As entrepreneurs, small business owners, and CEOs, there’s a common struggle that unites us all:

Time.

With so many responsibilities competing for your attention, chances are you're constantly stretched between doing what needs to be done and dreaming about what could be done if you had more time.

But with recent data showing that the average business owner needs an additional four hours every single working day just to complete their admin, where will this extra time ever be found when your day is already stretched to its limits?

This is where a virtual assistant (VA) comes in.

In this article, we’re exploring why investing in a virtual assistant is one of the smartest moves you can make for your business. From cost savings to increased productivity, find out how a VA could be the missing piece that helps streamline operations and boost your bottom line.

What is a virtual assistant?

A virtual assistant is a professional who provides remote support to business owners, entrepreneurs, and teams by taking on repetitive, routine tasks that would otherwise consume valuable time out of their day.

From administrative duties like managing emails, scheduling appointments, and organizing files, to more specialized tasks in marketing, research, or customer service, there’s a virtual assistant out there ready to help lighten the load and make life easier.

What are the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant?

The advantages of working with a virtual assistant go far beyond checking items off your to-do list. Let’s take a closer look at why hiring a VA can be a real game-changer for your productivity, budget, and even your well-being:

Increased productivity

Just imagine how different your day would look if you didn’t have to worry about routine tasks like checking emails, scheduling meetings, or following up on invoices, for example.

Well, here’s a clue: Research shows that delegation can improve productivity by up to 20%. If you’re used to an eight-hour workday, that’s the equivalent of almost two hours of work each day, or a full working day each week!

But it’s not just about having more time; it’s about making smarter use of that time. According to Gallup, entrepreneurs who are strong delegators generate around 33% higher revenue than those who try to do everything themselves.

With an experienced virtual assistant handling your administrative tasks, you’re not only setting yourself up to be more focused and productive but also paving the way to increased profitability. You’ll be able to concentrate on what you do best, while your VA helps to make sure that the wheels of your business keep turning smoothly behind the scenes.

Cost-effectiveness

Hiring a new employee is a big step—one that often comes with a hefty price tag! It’s not just their salary you need to make room for in your budget, it’s their benefits, office space, equipment, and often, onboarding and training. All these expenses can add up fast, especially for small businesses and startups that need to watch every dollar.

This is where virtual assistants can make a huge difference. Since VAs are independent contractors, they usually work on a project-by-project or hourly basis, so you get the professional support you need without the financial strain of a full-time hire.

Let’s take a closer look at the numbers. Hiring a full-time administrative assistant could easily run you about $45,000 per year, plus an additional 20-30% for benefits like health insurance, retirement, and paid leave. And that’s before factoring in the costs of providing workspace, a computer, and other essentials.

Compare that to a virtual assistant, who typically charges between $15-$50 an hour, depending on their experience and skills. Unlike full-time employees who require a fixed schedule and hours, VAs only clock in when they’re working specifically on tasks you assign them. If you only need 10 hours of support each month, for example, your monthly cost could be as low as $380—a fraction of the cost of a full-time employee.

Of course, bringing on a virtual assistant now doesn’t mean you can’t build a full-time, in-house team later. In fact, a VA can be the perfect way to fill in the gaps and get your operations running smoothly, so when the time is right, you’ll be ready to expand with confidence.

Greater flexibility and scalability

One of the best things about hiring a virtual assistant through a fully managed service is the incredible flexibility they offer. With a VA, you’re always in control. You decide when and how much support you need.

This kind of scalability is invaluable for businesses that experience seasonal highs and lows. Got a big product launch coming up or hitting a busy season? No problem—you can easily scale up your support hours to handle the extra workload. When things slow down a bit, you can just as easily dial it back so that you’re only ever paying for the help you truly need.

You might start by hiring a virtual assistant for a specific task, like scheduling or email management. But as your workload grows and you find yourself needing to delegate more tasks—like managing expenses and invoicing—you can easily add more assistants to your team without any extra costs.

In larger companies, an employee taking time off is no big deal. Other team members can step in, keeping everything running smoothly until they return. But for smaller businesses or startups, it’s not always that simple. Even a few days without support can cause disruption.

With a virtual assistant from a fully-managed service, though, you won’t have to worry about coverage again. A dedicated account manager will make sure your tasks are always taken care of. If your virtual assistant takes a vacation, another qualified assistant will be brought in to keep things on track.

Wider access to talent

Hiring a virtual assistant doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality and skills. In fact, many virtual assistants come with impressive career backgrounds. They’ve transitioned from traditional roles to embrace a more flexible work life, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and skills.

And better still, because virtual assistants work remotely, you’re no longer limited to finding someone in your local area to fill the role. Instead, you gain access to a vast talent pool of experienced professionals.

So whether you’re looking for someone with particular software expertise, industry experience, or skill sets, you’re bound to find someone who truly fits your needs, not just someone who happens to be nearby.

Better work-life balance

For many business owners, work never really stops. There’s always another email to answer, another invoice to send, or another document to review. The list of tasks feels endless, keeping your mind in business mode long after office hours are over.

But with a trusted assistant managing the day-to-day behind the scenes, you can finally enjoy a real work-life balance, without the nagging worry that something important might slip through the cracks. Suddenly, your time is yours again, opening up space for what truly matters—whether that’s pursuing your hobbies and interests, making memories with your family and friends, or simply getting some much-needed rest.

It’s no secret that a healthy balance between work and personal life directly benefits our mental well-being, satisfaction, and even productivity. So when you prioritize your well-being, you’re not only doing yourself a favor, you’re also doing what’s best for your business. A refreshed, clear mind brings renewed energy and focus, making it easier to tackle high-priority tasks and make those impactful decisions that drive success.

It’s a win-win—for your work, your well-being, and, most importantly, for your life.

How to choose the right virtual assistant for your business

Finding the right virtual assistant starts with a clear understanding of your needs. This clarity will make your search smoother and boost your chances of hiring the best person for the job. Setting up a strong foundation will not only streamline the hiring process but also lay the groundwork for a successful working relationship.

1. Identify your first task

Start by choosing a task that’s taking too much time, draining your energy, or simply not your favorite thing to do. Ideally, it should be something that comes up daily or frequently. Maybe it’s managing emails, scheduling appointments, or even handling tech tasks like website updates or database management.

While you may have a long laundry list of tasks to delegate, focus on one to start. You can always offload more later!

2. Create a job description

With your first task in mind, it’s time to dig a little deeper.

What skills or expertise does this task require? For example, will your virtual assistant need experience with specific software or tools?

Consider practical details, too, such as the hours of support you’ll need, your preferred time zones, and any other requirements. A clear job description will attract candidates who match your expectations, making the hiring process a lot smoother.

3. Set your budget

It’s important to bear in mind that virtual assistants come at varying levels of expertise and price points. If you’re considering hiring a VA, chances are cost savings play a big part of the appeal. However, like any business investment, it’s crucial to balance cost-effectiveness with quality.

Spend some time researching the average market rates for VA services, so you have a clear idea of what you might expect to pay for the skills and support level you need.

4. Choose a hiring platform

In today’s digital world, you’ve got plenty of choices when it comes to finding a professional virtual assistant. But with so many options out there, it’s really important to understand what each one brings to the table so you can find the perfect fit for your business. Take your time to explore all the possibilities and see what resonates with you before making any decisions.

What’s the bottom line?

Bringing a virtual assistant into your business isn’t just about ticking off tasks. It’s about reclaiming your time, reducing stress, and setting yourself up for success. Virtual assistants offer a unique blend of productivity, cost savings, flexibility, and expertise that can be transformative for businesses of any size.

So, if you’re ready to feel less stressed, more organized, and fully supported, Time etc is here for you.

Our mission is to help business owners feel less stressed and more in control by matching them with the best virtual assistants to tackle all the time-consuming back-office tasks that stand in the way of their goals.

We're proud to be rated:

• Best Virtual Assistant Service 2024 — Investopedia
• Best Virtual Assistant Service 2024 — U.S. News and World Report
• Best Virtual Assistant Services For Entrepreneurs 2024 — Forbes Advisor

So, ready to give it a shot?

Answer a few simple questions, and our task wizard will provide you with personalized task recommendations tailored to your needs and business. As a bonus, you'll get $150 off your first month of virtual assistant support with Time etc!

Then, speak to our expert team, and we’ll take care of the rest.

We understand how valuable your time and resources are, so by working with us, you’ll save between three to six weeks of searching for the perfect assistant and up to 90% of the costs compared to hiring in-house!

We’re ready to set you up with a qualified and capable individual based on the skills and experience you need, so get in touch today.