Virtual Assistant or Freelancer: What’s The Difference?

Virtual Assistant or Freelancer: What’s The Difference?

As someone who has been in the business of managing virtual assistants and freelancers for several years, I know firsthand how daunting it can be to find the right person for the job. 

It wasn’t until I had my own experience with a virtual assistant that I truly appreciated the value they can bring to a business.

I struggled to keep up with the administrative tasks bogging me down and taking me away from the more important aspects of running my business. That’s when I decided to take the plunge and hire a virtual assistant.

Between a Virtual assistant vs freelancer article what's the difference?

Entrepreneurs Are Now True Believers in Virtual Assistants

So many entrepreneurs have become firm believers in the power of virtual assistants to help businesses run more efficiently and effectively. And that’s why I’m here to share my expertise and help you understand the key differences between the two. 

Whether you’re a small business owner looking for extra help or curious about the world of virtual assistants and freelancers, read on – I’m confident you’ll find this blog post helpful.

What's the difference between a Virtual assistant vs freelancer article

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant (VA) is a remote worker who can fulfill the tasks of any role that can be done behind a computer, making them a valuable asset for small businesses. Virtual assistants are a perfect fit for nearly any type of business, as they can do the same quality work as any in-person employee can, just remotely.

Virtual Assistant companies will find the perfect person for any role you need to be filled, from data entry and customer service to accounting, bookkeeping, administrative and executive assistant positions, marketing, graphic design, and everything in between.

Virtual Assistants have run entire companies and organized major conferences and events remotely, so anything is possible for your small business needs!

The Advantages of Hiring a Full-Time Virtual Assistant:

  • They are invested in your company’s success
  • They can be held accountable just like any other member of your team
  • They can be trained, mentored, and elevated to essential roles within your company
  • They are loyal to your business because they have a stake in its success
  • They become an integral part of your team-building for future growth
Virtual assistant vs freelancer article blog

What is a Freelancer?

A freelancer is also an independent contractor who offers specialized skills to businesses, but they work differently than a virtual assistant.

Freelancers work on their own and offer their services directly to clients. They can work on a variety of projects but they are not full-time members of your team like a remote professional is, and they provide specialized skills like web design, content writing, or graphic design.

When hiring a freelancer, business owners can expect to work with someone with specific expertise in a particular area. Freelancers tend to compete against each other for the lowest price, but cheaper isn’t always better (in fact, it rarely is).

The Risks of Hiring a Freelancer:

  • They are not invested in your company’s mission, vision, and growth
  • It is harder to hold freelancers accountable since they can exit at any time
  • Freelancers have many other clients, which means your business is not their main priority
  • With multiple clients, freelances are dividing up their talents, and quality can suffer
  • Freelancers can leave you high and dry at any time, which is a risky investment for any business
Virtual assistant vs freelancer article

Virtual Assistant vs Freelancer

The main difference between virtual assistants and freelancers is the type of services they offer and the way they work.

Virtual assistants are typically full or part-time employees who work for, and report directly to, you and your business. They are not tied to any other clients or companies like freelancers are. Remote professionals are just like any in-person employee, the only difference being they work remotely.

Freelancers often work independently and usually offer only one kind of service, like web design or writing. They can work on many different projects at once and work for many different clients which means they are dividing up their time, talents, and quality of work.

When deciding whether to hire a virtual assistant or a freelancer, it’s essential to think about the type of work that needs to be done.

The best way to sum it up is this: Virtual Assistants are invested in your company’s long-term growth and success just like any other member of your team. Freelancers are invested in their own success since they are their own company separate from yours.

Virtual Assistant or Freelancer?

Both virtual assistants and freelancers have different roles and responsibilities that can help your business grow; however, a full-time virtual assistant will offer far more consistent benefits for your company.

With a virtual assistant, you have someone full-time who you can train, mentor, and integrate into your current team. Accountability is another major benefit for Virtual Assistants because you can hold a full-time remote worker responsible for your company’s standards and requirements. A freelancer cannot be held as accountable as a full-time virtual assistant.

Freelancers will also not be as invested in your company’s mission, vision, and long-term success. Virtual Assistants are just like anyone else on your in-person team, except they work remotely. As a part of your team, they will have a stake in your company just like the rest of your team.

Business owners should carefully consider their needs before deciding whether to hire a virtual assistant or a freelancer. It’s important to research options and pick the right one for the business.

Between a Virtual assistant vs freelancer article what's the difference?

Let us Help You Build The Perfect Remote Team!

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A Virtual Executive Assistant Can Change Your Life!

A Virtual Executive Assistant Can Change Your Life!

A virtual executive assistant or virtual administrative assistant can be a game-changer for any business person, but it is essential to design the role for success. If not done correctly, these virtual assistant positions can add more stress to already strained professionals.

Executives often become overwhelmed when taking on operational tasks such as accounting or customer service. To reduce their stress levels, it’s best to create a role that efficiently focuses on these tasks. This can help the executive to feel more in control and make work easier to manage, and virtual assistants are the way to do it.

What does a virtual executive assistant do?

Hiring A Virtual Executive Assistant

When hiring a virtual assistant, it’s important to think beyond the immediate crisis and design a role that will be successful in the long term. Otherwise, the business professional may find themselves caught up on tasks after a matter of weeks and then struggling with what else to give their virtual administrative assistant.

A virtual executive assistant should help alleviate stress, not add to it – especially while the executive is trying to relax while on vacation. Designing the right role can avoid these issues and make life easier, happier, and less stressful.

A Virtual Assistant Role That Works For the Busy Executive

Making this role work really is in the initial design. As consultants, we often find that overwhelmed executives are taking on operational tasks they shouldn’t be doing, such as accounting or customer service. Designing a role that focuses on these operational tasks in an effective way can help relieve the executive’s stress levels significantly.

Virtual Executive Assistant

What Tasks Can A Virtual Executive Assistant Do For Your Business?

A virtual executive assistant or remote professional can provide invaluable assistance when it comes to operational tasks that need to be completed directly by the executive. These tasks are of a sensitive nature and can range from overseeing customer service efforts to managing vendor relations. By delegating these responsibilities, executives can ensure that their job is completed efficiently and with minimal stress.

Remote Professionals Can Do Quality Control

When problems arise, a virtual assistant or remote professional can be invaluable. They can research the issue to determine the cause, no matter if it’s due to processes and procedures or a lack of training. After figuring out the root cause, they then help solve the issue – whether that means rewriting unclear procedures or reviewing task documents with those executing them.

If any flaws are noticed in the entire process or workflow, leadership teams must be consulted to determine the next steps. Quality control is an ideal role for a virtual assistant or remote professional when not occupied with executive assistant duties.

Audit Your Sales Team

Having a remote professional on board to support sales teams can help make sure sales people are following guidelines and following up with prospects.. They can ensure processes and protocols are followed, as well as take notes that help operations stay informed of the business coming in. This helps create a better relationship between sales and operations, reducing potential conflicts and crises that may arise from miscommunication.

A remote professional can make sure the sales pipeline is properly audited and all necessary rules for follow-up are enforced. Utilizing reporting tools will provide visibility to both operations and sales teams, resulting in better harmony between them and avoiding blindsiding operations  with unexpected business.

Audit Your Processes and Procedures

As businesses grow, virtual assistants and remote professionals can be a huge help in keeping operations organized, up-to-date, and running smoothly. The audit and management necessary for these tasks make them ideal for an executive assistant’s workload – especially when personal tasks are scarce or their workload is light.

By engaging virtual assistants and remote professionals, leaders can trust that the operations will remain clean, documented, and consistently compliant with all software changes.

Do A Full Financial Audit

Leaders who want to increase their profits this year might find it hard to find the time to research and answer important questions. Here is an example, “Are salespeople taking an extra day in Nashville and charging the company?” or “Is the SEO vendor really doing what they say they are doing?”. Taking a closer look at these issues can help to identify potential cost savings.

A virtual executive assistant can be used as your eyes and ears in the company to ask questions, get answers, and provide valuable insights. They can help you assess whether activities such as marketing campaigns, sales commissions, and HR departments are actually making a difference in your bottom line.

Virtual Executive Assistants Can Do Research

Staying ahead of your competition can be difficult without the assistance of a remote professional. They can help you investigate new technologies, research CTOs from “XYZ Company” on LinkedIn,  and review feedback for coaching programs online.

As busy executives, we often lack the time to do the necessary research and background digging that can lead to better decisions. That’s where remote professionals and executive assistants come in. Your remote professional can research potential software, coaches, team members, private equity companies, and clients – giving you all the data you need to make an informed decision. With their assistance, you can be confident that you are making the right choices for your organization.

Project Management And Follow Up

Having a remote professional or executive assistant can take your organization’s progress to the next level. Track project development, spot obstructions, and organize meetings to quickly address problems. Virtual Assistants can monitor and oversee vital projects to ensure they are completed on schedule and within budget. This facilitates efficient operations and maximizes outcomes.

High-Level Reporting

As entrepreneurs and business owners, we often have to generate reports for investors, silent partners, and other stakeholders. Rather than spending the effort to gather the data by yourself, let your virtual assistant do the job of obtaining the pertinent data and creating a thorough report.

Initially, collaborating with your virtual executive assistant can help determine necessary information, procedures for locating it, and formatting it in an engaging way that resonates with the target audience. Once these specifications are outlined, your executive assistant can then produce detailed reports on a regular basis according to your instructions.

Manage Your Engagements, Events, Podcasts, And More!

Utilizing a remote professional as your executive assistant can be one of the best investments for your business and personal brand. Have them apply for awards that recognize your accomplishments and progress. 

They can also reach out to podcasts and request you as a guest, increasing your online visibility and the potential for new clients. Furthermore, they can propose speaking engagements at events and conferences, allowing you to showcase your expertise in a more engaging format.

What tasks can an executive assistant perform for your personal life? 

A virtual executive assistant can manage a variety of tasks in your personal life, including organizing appointments, making travel arrangements, managing expenses and more. Virtual executive assistants make sure you never miss a special occasion for your family or clients.

Virtual Assistants can take the hassle out of shopping by sending gifts on your behalf. Furthermore, they can help you create processes for gifting to ensure that your clients always feel appreciated on holidays, anniversaries, and other important days.

11 Personal Tasks Your Remote Professional Can Help You With:

  • Kids’ sports calendars and school calendars
  • Make sure all their important events get on your calendar so you never miss another holiday show
  • Book vacations and travel
  • Pay your kids’ school fees for lunch and sports uniforms
  • Buy your kid’s school supplies and books online for you
  • Book your travel and hotel and make sure you get all the points
  • Book orthodontist appointments, cosmetic appointments, and doctors appointments for the whole family
  • Book home maintenance appointments or schedule your oil change
  • Book your kids’ teacher conferences
  • Book all the family’s after-school activities and fill out all the forms
  • Book your kids for summer camps and fill out all the forms

My executive assistant Jorge is essential to my success as a working mom. He handles all of the form-related tasks, ensuring I never miss high school admittance test deadlines or my kids’ sports and music competitions. My virtual executive assistant helps keep our family organized, on time, and at the right places for their activities and I don’t know what I’d do without him!

Get The Most Out Of Your Virtual Executive Assistant

As an overworked professional, hiring a virtual executive assistant can be a real lifesaver. It’s important to take the time to carefully consider what their role should entail. Think about how you can structure the role in a way that streamlines your operations, while also freeing up your time and reducing your stress levels. With the right system in place, a virtual assistant can make all the difference!

ICYMI: The Future is With Virtual Assistants

At Anequim, we’ve seen first-hand how the rise of virtual assistants, remote professionals, and executive assistants has been a game changer for modern businesses. With the introduction of virtual assistant technology and remote executive assistant services, companies are now better equipped to manage their operations with ease. Let Anequim help you scale your business faster than you ever thought possible!

Reduce Your Staffing Costs

Virtual assistants can be employed at a fraction of the cost of traditional employees while providing the same level of expertise and efficiency. Remote assistants offer the same benefits as regular office-based employees but come without the need for physical space or extra personnel. 

More Productivity and Flexibility

Companies benefit from having more flexibility in terms of scheduling remote professionals to fit their needs. Virtual executive assistants provide experienced support at all stages from onboarding clients through ongoing customer services tasks such as appointment setting and data entry. 

The Demand is Increasing For Good Reasons

As businesses recognize the value virtual assistants bring, there is an increasing demand for these services, making them an essential part of any modern enterprise. For those looking for additional help with their business, hiring a remote professional is how you do it, without having to invest in physical infrastructure or additional staff costs.

Schedule your strategy call with Anequim to find a virtual assistant that is the perfect fit for your business. 

Listen to The Bootstrappers Podcast with Gwenn & Jeremy Aspen for more tips, tricks, and techniques to enhance your business and accelerate growth with remote professionals!