Are you considering hiring a virtual assistant (VA) but don’t know where to begin?
As your business grows, there comes a point where you simply can’t do everything on your own. You may find yourself spending too much time on administrative tasks, technical work, or other responsibilities that take you away from the core of what you do best.
When that happens, it’s time to start outsourcing. Delegating these tasks allows you to focus on the bigger picture—growing your business and serving your clients. One of the best ways to do this is by hiring a virtual assistant.
I’ve worked with virtual assistants for many years, and they have become an essential part of running my business. In this post, I’ll share my insights and practical tips on hiring and working effectively with virtual assistants.
What is a “Virtual Assistant”?
A virtual assistant (typically abbreviated to VA, also called a virtual office assistant) is generally self-employed and provides professional administrative, technical, or creative (social) assistance to clients remotely from a home office. (from Wikipedia)
In short, VAs are freelance administrative assistants who work remotely for their clients. They are not employees and typically work with multiple clients.
Here is a short video on what a Virtual assistant is:
Benefits of Hiring a Virtual Assistant?
Since the early days of my business, I’ve opted to work with VAs instead of hiring employees. Here’s why:
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Access to Specialized Skills – You can hire a VA with expertise in the exact area you need help with. My team includes VAs with unique talents that complement different aspects of my business.
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Minimal Training Required – Since VAs already have the necessary skills, they usually don’t need extensive training.
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Cost-Effective – You only pay for the hours they work, which can be more budget-friendly than hiring a full-time employee.
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No Office Space or Equipment Needed – VAs work remotely and use their own computers, phones, and other tools.
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No Payroll Hassles – Since VAs are self-employed, you don’t have to worry about benefits, payroll taxes, or insurance.
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Support for Your WordPress Website – Many VAs specialize in WordPress and can help you build and manage your site!
Where do I look for a Virtual Assistant?
The best place to start is by asking fellow business owners. Many entrepreneurs already work with VAs and can recommend someone they trust. Here are additional ways to find a great VA:
1) Networking Events & Conferences – Attend industry events or join an industry organization to see if they can connect you with VAs.
2) Tool-Specific VA Directories – Some specific software companies, like Infusionsoft, provide lists of trained and certified VAs.
3) VA Associations & Referral Services – There are organizations dedicated to training and connecting VAs with business owners. Here are a couple that you can check out.
- International Virtual Assistants Association (http://ivaa.org/)
- AssistU (http://www.assistu.com/)
How do I Find the Right One?
Hiring the right VA is crucial! A perfect VA for someone else may not be the best fit for you.
To find the right match, start by conducting interviews with multiple candidates. Observe how they communicate through emails and phone calls—prompt and professional responses indicate reliability.
Ask tough questions to assess their problem-solving skills and see how they handle challenges. Pay attention to your instincts during the process; if something feels off, keep looking.
You should feel comfortable and confident in your choice since this person will be an essential part of your business operations.
How much does a VA Cost?
It’s tempting to focus on price, but cost should not be your only factor. A highly skilled VA may charge more but complete tasks faster and more accurately, saving you time and money in the long run.
You might have heard the saying, “Hire slow, fire fast.” This principle applies to hiring anyone for your business. Take your time finding the right VA, and don’t rush into a commitment.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a virtual assistant can have a significant impact on your business by freeing you up to focus on what you do best. Whether you need help with administration, marketing, social media, content creation, or customer service, the right VA can provide the support you need to grow.
Take your time, do your research, and find a VA who aligns with your business needs. When you do, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without one!
To ensure a successful transition of work from you to your Virtual Assistant, make sure you start documenting procedures for everything in your business.
(Originally published in May 2015, Updated Jan. 2025)
Great article, Christina. Thanks for the shout-out to AssistU!!
What a great partnership.
Robyn,
assistU has been a fantastic resource to finding awesome VAs!
Very helpful. Thanks, Christina!
Dara,
Glad the article helped!
I see you don’t have a gravatar, go watch this video: https://websitecreationworkshop.com/wordpress-tips/what-is-a-gravatar-picture/
Christina,
Thank you for this well written article. Excellent information and practical advise for finding the right virtual assistant. I found my VA through you. She was highlighted by you as someone who built their own website. When I read her story and had a consultation with her, I knew immediately she was the one. Susan Sullivan is intelligent, very capable, seasoned, savvy, very reliable and she has a great sense of humor. I could go on and on about Susan. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with her. Thank you for showcasing her website, or I never would have found her.
Best regards,
Denise Lampron, Owner
ColorStyleStudio
Denise,
I am so glad you found a VA to help you with your WordPress sites! Yes, she is great 🙂
Susan is an AssistU VA, too 🙂 I love her!!
A
Excellent article and tips on Virtual Assistants and how to find one. You hit so many of the points so many people don’t think about. Thanks Christina!
Terry,
And I must say, you are one of the most reliable VAs I know!
Great article Christina! It’s good to see what I’ve told clients in the past being shared by other professionals.
Phillis,
Yes, there are many factors that go into finding a VA that is right for YOU!
Thanks, Christina, for doing a wonderful job of highlighting the importance of finding a VA who is the right fit for you. Choosing your VA partner wisely is a critical investment in the success of your business and will pay dividends in many different ways.
Jude,
yes it’s a personality match first and foremost. Then it’s the skills you need for the job to be done 🙂
Thanks for the great tips, Christina… and for mentioning AssistU as a resource for finding someone wonderful! We love helping people who need the support of terrific and well-trained VAs!
♥
Anastacia
Anastacia,
And I love teaching VAs WordPress so they can help their clients in all aspects of their business! It makes for a very well rounded Virtual Assistant 🙂
Great post Chritina, very helpful and clarifying for me. Thanks.
Would love to hire VA but how would payment be made?
Lynda,
each virtual assistant has her/his own way of payments. Some bill at the end of the month, and some are on retainer. That is part of the process of finding one that is a match for you
Thank you for this article Christina!
It was perfect timing and led me to find a good match for me.
I have been looking for months. I read your article, found my VA and hired her on the spot!
Thank you!
Excellent post Christina!
You really shared some critically important issues and concerns to
consider before making a VA part of your team.
And I’d definitely be willing to bet, most entrepreneurs, probably
want and could use the expert help of exceptional VA”s, but really
had no practical idea, of how to go about hiring them until now.
And probably hesitated doing so, for fear of making a major mistake.
Great job as usual, and I’ll definitely be sharing this one!
Your clarity and quality of information shines out to those who are starting out and finding their way forward in the maze.
Im in the UK and regularly looking for this kind of support.
Thank you