How Virtual Assistants Differ From Regular Employees

You may have heard the term "virtual assistant" before, but you may not be entirely sure what a virtual assistant actually is. A virtual assistant is a contractor who provides administrative, creative, or technical support to clients remotely. In other words, they're not physically present in an office; they usually work from home or another location outside of the client's office. 

While virtual assistants are similar to regular employees in some ways, there are also some key ways in which they differ. Keep reading to learn more about how virtual assistants are different from regular employees.

1. They're usually independent contractors, not employees.

This means that they're self-employed and usually work with multiple clients rather than just one. They're also usually paid by the project rather than by the hour. 

2. They work remotely.

As mentioned above, virtual assistants usually don't work in the same physical space as their clients. This can be a great arrangement for both parties since it allows for a lot of flexibility and can often save on costs (e.g., no need to rent an office space). 

3. They have a wide range of skills.

Virtual assistants are often generalists who have a wide range of skills, as opposed to specialists who only have expertise in one or two areas. This makes them versatile and able to handle a variety of tasks for their clients. 

4. They're usually used for short-term projects or tasks.

Since virtual assistants are often independent contractors who work with multiple clients, they're usually only brought on for specific projects or tasks as opposed to being hired as a full-time employee would be. 

5. They usually cost less than hiring an employee would.

Hiring a VA is typically much less expensive than hiring a regular employee. This is because you're only paying for the hours they work, and you don't have to cover things like health insurance or other benefits.

There you have it! These are just some of the ways in which virtual assistants are different from regular employees. If you're thinking of hiring a virtual assistant for your small business, keep these things in mind so that you know what to expect and can find the right fit for your needs.