The Value of A Virtual Assistant

AUTHOR: JEN THOMPSON, VIPVAP CONTENT WRITER            PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

Running a business is a multifaceted endeavor. In addition to day-to-day operations, there is a growing need for social media presence and content creation. Throw in the obvious goal of profit, and managing a business can easily consume most of your life. In the last two years, various publications have reported on the trend towards hiring Virtual Assistants in the business world. Forbes reported in 2021 on a virtual assisting agency that saw a 300% website traffic increase during the coronavirus pandemic.

In the last two years, as the world has worked its way back to a sense of normalcy, the concept of remote work has stuck around. Hiring remote staff greatly reduces the operating costs for many businesses. For business owners, hiring remote Virtual Assistants has been a game changer. 

While hiring assistance may seem counterproductive to the goal of profit, the fact is, when such a large amount of your time is spent on administrative tasks like organizing emails, returning phone calls and managing files, there may be little time left for those tasks that truly grow your business. Instead of looking at hiring a VA as an expense, consider it an investment in your business's future. Here, we will share three valuable ways a Virtual Assistant can contribute to your success:

1. DELEGATE ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS to reclaim your creative time + energy.

Many business owners have experienced the burnout that can result from hours spent organizing and responding to emails.  A morning of sifting through emails and returning phone calls can leave you feeling drained. By delegating these tasks to a Virtual Assistant, business owners get that time back. Energy can be refocused on the creative tasks that grow your business, increase your visibility and build relationships. 

A Virtual Assistant can learn your organization and filing preferences, setting up your email inbox with priority flags and a filing system that will give you back hours of your day. Unlike freelancers who are hired on a project-by-project basis, Virtual Assistants can be hired long-term to handle a variety of tasks that cut into your valuable time.

2. INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY by adopting a team approach. 

You only need two people to create a winning team. Trying to do every little task for your business on your own can lead to overlooked priorities and missed opportunities. When you hire a VA, you are gaining a team member. This allows you to get back out into the community your business serves, whether in person or virtually. When your VA can take on organizing your inbox and returning phone calls, you're available to attend business meetings, networking events and webinars. When the administrative tasks are taken care of, you have the time and energy to focus on growth.

Having someone on your team also allows you to regain control of your business and your life. When business owners are pulled in every direction, crucial tasks can slip through the cracks. Trying to take on every task alone can create a sense of disorder and chaos. By delegating tasks, you can reclaim ownership of your business. 

3. CAPITALIZE ON SKILLS + KNOWLEDGE that Virtual Assistants have to offer.

When you hire a VA, you are tapping into skill sets and knowledge that may otherwise be unavailable. Many VAs are trained and experienced in areas such as SEO, marketing and content development. While some companies hire separate individuals for administrative support, social media development and content creation, costs can escalate quickly. Many VAs are knowledgeable in multiple skill areas, allowing you to streamline your operations. 

Large corporations have entire departments dedicated to social media marketing. Social platform presence is such an important aspect of today's business world, but creating posts and content, navigating social networks and monitoring how effective outreach efforts are on these platforms can be both exhausting and confusing, and hiring full-time employees to help in these areas can be costly. A Virtual Assistant may have valuable training and experience in these areas, and a VA can work the hours necessary to complete the tasks you need done without having the expenses associated with in-house, full-time staff. 

Remote work may have gained popularity during the pandemic, but thanks to economic efficiency and convenience, the virtual trend is likely here to stay. As more and more business owners work to keep up with advancements in technology and the need for social media presence, the value of Virtual Assistants will continue to increase. Hiring a VA could be the one move that generates big results in the modern business world.