podcast. If the other podcasts aren’t raw or real enough for you, try this one. Matt and Andrew bring humor, relatability, and energy to financial discussions. Whether you’re a novice or seasoned professional, you can benefit from their research and experience.

22. The Mind Your Business Podcast

James Wedmore guides listeners on how to make a lasting impression with the passion of bringing them from entrepreneur to CEO. To James, the 7 figure entrepreneur and business coach, his goal is to help people make real money doing what they really love. He believes that mindset and attitude are key and not simply hustling and grinding to the top. 

23. Mixergy

As the name suggests, Mixergy is a platform where visitors can learn and grow by listening to a mix of people. Andrew Warner, co-creator of a multi-million dollar earning internet business, founded Mixergy for ambitious people to learn from thousands of startup stories. Mixergy aims for you to get passionate about a vision and get help to turn it into reality. 

24. Tony Robbins Podcast

Almost a man in need of no introduction, this features the top world-famous business and life strategist. He shares advice that impacts millions. He is a multi-national best-selling author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. That’s on top of being a personal coach for U.S. Presidents and popular celebrities. Learn from a man with 45+ years of experience speaking about success, business, and personal development.

25. Masters of Scale

The final entry in our best entrepreneur podcasts list is one packed with recognizable brands. Here, they tell their “rags to riches” stories. The show has two formats. One, hosted by Reid Hoffman of LinkedIn, focuses more on the business journey. The other is faster paced and focuses on the wisdom of these entrepreneurs in specific situations. Bob Safian, former editor in chief at the Fast Company, hosts the second format.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of having my own podcast?

Podcasts are a great way to build your brand voice, connect with your audience, share your knowledge, and create accessible content. 

How does being on podcasts help my business?

Here are three reasons:

• You can communicate your expertise and knowledge in your industry to a wider audience. 
• Dialoguing with prominent creators in the space helps generate traffic to your site. 
• You can build connections and possible networks with other entrepreneurs.

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

Maybe you’ve run your business for many years. Or, you could be just starting out, or not even have any ideas yet. Whatever the case, you can learn a lot from others in the same space. You can find out how to dive deeper into your passion, learn the work-life balance, or discover hustle opportunities. If you have a few minutes to spare or can dedicate hours, this list of the best entrepreneur podcasts has something for everyone. 

Are you looking for a virtual assistant training program? Whether you’re here to get an assistant enrolled or are a freelancer looking to upskill, these are for you! We’ve handpicked them from a multitude of online courses that are available today. We think they’re excellent. And we know that the right one for your needs is going to be a game-changer for your business!

1. The SavvySystem

The SavvySystem is the virtual assistant training program from The Virtual Savvy, a blog run by a freelancer. She was a mom who wanted to work from home – like many out there today! Her program teaches others how to take the steps that led her to success. Of course, that’s without making all of the same mistakes in the process. Abbey Ashley’s signature, step-by-step blueprint helps people launch and grow their own at-home businesses. The formula promises to produce profitable businesses, from scratch. She also offers a lot of free information on the blog itself.

2. Udemy

The Udemy platform currently offers 210,000+ online video courses. They add new ones every month, and many of them focus around technical skills. These include web development, data science, Amazon AWS, and design. They also have some material around personal development and the arts, though. Udemy is a trusted name is online education. They’re well-known as the place to go to upskill your teams.

3. Coursera

The Coursera website is home to over 7,000 courses from over 300 leading universities and companies. You can get started for as low as $1 and dive into offerings from Yale, Duke, Stanford, Google, Microsoft, IBM, and more. They also boast of being able to get course-takers launched into new careers in as few as 6 months. 

You can earn qualifications in a variety of areas that are perfect for online work. These include project management, business, sales, digital marketing, data science and analytics, UX design, bookkeeping, front-end development, and so many more. This platform has so much to offer, from free short courses to degree programs.

4. Fully Booked VA

This set of resources claims to “fast-track your virtual assistant business.” They’re free, and they aim to help people start a VA business. The starter pack includes lists of services to offer, which can come in handy. What we love best is the skills inventory process. This helps VAs pinpoint the valuable skills and abilities that they have and might not know about. The rest can serve as inspiration – after all, we can always learn new skills! That’s what virtual assistant training programs are all about, after all. The self-assessment workbook is an amazing supplement to this. It can guide VAs and clients to match virtual assistants with the right tasks based on what they’re already good at. 

5. 90 Day VA

This hub boasts that with them, you can “learn the most in-demand skills to work from anywhere.” Moreover, you’ll be “on flex time without being chained to a desk or your phone all day.” That’s quite a claim! Of course, this is what being a freelancer is all about – we are just so impressed that they can teach people to get there within 90 days! 

We love that they make the key distinction between the usual remote jobs and what you need to do to really experience freedom. Hundreds of millions of businesses need help on a variety of tasks. And not all of them require you to be tied to your desk in a super quiet environment with zero interruptions… Might as well work at an office!

Real freedom comes with work you can do anywhere you can access the internet, taking breaks when you need to. This course helps you target work so you’re not scraping by on minimum wage while paying your own internet and power bills to boot! 

6. Skillshare

Skillshare is sort of like the flip side of Udemy. They are reliable, don’t get me wrong! It’s that they focus more on the creative side and lifestyle skills, but have some technical courses, too. What we love about Skillshare is how they are consciously building a global community of creatives. Once you are in, you can connect with groups within the over 600,000-strong enrolled students. 

You can get started for free and see if it works for you. If you have teams to train, Skillshare is already set up to handle groups. They even offer soft skills classes, which is rare! 

7. Virtual Excellence Academy

Enrollment for the business building program is closed for 2023, but you can join the 2024 waitlist! This virtual assistant training program aims at equipping next-level online service providers. If you or your team is ready to make a big impact on the business world, this course is for you. It works for all VAs, from beginners in the online space to freelancers who want to reach higher heights. The goal of the business building course is to give you the footing you need to establish long-term success. You choose your work to live the lifestyle you want. 

Teh Virtual; Excellence Academy has a support community, too, called The Inner Circle. This is where members can collaborate and learn together, creating connections for fin and business. 

8. LinkedIn Learning

Millions of people are currently taking advantage of LinkedIn Learning, formerly Linda.com. This platform is famous for business networking, so what better place to go to upskill? You can find a ton of in-demand skills here – they should know best what the latest and greatest are! They have accumulated over 20,000 online courses, too, from real-world professionals. The first month is free, so you can test it out, and you can cancel at any time.

9. HubSpot Academy

HubSpot began as a customer platform. From their original CRM, they grew into a marketplace for remote workers. They offered tools like time tracking software, and even built a platform for hiring remote VAs. Today, you can enroll in a free virtual assistant training program under the same umbrella. 

HubSpot Academy offers not only free but unlimited access to their courses. They cover hundreds of topics, and all you need to do is sign up. You can jump into short, practical courses or dig into deeper, more comprehensive certifications. The platform focuses on the most sought-after business skills, so you can’t go wrong here. Because of their connections in the business realm, they can point you to the hottest business topics. Like LinkedIn Learning, you get updated on the latest trends in sales, digital marketing, lead generation, customer support, and more.

As you complete certifications to earn badges, you can share these industry-recognized marks to your LinkedIn profile. When companies see them, they’ll know you’re for real because HubSpot awards globally-recognized certifications. 

10. Domestika

Domestika offers online courses for creative professionals. They are, after all, the largest online community for creatives. Although the word “creatives” usually triggers thoughts of arts and crafts, that’s not all they offer. Creatives like copywriters and marketers can benefit from a lot of content that goes into deep specifics.

For instance, you can learn about editorial design, design management, digital lettering, communication, film photography, concept art, creating comics, and so much more. Domestika also has a blog where you can learn a lot of stuff free of charge. If you sign up to be a Plus member, you can get some courses for free.

11. Fiverr Learn

As a gig marketplace, Fiverr is in a great position to know what skills are the most in-demand. This opportunity gave rise to Fiverr Learn, where you can take on-demand professional courses. The website boldly states that all these are “led by the world’s top experts.” How can you go wrong? It looks like any gig work you can do from a laptop with an internet connection, you can learn to do here.

These short courses are great for gaining knowledge and skills, even with a busy schedule. You can take a 2-hour course or sign up for 10 hours or more of learning. Because you’re learning from experts, you are sure to get proven and practical skills and processes that you can apply to your work right away.

12. Google Skillshop & Cloud Skills Boost

Google Cloud Skills Boost offers learning paths for skill-building. If you already have the skills, you can join for knowledge and skills validation. The Generative AI learning path is free of cost and includes 10 courses to teach you all the basics that you need. Everything is taught by Google Cloud experts, so you are getting it straight from the best. You can join other paths as well, which Google calls “guided journeys.” You will navigate learning activities to gain new skills for career growth. 

Paths include Duet AI in Google Workspace, Network Engineer, IT Heroes Summit, Data Analyst, Google Workspace Administrator, BI and Analytics with Looker, DevSecOps, Public Sector, and more. You can also get into profession-specific paths like Cloud Architect and Google Cloud Infrastructure for Apigee, Azure and AWS. The full catalog of Google Cloud authored content is only available after purchasing a subscription. 

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

Getting certifications is not necessary. They are helpful, though, on both the freelancer and business owner sides. If you are going to learn a VA skill, you might as well be able to prove it. This makes it easier for potential clients to see what you can do. If you are a business owner and you want a hire to learn more, short courses are a great option. You can pay for the virtual assistant training programs yourself.

Alternatively, you can give incentives for them to earn certifications, like a raise when they complete a course and start applying what they’ve learned. If you request or require a skill upgrade, however, more of the burden should fall on you. If a VA suggests upskilling to help your business, you can evaluate and see if you should shoulder the costs.

 

Want to know how to go about outsourcing video editing?

In this post we’ll go through the benefits and challenges of outsourcing and what the process might look like for you.

What is Video Editing?

Editing is the process of manipulating video footage to achieve a specified goal. This involves combining clips together, adding effects and transitions, and even doing audio editing like including sound effects and music.

We apply video editing when creating videos for personal use, online content, advertising, and movies and TV shows. 

Benefits of Outsourcing Video Editing

Time-Saving

Editing takes a lot of time. One video can become an entire day’s work. Not everyone has the time to learn to edit. This is why handing the project over to a third party can save you many hours. 

Cost-efficient

Video editing is not cheap. Hiring a full-time or part-time in-house editor will cost you a pretty penny. On the other hand, outsourcing means you can hire when you need it and only pay for the minutes and hours they actually work on the project. You also don’t have to worry about paying additional worker benefits. 

Access to Software and Tools

Editors typically purchase their own video editing tool subscriptions. When you hire an editor, you are also technically renting their editing software. 

Experience and Expertise 

Freelance video editors have the experience that allows them to efficiently deliver your video while maintaining quality. Their skill sets have taken years to hone and with that comes valuable expertise to bring your vision to life. 

Wide Talent Pool

If you hire locally, you have a limited talent pool to choose from. Choosing outsourcing allows you to look at a wider selection of editors with a broader range of editing styles. 

Challenges of Outsourcing Video Editing

Communication Barriers

When hiring from other countries, there can be certain language and cultural barriers that hamper effective communication. Also, time zones may affect deadlines. 

Consistency Issues

There is no guarantee that a freelancer whom you worked with on one project will be available when you need them for another. Working with multiple different editors could lead to quality consistency issues. 

Onboarding Different People

You also have to consider the amount of time it would take to onboard new freelancers for each project. You may have to go through the hiring process multiple times. 

Revisions

The benefit of in-house editing is the fact that you have unlimited revisions and can oversee the editing process from start to finish. This is not so with outsourcing. You get a limited number of revisions and less control and oversight over the process. 

Finding Freelance Video Editors

Video plays a very important role in the world of marketing. Because most internet traffic is video traffic, advertising and marketing teams make video a key priority in their strategies. As such, the demand for competent video editors is high. 

This means that you won’t have much trouble looking for video editors online through freelance marketplaces or other job sites. 

To name a few you have sites like Upwork or FreeUp can help you with long-term hires. Fiverr and VideoHusky are great for one-off projects. Backstage focuses more on TV and film editors. 

However, with the saturation of video editors comes a new problem. How can you narrow down the list of candidates and find the best fit for you? 

Assessing Your Candidates

On your video editing outsourcing journey, there are 5 areas we believe you should focus on. 

English Proficiency

The ability to convey your ideas clearly, especially when it comes to something as creatively charged as video editing, is crucial. This becomes instrumentally more challenging if you don’t speak the same language. This is something you assess during the initial interview. You can also get a general idea of their proficiency based on how they market themselves on job websites. 

Technology Capacity

Here are some valuable questions to consider:

• Do they use software you use or want them to use? 
• Do they have their own subscription or do you have to purchase it for them? 
• Are you looking for someone with basic skills in that software or a greater proficiency? 

Rate Flexibility 

Does the person you are hiring offer different rates depending on the complexity of the job or not? 

A person with 10 years of Adobe Premiere Pro experience might sound great on paper. However, if they are charging an invariable rate, no matter the simplicity of the task, you may not be spending your dollars efficiently. 

Skills and Experience

Editing is a broad term encompassing a number of skills. It’s important to know the specific kinds of skills you want for your project before you start to look for potential candidates. 

For instance, consider sound editing in videos. Not every video editor knows how to mix sound. Some editors are specifically skilled in color grading. Some are good at editing live-action while others focus on animation. Even then, specific editors have different styles. 

You should also consider the industries and types of videos these editors have done in the past. One person might be experienced in cinematic videos, another in instructional videos, and another in animated short stories. This is something to consider because it shows you both their capabilities and their comforts. 

Previous Work and Test Project

Similar outsourcing graphic design projects, you should also request to view your video editing candidates’ portfolios. This gives you an idea of the kind of work they can do. 

Setting up a test project can also help you gauge their abilities further.

Here you can assess:

• Editing style
• Speed
• Skill-level
• How well they work with a team 
• How well they understand your vision 
• Process of edits and revisions 

Paying Your Editor

Note: These depend on the scope of the work and level of skill required.

Hourly Rate

According to Upwork, beginner editors can charge between $25 and $45 dollars. Mid-level video editors charge between $45 and $100. Expert editors for bigger projects can charge $60-$100 and over. 

Fixed Rate

Some video editors opt for pricing per minute of video. This is evident when hiring video editors on Fiverr for example. While the rates vary significantly on this site, you can expect basic to mid-level editing jobs to cost between $15-$30 per minute. This also includes a set number of revisions. 

While less common, some video editors charge per project which can cost a few hundred dollars per video. To make this deal more attractive, some offer more chances for revisions. 

Other Costs to Consider

Not every editor comes with their own software subscription. This is typically the major cost to consider on top of costs related to additional edits or revisions outside the original agreement. 

Finalizing Payment with a Contract

Making a freelance contract is essential to legalize the relationship between both parties. These contracts include the job description, payment terms, and confidentiality agreements. 

Managing Your Editor’s Workflow

You can easily define the scope of work by creating a detailed job description with a list of roles, responsibilities, goals, and objectives. Here are some of the tasks that fall under a video editor’s purview. 

Project Management

Throughout the project, you want to check in on the progress of your editor in real time. You can do this through several project management software like Trello. 

File Transfer and Proxies

Establish how you want files to be sent and stored. You want to make sure that you have backups for your files and that they’re secure. Most people use a shared Google Drive. 

Setting Work Expectations

This is part of the onboarding process. Setting expectations encompasses the work, progress updates, and communication frequency. This also includes setting expectations for work culture and work values during the partnership. 

Submitting Editing Requests

These are editing notes you may have during the editing process and differ from revisions. The editor usually sets deadlines for these requests. Your editor will likely consider a late submission of an editing request as a revision. 

Asking for Revisions and Closing Out Projects

Revisions are after-the-fact changes that you would like the editor to make. In video editing outsourcing, you have a finite amount of times you can request revisions. Once satisfied, you can thank your editor and conclude the project. 

Things to Communicate to Your Video Editor

A Script or Storyboard

You need to give your editor an outline of how your video flows. What are you trying to communicate in your video? What is the narrative structure? Is it an informative video? Is it a vlog? Are you trying to entice viewers to purchase something, or are you trying to tell a story? These are things your editor needs to know because it informs the way he cuts and manipulates footage to achieve your desired end result. 

Branding Guidelines

This is all about communicating your brand identity. This includes your tone, values, and overall brand personality. How do you want your business to be represented? Things like the warmth or coolness of the color grading and the type of music and effects used will elicit different feelings in audiences. 

An Example

Explaining your ideas and having an editor know exactly what you want is incredibly rare. This is why a lot of freelancers in the creative fields have certain guidelines for the number of revisions allowed within a payment plan. In order to lessen this, you can give your editors examples of similar videos to draw inspiration from.

A Creative Brief

This is essentially a document that summarizes the goals of a creative project. This includes the core values and messaging of a company, the target audience, deliverables, and timeline. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cost-effective to outsource video editing?

Yes, it is both cost and time effective.

Do I hire video editors part time or project based?

This all depends on your needs. If you find yourself creating a few videos on a regular basis, hiring a part time VA might suit you better. If you only do videos say once a month, then hiring on a project basis makes more sense financially. 

What is the turnaround time for outsourcing video editing projects?

The general rule of thumb is that videos take about half an hour to an hour of editing per minute of the final project. So, if you need a 10-minute video, expect it to be completed in around 10 hours.

Of course, depending on the complexity of edits, this could take shorter or longer. For instance, it can sometimes take an editing team a year to finish a movie. While you likely may not require that level of editing skill, the point is that editing takes more time than you might think. That is why the ability to edit fast is an asset that you should expect to charge extra for.  

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

Investing in video is an intelligent business move, and outsourcing video editing might just be the next smart move you make. While there are a number of challenges to outsourcing, the benefits in terms of cost and time savings just about outweigh them. 

You now have more of a “close up” into and a “higher definition” of the world of video editing. We hope this article has “rendered” you more confident and the future of your business with a clear “resolution”.

On that note, I think it’s time for me to “fade out” of here.

What is a customer support virtual assistant and why would I need one?

Customer service is a must have in the world of commerce. With the growth of e-commerce sales, the need for e-support is surging too. However, not all businesses choose to do customer service in-house. That’s where customer support VAs come in. 

Because of the nature of some jobs, workers don’t even need to be working in the same building or country as the business. There are many benefits to this and some business owners outsource tasks to virtual assistants – one being customer service.

But, what are these advantages? 

Benefits of Hiring a Customer Support Virtual Assistant

Customer support staff are primarily responsible for answering customer queries, but that isn’t all. They are available to help and ensure patrons have access to the resources they need during the buyer’s journey. This means they are there to help in both pre-purchase and post-purchase stages. 

Virtual customer service staff are beneficial for a few reasons.

Cost-Effective

Because e-support is becoming very popular, the physical presence of customer service staff is less necessary. By outsourcing, you can save on overhead expenses like power and rent. The rates will also likely be lower when hiring from countries with much lower costs of living. Not only that, but you also don’t have to think about worker benefits or payroll taxes if you hire overseas. 

Expertise and Experience

When you wisely outsource customer support, you are outsourcing to individuals and teams who have likely served many customers before. You can even find those who have worked in similar industries to yours. This also saves you the time and money investment involved in training and developing your own CS department. 

24/7 Support

One of the benefits of hiring workers outside of your time zone is the flexibility. You ideally would like to get to your customer inquiries and concerns as quickly as possible. VA staff can make that possible by manning the desk on business off-hours. You can even have both a virtual day team and night team. 

Scalability

You can expand or contract your customer service needs during busy and slow times of the year. Accounting for seasonality like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or other high-volume seasons, you can temporarily hire staff to manage the load. 

Types of Customer Support Services Offered by Virtual Assistants

Email and Phone Support

This involves answering a designated customer support email and manning phone lines. 

Chatbots and Automation 

Chatbots are basically automated responses to the most commonly asked questions. Companies create these preset responses by gathering queries asked in various customer support channels. Anything more complex than this can be the job of the next service on our list. 

Live Chat

This involves a CS representative chatting with a potential buyer in real time. They help them with their experience on your website or a web page. These people can direct them to the resources that they need. Live chat interactions can help you develop your FAQs and inform what your automated responses can be.

FAQ Creation

CS staff create FAQs by collating responses from multiple places like email, phone, live chat, comments, and other forms of feedback. This solution is a win-win for both parties. On the one hand, customers can find an answer to their common question quickly. On the other hand, your other customer service personnel are free to answer more complex problems not included in the FAQ section.

Helpful Videos and Other Resources

Like FAQs, there are other forms of content that we consider a kind of customer support. For instance, videos showing how a product or service works. Though not their primary duties, CS staff can also help create written content that aid customer service experiences. These and FAQs are self-help options that provide customer service while giving customers the ability to help themselves. 

Social Media 

A lot of companies leverage the value of social media to market their products and services. With social media advertising also comes the need for customer support. They can answer comments, chat with potential leads, manage CS pages, and more. 

Note: While not technically customer support, a CRM or customer relationship management tool, is also something you should consider. A good CRM system can really help you not only find customers, but also retain them. The data gathered by CRM software like HubSpot can really improve your customer service efforts.

How to Find the Right Customer Support Virtual Assistant

We recommend looking through the top freelance marketplaces like Upwork and FreeUp. These places have social proof like reviews and ratings that allow you to see past freelancer performance. 

What Skills and Qualifications Should You Look for in a Customer Support Virtual Assistant?

Communication Skills

This is naturally the most important skill when it comes to CS. This is more than just speaking the language and knowing the business. It’s about being able to understand a client’s needs and provide a clear and comprehensible answer. 

Critical Thinking / Problem-Solving Skills

Sometimes the queries that customers have are easy to answer. Other times, it’s more challenging and might not even appear in the handbook. This means customer support staff must be able to think on their feet and find a solution. They need to be resourceful and flexible to cater to the specific needs of each client.

Knowledge and Willingness to Learn

I’ve personally had instances where I ask a customer service representative about an item and they can’t give me any new information. This probably has more to do with how they’re trained than the reps themselves.

However, you should look for someone who is willing to know the ins and outs of your products and services. This way, they can give more quality and valuable responses to your customers. 

Empathy, Patience, Grace 

These skills are often overlooked, but are crucial in customer service. CS staff is responsible for providing the best experience they can to customers.

Sometimes customers have a bad day, are themselves impatient, or are difficult. However, sometimes the product or service may have genuinely caused inconvenience to them and they need a solution.

While we do not condone the mistreatment of customer service staff, we do advocate for the golden rule: Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Someone who is kind, understanding, and gracious is the ideal representative not only for your CS department, but your business as a whole.

Cost of Hiring A Customer Support Virtual Assistant

According to Upwork, standard CS representative rates are between $10-$19 per hour. This number can be higher if you need more in-depth help with FAQs and other content. 

How to Train Your Customer Support Virtual Assistant

Onboarding 

An in-depth remote onboarding process is essential to help your hire get to know your business and its products. Here, they also get to know the roles and responsibilities of the position. You can also communicate your work culture. 

Soft Skills Training

The kind of soft skills you train for depends on the position. With customer service, this involves people-skills like the ones we mentioned earlier. This typically aligns with your company values, especially regarding customer relations. 

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Orientation

These involve the types of actions taken during certain scenarios. For instance, this can tell you what to do and how to behave when a customer has a complaint. These SOPs do vary from business to business, but they have fundamental similarities. An example would be not to raise your voice if the customer is upset.

How to Manage Your Customer Support Virtual Assistant

Communication Channels

We can’t stress enough how important it is to establish your communication channels early on. These channels are where you dole out tasks and where your hire can get a hold of you. Onboarding and orientation go far for sure. However, you should always be reachable in case a customer has a complaint not in the guidebook. 

Regular Check-Ins

Regularly scheduled meetings and checkups are crucial. These meetings are for progress reports and temperature checks. They are also places for partnership – for receiving feedback and suggestions.

Common Challenges Faced by Customer Support Virtual Assistants

Uncommon Questions and Issues

Some customers are going to have questions that may not be on the FAQs. These complex questions might seem jarring, especially if CS staff have never dealt with it before. Some may have to do with a product flaw or a website malfunction that customer service personnel can’t fix. That’s why it’s important that your team is able to problem solve and communicate with clients, not just read from a book. 

Multi-tasking

A smaller CS staff may have to handle multiple chats, emails, or queries at once. In these cases, it’s important to remain organized and thorough so you still provide excellent customer care. Also, make sure you have enough staff for the demand. Overworked staff giving subpar quality service will only spell disaster in the long run. 

Upset Customers

Sometimes customer service representatives need to learn how to diffuse a situation. However, dealing with difficult customers day in and day out is a real and unfortunate reality for some. This can take a toll on a person. That’s why checking in on your CS staff and making sure their morale is high is important. That culture of care for customers should start with a culture of care for those who work with and for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Customer Support Virtual Assistants available 24/7?

You can definitely put that as one of your criteria when canvassing for the right VA. Most customer service VAs are aware their services may be required round the clock. However, we do recommend that you hire at least two VAs to cover for one another. 

Is it safe to share sensitive customer information with a Virtual Assistant?

When it comes to data security, while there certainly are risks, there are also quite a few methods of mitigating them. For instance, we wouldn’t recommend allowing just anyone to have access to this information.

Recruiting through sketchy websites or failing to undertake proper vetting procedures can lead to a bad hire. We recommend hiring through esteemed freelance marketplaces or on referral from people you trust. Also, maintaining a “need-to-know” attitude towards customer data will also be beneficial. 

You have little to worry about sensitive information leaking if you follow some of these hiring practices. Learning the best hiring methods with Outsource School can help you avoid hiring risks and mishaps. 

How do I monitor the performance of a Customer Support Virtual Assistant?

You can use project management software like Asana, Microsoft Project, or Trello. This is where you can give instructions, store guides, and maintain regular communication. That way, a hire can always go back and look at what you’ve discussed whenever they face confusion. You can also hire a project manager or appoint a lead representative with more experience. This lead can train up other reps in your company culture and preferred practices.

What tools and software are commonly used by Customer Support VAs?

Zendesk, Freshdesk, and Helpdesk are the most popular ones for general customer service. Mailchimp is a common tool used for email management. Whatever tool you use, the most important thing is to hire someone who can use it well. 

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

Hiring a customer support virtual assistant is a great investment for your business. If you didn’t have a CS department before, this can greatly improve your customer relationships. If you need to transition from in-house to third-party, you can save money and leverage other advantages of outsourcing. 

By investing in customer support, you’re putting the needs of your customers first. By putting the customers’ needs first, you’re really putting your business first. 

Every business needs to look into outsourcing trends as we close out 2023 and plan for 2024. Outsourcing is an ever-growing trend itself, so making the most of it is the smart move. When you know in what direction outsourcing is going, you can take the best advantage of all it has to offer.

In this post, we’ll go over what we see happening in the world of outsourcing in 2024 so you can prepare.

Continued Growth of Remote Work

Remote work was on the rise even before everyone found themselves on lockdown. When the pandemic hit, working from home simply became the norm for most people. In 2024, even as fears of the virus die down, remote work will not. By adopting this model, you can retain people who prefer to make the work from home shift permanent. 

Increasing Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation

This is one of the newer outsourcing trends, but one that will likely catch on quickly. AI and automation can be the most cost-efficient option for many tasks, such as bookkeeping. This makes them very popular. As they gain more traction, developers are likely to put more time and effort into developing better solutions for businesses. If you haven’t tried either yet, you should! Automation is a great tool when leading remote teams.

Increased Cybersecurity Measures

Cybersecurity is improving steadily. Whether we outsource or not, we share a lot of sensitive information online nowadays. We need to leverage the best online security we can access to safeguard business operations. 

Rise of Niche and Specialized Outsourcing Providers

One of our favorite trends in outsourcing is all the emerging niche service providers. We used to hire freelancers from large platforms that catered to every need. Now we can find specialized sites that vet specific skillsets. In fact, the owners of Outsource School have their very own bookkeeping service called EcomBalance! This gives businesses better options because the providers can keep a closer eye on the freelancers. They are smaller, and know the niche much better.

More Flexible and Scalable Outsourcing Models

Because outsourcing has become so popular, the industry now has several models to choose from. Under location-based outsourcing, you can select partners based on how far they are from you. This includes near-shoring, offshore outsourcing, and onshore outsourcing. 

With onshore outsourcing, you are hiring from within your state or country. They are likely not going to relocate for the job, hence it’s still called outsourcing. You can, however, reduce the risks associated with language barriers and cultural differences.

Nearshore outsourcing means hiring people from nearby countries, usually to find people who work within the same or similar time zone as you are in. Some language differences may be present, but the affordability makes the challenge worthwhile.

Offshore outsourcing is hiring from more distant locations. This usually gives you even more affordable options while maintaining a high quality standard of services. 

Multisource outsourcing, or multisourcing, is the model which we use most often. This entails outsourcing from different providers in different locations around the world. This gives businesses the best chances of success since they can select more than one agency or platform and hire people from the global talent pool to build the most suitable teams. 

With onsite outsourcing, you put together an outsourced team, then arrange for them to report to your office to work alongside in-house employees. This is usually done for short-term projects or a temporary arrangement to pass on the company culture. It also works very well to get an onshore, offshore, or nearshore team up to speed on your system and processes. If you hire from across the globe, however, you might want to consider meeting virtually instead. 

Enhanced Customer Experience

We love outsourcing trends that help us improve our customers’ experience! Because so many businesses are global now, it makes a lot of sense to hire outsourced teams to take care of customers. By assembling teams from all over the world, we can cater to all needs in all time zones in real time.

Growth of Cloud-Based Outsourcing Solutions

Cloud outsourcing is another of the newer trends in outsourcing. This type of outsourcing refers to companies that contract with providers to take care of cloud computing projects. These third-party cloud service providers help businesses save on IT costs while they focus on their core competencies. Businesses can also grow more agile and gain the ability to scale by taking advantage of these outsourcing options. 

Expansion of Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO)

The global Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) market size has been growing steadily since 2021. The global pandemic that pushed most people to move to online work helped a lot. Just as any cloud-based task can be outsourced, many high-level tasks can be passed off to experts who work virtually.

Whether it’s within a single agency or hiring individuals scattered in different places, KPO works. This is how companies can get expert help and advice on a budget. It’s basically Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), but for more complex tasks.

Outsourcing in E-Commerce

As E-commerce grows year over year, outsourcing trends on the industry grow, too. This includes all aspects of E-commerce business, including logistics and supply chain management. These areas require careful planning and a lot of experience.

Outsourcing to a niche provider can be one of the best business decisions you make. The experts can help you do an accurate cost analysis and projections. The right logistics partner can be a great investment. Because they also benefit when your company succeeds, they will be dedicated to streamlining your logistics. 

Apart from experience, E-fulfillment companies have the systems and processes in place to take care of this complex area of E-commerce. The trend of outsourcing to such experts has grown because it’s so much easier to partner than develop your own network – especially for global orders! A partner will have an optimized transport management system, and take care of risk management, too.

Global Talent Pool Expansion

Many people, most unfortunately, lost their jobs during the global lockdowns. Those who could no longer work in offices or outdoors were left with little choice. With almost everything around them shut down, many made the switch to working online. They found online jobs to be the last remaining option for earning a living. 

Today, this is great news for business owners because the talent pool is growing larger! The larger part of the global workforce was stretched into this new mode of working. This means that overseas employers can now find more people who are experienced in working online.

Hybrid Work Models

These days, the workplace need no longer be whatever four walls your employer works out of. It is now more of an ecosystem of people who work together, from wherever they happen to be or need to be to accomplish different tasks. 

Some people want an even more flexible option than choosing between the clear-cut options of working in an office and working remotely. This is how hybrid work came about, and it’s becoming really popular. Hybrid work is very people-focused in that it allows your workforce to work in whatever way boosts their productivity the most. This usually means working some days in person and some days remote, from wherever they can get the most done.

Most people these days love the option of working from home – or a beach somewhere halfway across the world. Others would like to come back to base now and again because they feel isolated or miss the water cooler chats.

Managing a hybrid workforce may be more challenging, but the extra time and effort you put in can reap you huge rewards. The increase in productivity alone can boost revenues significantly. Also, because it’s worker satisfaction that increases productivity in the first place, you’ll be dealing with far fewer human resources issues. This can be massive in terms of cost savings as well as a better company environment overall. Happier workers are great for business! 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some key drivers behind the growth of outsourcing trends?

The biggest catalyst for 2024 trends in outsourcing are the experiences of the global workforce over the past few years. The ways in which the pandemic changed the way we work is the most significant above all. This is because of how widespread it was and how deeply it impacted working folk.

How do outcome-based contracts impact outsourcing relationships?

An outcome-based contract means that a client only makes payment for services if they meet the pre-arranged objectives. This is the direct opposite of hourly work, or payment for time spent working. 

Outcome-based contracts can be very beneficial for businesses, especially in managing costs. However, if the scope of work needs to change, these fixed-price contracts can be very difficult to manage. Many outsourcing relationships have gone sour because clients have updated their requirements without making room for additional work. In other words, they wanted more but weren’t wiling to pay more. All things considered, outcome-based contracts are perfectly alright as long as both parties know exactly what’s expected and stick to it.

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

We believe that all businesses should learn to adapt to outsourcing trends, at least in some part. Outsourcing is the way of the future, and getting on board with trends is always a smart business move. Knowing what to expect in 2024, we hope that you can plan to take advantage of all that outsourcing has to offer your business.

If you are unsure about outsourcing billing services, then this post is for you. We love outsourcing billing services, but before you choose to do the same, you need to weigh the pros and cons. Sometimes, it’s wise to outsource certain billing tasks, but not others. We’ll go through the main ones, and the costs of outsourcing them, to help you decide if this is a good solution for you.

What Are the Top Billing Services or Tasks to Outsource?

You might want to outsource some billing services, but not all. Below are the most common billing tasks that we think are best outsourced.

Invoice generation

Creating invoices can actually be automated for the most part. This is especially true for subscription billing. What you want to outsource here is setting up clients on your invoicing system, and checking invoices for errors. An assistant can enter the details of each client into your system for you.

This is basically data entry work, and you don’t need to spend your time on it. Just look for someone who has experience with your software and an eye for detail. Before invoices go out, have them check that each draft is free of errors. They can make any needed adjustments, too.

Payment processing

Like invoicing, payment processing can be mostly automated. Once an invoice gets paid, you can have an assistant verify the amount and the transaction. Most invoicing and outsourced accounting software tools have the option to note payment details. Just make sure that you are hiring someone who cares about accuracy.

For outgoing payments, you can still outsource manual payments, but be careful. You must know that you can trust the person you are giving access to. Make sure that you have all the possible bank account safeguards in place. 

Accounts receivable / payable management

Outsourcing billing services like this to a bookkeeping virtual assistant is a great idea. A bookkeeper knows exactly how to balance these items. They will be able to help you manage it and avoid falling behind.

You don’t want to end up ruining vendor and supplier relationships because you forgot to pay. Even worse, you might not have enough money because you didn’t follow up on payments due to you.

Data entry

A lot of billing tasks are actually data entry work, like entering client information, financial details, and keeping records. You can hire a bookkeeper to keep all of this sorted out.

A bookkeeper knows how to handle all of this data. That does not only mean what needs to go where. They know all about keeping sensitive information safe and making sure that the details are entered accurately. Accounting does not allow for mistakes!

Payment reconciliation

Payment reconciliation is another accounting task that makes outsourcing billing services sound like the best idea ever. This accounting process involves verifying account balances to make sure that all the details in different sets of records are accurate and match up. That’s not a task that most people would enjoy, or be able to manage.

Maintaining records so they stay updated, true, and consistent takes an eye for detail and a love for accuracy that not all people have. Whether you choose to do it daily, weekly, or monthly, you can use some help. The tediousness of this task can lead to mistakes, and you don’t want that. Payment reconciliation helps you avoid missing or failed payments and deposits, reporting and tax errors, and identify fraud. 

Credit control

Sometimes, allowing customers to purchase on credit can make you more popular. As you promote more sales this way, however, you must stay on top of all the payments due to you.

The credit control process helps you track the credit period, the payment terms you offer each customer, the credit standards, and your debt collection policy. It can also keep track of any cash discounts you offer to customers who opt to pay up front.

Attractive payment terms can boost profits, but only if you make sure you are getting paid. Start with hiring someone who knows how to check customers’ credit history so you know who you can reliably extend an offer to.

Billing statement preparation

If you need to provide a customer with an overview of their account activity with your business, an assistant can help. You are most likely not that keenly familiar with every client’s transaction history with your business. And you don’t need to be.

First, you will want someone who can make sure that all these transactions records are properly compiled and stored in case any customer asks for a billing statement.

Then you will have them ready at a moment’s notice. This builds customer trust and loyalty. If you like, you can even have an assistant send these statements out regularly. The same assistant can also help you manage your billing cycle.

Customer billing inquiries

One thing that can really eat up a lot of your time is answering questions. When you hire a bookkeeper or other financial account assistant, they can take over customer inquiries. Every time someone calls or emails with a question, you have an assistant at the helm. This person is properly equipped to give the right answers about their invoice, subscription, change in payment method, etc.

Expense tracking and billing

Another potentially tedious yet vital task, expense tracking is best outsourced. You need to have a record of every single expense your business has. This not only helps you with your taxes, but also gives you a clear and detailed picture of your budget. This way, you can understand what changes you should make to become more profitable.

An experienced assistant can help you decide whether to make adjustments to fixed expenses like rent and utilities, or to fluctuating costs like labor and advertising. Without this, your budget will not accurately reflect what you’re spending, ans possibly wasting.

Refund processing

No business likes to think of issuing refunds. Not only do you have to return someone’s money, but you incur added expenses. You already spent a bunch making that sale, and now you have to spend more reversing it. This hassle can make you ignore the refund process, which is a bad idea.

Customer satisfaction is so important, and refund processing is one of its more vital aspects. With an experienced assistant, you can optimize your refund process so it’s not abused, runs smoothly, and keeps customers happy.

What Are the Pros of Outsourcing Billing Services

1. Cost Savings

You save a lot in general when you hire from overseas. Because most billing tasks are online anyway, you don’t need anyone in-office to do most of the work. The possible language barrier isn’t even an issue for the most part because bookkeepers generally don’t talk to your customers. 

2. Expertise and Efficiency

When you outsource, you are hiring from a global talent pool, not just the people who live in your vicinity. This gives you the best chance of finding the perfect fit for your needs. You can more quickly and easily get the right balance of skills, availability, and even personality when you hire globally.

3. Focus on Core Competencies

Most businesses don’t need full-time help with billing tasks. This tempts most business owners to do them, or ask another team member to take care of them. That is not a good idea, though, because it takes you away from what you do best. You will not do the tasks as well as a specialist would, for one thing. In addition, you might make mistakes because you don’t enjoy the work.

4. Scalability and Flexibility

When you outsource billing tasks, you can hire someone for as many hours as you need. This can easily change month over month, or even week over week. With freelance help, you pay only for the time that they actually spend working. You can get more hours or cut back whenever.

What Are the Cons of Outsourcing Billing Services?

1. Loss of Control

You are trusting another person with your finances when you outsource billing. However, you can put safeguards in place so you don’t get burned. Data security is one major concern. Contact us for help in this area!

2. Quality and Customer Relations

You might think that you can do everything better than anyone else. Most business owners do! While you might be right, the truth is that it’s still not worth your time to do everything. Focus instead on looking for expert help and building strong teams that learn and grow with you.

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

We hope that this post helped you to decide whether outsourcing billing services is a good option for you. The Outsource School founders have certainly found it to be beneficial in their businesses! We want to make sure that it’s the best choice for your business, too.

The process of outsourcing legal work is not much different than any other type of work. What you must take extra care with are the qualifications and other technical details involved. Because of the nature of legal work, you need to meticulously screen and select the right legal assistant. 

Of course, you would have to go through this intricate process even when hiring in-house. So, with outsourcing legal work, you aren’t losing anything. You can actually gain more time because several expert agencies already exist. You widen your talent pool when hiring online, and they have certifications you can easily check and trust.

In this post, we’re going to give you 15 legal tasks you can start outsourcing to an assistant. Let us know which ones helped you the most! We love getting feedback and testimonies!

1. Legal Research

Research is among the most hated tasks because it can be so tedious. Of course, there are a few people who actually love this type of work! As hard as it is to believe that, they do exist! Outsourcing legal work like this – the tasks you hate the most – can return even grater benefits because it alleviates so much stress.

Due diligence is necessary to ensure quality output in the legal field. Any lawyer worth their mettle needs help to avoid having to work 80-hour weeks because of the heavy research load. Legal research tasks include litigation and non-litigation research, statutory research, case law research, foreign law research, regulatory or compliance law research, and legislation research. Getting any of these off your plate can be a huge help.

2. Document Review

Electronic discovery, or eDiscovery, is the process of searching out and collecting electronically stored information, or ESI. This data is then sorted through to identify relevant bits to produce them as a judge might request in a law suit or investigation. The law also requires ESI in other cases, such as furnishing opposing counsel with copies of evidence. ESI can be anything from emails and databases to documents stored online or voicemails stored by phone companies. It can comprise audio messages and other social media or website content as well. 

As you can imagine, looking for and collating this data can be time-consuming. It can also be challenging because electronic documents are more dynamic – they change, unlike hard copies of documents. This means that you need other items such as metadata to get time and date stamps. This is to prove when they were produced or last edited. This also applies to document authors and recipients, as well as other file properties. It can be a lot! So, document review will get expensive and unmanageable if you do it yourself. 

3. Contract Drafting

Outsourcing legal drafting services can be very useful when you deal with a lot of them. These can include employment contracts, lease agreements, sale or purchase contracts, and the like. 

Most small and medium-sized businesses don’t have legal departments. They simply don’t need a whole separate division to handle a legal document or concern here and there. Creating one just to draft documents would be a huge waste of resources. And you don’t want just anyone drafting these important papers because you want to ensure accuracy and compliance. Outsourcing means allowing experts to take care of these needs efficiently.

 

4. Legal Processes

Did you know that even law firms outsource various legal processes? Just like research, many legal tasks can be time-consuming and therefore expensive to do in-house. As the legal industry changes, many firms make adjustments in favor of serving customers better. This means not having to charge them too much for high-quality services. Legal process outsourcing is now a major trend. 

Legal process outsourcing includes legal writing, paralegal tasks, litigation support, legal accounting, and similar work. This can get as granular as multi-jurisdictional surveys, motions, appellate briefs, trial briefs, legal memoranda, complaints, and pleadings. 

5. Deposition Summarization

Depositions can consist of all the information that an attorney gathers for a case. As such, they can be hundreds of pages thick! Even if you have only one witness and their story is only five pages long, though, you still need a summary. The court does not need to, nor would likely be willing to, go through to the whole thing during the actual trial. Deposition summaries have excerpts of the highlights to facilitate the process.

Because these summaries are critical to cases, they must be meticulously prepared. Outsourcing legal work of this level of complexity is wise. You don’t want any error clouding your meaning when your testimony is presented in court.

6. Document Retrieval

Outsourcing legal document retrieval can increase your company’s efficiency. The people who work for you probably already have enough to do. Plus, they won’t likely have any legal know-how. This can make even the simple task of document management difficult. They won’t know what one or another type of document is called. They could skim right past it without a clue.

Legal document retrieval includes obtaining public records, duplicating official copies of legal documents, storing and processing documents, and submitting requested documents to law offices.

7. Transcription Services

Because of the sensitive nature of legal work, outsourcing legal transcription is the best option. Like anything else connected to legal work, producing error-free transcripts is essential. You need someone who can accurately convert audio or video data from discovery sessions, arbitrations, court hearings, depositions, jury instructions, and the like. With all the legal language involved and high emotional volatility expected, legal transcription can be tricky.

8. Client Communication

You can outsource any kind of client communication. It always helps to have someone on board to help in this area. When it comes to legal matters, however, you want to make sure that you’re getting expert help. Because it makes no sense to hire someone for this particular type of conversation, outsourcing works best. 

9. Regulatory Compliance Checks

You are responsible for maintaining the integrity of your operations. This means making sure that you are compliant with all the applicable regulatory requirements. This will keep your business safe from the risks of money laundering and financial terrorism. This takes more than a good anti-virus program, though. When you outsource to a legal compliance firm, you get expert help to uphold the integrity of your business. This way, you can avoid the pitfalls of dealing with criminals and other shady characters. Non-compliance can bring more than hefty fines and damaged reputations. It can actually bring you to the point of closing your business and facing criminal charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is outsourcing legal tasks to online assistants secure and confidential?

If you are hiring someone on your own, you are responsible for securing every aspect of their work. If you hire an agency or offshore company, make sure that you read the fine print. They may offer security features, but you need to do your due diligence. Ultimately, you can still be held liable if you do not do all you can to ensure secure transactions and conversations.

How do I choose the right outsourcing provider for legal tasks?

Security is one major consideration. You must also look into their level of expertise and experience, as well as their niche. Not all legal areas are alike. You cannot, for instance, hire criminal law assistance to handle a case involving financial fraud. 

Can I outsource both short-term and long-term legal projects?

You can outsource legal work of any kind, as long as it can be done online. Do make sure that you are hiring someone who has the right knowledge, though. Laws differ from country to country and even state to state, so you need to be very careful to check that you are asking the right people for help.

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

Don’t forget that outsourcing legal work does not mean letting go of your legal responsibilities! You are still liable for the outcomes. So, we highly recommend that you maintain strict oversight of any partner you engage to do any type of work for you. Make sure that you also have a tight agreements, all properly documented. Start with the scope of work you will outsource, assurance of 24/7 access to databases, and strict  confidentiality according to the laws that bind you, not just them.