Looking to expand your business operations without the burden of hiring full-time employees? Consider hiring a US-based virtual assistant.
Advantages Of Choosing US-Based Virtual Assistants Over Full-Time Employees
Of course, you’ll require additional help to manage your expanding company. It’s perfectly normal to be hesitant to begin the lengthy process of recruiting and hiring a new employee. You may be turned off by considering all the formalities of being a good employer. It can all be very intimidating.
You have another option: hire a virtual assistant. Or, for maximum benefit, hire a virtual assistant based in the United States. Of course, having knowledgeable virtual assistants familiar with your mindset, native tongue, and culture is the ideal solution. i.e., a virtual assistant based in the US.
But first, let’s look more closely at virtual assistants and how they can benefit US-based businesses before we examine why US-based virtual assistants are a good option for newly established businesses.
Who are Virtual Assistants?
Virtual assistants work remotelyfor individuals or businesses, typically via online communication channels such as email, chat, video conferencing, or phone. Virtual assistants are also known as remote assistants or online assistants.
An online personal assistant can help clients with administrative tasks, customer service, social media management, bookkeeping, research, data entry, and other duties. They can work as independent contractors or employees of a virtual assistant service provider, and they can be located anywhere in the world.
The primary reasons why businesses choose to hire full-time employees
- It’s how you’ve always done it.
- Executives believe they have more control over a direct employee who works on-site for the business.
- There is prejudice against outsourcing anything to foreign countries and the idea that native English speakers in the United States will perform better.
- You require in-person services like in-person shopping, deliveries, and filing paper documents.
- A full-time employee would have more than enough work for you.
- You desire complete authority over an assistant’s work.
- Your network cannot be accessed remotely by employees due to IT limitations.
The main differences: Virtual Assistants V/S Full-time Employees
Cost
Cost is among the most important factors when deciding between a virtual assistant and a full-time employee. However, hiring a virtual assistant is more affordable than hiring a full-time employee in terms of overall costs. This is because virtual assistants are only paid for their hours or the agreed-upon fixed rate.
Today, many business owners pay their virtual assistant’s Internet costs, 13th-month pay, medical leave, and vacation bonuses. The expense of hiring a full-time employee still outweighs these. They incur additional costs on top of their salary, such as
- Health Insurance
- Office costs
- Equipment and supplies
- Medical and dental services
- Taxes
- Employee Compensation
- Overtime compensation
- Pay for holidays
- Payroll expenses
- Paid vacation time
- Paid sick days
When considering hiring, we must also consider replacing. Did you know businesses can lose up to 33 percent of an employee’s annual salary due to turnover?
Therefore, if the average annual salary is $50,000, replacing them will cost the company an additional $20,000 per employee. This estimate considers signing bonuses, recruiter or advertising fees, training and onboarding expenses, and costs associated with the interview and the following day.
Location
Location is another significant distinction. Virtual assistants work remotely, so location is irrelevant when finding one. You can find one almost anywhere in the world. In contrast, a full-time employee typically works at your office and completes tasks face-to-face.
Shift hours of a virtual assistant may vary from those of a full-time employee for the same reason. Depending on their location, some employers prefer that their virtual assistants work standard business hours, while others give their VAs more flexible schedules.
Diverse skills
While every company needs workers with a variety of skill sets, it is not always feasible to pay for hiring personnel who meet all the necessary qualifications. Bringing in a great virtual assistant on a part-time basis solves this problem. Data entry, scheduling client meetings, and bookkeeping are among the administrative tasks that regular virtual assistants perform, and multi-skilled virtual assistants can do much more.
Hiring a highly skilled virtual assistant to handle social media marketing, blog content writing, video and photo editing, promotional work, and technical support is often found to be cost-effective by many businesses.
Flexibility
There is a chance that VAs will work the odd weekend or holiday. On the other hand, a full-time employee usually works from 9-5. Some companies, for example, require employees to work longer than the standard 8-hour shift. In business, flexibility is always advantageous. Therefore, it is highly advantageous to hire virtual assistants part-time, for extended short-term periods, or for a longer fixed timescale for the duration of a project.
The busiest times of the year illustrate when you should hire a virtual assistant to help you with the increased workload. Hiring a virtual assistant can also help cover absences due to illness or annual leave.
Advantages of choosing a Virtual Assistant USA for your business
There are numerous benefits associated with virtual assistant USA, including the following:
- Knowledge of American Culture: Virtual assistants based in the US are conversant in American culture and are aware of the subtleties of American business practices. The market representation of your company can be improved as a result.
- Language Abilities: Virtual assistants in the US are fluent in English, which can be a big plus when dealing with American customers or clients. They speak and write English well and have incredible telephone and written communication skills.
- Same Time Zone: Virtual assistants based in the US are situated in the same time zone as your company, which can help guarantee they are accessible during your business hours. This can be crucial when working together or speaking with your virtual assistant in real-time.
- Highly Skilled Workforce: Virtual assistants based in the US are part of the highly skilled workforce in the US. They are typically highly educated and experienced in their respective fields, which can help you get the support you need for your business.
- Savings: Because you only pay for the services you use, hiring us based virtual assistant may be more affordable than hiring a full-time employee. You don’t have to provide benefits, office space, or equipment, which can save your business significant money.
- Flexibility: Virtual assistants in the US provide greater flexibility in scheduling and working hours. You can hire them for particular tasks or projects without committing to a lengthy employment contract, and they can work from anywhere.
- Accessibility: Virtual assistants based in the United States are easily accessible, and you can communicate with them in real-time via email, phone, video conferencing, instant messaging, and even in person. This can help you stay in touch with your virtual assistant and keep your projects on track.
- Professionalism: Virtual assistants in the United States are typically very professional in their approach, and they understand the importance of maintaining high professionalism when representing your company. They are dependable, punctual, and efficient, which can assist you in developing a positive reputation among your customers.
- Technology: Virtual assistants in the United States are typically tech-savvy and knowledgeable about the latest technologies and software. Working with virtual assistants on technology-related projects such as website development, social media management, or online marketing can benefit from this.
- Scalability: US-based virtual assistants can help your business scale, which is advantageous during expansion or growth. You can hire more virtual assistants as needed without worrying about the extra costs and responsibilities of hiring full-time employees.
Which is better: a full-time employee or a US-based VA?
The best way to decide whether to hire a virtual assistant usa or a virtual assistant is to determine what specific services you require. Then, you can choose the best option for you by considering your financial situation, objectives, and whether you require company in the office.
A virtual assistant will be the most effective solution most of the time. This is due to the inherent risk involved for the employer when hiring a full-time employee. If the employee doesn’t work out for whatever reason, you are taking on the employee’s salary, benefits, management, and quality control. You also lose the investment and have to start over.
On the other hand, the service provider bears most of the risk associated with a virtual assistant service. Virtual assistant services providers like Wishup handle everything for you– from hiring, vetting, management, and training. If the assistant is ineffective, you can request an instant replacement. Additionally, you have the option to terminate the service at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to US-Based Virtual Assistants
What is the advantage of virtual assistants to the company?
Virtual assistants offer cost savings, increased efficiency, scalability, and 24/7 availability. In addition, they can handle repetitive tasks, provide customer service, and work from anywhere, making them valuable assets to any company.
Is a virtual assistant better than a full-time employee?
Whether a virtual assistant is better than a full-time employee depends on the company’s specific needs. Virtual assistants are often more cost-effective, flexible, and scalable, making them ideal for businesses that require occasional or part-time assistance. However, a full-time employee may be a better fit for tasks requiring deep domain knowledge, creativity, or collaboration. Ultimately, it’s up to the company to determine what support they need and which option will best meet their needs.