Virtual assistant services are currently an essential resource for companies and startups aiming to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and focus on core business activities.
The wide range of skills and tools that incorporating such professionals brings to the team makes effective task delegation and responsibility sharing possible.
Now, to optimize your company’s operations with a remote virtual assistant, what services should you hire?
Not all virtual assistants are the same; there are those specialized in marketing, administration, or finance.
What we mean is that there are key skills that may be more beneficial to you based on your sector, and this guide aims to help you identify them by considering the types of services available in the current market.
Let’s get started!
Benefits of hiring virtual assistant services for businesses
One reason for the explosive demand for virtual assistants a couple of years ago, coinciding with the surge in internet usage (especially in 2020 and 2021), is the set of benefits this role can bring to individual professionals, teams, and companies.
In a world where companies receive an exponentially increasing amount of data, the consequent proliferation of tasks becomes overwhelming.
The reality is that there is much to be done, and the available time to address all these responsibilities is limited.
It is in this context that virtual assistants emerge as an effective solution to alleviate the workload, providing the following benefits:
Increased Productivity
Virtual assistants handle time-consuming tasks, allowing business owners, entrepreneurs, and teams to focus on high-priority activities.
Moreover, they are proficient in utilizing technological tools that enhance their efficiency.
According to Global Workplace Analytics, remote workers can be between 35% and 40% more productive than in-house workers.
This enables you to offload the extensive task list onto a highly efficient professional.
Cost Savings
By outsourcing tasks to virtual assistants, companies can save on overhead costs associated with hiring full-time employees.
A recent report by Global Workplace Analytics states that a US-based company can save up to $11,000 per year for each part-time remote worker.
Furthermore, the nearshore hiring model provides access to a large pool of highly skilled talent at a cost-effective rate without sacrificing the quality of results.
Scalability
Virtual assistants offer flexible solutions, enabling companies to scale up or down as needed without the limitations of traditional employment agreements.
Access to Specialized Skills
Virtual assistants bring diverse skill sets, allowing companies to access expertise in various areas without the need for extensive training or recruitment efforts.
Improved Work-Life Balance
Delegating tasks to virtual assistants frees up time for business owners and employees to enjoy a better work-life balance, leading to increased satisfaction and well-being.
On the other hand, you’ll have a remote worker on your team who is 20% happier than an on-site worker, according to the Tracking Happiness report.
A virtual assistant is an ally that helps alleviate the workload without representing a significant cost. This, in the long run, contributes to success and sustainable growth.
Various types of available virtual assistant services
To find the best remote virtual assistant, it’s essential to focus on tasks that consume the most time and that can easily be delegated to someone else qualified to do them, of course.
Here is a list of skills or services that you can hire virtual assistants for, categorized by the niches that commonly require their services:
Virtual marketing assistant services
Virtual assistants can assist you with tasks related to:
- Calendar management
- Email management
- Content creation
- File and document organization
- Research and data collection
- Report preparation and analysis
- Social media management
They can also specialize in customer-facing roles.
Virtual administrative assistant services
The primary services for which this profile of virtual assistants is hired include calendar management, email correspondence, data entry, event planning, travel and appointment scheduling, and setting reminders.
Any individual professional, whether a doctor, lawyer, speaker, or other, can benefit from delegating administrative tasks to a virtual assistant.
Virtual financial assistant
Here are some ways a virtual assistant can assist accounting companies:
- Email and communication management
- Data entry and record maintenance
- Document and report preparation
- Payment tracking and invoicing
- Support in accounting project management
- Research and analysis
Virtual assistant for architecture and design companies
For this particular industry, tasks for which virtual assistants are most commonly hired include:
- Calendar and correspondence management
- Preparation of documents, proposals, project reports, and presentations
- Organization of documents and digital files
- Research and data collection
- Project management support
- Assistance in communication with clients and contractors
- Inquiry and request management
- General administrative tasks, such as data entry and document organization.
Other Virtual Assistant Services
Customer Service
Assist in managing customer inquiries and complaints via email, live chat, or phone, providing quick responses and effective solutions.
Project Management
Aid in planning, executing, and monitoring projects, assigning tasks, setting milestones, and maintaining communication among team members. They are not project managers, as their tasks are more administrative.
Research
Conduct online research to gather data, analyze market trends, identify competitors, and obtain relevant information for business decision-making.
Event Planning
Collaborate in organizing corporate events, conferences, webinars, and other events, coordinating logistical details, sending invitations, and managing attendance.
How to choose the right virtual assistant service provider
There are three key aspects that every virtual assistant service provider or staffing agency must have to ensure a satisfactory and highly beneficial experience.
1. Staffing Experience
To choose a reliable virtual assistant service provider, such as a company to whom you can outsource this talent, their experience in staffing will be crucial.
An experienced provider:
- They know the job market and stay updated on current trends, enabling them to access the best talent pools.
- Possesses the skills to effectively address the challenges of recruitment, hiring, and talent retention.
- Can accurately assess your company’s needs and find the ideal candidate who meets your requirements and expectations.
By opting for a provider with staffing experience, you can be assured of receiving high-quality service and customized solutions aligned with your company’s goals.
2. Quality Talent
Another important aspect is the provider’s seriousness and commitment to offering, and this is not optional, only qualified high-quality talent.
- With technical training in specific skills
- Good adaptability to work in remote teams
- Experience in the sector in which your company operates
- Fully bilingual for smooth communication, and
- Constantly improving skills.
A remote virtual assistant with these characteristics will demonstrate a high level of professionalism, commitment, and ability to adapt to your business’s changing needs.
3. Cost-Effectiveness and Efficiency
In addition to experience and talent quality, cost-effectiveness and efficiency are crucial aspects to consider when selecting a virtual assistant service provider.
It is important that the solution offered be cost-effective and fit your company’s budget, without compromising the quality of the service provided.
A provider offering cost-effective solutions will allow you to maximize the value of your investment and optimize your resources, ensuring a positive return on your investment.
At the same time, cost efficiency will ensure that you get the maximum benefit from the services provided, allowing you to achieve your business goals more effectively and economically.
On the other hand, a flexible pricing structure with customizable service packages tailored to business needs is what you need when hiring a remote virtual assistant.
And the reason for this is that the tasks that a VA can perform are incredibly diverse, so structured and inflexible packages are not an option for you.
Prioritize those providers that, based on the profile you need and the type of workday, build a customized solution for you.
Remote virtual assistant service from Colombia
Hiring remote virtual assistants from Colombia can offer you a series of unique and compelling advantages. Among them:
- Access to a diverse group of highly skilled professionals with English proficiency and relevant industry experience.
- Cost-effective solutions that allow companies to leverage top-tier talent at competitive prices.
- Cultural alignment and time zone compatibility with North American companies, facilitating smooth communication and collaboration.
- The opportunity to enrich your team with the richness of Colombian work culture, which is committed, proactive, dynamic, and resilient.
With a reliable provider like Shark Helpers, you will also have agile hiring processes (all-inclusive) and talent management focused on results.
Read our success story “Scaling teams for ecommerce agencies, a showcase of Marknology.”
Our staffing experience has been focused for years on providing qualified bilingual virtual assistants to companies located in Canada and the United States.
Speak with our staffing experts to hire remote virtual assistant services.
Related Readings
How To Hire A Bilingual Virtual Assistant In Latin America
How To Recruit An Ecommerce Virtual Assistant
The Transformative Role Of Virtual Assistants In Modern Business
How Is Being A Virtual Assistant In A Huge Company, My Experience In USA Supply Source
