If the concept of a virtual assistant is new to you or have worked with one before, a cloud of doubt probably is preventing you from getting one. The uncertainty leads you to create assumptions of your own.
It is understandable. There are many opinions and debates about virtual assistants, what they can do, and where you should hire one. However, if you are a business owner that needs a lot of help with very limited resources, you are missing the potential to grow.
Virtual assistants around the world should be given credits for helping business owners, especially startups and small businesses, build more client relationships, expand the network, lessen the workload, and live a life of work-life balance.
To help you understand virtual assistants and acknowledge the hard work they have contributed in many thriving businesses in the present, let us break down the walls of doubts and misconceptions, we are debunking several myths about virtual assistants.
Debunking Virtual Assistant Myths
- VA’s can only function as an administrative assistant.
Virtual assistants can now perform specialised functions and gone are the days when they are tied to office administrator roles. Business owners recognise the capacity of virtual assistants to perform various tasks and are fast learners.
As long as a job can be accomplished using a computer, it is a job for a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants are specifically helpful to new businesses who need a hand in developing a website, launching a social media account, and overall digital marketing.
Other functions a virtual assistant can help businesses with are bookkeeping, video editing, website management, social media management, and customer support. With the latest trend in events, virtual assistants with the knowledge and technical skills in streaming and virtual events are now in demand.
- VAs are more expensive than hiring a regular employee.
Virtual assistants, regardless of qualifications and location, are a more cost-effective solution compared when you hire a local employee counterpart with the same qualifications. You can also save from other operating expenses like electricity and the internet.
How is this possible? First, virtual assistants have their working equipment and do not require tax and insurance, and other benefits. While these benefits are not required, many business employers provide VAs bonuses and incentives for a job well done.
- VAs can cheat through their hours.
VAs’ flexibility for work is one of their selling points. You can hire and pay them by the hours, project, or output. When you are going to hire and pay a VA per hour, you may think that a VA can cheat through the hours. You are not alone in this ugly myth about VAs.
It is understandable to be concerned about transparency, efficiency and billable hours. However, your can track your virtual assistant’s productivity using monitoring software tools. If you will hire a virtual assistant through a remote management company like VALUE Virtual Assistant, they will oversee everything from pre-hiring, recruitment process, contract signing and productivity monitoring.
- Communicating with a VA from across the globe is difficult.
Work, whether you are on your own or with someone, will always have its wins and struggles. Working with a virtual assistant is no different from hiring a regular employee. In terms of communication, technology has provided us with a plethora of connectivity choices. Slack, Zoom, Skype, and plain old phone calls are all communication options.
Here are some of the communication tips you can adopt when working with a virtual assistant: regularly communicate with your VA, give feedback, be clear on giving constructions, and establish a rapport. You will be surprised how these little tips can improve your virtual assistant’s work.
- Working with VAs poses privacy and security risks.
Allowing someone to take over the things you created and built always imposes some level of risk in terms of security and privacy, whether the one taking over is a local employee or a VA. However, do not let this myth ruin your confidence in a virtual assistant. If you desperately need help but are too worried about privacy and security matters, hiring a virtual assistant through a virtual assistant is the smartest choice.
A reputable remote staffing management like VALUE Virtual Assistant can help you with accountability matters. Our job at VALUE Virtual Assistants is to find and manage your virtual assistant partner as you expand your company. You need not waste time worrying as we screen trustworthy and qualified talents. We also take care of creating job posts, screening applicants, interviewing them, and monitor their productivity using Hubstaff.
Keep in mind that you and your company are our top priority. We want you to refocus your efforts on achieving long-term targets for your company while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We will continue to be your virtual assistance service provider as your dependable partner, allowing you to have more time and resources on your hands.
Get a virtual assistant and discover how inaccurate the misconceptions are. For more information and inquiries, contact info@value-va.com. For more contents like this, connect with us on our LinkedIn and Facebook Page.
