Dedicate more time to high-value work by delegating administrative tasks to a VA.

A common frustration of business owners is the amount of time required for tasks like covering phones, managing social media and bookkeeping. Every minute spent on administration means less time leveraging your strengths and building relationships. One way to free up your time is by outsourcing some tasks to a virtual assistant (VA) at a fraction of the cost of hiring an employee.

What a VA does

VA skills vary from general clerical to specialties like marketing and web design. VAs work remotely, usually from a home-based business. Many are independent contractors while others work through an agency. And, some VAs are dedicated to working in just one industry, which can be a real advantage for you.

Common tasks delegated to VAs include social media management; event management; scheduling and planning; managing email; research; preparing reports; invoicing and booking travel.

Before you hire a VA

Make a list of the tasks you’d like to outsource before your start looking for a VA. This list will help you identify which VAs have the skill set you need. Also, decide if the timing of the tasks you want to delegate is critical; if so, be sure to look for a VA that’s in the same time zone.

Hiring a VA means you have to be organized enough to know what to hand off. Consider making a training video of any task that’s unique to your business or that you would like handled in a particular way.

Where to find a VA

Many VAs offer their services on a freelance basis through platforms like Upwork. You can also launch your VA search on Twitter with a tweet about needing a VA or by reaching out to your professional network for referrals.

Agency platforms like Time Etc. have an already-vetted a pool of VAs and can quickly assign a VA. If the assigned VA isn’t a good fit, they can quickly make a substitution.

Find a good fit

VAs often become essential team members who help businesses succeed and scale. And some VAs simply won’t work out, just like when hiring an employee. Before engaging any VA, ask thoughtful questions to discover if they align on values and priorities. Set clear expectations about what you need done and when.

How much VAs cost

Fees for VA services vary based on several factors: the VA’s skill and experience, the location of the VA, and whether they work independently or through an agency. Rates are often between $15 and $30 per hour. Rates for VAs who provide executive assistant services or expertise in marketing or finance can go higher.

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