When things get busy, it’s easy to put off critical tasks, such as marketing. After all, you can often hear from your customers or find a way to fix the issue on their own. But that doesn’t make it any less critical, especially if you want to grow your business. Outsourced Virtual Assistants can help you tackle those marketing tasks and get your business back on track. In this article, we’ll discuss the best virtual assistant agencies that can connect you with the right specialized talent for your needs.
Outsourcing your marketing tasks to a virtual marketing assistants can significantly reduce your stress and help you get things back on track in no time.
Table of Content
What to Look for in a Virtual Assistant Agency
Prioritizing the Well-Being of Virtual Assistants
When searching for the best virtual assistant agency, it’s crucial to evaluate how much they prioritize the mental and physical well-being of their virtual assistants. A VA agency that prioritizes employee health will have a happier and more productive workforce.
Here’s what to look for.
Workplace Culture
Inquire about the agency’s workplace culture. Does it promote a balanced lifestyle with tips for both staying connected and disconnecting from work? It’s easy to get caught up in work, making it difficult to take breaks. Agencies that promote a healthy work-life balance can help VAs stay refreshed and motivated.
Breaks
Check whether the agency encourages regular breaks. Does it set reminders for its VAs to drink water, eat healthy snacks, stretch, meditate, or take a walk? These activities can boost mental clarity and reduce burnout.
How the Best Virtual Assistant Agencies Support Employee Well-being and Mental Health
To learn more about the agency’s workplace culture and its commitment to employee well-being, ask what kind of procedures or expectations its management team has for encouraging a positive workplace culture.
This can indicate whether they are promoting mental health and physical breaks and whether workers feel safe communicating their stress levels.
Choose a Mission-Oriented Virtual Assistant Agency
Instead of simply focusing on tasks or projects, an agency that adopts a mission-oriented approach can be a game-changer for your business.
Here’s why.
Long-Term Perspective
Such agencies work with the end goal in mind, aligning their efforts with each client’s success. This approach ensures that VAs feel like they are part of a bigger picture, which can reduce turnover rates and foster mutual respect.
Client Success
By understanding and working toward clients’ broader objectives, these agencies can contribute more meaningfully to their clients’ success. This holistic view benefits both clients and VAs, leading to a more sustainable working relationship.
How to Gauge a VA's Strategic Thinking and Long-Term Commitment
Ask VA agencies and prospective VAs how they believe a particular task or project would affect your company’s mission. This will help you understand whether they think critically about projects and how their execution may affect success or failure.
To find out more about a prospective VA, you can ask these questions: “How long have you worked for the agency?” This provides insight into their commitment levels.
To understand their credibility and training: “Where have you worked previously?”
To judge their critical thinking: “How might you have improved something about a previous client’s project?”
Ethics Matter: Choose a Virtual Assistant Agency That Operates Ethically
Ethical practices are a crucial factor that can affect VAs’ morale and performance. Ensure the agency you choose adheres to ethical practices by considering the following.
Fair Pay
Confirm that the agency pays its staff ethically and fairly. VAs should be compensated for their skills and expertise.
To determine if a VA agency may have questionable compensation practices, first consider how much you are paying the agency. If it sounds low, that could be an initial indicator. You can also ask the agency, “What is the average number of clients each VA has, or how many hours do they undertake per week?” This could indicate whether the VA is overworked.
Do the VAs have an account manager? This indicates whether the agency prioritizes quality control or profits, as an account manager is paid more than a VA team member.
Motivation and Retention
Fair compensation not only motivates VAs but also helps in retaining top talent. When VAs feel valued and adequately rewarded for their work, they are more likely to stay committed and perform at their best.
Management and Accountability Structure
Effective management and accountability are key to a successful VA partnership. Here’s what to consider.
Accountability
Many businesses struggle with managing VAs due to a lack of proper oversight. An agency with a robust management structure can alleviate this burden. Look for agencies that have account managers responsible for tracking performance, engaging with VAs, and ensuring accountability.
Efficiency
A well-structured management system ensures that VAs are consistently meeting expectations and deadlines. This not only saves you time but also ensures the delivery of high-quality work.
Support
Having an account manager as a point of contact provides an additional layer of support for both you and the VA, facilitating smooth communication and resolving issues promptly.
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• Who Needs a Virtual Assistant
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• Benefits of Outsourcing to a Virtual Assistant
• How to Use a Virtual Assistant
Top 22 Virtual Assistant Agencies for Specialized Talent
1. Founders Arm: Fast Hiring for Startups
Startups move fast, and hiring needs to keep up. Founders Arm makes this possible by providing you with instant access to pre-vetted offshore talent, eliminating the complexity of traditional recruitment. Whether you need engineers to build, marketers to scale, or executive assistants to keep operations running smoothly, Founders Arm connects you with top-tier professionals who are ready to contribute from day one.
With placements costing up to 60% less than local hires and onboarding in under two weeks, it’s a streamlined solution for scaling smartly. There’s no payroll overhead or administrative burden; Founders Arm handles the logistics so you can focus on growth.
Case Studies: What Cal AI, Pam, and Turbolearn AI Gained from Founders Arm VAs
Clients like Cal AI have scaled influencer marketing to reach millions, Pam has expanded backend operations seamlessly during rapid growth, and Turbolearn AI has broadened its reach in education thanks to Founders Arm talent.
Want to see how it works? Start with a 2-week free trial, test out an offshore engineer or virtual marketing assistant completely free, and experience the impact first-hand.
2. 24/7 Virtual Assistants: Around-the-Clock Support
24/7 Virtual Assistants provides round-the-clock support for businesses that need reliable, always-available assistance. Their US-based team is trained in data entry, social media management, customer service, and other related skills.
Why choose 24/7 Virtual Assistants
No long-term contracts: Scale your support as needed, with the freedom to upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your subscription at any time.
Free consultation: Discuss your needs upfront to find the perfect VA.
Transparent pricing: Plans start at $499, with clear costs.
3. Belay: Personalized Virtual Assistant Services
Belay provides top-tier virtual assistant services for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Its US-based VAs specialize in:
Bookkeeping
Administrative support
Social media management
Website development
Executive assistance
US-based VAs can be expensive. Arc offers VAs from across the world, allowing you to find cost-effective talent that matches your time zone.
Why choose Belay
Highly vetted talent: Candidates go through multiple video interviews and skills assessments to ensure expertise and reliability.
Personalized matching: Belay carefully selects the right virtual assistant to fit your unique requirements.
Ongoing support: Regular check-ins help ensure that both you and your Belay professional have the necessary support for a successful partnership.
4. Boldly: Executive Assistants and High-Level Support
Boldly helps you find high-level virtual assistants who can handle executive support, marketing, social media, and project management. With vetted virtual assistants having 10-15 years of experience, you get premium support tailored to your business needs.
Why choose Boldly
Vetting process: Every virtual assistant goes through interviews and reference checks.
Specialized in executive assistants: Boldly provides highly experienced executive assistants tailored for leadership support.
They match, you choose: Meet your virtual assistant before deciding to work together, ensuring the perfect match of skills and style.
5. Fancy Hands: On-Demand Virtual Assistant Services
Fancy Hands provides on-demand, US-based virtual assistants for both one-time tasks and ongoing support. Whether you need a dedicated assistant or just want to offload occasional tasks, Fancy Hands keeps it simple without the need for negotiations.
Fancy Hands is primarily suited for quick, one-time tasks. Arc, on the other hand, serves all your needs, whether one-time projects or ongoing support, giving you more flexibility and control over your hiring.
Why choose Fancy Hands
On-demand assistance: Submit requests as needed without ongoing commitments.
Fast and affordable service: Plans start at $35 monthly for three 20-minute requests.
Dedicated assistants on demand: Hire dedicated assistants with a project manager to facilitate larger projects.
6. MyOutDesk: Affordable Virtual Assistant Solutions
MyOutDesk helps you scale affordably with top-tier virtual talent. Designed to keep businesses running smoothly with minimal overhead, it connects you with skilled, flexible virtual professionals tailored to your specific needs.
Why choose MyOutDesk
Rigorous vetting: Every virtual assistant undergoes extensive interviews and background checks, with only 0.7% of candidates selected.
US experience: Every virtual assistant has experience working for US companies.
Cost-effective solutions: Save up to 70% in hiring costs.
7. MyTasker: 24/7 Virtual Assistant Support
MyTasker is a virtual assistant company based in India, offering support across various time zones. Whether you need administrative assistance, content creation, web development, design, or marketing, MyTasker’s skilled team keeps your business running smoothly.
Why choose MyTasker
24/7 availability: Your tasks are handled by dedicated VAs across different shifts to maintain a continuous workflow.
Supervised trial period: An Exclusive Trial allows you to evaluate their work process with a relationship manager overseeing every task for quality assurance.
8. Near: Hire Skilled Virtual Assistants in Latin America
Near provides a full-service solution for hiring top virtual assistants in Latin America. From recruitment to onboarding and payroll, Near streamlines the entire process, enabling you to scale your team quickly and efficiently.
Why choose Near
Near offers a fast and reliable way to hire skilled virtual assistants, ensuring quality and compliance.
Vetting process: Every virtual assistant undergoes thorough background checks and skill evaluations.
Seamless onboarding: In addition to talent matching, Near handles hiring, onboarding, and payroll.
Trial period: Get a full refund (minus processing fees) if you’re unsatisfied with the applications within 15 days.
Time to hire: Most hiring processes take between one and two weeks.
9. Prialto: Managed Virtual Assistant Services
Prialto provides managed virtual assistants for busy professionals and enterprise teams. Their VAs, based in the Philippines, Kenya, and Guatemala, are backed by a team of experienced professionals, tools, and processes.
You must pay $1,500 per month for 55 hours of service, which can be limiting for your business. You can set hours based on your needs, and hiring from across the world helps you cut costs while maintaining quality support.
Why choose Prialto
Comprehensive training: Every assistant receives weeks of training before working with you.
Reliable backups: You get two fully trained backup assistants ready to step in if your primary virtual assistant is absent, leaves, or doesn’t work out.
Ongoing support: A whole team ensures that the right tools and expertise are always available to your VA.
Transparent pricing: $1,500 per month, equivalent to approximately 55 hours of service.
10. TaskBullet: Flexible Virtual Assistant Services
TaskBullet offers high-quality virtual assistant services at competitive rates. Based in the Philippines and the US, its virtual assistants are trained to provide reliable support in:
Data entry
Social media management
Market research
Customer service and more
With TaskBullet, you must purchase a set number of hours, which may limit your flexibility. You can hire assistants for as many or as few hours as you need, giving you complete control over your workload and budget.
Why choose TaskBullet
No commitment: No long-term contracts, extra fees, or hidden costs.
Flexible hours: Purchased hours remain valid for three months, allowing you to use them at your own pace.
Money-back guarantee: Unused hours are refundable within 60 days for added peace of mind.
Project Management: A free Basecamp account for easy project management.
What clients say
“Task bullet is outstanding. They are extremely easy to work with and offer fantastic support! Highly recommend.” TaskBullet client.
11. Time, etc: Experienced US-based Virtual Assistants
Time etc matches you with highly skilled, US-based virtual assistants who handle email management, bookkeeping, research, scheduling, and more. With transparent pricing and top-tier service, you get expert virtual assistant support without the guesswork. US-based VAs can be expensive and may not work for all businesses.
You can hire talent from anywhere, giving you access to cost-effective VAs while ensuring a match in skills and time zones.
Why choose Time etc
Rigorous vetting: Every virtual assistant undergoes a 10-stage screening process to ensure top-tier quality.
Experienced assistants: Every virtual assistant has an average of 12 years of experience.
Transparent pricing: Clear upfront costs with no hidden fees.
12. Virtual Coworker: Hire Virtual Assistants from the Philippines
Virtual Coworker connects you with top virtual assistants from the Philippines. Their expert recruitment team ensures you get highly skilled, English-fluent professionals who work in your time zone.
Keep in mind that you cannot hire a VA for less than 20 hours a week, which can limit your flexibility. You can hire VAs based on your exact requirements, whether you need a few hours of support or part-time, or full-time virtual assistants.
Why choose Virtual Coworker
Top talent: Only the top 1% of candidates make it through the selection process.
Flexible support: Hire a virtual assistant to work 20-40 hours per week, tailored to your specific needs.
Seamless collaboration: Your virtual assistant works in your time zone for real-time productivity.
Strict security: Every virtual assistant undergoes FBI-grade background checks for reliability and trust.
13. Virtual Staff Finder: Personalized Virtual Assistant Matching
Virtual Staff Finder takes a personalized approach to matching businesses with skilled virtual assistants. With a pool of candidates based in the Philippines, they ensure you find the right virtual assistant for your needs at an affordable rate.
Why choose Virtual Staff Finder
Large talent pool: Access 8,000+ skilled VAs with strong English proficiency.
Multiple options: If you don’t like your first match, you’ll receive up to three alternative candidates within 10 days.
Cost-effective: Affordable rates with discounts for recurring clients.
14. Wishup: Virtual Assistants Across 50+ Industries
Wishup connects you with highly skilled virtual assistants across 50+ industries. From daily admin tasks and bookkeeping to specialized support for doctors, realtors, and startup founders, Wishup helps you delegate effectively to focus on growth.
With pricing starting at $999, it may not be suitable if you have fewer requirements. To solve this, it allows you to choose freelancers from anywhere within your budget, ensuring you get the right VA at the right price.
Why choose Wishup
Instant hiring: Get matched with a virtual assistant in just 60 minutes.
Comprehensive services: Receive assistance with bookkeeping, administrative tasks, and industry-specific support.
Flexible support: Hire a virtual assistant for 15+ hours per week, tailored to your specific needs.
Top 0.1% VAs: Work with the most elite virtual assistants rigorously vetted for skill and expertise. Transparent pricing: Plans start at $999 per month.
15. Zirtual: US-Based Virtual Assistants for Entrepreneurs
Zirtual offers highly trained, US-based virtual assistants who are college-educated and detail-oriented. They handle scheduling, travel, email management, and industry-specific tasks like real estate and law. Pricing starts at $599 per month.
Why choose Zirtual
Trained VAs: Assistants are skilled in the specific tasks you need.
College-educated virtual assistants: Every virtual assistant has a college degree for a higher level of expertise.
Managed talent matching: Zirtual handles the hiring, vetting, interviewing, and management of your professional.
Thoroughly vetted: All candidates undergo reference and background checks to ensure reliability and professionalism.
16. OnlineJobs.ph: Access to 250,000+ Filipino Virtual Assistants
OnlineJobs.ph connects businesses with over 250,000 Filipino virtual assistants. The platform enables companies to search for candidates based on their skills and experience, offering flexibility for both full-time and part-time roles.
Businesses manage hiring and training directly, making it a valuable resource for companies seeking skilled virtual assistants from virtual assistant companies in the Philippines.
17. Remote Staff: Dedicated Virtual Assistants for Long-Term Support
Remote Staff matches businesses with dedicated virtual assistants for admin tasks, marketing, and customer service. Specializing in long-term placements, they offer scalable solutions that focus on consistent and reliable support from a trusted virtual assistant agency in the Philippines.
The Top 5 Freelance Virtual Assistant Websites Are:
18. Upwork
Known for a wide range of freelancers. Entrepreneurs can find virtual assistants with various skill sets. The platform provides tools for tracking work hours and features a built-in payment system for added security. Now, if you are looking for Upwork alternatives, we've got you covered.
19. Fiverr
Ideal for small tasks or projects. Virtual assistants on Fiverr often offer packaged services, which can be beneficial for short-term or specific needs without extensive commitment.
20. Freelancer.com
Features a competitive bidding system, which can help in getting services at lower costs. This may require more time to review bids and vet potential hires.
21. PeoplePerHour
This platform emphasizes per-hour payment, providing an easy setup for short-term engagements. It's perfect for finding specialists in:
Data entry
Research
Basic administrative tasks
22. Guru
It offers a robust set of features for project management and communication, which can be especially useful for maintaining oversight on multiple small projects or tasks.
Pricing Overview and What to Expect
Business owners seeking to hire a virtual assistant to help manage their workload are often surprised by the wide range of rates for these remote professionals. The average hourly rate for virtual assistants ranges from $10 to $30 per hour.
The cost can vary significantly based on several factors, including:
The type of service
Experience level
Territory
Language
The Type of Virtual Assistant Service Impacts Pricing
The type of virtual assistant service you hire has a significant impact on pricing. Generally, the more advanced the skills needed for the job, the higher the cost. For instance, if you are hiring a remote team for small routine tasks such as calendar scheduling, the ideal pay figure is around $8 to $10 an hour.
Functions that require more hard skills, such as social media marketing, may cost you roughly $20 to $30 an hour.
Experience and Expertise Level
Experience often translates to expertise. Hence, it is a necessary prerequisite for hiring virtual assistants. Therefore, beginner-level virtual assistants tend to set their pay bar low. New entrants’ basic VA service rates are as low as $5 per hour.
On the other hand, a truly experienced virtual assistant with high-end skills can cost you even $100 per hour, especially when engaging in project-based pricing. Many digital marketing virtual assistants, for example, command higher rates due to their specialized knowledge.
Rush Jobs vs. Usual Pace
Rush jobs can cause immense physical and mental stress. By 'rush jobs,' we mean a large number of deliverables within a short timeframe. Therefore, it is only rational that virtual assistants charge you more for rush jobs than for usual-paced services. Using virtual assistant software can help manage and track these varying workloads effectively.
Territory or Location of Your Virtual Assistant
Since your interaction with the virtual assistants will be online, you should be mindful of the time zones. Time isn’t the only factor to consider when assessing your virtual assistant’s location. You also need to consider the cost. Virtual assistant pricing plans do not vary from country to country. Instead, it can vary significantly among different states within a single county.
For example, the mean hourly rate for virtual assistants in New York ranges from $15.50 to $16. You must pay around $20 for the same service in San Francisco. You can employ an individual virtual assistant or a VA company from the Philippines at a lower cost per hour.
Language and Communication Skills
Language can be a differentiating factor in hiring a virtual assistant. For instance, multinational projects often require a multilingual virtual assistant. Since they are in short supply, the hourly rates can increase significantly.
Why Startups Choose Founders Arm to Scale with Pre-Vetted Offshore Talent
Looking to build your dream team without the hiring headaches? Founders Arm connects you with pre-vetted, top-tier offshore talent at 60% less cost than traditional hiring. Skip the lengthy recruitment process and get exceptional engineers, marketers, or executive assistants onboarded in under two weeks, no payroll hassles included. Take your startup to the next level with professionals who hit the ground running from day one.
We've helped Cal AI scale influencer marketing to reach millions, Pam with building backend operations to support rapid growth, and Turbolearn AI amplifies their reach in the education market, among many others. Want a 2-week free trial with our offshore talent? Try out an engineer or virtual marketing assistant completely free of charge.
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• Freelancer vs. Virtual Assistant
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Benefits of Partnering with a Virtual Assistant Agency
Access to Diverse Skill Sets
Virtual assistant agencies employ professionals with varied backgrounds and skills. When you work with an agency, you can find a virtual assistant with the exact expertise you need to take your business to the next level. Whether you need help with customer service, bookkeeping, social media management, or graphic design, an agency can connect you with the right talent to get the job done.
Scalability and Flexibility
One of the standout advantages of using a VA agency is scalability. As your business evolves, so do your operational needs. VA agencies can quickly adjust the number of assistants working on your projects, whether you need one additional VA during peak times or a team to handle a new project. This scalability ensures that you have the right support at the right time without the overhead costs associated with hiring full-time employees.
Cost-Effectiveness
Hiring a full-time employee involves substantial costs, including:
Salary
Benefits
Office space
Equipment
On the other hand, working with a VA agency allows you to access professional assistance without the overhead.
According to a recent study, hiring a virtual assistant can result in savings of up to 78% in operating costs compared to hiring full-time employees. You pay for the services you need on a flexible basis, whether hourly, project-based, or retainer-based, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes.
Focus on Core Business Activities
By delegating routine and time-consuming tasks to virtual assistants, businesses can free up valuable time and resources. This enables business owners and key personnel to concentrate on core activities, which are crucial for growth and success, such as:
Strategic planning
Business development
Client relationship management
Increased Efficiency and Productivity
Virtual assistants are experienced in handling a wide range of tasks efficiently. They are often equipped with the latest tools and technologies necessary to streamline workflows and boost productivity. Their ability to work independently and deliver results promptly can significantly enhance overall operational efficiency.
24/7 Support
For businesses operating in different time zones or those requiring round-the-clock customer support, VA agencies can provide 24/7 assistance. This ensures that your business remains accessible and responsive to customers at all times, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Reduced Training Time
When you hire through a VA agency, you benefit from professionals who are already trained and experienced in their respective fields. This minimizes the need for extensive training and onboarding processes, allowing you to integrate support into your operations and achieve faster results.
Access to Advanced Technology
Virtual Assistant agencies often invest in cutting-edge technology and tools to support their team’s efficiency and performance. By partnering with an agency, businesses can leverage these resources without making significant investments themselves, thereby staying competitive in an increasingly digital landscape.
Business Continuity
In the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as employee illness or resignation, VA agencies can provide backup and continuity of operations. They have multiple VAs available with knowledge of your business operations, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.
Risk Mitigation
Working with a reputable virtual assistant agency reduces risks associated with:
Recruitment
Retention
HR management
Agencies handle these aspects, allowing businesses to focus on their core objectives while minimizing operational risks.
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• Best Virtual Assistant Agency
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• Virtual Assistant Services for Small Businesses
• Affordable Virtual Assistant Services
Try Out an Engineer or Assistant for Two Weeks for Free - Book a Call to Learn More
Looking to build your dream team without the hiring headaches? Founders Arm connects you with pre-vetted, top-tier offshore talent at 60% less cost than traditional hiring. Skip the lengthy recruitment process and get exceptional engineers, marketers, or executive assistants onboarded in under two weeks, no payroll hassles included. Take your startup to the next level with professionals who hit the ground running from day one.
We've helped Cal AI scale influencer marketing to reach millions, Pam with building backend operations to support rapid growth, and Turbolearn AI amplifies their reach in the education market, among many others. Want a 2-week free trial with our offshore talent? Try out an engineer or virtual marketing assistant completely free of charge.
