Category: Virtual Assistants

 

 

Running a business is similar to running a marathon, demanding stamina, resilience, and unwavering concentration on finishing the race. As an entrepreneur, you’re constantly juggling a million duties to meet your company’s standards while remaining one step ahead of the competition. It’s an exhilarating journey that can exhaust even the most experienced entrepreneur. 

 

Meet Mohit- A successful business entrepreneur with over a decade of experience. He was proficient at handling his employees, maintaining client relationships, and staying current on industry changes. However, as his company expanded, so did his workload, and he soon found himself submerged in a pool of emails, meetings, scheduling, and to-do lists. He knew he required someone skilled, but employing a full-time assistant was daunting and expensive. 

 

That’s when he realized the value of virtual assistants. He then hired a proficient full-time virtual assistant as per his needs. 

 

Mohit could now concentrate on the key activities that demanded his attention by assigning chores to his virtual assistant while his assistant managed the rest.

 

In this article, we’ll dive into the world of full-time virtual assistants and how they work to help entrepreneurs like Mohit grow their businesses.

 

How to find the Right Full-Time Virtual Assistant?

Hiring a full-time virtual assistant can be the best choice for entrepreneurs who wish to pass on administrative work and focus on essential business operations. But figuring out the ideal virtual assistant may be complex because you must consider various factors like skill set, expertise, interpersonal abilities, and cultural match. 

Below are some pointers on how to choose the best full-time virtual assistant for your company:

1. Evaluate your company’s requirements and specifications.

Before seeking a virtual assistant, you must define your company’s demands and requirements. First, prepare a list of all the tasks you need help with, like email handling, social media handling, research booking appointments, data entry, and customer service. This list will help you create your job description for your VA once you know what tasks you need help with.

2. Know your budget

After determining your needs and requirements, figure out your budget and how much you are ready to pay for the services of a virtual assistant.

An award-winning virtual assistant, Cassie Evans, adds, “It’s important to consider the budget, no matter the investment within the business. Key things to consider when identifying a Virtual Assistant budget are:

 

• Do the potential Virtual Assistants’ prices & packages align with the current budget, and would they meet future budgets if you chose to expand upon the level of support?

 

• Is the budget realistic concerning the level of support required? For example, having a minimal budget but requiring hours upon hours of support will make finding a suitable Virtual Assistant challenging.”

3. Review the resume and conduct an interview.

 

Once the job description is ready, head to online marketplaces such as Upwork, Fiverr, TaskRabbit, and Freelancer to post about the job. If you are looking to outsource project-based work or work for a short period, Upwork and Fiverr work well, as they are cost-friendly. 

After getting responses, evaluate all applications, and choose the one with the requisite abilities and experience. Next, hold online interviews with applicants to assess their communication abilities and cultural fit. Finally, inquire about their employment experience, availability, and working hours. 

Consider checking our list to learn about the 11 Best Virtual Assistant Sites for Entrepreneurs in 2023. 

Abhishek Shah, the founder of Testlify, says, “To find the right virtual assistant, entrepreneurs should define their business needs, create a job description that outlines the responsibilities and qualifications they are looking for, and set clear expectations from the outset. Then, they can use online platforms such as Testlify to find qualified candidates and conduct interviews to assess their skills and experience. It’s also essential to consider factors such as communication skills, availability, and work ethic to ensure that the virtual assistant fits the business”.

4. Discuss the scope of work and communication channels.

Once you’ve decided on a virtual assistant, it’s critical to establish goals and protocols for communication from the start. You should discuss your expectations with your virtual assistant regarding work scope, deadlines, and deliverables. Set ways to communicate,  chat, email, or calls via video, and specify turnaround times and accessibility. To minimize miscommunication, it’s also critical to understand the times of operation and time zones.

5. Consider their technical skills.

Examining a virtual assistant’s technological expertise is critical when choosing one. Hire those knowledgeable in technologies and software such as Microsoft Office and Google Suite, handling social media platforms and project management tools according to your requirements. However, always look for virtual assistants with prior expertise in your technologies. A Deloitte poll highlighted the need for virtual assistants with technological expertise.

Now let’s look at some of the advantages of hiring VA. 

Benefits of Hiring Full-Time Virtual Assistants

1. Reduced workload for entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs can employ a virtual assistant to do time-consuming and monotonous tasks, freeing up their valuable time to devote to building their company. Who wouldn’t want a couple of additional hours in their day to catch up on their favorite program or go to the workout? You’ll have the opportunity to regain your leisure time and value the simpler things in life with the help of a virtual assistant.

2. Increased productivity and efficiency

Virtual assistants can finish jobs more rapidly and effectively, resulting in a shorter response time and higher production. It can assist companies in remaining competitive and sticking to deadlines.

 

Ubaldo Perez at HUSH Anesthetic says, “When leaders have much more busy work that eats up their time off their plates, VA can more effectively grow and maintain their businesses in other strategic ways, like acquiring new assets, optimizing performance, or implementing top-down changes. VAs can also liaise well with customer support teams and their immediate needs, acting as one additional layer of problem-solving before an issue is elevated to leadership.”

3. Cost-effective solution for businesses

Using a virtual assistant as a full-time employee can be more cost-effective than bringing in another staff member because premises, supplies, and overhead are eliminated. As a result, it is an excellent choice for small enterprises or startups looking to save costs without losing quality.

In one of Zirtual’s blogs, Tim Ferriss said, “ When you create a self-sustaining business that generates a great deal of profit and awareness, the value of those virtual assistants can far exceed their cost. Virtual assistants cost a fraction of the cost of doing those activities yourself, especially considering what that time is worth.”

4. Flexible work arrangements

Full-time virtual assistants can operate from anywhere with a laptop and an internet connection, enabling companies to tap into talent worldwide. In addition, companies operating in different regions may benefit from more flexibility in terms of operating hours and time zones.

Now that you’re mindful of the multiple benefits of employing a full-time virtual assistant, it’s time to investigate the vast range of tasks they can assist you with. 

What are the tasks that Full-Time Virtual Assistants can Handle?

1. Administrative tasks such as email management, scheduling, and data entry
2. Customer support, such as answering queries, resolving complaints, and processing orders
3. Social media management, such as content creation, scheduling, and analytics
4. Research and data analysis
5. Create and manage content for your blog, website, or newsletter.
6. Manage your financial records and bookkeeping.

Consider having a look at the 25 best tasks for Virtual Assistants.

Best Practices for Working with Full-Time Virtual Assistants

1. Establishing a clear job description and work scope

Define the work tasks and expectations for the virtual assistant. It will assist them in understanding what chores they should prioritize and what objectives they should work towards. 

Sofie Couwenbergh, a content strategist at Let Me Write That Down for You, has a brilliant take: Start by keeping track of all the jobs you’d like to hand off to your full-time virtual assistant. Then, over a week, simply write down everything you do that you don’t want to be doing anymore. Unless that task should go to a different profile (a writer, an editor, a marketing manager, etc.), it’ll go to your virtual assistant. Once you know what you want them to do, you can list their desired skill set. 

While doing this, ask yourself: 

 

• How much are you willing to invest in their training? 

 

• Do you want someone who already knows how to work with specific tools, or are you comfortable training them? 

• How demanding you are in this respect will largely determine how big the pool you’ll be recruiting from and how much you’ll need to pay.

 

 

2. Setting realistic goals and deadlines

Set reasonable targets and due dates for your virtual assistant to ensure they know what they need to do and by when. It will assist them in prioritizing their duties and efficiently managing their time. For example, if you want your virtual assistant to create a weekly blog post, ensure they have adequate time to study findings, write, and edit the piece.

3. Create a playbook or document for onboarding new virtual assistants

Finding the right virtual assistant is difficult. And walking them through the process is a bit more complicated. 

Sreeram Sharma, a SaaS SEO consultant, says, “ Entrepreneurs usually seek virtual assistants who know the industry and have some experience with similar projects. So if you hire a new full-time virtual assistant, you will likely spend a week just to train them. So instead of walking them through the whole process, you could just have a playbook or a document listing the entire process with tutorials. They can go through the entire list and learn about the process. It saves a lot of time ✅”

4. Evaluating and providing feedback

Reviewing your virtual assistant’s work frequently and giving constructive criticism is critical. It will assist them in honing their talents and working more efficiently. Set up a performance evaluation system, for example, in which you analyze their effort every quarter and offer comments on what they handled well and in which areas they can improve.

5. Maintaining open communication

Choose a communication method that works for you both, whether by email, chat, or video chat. 

Caroline Marshall, the founder of Upsource, says, “Investing time in a relationship is so hard when you want a VA to give you time back. A great relationship, however, is built on communication, trust, and feedback. Setting aside, at least in the beginning, time to communicate with your VA is key. If you have the right VA, they are NOT just there to delegate low-level tasks; they can work with you to free up your time on your business needs”.

6. Ensuring data security and privacy

It is necessary to secure the safety and confidentiality of your data while dealing with virtual assistants. Use encrypted communication and file-sharing software while keeping a confidentiality agreement in effect. You can utilize password-protected files and encrypted chat applications to ensure private data.

What is Outsource School?

Outsource School helps you unlock virtual assistants’ potential and accelerate your business growth.

It is the same 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.

Conclusion

Hiring and collaborating with full-time virtual assistants may considerably help entrepreneurs and enterprises by improving productivity, lowering burden, and offering access to specialized talents. But searching for the right virtual assistant while efficiently working with them requires committing to certain best practices. Then, businesses can employ virtual assistants to their total capacity and take their activities to the next level.

Ready for 101 virtual assistant tasks that you can start outsourcing for your business?

Hi! My name is Connor Gillivan. I’m an entrepreneur that’s been hiring and scaling companies with virtual assistants for the past 10 years.

I’ve hired 100s of virtual assistants for all areas of growing and operating a business.

Today, I run a portfolio of 3 companies (Outsource School, EcomBalance, and AccountsBalance) and the majority of our staff is virtual assistants and freelancers.

In this article, I hope to inspire you to see how many ways that a virtual assistant can help you and your business.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• 101 Virtual Assistant Tasks to Outsource
• What Are the Best Virtual Assistant Sites To Use?
• How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost?

Without further ado, let’s dive into the 101 VA tasks.

101 Virtual Assistant Tasks to Outsource

After years of building companies and hiring remote teams, here’s a list of 101 virtual assistant tasks that you can outsource.

Whether you’re a solopreneur or running a team, there’s something on this list for everyone.

1. Email management: A virtual assistant can manage your inbox, organize emails by priority, respond to routine emails and flag important ones for your attention.
2. Social media management: A virtual assistant can help you create, schedule, and post content on your social media profiles, engage with your followers and track social media analytics.
3. Content creation (writing, editing, proofreading): A virtual assistant can write, edit and proofread content for your blog, website, social media, or marketing campaigns.
4. Graphic design: A virtual assistant can create graphics, logos, and other visual content for your brand or marketing campaigns.
5. Video editing: A virtual assistant can edit and produce video content for your marketing campaigns, social media profiles, or YouTube channel.
6. Podcast editing: A virtual assistant can edit and produce podcast episodes, publish them on your podcast hosting platform and promote them on social media.
7. Web design: A virtual assistant can design and develop a website for your business or blog using platforms like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace.
8. Web development: A virtual assistant can manage and update your website, fix technical issues, and integrate new features or plugins.
9. SEO optimization: A virtual assistant can optimize your website and content for search engines, conduct keyword research, and create backlinks.
10. PPC advertising: A virtual assistant can manage your PPC campaigns, set up ads, create landing pages, and track ad performance.
11. Market research: A virtual assistant can conduct market research to help you identify trends, analyze competitors, and make informed business decisions.
12. Competitor analysis: A virtual assistant can analyze your competitors’ strategies, strengths, and weaknesses to help you refine your own marketing and sales tactics.
13. Customer service: A virtual assistant can handle customer inquiries, complaints, and support tickets, provide basic technical support, and manage customer feedback.
14. Order processing: A virtual assistant can process and fulfill customer orders, manage inventory, and update your e-commerce store.
15. Data entry: A virtual assistant can perform data entry tasks such as inputting data into spreadsheets, databases, or CRMs.
16. Data analysis: A virtual assistant can analyze and interpret data to help you make informed business decisions, conduct market research, or evaluate marketing campaigns.
17. Bookkeeping: A virtual assistant can manage your finances, prepare invoices, process payments, and reconcile accounts.
18. Invoicing: A virtual assistant can prepare and send invoices to clients or customers and manage accounts receivable.
19. Appointment scheduling: A virtual assistant can manage your calendar, schedule appointments, and send reminders.
20. Travel booking: A virtual assistant can make travel arrangements, book flights, hotels, and rental cars, and manage travel itineraries.
21. Event planning: A virtual assistant can plan and coordinate events, book venues, hire vendors, and manage event logistics.
22. Personal shopping: A virtual assistant can research and purchase products or services on your behalf, such as gifts, household items, or travel arrangements.
23. Personal errands: A virtual assistant can complete personal tasks for you, such as running errands, booking appointments, or managing household tasks.
24. Calendar management: A virtual assistant can manage your calendar, schedule appointments, and send reminders.
25. Project management: A virtual assistant can manage and coordinate projects, delegate tasks, and monitor progress.
26. Employee onboarding: A virtual assistant can manage the onboarding process for new employees, set up accounts and systems, and provide training.
27. Employee training: A virtual assistant can provide ongoing training and support for employees to help them develop new skills and improve performance.
28. Employee performance reviews: A virtual assistant can manage employee performance evaluations, set goals, and provide feedback.
29. HR administration: A virtual assistant can manage HR tasks such as payroll processing, benefits administration, and compliance with labor laws.
30. IT support – A virtual assistant can troubleshoot technical issues, install software, and provide IT help.
31. Helpdesk support – A virtual assistant can provide customer support, handle incoming calls and emails, and resolve issues.
32. Database management – A virtual assistant can help organize and maintain a company’s databases, clean up data, and ensure data security.
33. System administration – A virtual assistant can manage a company’s servers, network, and other IT infrastructure, ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
34. Network administration – A virtual assistant can monitor a company’s network, troubleshoot issues, and ensure network security.
35. Software testing – A virtual assistant can test software applications, identify and report bugs, and provide feedback to developers.
36. Quality assurance – A virtual assistant can ensure that products and services meet quality standards, conduct audits, and provide feedback.
37. Virtual event production – A virtual assistant can help plan and produce virtual events, from webinars to conferences, and ensure a seamless experience for attendees.
38. Virtual event hosting – A virtual assistant can host virtual events, provide technical support, and manage the event logistics.
39. Sales support – A virtual assistant can support a company’s sales team, handle administrative tasks, and manage customer relationships.
40. Lead generation – A virtual assistant can research potential clients, build lists of leads, and help nurture leads into customers.
41. Sales reporting – A virtual assistant can gather and analyze data related to sales, generate reports, and provide insights to management.
42. CRM management – A virtual assistant can manage a company’s customer relationship management (CRM) system, ensure data accuracy, and provide customer support.
43. Email marketing – A virtual assistant can create and send email campaigns, manage email lists, and provide analytics.
44. Affiliate program management – A virtual assistant can manage a company’s affiliate program, recruit affiliates, and provide support.
45. Influencer outreach – A virtual assistant can research and reach out to influencers, manage influencer relationships, and measure results.
46. PR outreach – A virtual assistant can research media outlets, pitch stories to journalists, and manage media relationships.
47. Press release writing – A virtual assistant can write press releases and distribute them to relevant media outlets.
48. Public speaking coaching – A virtual assistant can provide coaching and support to improve public speaking skills.
49. Personal branding – A virtual assistant can help build and manage a personal brand, including social media profiles and online presence.
50. Reputation management – A virtual assistant can monitor a company’s online reputation, respond to reviews, and manage online profiles.
51. Online course creation – A virtual assistant can help create and produce online courses, from content creation to editing.
52. Online course management – A virtual assistant can manage the logistics of online courses, including registration, payment processing, and support.
53. Online course promotion – A virtual assistant can help promote online courses, using email marketing, social media, and other strategies.
54. Online community management – A virtual assistant can manage online communities, including forums and social media groups.
55. Online forum moderation – A virtual assistant can moderate online forums, ensuring that content is appropriate and engaging.
56. Online customer support – A virtual assistant can provide customer support via email, chat, or social media, answering questions and resolving issues.
57. Website maintenance: A virtual assistant can help you keep your website up-to-date by updating plugins, fixing broken links, and ensuring the website is running smoothly.
58. Website security: A VA can implement security measures to protect your website from hackers and malware attacks.
59. Website backups: A VA can regularly backup your website data to protect it from data loss due to technical failures or cyber attacks.
60. Website migration: A VA can help you migrate your website to a new hosting provider or domain name.
61. Database backups: A VA can help you backup your database regularly to protect your data from accidental deletion or corruption.
62. Disaster recovery planning: A VA can help you create a disaster recovery plan to minimize data loss and downtime in the event of a natural disaster or cyber attack.
63. Business continuity planning: A VA can help you create a business continuity plan to ensure that your business can continue operating in the event of an unexpected event.
64. Virtual team building: A VA can help you plan virtual team building activities to improve team morale and collaboration.
65. Corporate culture development: A VA can help you develop a corporate culture that aligns with your business goals and values.
66. Employee engagement: A VA can help you engage with your employees by planning events and initiatives that improve employee satisfaction and productivity.
67. Employee wellness programs: A VA can help you plan and implement employee wellness programs to promote a healthy work-life balance.
68. Social responsibility initiatives: A VA can help you identify and plan social responsibility initiatives that align with your business values and goals.
69. Fundraising campaigns: A VA can help you plan and execute fundraising campaigns to support a charitable cause or nonprofit organization.
70. Grant writing: A VA can help you write grant proposals to secure funding for your business or organization.
71. Legal research: A VA can conduct legal research on various topics such as intellectual property laws, contracts, and regulations.
72. Legal drafting: A VA can draft legal documents such as contracts, agreements, and policies.
73. Contract negotiation: A VA can help you negotiate contracts with vendors, partners, and clients.
74. Contract drafting: A VA can draft contracts for your business or organization.
75. Intellectual property management: A VA can help you manage your intellectual property such as trademarks, copyrights, and patents.
76. Trademark registration: A VA can help you register trademarks for your business or products.
77. Patent application preparation: A VA can help you prepare and file patent applications for your inventions.
78. Patent research: A VA can conduct patent research to determine if your invention is eligible for a patent.
79. Patent prosecution: A VA can help you navigate the patent prosecution process to secure a patent for your invention.
80. Product design: A VA can help you design and create product prototypes.
81. Product testing: A VA can conduct product testing to ensure quality and performance.
82. User testing: A VA can conduct user testing to ensure your website or software is user-friendly.
83. UX research: A VA can conduct user experience research to improve your website or software design.
84. UX design: A VA can create user experience designs for your website or software.
85. Web analytics: A VA can analyze your website traffic and user behavior to improve user experience and conversion rates.
86. Social media analytics: A VA can analyze your social media performance and engagement to improve your social media marketing strategy.
87. Financial reporting: A VA can help you prepare financial reports such as profit and loss statements and balance sheets.
88. Financial analysis: A VA can conduct financial analysis to help you make informed business decisions.
89. Investment research: A VA can conduct investment research to help you make informed investment decisions.
90. Investment portfolio management: A VA can manage your investment portfolio and monitor
91. Tax preparation: A virtual assistant can help gather the necessary documents and data to file tax returns accurately and on time.
92. Tax planning: A virtual assistant can provide advice on tax strategies and help identify opportunities to reduce tax liabilities.
93. Retirement planning: A virtual assistant can research and evaluate retirement plans, and assist in creating and monitoring a retirement savings strategy.
94. Estate planning: A virtual assistant can help organize and maintain estate planning documents and assist in identifying and achieving estate planning goals.
95. Insurance management: A virtual assistant can research and evaluate insurance options, help with policy management, and assist in filing claims.
96. Wealth management: A virtual assistant can help monitor investments and provide investment research and analysis.
97. Personal financial planning: A virtual assistant can assist in creating and managing a personal budget, tracking expenses, and identifying areas for financial improvement.
98. Fitness coaching: A virtual assistant can help plan workouts, track progress, and provide accountability and motivation to achieve fitness goals.
99. Nutrition coaching: A virtual assistant can help with meal planning, grocery shopping, and tracking food intake to achieve nutritional goals.
100. Meditation coaching: A virtual assistant can help create a meditation practice, provide guided meditations, and assist in maintaining a meditation routine.
101. Life coaching: A virtual assistant can help set goals, identify obstacles, and create actionable plans to achieve personal and professional growth.

We’ve also linked some of these tasks out to more in depth articles that we’ve created on the Outsource School Blog.

If you want more information about hiring any of the following virtual assistants, just reach out to us at Support@OutsourceSchool.com.

What Are the Best Virtual Assistant Sites To Use?

When you’re ready to post a virtual assistant job online, head over to these 7 freelance websites.

I have personal experience with all of them and you’ll be able to find who you’re looking for:

1. Upwork: Upwork is one of the most popular virtual assistant sites out there, and for good reason. It has a large pool of freelancers who are available to work on a variety of different projects.
2. Fiverr: Fiverr is another popular site for hiring virtual assistants. It’s known for its affordable pricing and the wide range of services that are available.
3. Freelancer: Freelancer is a site that is similar to Upwork. It has a large pool of freelancers who are available to work on a variety of different projects.
4. TaskBullet: TaskBullet is a virtual assistant site that specializes in providing affordable virtual assistant services. It’s a great option for small business owners who are on a budget.
5. Onlinejobs.ph: Onlinejobs.ph is a virtual assistant site that specializes in providing Filipino virtual assistants. This is a great option if you’re looking for high-quality virtual assistants at an affordable price.
6. PeoplePerHour: PeoplePerHour is a site that is similar to Fiverr. It’s known for its affordable pricing and the wide range of services that are available.
7. FreeUp: FreeUp pre-vets thousands of virtual assistants and freelancers and only allows the top 1% into the network. You can post a job and get introduced to pre-vetted applicants within hours.

How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost?

The cost of hiring a virtual assistant can vary depending on a variety of factors. One of the biggest factors that can impact the cost is the location of the virtual assistant.

For example, virtual assistants based in the United States or Europe will typically cost more than virtual assistants based in other parts of the world like the Philippines or India.

Here’s a breakdown of how much you can expect to pay for virtual assistants based on their location:

1. United States and Europe: If you’re hiring a virtual assistant based in the United States or Europe, you can expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $75 per hour. Keep in mind that this is just a rough estimate and the actual cost can vary depending on the skill level and experience of the virtual assistant.
2. Philippines: If you’re hiring a virtual assistant based in the Philippines, you can expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $15 per hour. This is significantly less than what you would pay for a virtual assistant based in the United States or Europe.
3. India: If you’re hiring a virtual assistant based in India, you can expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $15 per hour. Again, this is significantly less than what you would pay for a virtual assistant based in the United States or Europe.

It’s important to note that the cost of a virtual assistant can also be impacted by factors like their experience, skill level, and the tasks you need them to perform.

For example, if you need a virtual assistant with specialized skills like graphic design or programming, you can expect to pay more than you would for a general virtual assistant.

Additionally, some virtual assistant sites may charge a commission or fee on top of the hourly rate. Be sure to read the terms and conditions of any virtual assistant site you’re considering to understand their fee structure.

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

If you’ve made it this far, we hope that you have a good idea of what virtual assistant tasks you may want to start outsourcing.

Hiring a virtual assistant is right for you if:

• You want more time back in your day
• You want a more affordable solution than full time employees
• You have a lot of busy work to pass off
• You have processes built for your tasks
• You are scaling fast and need lots of help

If you have any questions or we can help in any way on your hiring journey, email us at Support@OutsourceSchool.com.

Happy Hiring!

Looking to hire an Amazon FBA virtual assistant? 

Save time and money by hiring a virtual assistant for your Amazon FBA business.

My name is Connor Gillivan. I sold on Amazon from 2009 to 2016 and virtual assistants were a huge part of our growth to $25 million in total sales.

In this article, we’ll hit on everything you need to know about getting started with Amazon VAs.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What Is an Amazon FBA Virtual Assistant?
• 19 Tasks an Amazon FBA Virtual Assistant Can Take Over For You
• Where Can You Find Amazon FBA VAs?
• How Much Will an FBA Virtual Assistant Cost?
• Case Study: How an FBA VA Helped Jeff Scale to 7 Figures in Revenue
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is an Amazon FBA Virtual Assistant?

An Amazon FBA virtual assistant is a remote worker who specializes in assisting Amazon sellers with various tasks related to managing their Amazon FBA business.

FBA stands for “Fulfillment By Amazon,” which is a program where Amazon stores, picks, packs, and ships products on behalf of sellers.

An Amazon FBA virtual assistant can help sellers manage their Amazon business more efficiently and effectively by taking on various tasks such as product research, listing optimization, customer service, and inventory management.

They are familiar with the nuances of Amazon’s platform and can help sellers navigate the complex world of Amazon FBA.

19 Tasks an Amazon FBA Virtual Assistant Can Take Over For You

Here are 19 tasks that an Amazon FBA virtual assistant can take over for you:

1. Product research: Conduct research to identify profitable products to sell on Amazon.
2. Listing creation: Create and optimize product listings for maximum visibility and sales.
3. Keyword research: Research and identify the best keywords to use in product listings and PPC campaigns.
4. Competitor research: Analyze competitors’ listings and strategies to gain a competitive advantage.
5. Inventory management: Monitor inventory levels, forecast demand, and reorder products when necessary.
6. Order management: Monitor and process orders, manage returns and refunds.
7. PPC management: Create and manage Amazon PPC campaigns to drive traffic and sales.
8. Review management: Monitor and respond to customer reviews, handle negative reviews appropriately.
9. Customer service: Respond to customer inquiries, handle customer complaints, and provide exceptional customer service.
10. Sales analysis: Analyze sales data and identify trends to make data-driven business decisions.
11. Market analysis: Monitor market trends and adjust business strategy accordingly.
12. Email marketing: Create and execute email marketing campaigns to drive sales and customer engagement.
13. Social media management: Manage social media accounts to increase brand awareness and customer engagement.
14. Influencer outreach: Identify and contact influencers to promote your products.
15. Product launch management: Plan and execute successful product launches.
16. Bookkeeping: Manage financial records, process invoices, and reconcile accounts.
17. Vendor management: Manage relationships with suppliers and vendors.
18. Translation: Translate product listings and other marketing materials for international markets.
19. Reporting: Create regular reports on sales, inventory, and other important metrics to keep you informed about your business’s performance.

By hiring an Amazon FBA virtual assistant to handle these tasks, you can focus on growing your business and taking it to the next level.

Where Can You Find Amazon FBA VAs?

Here are some of the top websites where you can find and hire Amazon FBA virtual assistants:

1. Upwork – Upwork is one of the largest freelance marketplaces online, where you can find thousands of virtual assistants with experience in Amazon FBA.
2. Onlinejobs.ph – Onlinejobs.ph is a popular job board for Filipino virtual assistants. Many Filipinos are experienced in Amazon FBA and can be hired at a lower cost than many other countries.
3. FreeeUp – FreeeUp is a curated marketplace of pre-vetted freelancers. They have a special focus on eCommerce businesses and offer Amazon-specific services, including Amazon FBA virtual assistants.
4. Fiverr – Fiverr is another popular freelance marketplace where you can find virtual assistants with experience in Amazon FBA. You can browse through their profiles and reviews to find the right fit for your business.
5. Indeed – Indeed is a job board that allows you to post job listings and search for resumes. You can use this platform to find Amazon FBA virtual assistants with specific skills and experience.

How Much Will an FBA Virtual Assistant Cost?

The cost of hiring an FBA virtual assistant can vary depending on a few factors, such as their location, level of experience, and the tasks you want them to handle. Generally speaking, virtual assistants from countries with a lower cost of living, such as the Philippines, will have lower hourly rates than those from countries like the US or the UK.

In the US, you can expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $50 per hour for an FBA virtual assistant, with some experienced VAs charging even more.

In the Philippines, hourly rates for FBA virtual assistants typically range from $5 to $10 per hour, depending on their level of experience and the tasks they are handling. However, keep in mind that rates can vary widely, and some highly experienced VAs may charge more.

It’s important to note that while hiring a virtual assistant from a country with a lower cost of living may seem like a good way to save money, it’s important to consider other factors as well. For example, language barriers, cultural differences, and time zone differences can all impact communication and productivity. Additionally, it’s important to consider the quality of work and the level of experience you need for the tasks at hand.

When hiring an FBA virtual assistant, it’s important to carefully consider your budget, the specific tasks you need help with, and the level of experience you require. With these factors in mind, you can determine a reasonable hourly rate for your virtual assistant and make an informed hiring decision that meets your needs and budget.

Case Study: How an FBA VA Helped Jeff Scale to 7 Figures in Revenue

Meet Jeff, an eCommerce entrepreneur who was struggling to keep up with the demands of his Amazon FBA business. Jeff was spending long hours every day handling customer service, managing inventory, and processing orders, leaving him with little time to focus on growing his business. Despite his hard work, Jeff was struggling to achieve the revenue growth he wanted.

One day, Jeff realized he needed help if he was going to take his business to the next level. He began researching virtual assistants and realized that an FBA VA could be the solution he was looking for. After some research, Jeff decided to hire a virtual assistant from the Philippines through Onlinejobs.ph.

The Hiring Process: 

The hiring process was straightforward. Jeff created a job listing outlining the tasks he needed his FBA virtual assistant to handle, such as product research, keyword research, and inventory management. He also included his budget and the number of hours he needed the virtual assistant to work each week.

Within a few days, Jeff began receiving applications from qualified candidates. He reviewed each application carefully, looking for experience in Amazon FBA and the specific tasks he needed help with. After conducting a few interviews, Jeff found the perfect virtual assistant for his business.

Getting the VA Started:

Once the FBA virtual assistant began working with Jeff, he immediately felt the difference. He was able to focus on growing his business, while his virtual assistant handled the day-to-day tasks of managing his Amazon store. The virtual assistant was able to quickly learn Jeff’s business and make suggestions for improvement, helping Jeff to streamline his operations and improve his bottom line.

The Outcome:

With the help of his FBA virtual assistant, Jeff was able to scale his business to 7 figures in revenue within a year. He was able to launch new products more quickly, optimize his listings, and better manage his inventory. He was also able to provide better customer service, resulting in more positive reviews and increased sales.

Overall, Jeff’s decision to hire an FBA virtual assistant was a game-changer for his business. By outsourcing routine tasks and focusing on growth, he was able to achieve the revenue growth he had been striving for. If you’re struggling to keep up with the demands of your Amazon FBA business, consider hiring an FBA virtual assistant to help you streamline your operations and achieve your business goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What skills do you need to be an Amazon seller virtual assistant? 

To be an Amazon seller virtual assistant, you should have knowledge and skills in Amazon FBA, product research, keyword research, inventory management, customer service, and data analysis. Strong communication skills and the ability to work independently are also important for success in this role. Depending on the specific tasks the Amazon seller needs help with, additional skills such as social media management or graphic design may be required.

2. How much does an Amazon virtual assistant cost? 

The cost of an Amazon virtual assistant can vary depending on their experience, location, and the specific tasks they will be handling. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $3 to $20 per hour for an Amazon virtual assistant, with rates typically being lower for VAs located in countries like the Philippines. It’s important to balance cost with quality to ensure you are getting the best value for your money.

3. Can you hire a virtual assistant part time? 

Yes, you can hire a virtual assistant part-time. In fact, many virtual assistants offer their services on a part-time basis, allowing you to hire them for the specific number of hours you need each week or month. This can be a cost-effective solution for businesses that don’t require full-time support or that have fluctuating workloads. Hiring a part-time virtual assistant can also allow you to test the waters and see if outsourcing is a good fit for your business before committing to a full-time hire.

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

An Amazon FBA virtual assistant can help you:

• Save time
• Pass mundane tasks off your plate
• Let you focus on growth more
• Systemize your business
• Grow faster
• Build a business that doesn’t depend solely on you

If you want that, we’d love to help through Outsource School and we welcome any and all questions to Support@OutsourceSchool.com.

Happy hiring!

Do you need an eBay virtual assistant?

If you’re overwhelmed with work and feel like there isn’t enough time in the day, then you’re in the right place. Or, if you’re just looking to make your eBay store more manageable, an eBay virtual assistant can be a perfect fit. An eBay virtual assistant can make it feel like your store is on autopilot. This can turn it into more of a passive income stream, which leaves you free to enjoy free time and pursue other income streams as well.

18 Tasks an Ebay VA Can Help Your Store With

Here’s 18 tasks that you can quickly pass off to an eBay VA:

1. Create and manage listings for products you want to sell on eBay.
2. Optimize product titles, descriptions, and images to improve search results and sales.
3. Monitor and adjust pricing to remain competitive and maximize profits.
4. Respond to customer inquiries and provide customer support.
5. Manage and track inventory levels, ensuring you always have enough stock on hand.
6. Process orders and manage shipping logistics, including coordinating with shipping carriers and ensuring packages are sent on time.
7. Handle returns and refunds in a timely and professional manner.
8. Research and recommend products to sell on eBay, based on market trends and consumer demand.
9. Monitor and analyze eBay sales data to identify opportunities for growth.
10. Create and manage promotions and sales to boost sales and attract new customers.
11. Monitor and manage eBay feedback and reviews, responding to negative feedback and ensuring your reputation remains positive.
12. Research and recommend eBay tools and software to improve your business operations.
13. Manage your eBay account, including resolving account issues and ensuring compliance with eBay policies.
14. Create and manage eBay store pages, including customizing the layout and design.
15. Conduct market research to stay informed of industry trends and competition.
16. Work with suppliers and distributors to source new products and negotiate pricing.
17. Manage multiple eBay accounts or listings across different regions or languages.
18. Provide regular reports on sales performance, market trends, and other key metrics to help you make informed business decisions.

Where Can You Find Ebay Virtual Assistants Online?

A multitude of hiring websites are easily searchable online. On almost every one of them, you can find some kind of eBay virtual assistant. We do not recommend, however, that you just go and hire from the first website you see. Not all hiring platforms are created equal, and you can find yourself in a huge mess if you’re not careful about where you transact.

Our recommendations for where to hire an eBay virtual assistant include:

1. Upwork
2. Fiverr
3. Zirtual
4. Freelancer
5. Fancy Hands
6. TaskRabbit
7. Time Etc
8. Red Butler
9. MyTasker
10. 24/7 Virtual Assistant
11. PeoplePerHour 

How Much Will an Ebay VA Cost You?

The demand that businesses have for an eBay virtual assistant has increased over the past years. Because of the demand for quality service, the rates that they charge have gone up, too. A VA within the US will cost you about $30 per hour. You can outsource the work, however, and pay about $10 per hour. Of course, these are only the average rates, and what you pay will depend on your requirements. For example, if you need someone with high English proficiency, paid advertising skills, or a tone of experience, you will need to pay higher rates.

Although they are niche, eBay virtual assistant skills have different specializations and can offer a range of services. For example, some will do overall administrative tasks or inventory management for stores, whole others focus on customer service or listing optimization.

What Should You Include In Your Ebay VA Job Post?

Do not disregard the importance of having a good job post. You need to include the important details about the eBay virtual assistant that you need to find the right fit. When you take the time to add the right details, you are able to match with the right person.

Here is a list of what you should include in your job post for an eBay virtual assistant:

• Job duties and responsibilities 
• What the role entails
• Performance expectations 
• Your expected rate range
• Your preferred hiring location

Once you have the job details nicely laid out, insert some keywords into the copy. Keywords will help the right applicants find your post as they search hiring platforms for work that matches their skills and experience.

What Skills & Experience Should You Look for?

The skills and experience that you should look for depend on the specific job that you are hiring for. Here are two examples to illustrate:

First, say you are hiring an eBay virtual assistant to take care of your existing suppliers, develop relationships with new suppliers, place and track orders, and the like, then you would need the person you hire to be a good communicator, be keen with keeping schedules, and know how to calculate inventory levels and lead times to place orders with suppliers on time. This does not take a super high level of experience, but will require training if you hire a newbie. 

Second, if you are hiring for customer service, you will need some of the same skills, and some different ones, like knowledge of the platform rules governing areas like returns and refunds. You probably want someone with at least a few years of experience handling customers since it’s not something you can learn just from a script.

Tips to Onboard & Manage Your Virtual Assistant

Once you have hired the eBay virtual assistant that you see is the best fit for your needs, you must properly onboard and manage them. Here at Outsource School, we can help you with implementing a process that fits your business, plus everything else about working with a VA. We have material to help you with all the areas from writing down what you need help with as you search for the right assistant to outsource to all the way to specific management tips to make your journey of learning to outsource and work together with remote teams smoother and more rewarding.

On the surface, onboarding deals with everything that a hire needs to know about working with you and serving your business. First, you should review everything that you have put in the job post, just to make sure that the hire understands. Next, go over specifics like who they need to report to and how you expect them to communicate with you or a supervisor throughout the day and week. Have a list that you go through so you don’t miss anything. It’s important to have everything on record and that they agree with the terms of working with you.

Throughout the entire time that you work with the VA, you need to basically provide them with active support. Don’t ever just set a hire loose once they are on the payroll. Check in with them regularly to make sure that they’re doing well. Ask them to share their wins. This builds rapport and confidence. It also shows them that you care. Then, ask if they are facing any challenges so you can step in and give them some advice on how to handle those situations. A great way to deal with this without spending too much time is to have SOPs – standard operating procedures – available for hires to go through as needed. Providing team-building activities also helps a lot.

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

If you need help to manage your eBay business, consider hiring a virtual assistant who has the specific skills and experience to meet your needs. You might have a range of requirements that make a one-size-fits-all approach unsuitable for you. When you embark on this hiring journey, remember to start by creating a thoughtful list of what you need help with, the type of person you like to work with, the intricacies of the job llike work times and pay, etc. This will inform your choice of VA in many different ways and help you find the one who will be that best fit who will alleviate stress and not create headaches for you or the rest of the team.

Looking to hire a Canva virtual assistant? 

Look no further. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about VAs that know Canva.

Canva is a graphic design and publishing tool with a mission to empower the world to design. Their success as a platform is evident, being used by over 110 million people all over the world. You can create professional-looking graphics and presentations with access to hundreds of templates. 

In this post we are going to cover: 

• 20 Tasks a Canva Virtual Assistant Can Do For You
• How Much Will a Canva VA Cost?
• What Skills Should I Look for in a Canva VA?
• What Freelance Websites Are Best to Find Canva VAs?
• How Do I Interview & Choose the Right Canva Virtual Assistant?
• What Software Should I Use to Manage My Canva Projects?

20 Tasks a Canva Virtual Assistant Can Do For You

Use this list as inspiration for hiring a VA that knows Canva:

1. Create custom graphics for social media posts, blog articles, and email marketing campaigns.
2. Design and layout marketing materials such as flyers, brochures, and posters.
3. Design and format presentations for webinars, workshops, or conferences.
4. Create branded templates for social media graphics, newsletters, and other marketing materials.
5. Source and select high-quality stock images that align with your brand and message.
6. Edit and enhance photos, including resizing, cropping, and color correction.
7. Create infographics and visual content to communicate complex information or data.
8. Design eBooks, PDF guides, and other lead magnets to attract and convert website visitors.
9. Design eye-catching logos and branding elements that convey your brand identity.
10. Create custom illustrations for use in marketing materials or on your website.
11. Design eye-catching packaging for your products or services.
12. Design and create eye-catching product labels and packaging.
13. Create video and animated graphics for use in social media or marketing campaigns.
14. Create visual aids such as flowcharts and diagrams for use in presentations or reports.
15. Design custom t-shirt graphics, product labels, and other merchandise.
16. Optimize graphics and images for web use, ensuring fast loading times and improved SEO.
17. Provide guidance and training to other team members on how to use Canva effectively.
18. Manage and organize your Canva account, including uploading brand assets and templates.
19. Research and recommend new design trends, techniques, and tools to improve your Canva designs.
20. Collaborate with other team members and stakeholders to ensure that designs meet their expectations and goals.

How Much Will a Canva VA Cost?

We have discussed in the past how several factors influence the cost of hiring a virtual assistant. 

These are:

• What tasks they perform
• Scope of work
• Level of experience
• Level of expertise
• Project length
• What country they live in

There are three levels of tasks that VAs perform: basic-level tasks, specialized tasks, and expert-level tasks. For this article, we will only discuss the first two. 

Basic-level tasks involve the typical administrative work you would associate with virtual assistants like scheduling appointments, data entry, answering emails, and such. These can run from $5-$10.

Specialized tasks refer to tasks that require specialized knowledge in an industry, area of expertise, or in the use of software or tool. Specialists typically hone very particular niche skills. These can run from $10-$30+ depending on how niche the position you’re hiring for is and how much skill and experience a person need to be considered an expert in that area. 

A Canva virtual assistant can fall into both of these categories. Off the bat, you need to determine if you want to hire a virtual assistant who knows how to use Canva or if you want to hire a Canva virtual assistant. The difference lies in the scope of the work and the level of expertise and familiarity with the software. 

While an exact estimate is tricky to determine, we can look at the cost of hiring a graphic designer, which ranges from $8-$15 an hour. 

Another cost you may have to consider is whether they need to use a paid version of the software. 

Canva Account Tiers

Canva has three different tiers of service, namely:

• Free – Access to basic tools and templates
• Pro – Paid access to premium content and tools 
• Teams – Paid solution for teams of creatives to collaborate within the Canva Worksuite 

Will they need to own the software or will your business provide that? You need to consider first what tier of Canva suits your business needs. Then you can decide whether it’s worth subscribing to a higher tier or just hiring someone who offers both access to the tool and their expertise with it. 

Note: Canva Pro costs $12.99 a month and Canva Teams costs $14.99 a month. Their yearly plans have a discount, so you need to determine project length and which subscriptions and payment plans are worth it for you. 

What Skills Should I Look for in a Canva VA?

As mentioned previously, a Canva virtual assistant is essentially a graphic designer with a niche specialty in using the Canva tool. 

While you don’t necessarily need to be a graphic designer to excel at using Canva, it does help to know some design fundamentals, such as:

• Color theory
• Typography (the use of font styles)
• Layouts

You can verify the abilities of a Canva virtual assistant by looking at their portfolios (more on that later). 

What Freelance Websites Are Best to Find Canva VAs?

In our article about the best sites for finding virtual assistants, we mention sites such as Upwork, Zirtual, Fancy Hands, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour. 

Because some of these freelance marketplaces house thousands of VAs from all over the world, you could very well find a Canva virtual assistant that both knows what they’re doing and is a good fit for your team. 

How Do I Interview & Choose the Right Virtual Assistant?

Aside from the four questions for job candidates, we suggest this interview process:

It’s important to note that before you even begin the interview process with potential candidates, you ask for their portfolio. Anyone who works in the design or artistic space must have a portfolio. A portfolio is a visual representation of the designer’s abilities and can include work they’ve accomplished for previous clients. Choose your candidates based on portfolios that appeal to your brand aesthetic.

Build Rapport

This is a valuable step in building a healthy working relationship and dispelling any awkwardness or nerves common to first-time interactions. You can ask them questions about themselves and show that you are interested in them as a person and not just in what they can do for you. 

Check Experience

Ask about their experience working with other businesses. Knowing their client and work history can give you a gauge of what they are capable of. Additionally, the way they speak about their previous clients can give you an idea of their personality and attitude. 

Check Values

Ask them about their work values. This tells you what they find important and if their values match your own as a company. Additionally, knowing what they value can also help you to cater to the needs of this person if they are to become a member of your team. 

Check Strengths

Ask them about their strengths and what they have worked on the most. Canva has design tools for photos, cards, one-page websites, video editing, t-shirt design, logos, and more. Canva Teams has collaborative solutions for marketing, sales, creatives, and more. While a good Canva virtual assistant will have experience with all of these, it’s helpful to ask which ones they would consider their strong suit. This can be done while you provide a rundown of the tasks and scope of the work you need doing. 

Negotiate Rate and Schedule

Once you’re certain their skills match your criteria and their personality fits your team, next is rate and schedule. This doesn’t always have to be a daunting step. Just make sure you explain the tasks completely and ask them what they believe is fair compensation. Remote workers can sometimes live in different time zones, so make sure this won’t be an issue that will affect the productivity of deadlines. 

After you’ve interviewed and hired your Canva virtual assistant, be sure to take them through a complete onboarding process to ensure a successful hire. 

What Software Should I Use to Manage my Canva Projects?

One of the advantages of Canva is you can manage certain aspects of projects within their own Canva Worksuite. Canva Teams allows you to both collaborate and organize your work in one place. 

You can brainstorm together on whiteboards, share ideas, provide feedback, design collaboratively, and access your most used assets in organized folders. 

However, if you’re looking for more in-depth solutions, project management software like Asana can do the trick. 

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

Whether content, marketing, or branding, it’s obvious that the Canva tool can provide great value to a business. However, not everyone has the time to create postings or learn the entirety of the software. A Canva virtual assistant can help you tap into the full benefits this popular tool can provide your business. 

 

Looking for the best tasks for virtual assistants to help your online business? 

We know where you’re at because we were there once, too.

There’s never enough time in the day, and when you reach that point, it’s time to hire a virtual assistant.

In this post we are going to cover: 

• 25 Best Tasks for Virtual Assistants
• How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost?
• Can You Hire a VA Part Time?
• What Are the Best Virtual Assistant Websites to Hire From?
• How Do I Track & Pay My Virtual Assistant?
• Tips to Onboard & Manage Your Virtual Assistant

25 Best Tasks for Virtual Assistants

Here’s a starter list of 25 tasks you can hire a VA for:

1. Manage email communication with customers, clients, and partners.
2. Schedule appointments and manage your calendar.
3. Conduct research and collect data for business decisions.
4. Manage social media accounts, including posting and engaging with followers.
5. Create and manage content for your blog, website, or newsletter.
6. Monitor analytics and provide reports on website traffic and social media engagement.
7. Edit and proofread written content, such as blog posts, emails, or reports.
8. Respond to customer inquiries and provide customer support.
9. Manage your CRM system and maintain customer records.
10. Conduct market research to stay informed of industry trends and competition.
11. Manage your e-commerce website and process orders.
12. Manage your inventory and ensure stock levels are adequate.
13. Create and manage email marketing campaigns.
14. Manage your financial records and bookkeeping.
15. Manage your online advertising campaigns.
16. Conduct A/B testing for website design or marketing campaigns.
17. Generate and analyze website traffic reports using Google Analytics or other tools.
18. Manage online reviews and feedback from customers.
19. Create and manage affiliate partnerships and programs.
20. Manage your online reputation and respond to negative reviews or feedback.
21. Manage your online community, such as a forum or social media group.
22. Create and manage online events, such as webinars or product launches.
23. Manage your online listings and directories.
24. Manage your blog comments and respond to readers.
25. Research and recommend software tools or services to improve your online business operations.

How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost?

Now that you know about all a virtual assistant can do for you, you’re probably wondering how much it’s gonna cost you. Well, figuring out the rates of virtual assistants is dependent on several factors. 

Type and Scope of Task

As you may have already been able to tell from our list of best tasks for virtual assistants, their expertise, and the scope of what they do can vary. If you’re hiring a VA that can only do basic-level tasks like scheduling, managing appointments, and other administrative work, you will probably find a decent one between $5-$10. However, most businesses hire VAs who also have specialized knowledge. Some are software experts that can help you manage teams through productivity management software like Asana. Others can be content writers, marketing VAs, bookkeepers, graphic designers… the list goes on. 

Level of Expertise

The next thing to think about is their skill level. Do you want a VA who can do dropshipping-related tasks or do you want a dropshipping VA? There is a difference in expectation and specialization. A VA who can write content for your website will cost less than a VA who can write content AND is familiar with how content ranks on search engines. 

Level of Experience 

This includes their educational attainment, training, work portfolio, and how many years they have been in the space. The rates of an entry-level VA and one who has 3 years under their belt will still vary even if they’re doing the same task and have gone to the same school. Experience leads to improved efficiency and professionalism, and that costs something. 

Project Length

VAs can charge on an hourly, monthly, or per-project basis. Naturally, the longer the project, the more you will have to pay. 

Where They Live

One of the advantages of outsourcing is that you have access to a wider talent pool in countries with lower costs of living. VAs living in these countries are more likely to have lower rates.

Can You Hire a VA Part Time?

Absolutely! Another advantage to outsourcing is the flexibility it provides businesses that either cannot afford to hire full-time workers, need minimal help, or have seasonal growth (ex. E-commerce businesses during holidays). 

We have first-hand experience hiring a part-time VA and have shared how that boosted our productivity and allowed our business to grow. 

What Are the Best Virtual Assistant Websites to Hire From?

Knowing the best tasks for virtual assistants is one thing, knowing where to find somebody that can perform those tasks well is another. 

What are some qualities of a good freelance marketplace? 

• Reputable
• Good vetting processes
• Social proof systems (reviews and ratings)
• Client support (easily contactable, assists even after you’ve hired from them)
• Access to freelancer profiles

Some of the ones we recommend include Upwork, Fiverr, TaskRabbit, 24/7 Virtual Assistants, and Freelancer. 

If you want to know more about virtual assistant sites and access the full list of our recommendations with summaries, please consider checking out our 11 Best Virtual Assistant Sites for Entrepreneurs in 2023.

How Do I Track & Pay My Virtual Assistant?

When working with virtual assistants, there are two types of tracking that need to be done: time tracking and work tracking.

Tracking hours can be tricky for a remote VA especially. Thankfully, there are several online time-tracking tools that can make your life a whole lot easier. Keep in mind that this is more often applied to VAs who charge a per-hour rate. 

When it comes to tracking work progress, communication and management are essential. Communication with and among members of a remote team is one of the biggest challenges. You need to make sure you are using tools that your new hire is familiar with so they can attend and effectively participate in team meetings. Additionally, when managing a VA, you need to be able to have an agreed channel of communication back and forth for updates, meetings, feedback, etc. 

How you pay your VA can depend on the marketplace you’re hiring from, the basis of payment (per hour or per project), and payment options discussed during the onboarding process. 

Tips to Onboard & Manage Your Virtual Assistant

Here at Outsource School, we cannot stress enough how beneficial a remote onboarding process is. It can save you a lot of headaches and heartaches associated with bad hires. Good onboarding makes managing a virtual assistant so much easier. 

Here are some useful guidelines you can follow for an effective onboarding process:

1. Be hospitable, create rapport, and make them feel at ease. 
2. Introduce them to your company’s “what” and “why” that is what your company does, its mission, vision, objectives, values, and even company culture.
3. Go through the tasks associated with the job you’re hiring for. Even if it’s all listed in the job description, it’s still important to provide a rundown and set expectations.
4. Negotiate rates, discuss payment options, and finalize the work schedule.
5. Orient them on any tools or software they need to perform their tasks. These are any preferred admin tools, management tools, communication channels, apps, etc. 
6. If they will be working closely with other members, they should get to know the team before they start getting down to business. This is an important step to break the ice and welcome them into your community. 
7. Set your deadlines, meeting schedules (if any), and milestones they can work towards.
8. Orient them on any company SOPs 
9. Be open to any questions, clarifications, or concerns they might have. 

Note: The order in which these things occur is up to your discretion. Also, onboarding is a process that can happen over several days. What’s important is that you make sure your hire is fully oriented and equipped to begin their duties. 

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 lot of the best tasks for virtual assistants involve management, research, marketing, and customer support/engagement. All of these tasks are crucial in operating a thriving business, however, they are very time intensive. Business owners bogged down by busy work or “work about work” can’t focus on their core processes like product and service development, branding, partnerships, etc. Customer service can be especially time-consuming. And while we aren’t saying business owners should be personally involved in building customer relationships, they can’t always be on standby when a customer needs help navigating their website. 

This is why virtual assistants are so valuable. It’s no surprise that they have grown in popularity, especially over the last few years. 

We hope this article has helped inform you about the versatile virtual assistant world. If you weren’t sure before, well, now you have a better understanding of what they do, how to navigate their rates, where to hire them, and how you can effectively integrate them into your team. 

 

Interested in hiring a dropshipping virtual assistant for your online store?

Dropshipping is a fulfillment method where a seller doesn’t hold stock on hand. They instead purchase products from a third party that holds inventory and ships to customers directly. Using the dropshipping method can save you a lot in overhead costs. However, it can be a lot of work. That’s where hiring a dropshipping virtual assistant comes in.

Whether you’re selling on Amazon, Ebay, Shopify, Etsy, or any other eCommerce marketplace, hiring a dropshipping virtual assistant can be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.

15 Tasks You Can Outsource to a Dropshipping Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant can help your dropshipping business perform several different tasks:

Dropshipping Preparation

• Product research: A virtual assistant can help you find profitable and trending products to add to your online store.
• Supplier research: They can also help you find reliable and trustworthy suppliers to partner with for your dropshipping business.
• Order processing: Your virtual assistant can process and fulfill customer orders, which includes verifying payment, packaging the product, and shipping it out to the customer.

Dropshipping Management

• Inventory management: They can keep track of your inventory levels and ensure that popular items are always in stock.
• Customer service: A virtual assistant can handle customer inquiries and complaints, respond to emails and messages, and provide support through live chat.
• Social media management: They can help you manage your social media accounts by creating and scheduling posts, responding to comments and messages, and running paid ad campaigns.
• Administrative tasks: Your virtual assistant can handle administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, answering phone calls, and managing your calendar.
• Product Tracking Management: A dropshipping virtual assistant can keep a close eye on the product journey from order placement all the way to fulfillment.
• Refund and Returns Management: Your dropshipping virtual assistant can handle some post-purchase customer support tasks.

Other Tasks

• Email marketing: Your virtual assistant can help you create and send out email newsletters, promotional offers, and abandoned cart emails to help increase sales.
• Website maintenance: They can help you update your website content, images, and product descriptions, and ensure that your website is running smoothly.
• Data entry: A virtual assistant can help you enter product details and other data into your e-commerce platform, as well as organize and maintain your database.
• Product listing: They can help you create and optimize product listings to improve your search engine rankings and increase sales.
• Keyword research: Your virtual assistant can conduct keyword research to help you optimize your website and product listings for search engines.
• Competitor analysis: They can analyze your competitors’ websites and pricing strategies to help you stay competitive in the market.
• Analytics reporting: A virtual assistant can help you track and analyze your website traffic, sales data, and customer behavior to identify trends and opportunities for growth.
• Graphic design: They can help you create product images, banners, and other graphics to improve the overall look and feel of your website.

What Should You Look For In a Dropshipping VA?

1. Works Well With Others 

You obviously wouldn’t want to work with someone that has a sour attitude towards their work or towards other members of your team. Part of the process of onboarding is making sure that your remote hire is a good fit for your business not only in terms of skill, but also in terms of work culture, values, and attitude. Managing a team of remote workers is challenging, so you want to make sure your VA can communicate, collaborate, and cooperate well with the existing members of your team. 

2. Customer Service Experience

Dropshipping VAs may also interact with customers directly when answering order inquiries and handling issues with payments and returns. They may have to serve as a bridge between the supplier and the customer. As such, you want someone with a pleasing personality. They need to be able to handle all types of customers with a calm, patient, and helpful attitude. You may want to confirm the VA you are hiring has some experience in the area of customer support. 

3. Flexibility and a Wide Range of Skills

As we’ve discussed, there are a variety of tasks that can be delegated to a dropshipping virtual assistant. The main tasks involve product descriptions, product research, inventory management, customer service, data entry, and website management. While we do not recommend over-working your VA, we also recommend you to find someone who is able to handle multiple tasks with proficiency. The mark of a good virtual assistant is their flexibility and adaptability. They are able to seamlessly flip from one task to another as needed. (E.g. When a customer has an urgent issue that needs resolving quickly.) 

How Much Will Hiring a Dropshipping VA Cost?

Several factors affect the cost of hiring and maintaining a dropshipping virtual assistant. 

• The scope of the work 
• The type of tasks
• The length of the project
• The level of experience/skill/specialization 
• The country they live in 
• Their individual rate 

The amount you would pay a VA for basic tasks will be very different from what you would pay for tasks requiring specialized knowledge. For instance, data entry is a basic-level task that costs around $4-$6 per hour. On the other hand, if you are hiring a content manager to help you keep your website updated, it can cost you between $8-$12. This can go all the way up to $20 if you need someone with a background in SEO. 

If you want someone who is proficient in most tasks related to dropshipping specifically, it can run you up to $50/hour. 

Note: Some VAs will prefer per-hour rates while others calculate their rates on a per-project basis. Keep this in mind when hiring. 

Access to a global talent pool also means access to differing rates. Hiring from a country with a lower cost of living might mean more affordable rates than outsourcing locally. 

While there are quite a few variables to consider regarding outsourced VA rates, one thing is certain. They are far more cost-effective than hiring in-house, full-time workers. With VAs you don’t have to consider worker benefits, overhead costs, or taxes. 

Where Can You Find Reliable Virtual Assistants Online?

Freelance virtual assistants are everywhere online. However, security and quality can sometimes make people hesitant. 

This is why we recommend going for verified freelance marketing and business platforms. These places make it easy for employers to find the specific talent they are looking for while also connecting skilled individuals to businesses that need them. 

Not only do these places typically vet their freelancers before allowing them to post their services on their site, but they also have social proof systems in place. These systems include freelance ratings, rankings, and reviews that you can look at to inform your hiring decisions. You can also view their profiles and see their education level, and certifications. Check their work history and see how much experience they have working with other companies in your industry. 

The freelance marketplaces we recommend are:

• FreeUp
• Upwork
• OnlineJobs.ph
• Fiverr, Fiverr Business and Fiverr Pro

Tips to Onboard & Manage Virtual Assistants

The importance of onboarding cannot be stressed enough. Onboarding helps get your dropshipping virtual assistant set up with tools and resources for the job. Not only that, but this process is where you can iron out all the essential details before the working relationship starts. 

When you are conducting remote onboarding and management, make sure you:

1. Build rapport and make them feel comfortable. 
2. Get them acquainted with your business, goals, values, and culture.
3. Set expectations
4. Provide a rundown of the tasks they will be performing. 
5. Negotiate rate and work schedule.
6. Provide the set of tools they will be working with (especially the communication channels they will be using) as soon as possible. 
7. Introduce them to team members, especially those they will be working closely with. 
8. Set deadlines and milestones
9. Set meeting schedules. 
10. Open the floor to any questions or concerns they may have.
11. Orient them on SOPs (if you have any). 

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 dropshipping virtual assistant can help you take full advantage of your dropshipping method. If you don’t do dropshipping yet, but are considering it, we hope this all-in-one guide will help you get started the right way. Keep focused on improving your core business offers and let your VA handle the other tasks for you. 

 

Thinking of hiring an Asana virtual assistant? 

You’ve come to the right place!

Asana is one of the best product and project management solutions out there. It offers businesses the ability to manage and organize work in one place. The founders of Asana wanted to build a platform to make work easier. They wanted businesses to not have to spend so much time doing tasks leading up to the real work needing to be done. So, they created Asana, a platform where you can coordinate with your team more easily. It also helps you get started on tasks quickly, increase productivity, reach deadlines faster, and improve overall worker satisfaction. 

With Asana you have access to a myriad of useful collaboration tools. 

• Communication tools – Talk with your team within the platform. View messages and tasks via your inbox. Create new tasks from comments made by team members. 
• Reporting tools – Send updates, set reminders, and create milestones to keep projects on track and team members on the same page.
• Various Ways to View Tasks – Asana offers flexible formats to display and share tasks including files, grid formats, to-do-lists, calendars with deadlines, bulletin-style, and your inbox to view all conversations. 

As you can see, Asana’s solutions can greatly benefit you and your business. However, not everyone has the time to learn the software and manage all of these tasks themselves. That’s where an Asana virtual assistant comes in! 

17 Ways an Asana Virtual Assistant Can Help You

The list is really endless, but here’s 17 to start with:

1. Creating new projects and tasks in Asana
2. Assigning tasks to team members
3. Setting due dates for tasks
4. Creating and managing task dependencies
5. Sending notifications and reminders to team members
6. Updating task status and progress
7. Adding comments and attachments to tasks
8. Creating project timelines and Gantt charts
9. Conducting team meetings and discussions within Asana
10. Creating and managing task templates
11. Creating custom fields to track specific data points
12. Tracking time spent on tasks and projects
13. Integrating Asana with other tools and apps
14. Generating reports and insights on team performance
15. Managing team workload and capacity
16. Providing training and support to team members on Asana
17. Implementing best practices for using Asana effectively within your organization

How Much Does A Virtual Assistant Cost?

The draw of outsourcing tasks to a virtual assistant is cost-effectiveness. Whichever way you slice it, VAs will save you money compared to hiring full-time, in-house workers. With VAs, you don’t need to worry about worker benefits, employment taxes, or overhead costs. 

Moreso, there are a few things you should know about VAs that will help you get the best bang for your buck. 

Virtual assistant is a flexible term given to people who can handle a variety of different tasks. This stretches over different industries and at different levels. As such, the price of hiring and maintaining a virtual assistant is dependent on multiple criteria. 

Tasks Performed

For an Asana virtual assistant, part of their job includes data entry, managing calendars, scheduling meetings, and other tasks related to project and team management. 

Payment Plans

Freelance virtual assistants will choose between a per-hour or a per-project payment option. The price will vary depending on which plan they prefer. 

Length of Project

Regardless of payment option, the amount of time you plan to maintain your VA will affect how much you need to pay.

Level of Experience and Expertise Needed

There are typically three tiers of tasks that virtual assistant can perform. They are: basic-level, expert-level, and specialist-level. Basic-level tasks can be performed by practically any type of virtual assistant. Expert-level requires a higher level of experience and skill within a particular industry. They are also usually hired to be strategists, planners, and consultants. Specialists are freelancers who have trained and maintained their skills in a particular field or with particular tools and software. The difficulty of mastering the software or tool may also affect how much they will charge for their services. 

Asana virtual assistants will most likely fall into the specialist-level category. They would need to have trained and mastered managing tasks and teams using the work management platform. 

A specialized virtual assistant will always put a lot of resources into mastering a particular software. They invest a lot into familiarizing themselves with a specific platform. So, expect to pay more for someone proficient in Asana than you would a general virtual assistant. 

Individual Rate

Individual rates shouldn’t normally be vastly different from one another. However, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the general rate for the position you are hiring for. This way, you deal with your candidates fairly. 

A VAs individual rate will vary depending on the country you are hiring from. Keep in mind that VAs living in countries with a higher cost of living might have higher rates. 

Where Can You Find an Asana Virtual Assistant?

Freelance Marketplaces 

When hiring virtual assistants, we recommend canvassing within reliable freelance marketplaces. These marketplaces guarantee a level of vetting, quality control and security that you may not find if say you went the route of social media advertising. 

Another benefit to freelance marketplaces is access to worker profiles. Here you can view their work history, years of experience, education and certification, and even rate. 

Additionally, the existence of rating and review systems make it much easier for employers to decide. These allow employers to view verified critique given to VAs evaluating the work they have already performed for other businesses. This means you won’t be rolling the dice on someone’s claims of experience and education level. 

These marketplaces include FreeUp, Upwork, Fiverr and its variations (Fiverr Business and Fiverr Pro) and OnlineJobs.ph. 

Byron

However, since an Asana virtual assistant is a specialized type of VA, you may have a difficult time finding one in the general freelance marketplaces. That’s why we also recommend Byron. 

Byron is a platform comprised of a team of vetted US-based Asana virtual assistants. Whether small or large business, Byron can help boost productivity and handle admin and collaboration using the Asana platform. Get the support your team needs without having to m commit to hiring full-time assistants. 

Final Tips On Hiring & Managing an Asana VA

Onboard Effectively 

If we’ve said it once, we will say it again. Onboarding is crucial to the success of a partnership and essential in preventing a bad hire. This is especially true with remote teams who do not see in other in the office every day.  

From familiarizing them with the “what” and “why” of your business to clarifying the scope of the work, onboarding will make sure your hire knows about your business beyond the job description. Set clear expectations for deadlines, scheduled meetings, payout schedules, and more. 

Set Up Clear Communication Channels 

While Asana has built-in communication and collaboration tools, they do have limitations. Make sure that the tools you use for remote meetings are shared with your Asana virtual assistant. These tools will be used for updates and making sure your VA is adjusting and working well with your team. 

Listen to Your VA

Remember the reason you hired an Asana virtual assistant in the first place. They know the software inside and out. They have likely worked with other companies using this platform and have developed efficient processes and methods. Be sure to listen to any suggestions they may have. Even if you are also an expert in Asana and just needed the extra help, it still benefits you to keep an open mind. At the end of the day, the final  say rests with you, but at least they would see you as an employer who takes recommendations into careful consideration.

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

Project management is no simple undertaking. You not only have to allocate tasks, but you also need to make sure members are collaborating with each other. You need to keep people communicating and providing consistent updates so that things run smoothly and deadlines are met on time. 

An Asana virtual assistant can take that stress off your plate and ensure all your projects, and your business at large, are on the track to success. 

Looking to hire an Accounting Virtual Assistant? 

You came to the right place!

My name is Connor Gillivan. I’m an entrepreneur and I currently run a portfolio of three companies (Outsource School, EcomBalance, and AccountsBalance).

In 2019, I exited one of my companies, FreeUp, and all of our bookkeeping and accounting was handled by our team of accounting virtual assistants.

In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about accounting VAs. 

Here’s what we’ll cover: 

• What Is An Accounting Virtual Assistant?
• What Tasks Can An Accounting VA Handle?
• What Skills Do Accounting Virtual Assistants Have?
• Where Can You Hire VAs for Bookkeeping and Accounting?
• Case Study: How An Accounting VA Made Sarah’s Business Double Sales

Let’s get into it!

What Is An Accounting Virtual Assistant?

What Tasks Can An Accounting VA Handle?

Here’s 10 common tasks that an accounting virtual assistant could take off your plate:

1. Managing accounts payable and accounts receivable
2. Reconciling bank statements and credit card statements
3. Preparing and submitting invoices
4. Managing payroll and processing employee payments
5. Preparing financial statements and reports
6. Managing and filing taxes and compliance documents
7. Tracking expenses and preparing expense reports
8. Managing cash flow and forecasting
9. Auditing financial records
10. Maintaining accurate financial records and data entry.

These are the 10 most common tasks, but you may have more unique accounting and finance-related tasks that you want an accounting VA to handle.

As long as it’s within the realm of accounting and bookkeeping, an experienced accounting VA should be able to handle it for you.

Just keep in mind that the rate you pay will determine how experienced the accounting VA is.

The more you are willing to pay, the better experience and knowledge you’ll get. Similarly for the less you’re willing to pay.

What Skills Do Accounting Virtual Assistants Have?

Accounting virtual assistants should have a range of skills and experience in order to effectively manage your business finances.

Here are some key skills to look for:

1. Accounting and bookkeeping experience, specific to your industry
2. Knowledge of accounting software such as QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks.
3. Understanding of tax laws and compliance regulations
4. Attention to detail and accuracy in financial reporting
5. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
6. Time management and organization skills to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
7. Analytical skills to interpret financial data and identify trends
8. Problem-solving skills to troubleshoot financial issues
9. Experience in accounts payable and accounts receivable
10. Ability to work independently and remotely.

Other important things to look for when interviewing: 

• That they can work on your time zone (if that’s important)
• That their pay rate aligns with your budget
• That they have relevant experience in your industry
• That they aren’t working for multiple clients at once
• That they have good reviews online

Bottom line: You want your accounting VA to know much more about bookkeeping and accounting than you do.

Hire someone that is passionate about accounting and bookkeeping and that you’ll be able to trust with your books and finances.

Where Can You Hire VAs for Bookkeeping and Accounting?

Having hired from lots of sites online before, here are 6 that we vouch for: 

1. Upwork – This is a freelance marketplace where you can find Accounting VAs from all over the world.
2. Onlinejobs.ph – This is a job board specifically for virtual assistants based in the Philippines, which is known for its large pool of highly skilled and affordable VAs.
3. Fiverr – This is a freelance platform where you can hire VAs for various services, including bookkeeping and accounting.
4. FreeUp – This is a platform that specializes in connecting businesses with top-notch freelancers, including Accounting VAs.
5. Virtual Latinos – This is a platform that connects businesses with bilingual virtual assistants based in Latin America, including accounting and bookkeeping VAs.
6. Hubstaff Talent – This is a free job board where you can find VAs from around the world, including those with accounting and bookkeeping experience.

Tip: Make sure to carefully review their qualifications, work history, and reviews from previous clients to ensure they have the skills and experience necessary for your business needs.

Case Study: How An Accounting VA Made Sarah’s Business Double Sales

Meet Sarah, a small business owner who runs a successful e-commerce store.

Despite her success, Sarah was struggling to manage her business finances on her own.

She was spending hours each week reconciling her accounts, preparing invoices, and managing her cash flow.

She knew she needed help, but didn’t have the budget to hire a full-time accountant.

Hiring An Accounting VA

Sarah decided to hire an Accounting Virtual Assistant from an online platform.

The VA had years of experience in bookkeeping and accounting and was familiar with the accounting software Sarah was using.

After an initial consultation, the VA created a customized plan to manage Sarah’s financial tasks.

The VA took over all of Sarah’s accounting tasks, including managing accounts payable and receivable, reconciling bank statements and credit card statements, and preparing invoices.

She also started providing financial reports on a weekly basis, which gave Sarah a better understanding of her cash flow and helped her make informed business decisions.

The Results

As a result of hiring the Accounting VA, Sarah was able to focus on growing her business and doubling her sales.

With more time to focus on her marketing and customer service efforts, Sarah’s business started to thrive.

In addition, the VA helped Sarah identify areas where she could save money, such as renegotiating contracts with suppliers and reducing unnecessary expenses.

This helped Sarah increase her profit margins and reinvest in her business.

Overall, hiring an Accounting VA was a game-changer for Sarah’s business.

It allowed her to focus on growing her business and provided her with the financial support she needed to make informed decisions.

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

If you’re smart, you’ll outsource your bookkeeping and accounting to a virtual assistant or an online bookkeeping service.

If your budget is low and you really need help getting accounting and bookkeeping off your plate, an accounting virtual assistant can be the best decision as you continue to grow.

If you’re overworked, stressed, and sick of handling your own finances, take the leap and hire an accounting VA.

If you need help hiring an accounting or bookkeeping VA, we can help you through Outsource School.

We have a course within Outsource School specifically tailored to hiring and implementing an accounting and bookkeeping virtual assistant.

If you’re interested, reach out to us at Support@OutsourceSchool.com or set up a call with us through the link on this page.

Are you wondering how a marketing virtual assistant can help grow your online business? 

If “Yes!”, you’ve found the right article.

My name is Connor Gillivan. I’ve been hiring and scaling companies with Marketing VAs for the past 10 years.

I’ve scaled multiple companies to 6, 7, and 8 figures in yearly revenue with VAs with an exit in 2019.

Today, I run 3 companies with the help of Marketing VAs.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about hiring a virtual assistant for your marketing efforts. 

• What Is a Virtual Marketing Assistant?
• What Does a Marketing VA Do?
• Where Can You Find The Best Marketing VAs?
• How Much Does a Marketing Virtual Assistant Cost?
• 5 Tips For Managing & Leading Marketing VAs
• Part Time Marketing VA vs Full Time. What Is Better?

What Is a Virtual Marketing Assistant?

A marketing virtual assistant, also known as a marketing VA or digital marketing VA, is a remote worker who assists with various marketing tasks to help your business grow.

They specialize in digital marketing and can handle a wide range of tasks, from social media management to email marketing, SEO, PPC advertising, and more.

We’ll give you a list of 30 in the next section so you can really see how they can help grow your business.

A marketing assistant can help you create and implement marketing strategies, design and run campaigns, track and analyze data, and provide support in many other areas of digital marketing.

They can save you time and money by taking care of essential marketing tasks, allowing you to focus on other critical aspects of your business.

Plus, since they work remotely, you can hire a marketing VA from anywhere in the world, giving you access to a more extensive pool of talented professionals.

What Does a Marketing VA Do?

Here’s a list of 30 marketing tasks that a virtual assistant can help you with:

1. Social media management (creating and scheduling posts)
2. Social media account setup and optimization
3. Community engagement (replying to comments and messages)
4. Social media advertising (creating and managing campaigns)
5. Influencer outreach and management
6. Content creation (blogs, videos, graphics, etc.)
7. Keyword research for SEO
8. On-page optimization (meta tags, descriptions, etc.)
9. Off-page optimization (link building, guest blogging)
10. Website management (updates, maintenance, backups)
11. Email marketing (newsletter creation and management)
12. Lead generation (finding and qualifying leads)
13. Landing page creation and optimization
14. PPC advertising (Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc.)
15. A/B testing and optimization of marketing campaigns
16. Data analysis and reporting
17. Customer research (surveys, market analysis)
18. Competitor research and analysis
19. Sales funnel creation and optimization
20. CRM management (customer relationship management)
21. Affiliate marketing management
22. Webinar setup and promotion
23. E-commerce marketing (product descriptions, pricing research)
24. Influencer research and outreach
25. Graphic design (creating images, infographics, etc.)
26. Video editing and production
27. Podcast management (editing, scheduling, promotion)
28. Web development (landing pages, microsites, etc.)
29. Analytics and data visualization
30. Conversion rate optimization (CRO)

I personally have hired Marketing VAs for the majority of these roles.

It really comes down to what marketing strategies you’re the most focused on and what you want to get off your plate.

For me personally, I like to perfect the marketing strategy process first then pass it off to a Marketing VA who can take it over, improve the process, and drive traffic using that strategy.

Where Can You Find The Best Marketing VAs?

Here are five websites where you can find and hire digital marketing virtual assistants:

1. MarketerHire – MarketerHire is an excellent platform for hiring expert marketing freelancers, including virtual assistants. They have a rigorous vetting process and only work with top-tier marketing professionals. They offer a variety of marketing services, including SEO, social media, content marketing, PPC, and more.
2. Upwork – Upwork is a popular online marketplace for freelancers of all kinds, including marketing virtual assistants. You can post a job description and receive proposals from marketing VAs all over the world. Upwork offers a variety of tools to help you manage your virtual assistant, such as time tracking and project management tools.
3. Freelancer.com – Freelancer.com is another popular platform for hiring virtual assistants and freelancers. They have a large pool of marketing professionals available, and you can easily browse profiles and reviews to find the right fit for your business. They offer a variety of payment options and tools to help manage your virtual assistant.
4. Fiverr – Fiverr is an online marketplace where you can hire freelancers for a wide range of tasks, including digital marketing. They have a large pool of marketing virtual assistants available and offer fixed-price packages for many services. You can browse through profiles, reviews, and portfolios to find the right virtual assistant for your business.
5. OnlineJobs.ph – OnlineJobs.ph is a job board for Filipino virtual assistants and remote workers. They have a vast pool of marketing VAs available, and you can post a job description and receive applications from qualified candidates. OnlineJobs.ph also offers tools to help you manage your virtual assistant, such as a time tracker and task management tools.

I have personally hired from all of these sites. Each has its own experience and pool of talent for marketing assistants.

For the most specialized skills, go to MarketerHire.

If you’re looking for a more general purpose Marketing VA, the other four will work perfectly.

How Much Does a Marketing Virtual Assistant Cost?

The cost of hiring a digital marketing virtual assistant can vary depending on various factors, such as their experience level, location, and the scope of work required.

In general, a digital marketing virtual assistant can charge anywhere from $8 to $50 per hour, with some charging even more based on their experience and specialized skills.

Some virtual assistant platforms may charge a higher rate to connect you with their top-tier talent, while others may offer more affordable rates for less experienced or entry-level VAs.

Additionally, you may find that hiring a VA from overseas, such as the Philippines or India, may offer a cost-effective solution for your business. On average, you’ll find Marketing VAs from $8 to $25 per hour. 

It’s important to keep in mind that hiring a virtual assistant is an investment in your business, and a high-quality digital marketing virtual assistant can help you save time and money in the long run by improving your marketing efforts and increasing your business’s revenue.

When considering the cost of a digital marketing virtual assistant, it’s essential to assess your business’s needs and determine how much support you require.

You can also negotiate with your virtual assistant on the scope of work and the pricing structure that works best for both parties.

Overall, the cost of hiring a digital marketing VA will vary depending on where you find them, where they live in the world, and what skills and experience they have.

Hiring a virtual assistant is very similar to hiring a full time employee in that their price will vary depending on a number of factors.

5 Tips For Managing & Leading Marketing VAs

As you start working with a marketing VA, keep these tips in mind:

1. Set clear expectations: To ensure that your marketing virtual assistant knows what you expect of them, it’s important to set clear expectations. Clearly outline their role and responsibilities, as well as any specific goals or deadlines that need to be met.
2. Communicate regularly: Regular communication is key to a successful working relationship with your virtual assistant. Schedule regular check-ins to discuss progress and provide feedback. Make sure to be clear and concise in your communication and encourage your virtual assistant to ask questions and provide feedback.
3. Provide training and resources: If your marketing virtual assistant is new to your business or your industry, it’s important to provide them with the training and resources they need to succeed. This may include access to industry-specific tools or training materials, as well as guidance on your business’s processes and procedures.
4. Use project management tools: To stay organized and keep track of tasks and deadlines, use project management tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com. These tools can help you and your marketing virtual assistant stay on the same page and ensure that tasks are completed on time.
5. Show appreciation: A little bit of appreciation can go a long way in motivating your marketing virtual assistant. Make sure to show your appreciation for their hard work and accomplishments, whether it’s through regular feedback, bonuses, or other incentives. By showing that you value their work, you can help build a positive and productive working relationship with your virtual assistant.

Want further inspiration for how you can grow your business to 7 figures and beyond with marketing VAs? Check out this video:

Part Time Marketing VA vs Full Time. What Is Better?

Here are some pros and cons to help you make an informed decision:

Pros of a part-time marketing virtual assistant:

• Cost-effective: Hiring a part-time marketing VA can be more cost-effective for businesses that only require a few hours of work per week or have a smaller budget.
• Flexibility: Part-time VAs can offer more flexibility in terms of scheduling, which can be ideal for businesses that only need assistance during certain hours or on specific projects.
• Variety of skillsets: By hiring part-time VAs, you can tap into a variety of skill sets without having to commit to a full-time hire.

Cons of a part-time marketing virtual assistant:

• Limited availability: Part-time VAs may have limited availability, which can be challenging for businesses that require consistent support or have tight deadlines.
• Limited commitment: Part-time VAs may not be as invested in your business’s success as a full-time hire would be, which could impact the quality of their work or their ability to take on more complex projects.
• May require more training: If you hire multiple part-time VAs, it may require more training and coordination to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Pros of a full-time marketing virtual assistant:

• Consistent support: A full-time VA can offer consistent support, which can be ideal for businesses that require ongoing assistance or have frequent marketing needs.
• More invested: A full-time VA is likely to be more invested in your business’s success and can become a valuable long-term asset to your team.
• More opportunity for growth: With a full-time VA, you have the opportunity to develop a deeper working relationship and provide ongoing training and support to help them grow within their role.

Cons of a full-time marketing virtual assistant:

• More expensive: Hiring a full-time VA can be more expensive, as you’ll need to pay for their salary, benefits, and any other associated costs.
• Less flexibility: A full-time VA may have less flexibility in terms of scheduling and may require more structure and oversight.
• Limited skill sets: Hiring a full-time VA may limit your ability to tap into a variety of skill sets, as you’ll need to find someone who can handle a broad range of marketing tasks.

What Is Outsouce 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 Marketing Virtual Assistant can be a game changer. 

I speak from personal experience.

If you want the following, a marketing VA is right for you: 

• Less repetitive marketing work on your plate
• Someone you can give quick tasks to
• A reliable person you can teach new marketing strategies
• Someone that brings a skill set you don’t have to the team
• More website traffic, leads, and customers
• More time to spend on higher level tasks

If you have any questions about hiring a Marketing VA, feel free to reach out at Connor@OutsourceSchool.com.

Happy hiring!