I get this question all the time because people think a virtual assistant is similar to a personal assistant. While there are similarities, there are many differences as well.
First of all a personal assistant works in the office for a specific company while a virtual assistant works from home for various clients. The virtual assistant answers to each client separately within the guidelines the two set up prior to working together. Virtual assistants work on contract basis, are not employees, and thus do not receive benefits through the people they work for. This means that the company doesn’t pay taxes, insurance benefits, personal time off, and other things that a company employee would get.
Someone who works in an on-site office tends to have a set schedule, such as 8 am – 5 pm. While virtual assistants can work whatever schedule they want, provided it fits with the clients needs. Depending on home life, some virtual assistants work standard hours while others work early in the morning and/or late evening, and others even work weekends; they get to pick their schedule. Since there are virtual assistants all over the world, you might even work with one who is several hours outside your time zone. This can be beneficial since they can have some work done before you even get up in the morning.
Personal assistants are paid hourly or salary, no matter if you have work for them or not. Virtual assistants are paid with a retainer fee or hourly depending on what they (and you) agree upon. Retainer fees are a set fee you pay for so many hours per month. If you don’t use the entire time, you still pay the fee but you usually get a discount for signing up for this kind of fee. Hourly work will be charged by the hour and only when a virtual assistant is doing work for you. A good virtual assistant will have a time track program for each client.
Many virtual assistants can, and do, perform a lot of the same tasks as a personal assistant; such as inbox management, sending invoices, writing cards or purchasing gifts, calendar management, social media posts, etc. However, the virtual assistant is not in your office, taking up space you might need for another employee. They are also great for companies that don’t have an outside office; they just need a computer and internet connection. There are some things that personal assistants do, such as order lunch or run errands outside the office, that virtual assistants tend not to do. Some will do outside tasks at higher rates.
One benefit to having a virtual assistant is that you might only need someone for 10-30 hours per month and thus only pay for that time. Some virtual assistants even let you change the amount of time needed each month if you find out that you require more or less time. This could be due to time of year or tasks you delegate to them. It could even be that you start off with certain tasks but then realize how much more a virtual assistant can do for you. Virtual assistants can also bridge a gap between when you need help but not full-time, and when you realize that a full-time employee is needed.
Do keep in mind that you will pay more for a virtual assistant than a personal one. This is because a virtual assistant needs to pay their own taxes, office expenses; even if they work from home there are office expenses; possibly insurance, and for programs they utilize as a virtual assistant. Personal assistants have those expenses built-in to the job and pay they receive.
Do you have other questions about how a virtual assistant might be what your business needs to do more, schedule a meeting with VA Minion for Hire and fill out this form.
