Once you’ve decided that you need a Virtual Assistant, there are many reasons you might want to hire a local Virtual Assistant as opposed to a cheaper overseas Virtual Assistant. Of course, I’d prefer you hire me, but as that’s not always possible, it’s best that you know your options and you understand the reasons for hiring one versus the other. Because if you hire a $4 per hour Virtual Assistant just because they’re cheaper you may find it turns out to be an incredibly expensive experience. On the other hand, you may have the right sort of job where hiring solely on price is not likely to cause a problem.
Here are some of the main reasons to hire locally.
A local Virtual Assistant:
- A local Virtual Assistant has local knowledge. Particularly when doing work where a knowledge of the region is an advantage. When appointment setting, a local Virtual Assistant will have a better knowledge of peak hours and the actual time taken between two places; when creating a database a Virtual Assistant with local knowledge will not have to double check as many place names, postcodes and locations; a local Virtual Assistant will be better set to understand local idiosyncrasies in speech, phrasing and cultural preferences.
- A local Virtual Assistant will be working for word of mouth referrals. A Virtual Assistant sourcing their work from the local community will be finding word of mouth is their most invaluable marketing tool. So they’ll want to do the best job at the best possible price because even one dissatisfied local customer could have a hugely detrimental effect on their ability to attract and retain clients.
- A local Virtual Assistant is probably working for a smaller client base, and often within a particular niche. This gives them not only a more friendly and personalised service, but also a more in depth knowledge of issues specific to your niche.
- A local Virtual Assistant is probably working for themselves. They may subcontract out work that’s not in their area of expertise, but they will generally be the ones who are responsible for their own work. Whereas a Virtual Assistant agency is generally more team based and your contact will probably assign your jobs for a team member to perform.
- A local Virtual Assistant is in your time zone. So you can have a reasonable expectation of that you should be able to contact your Virtual Assistant during your business hours.
- A local Virtual Assistant will be operating within local laws and guidelines. So they should be on top of their responsibilities with regard to taxation laws, WHS and the like as well as be aware of local laws and regulations. An overseas agency will be working to the laws of their country, so you will have to make sure that everything is in accordance with local laws.
If none of these things are a concern, and the work you doesn’t require any extraordinary skills or training to do, then by all means look at hiring based solely on price. Just be aware that you need to make your decisions based on a multitude of factors, not just price.
