You’ve heard the saying, Time is money. This rings particularly true for business owners. The more time it takes to complete a task or project, the more it costs the company. Outsourcing to an affordable virtual assistant can help companies save time and money by getting projects done quickly and efficiently. However, before you hire an outsourced virtual assistants, you need to understand how they operate. Virtual assistants typically work using packages, and these packages can vary significantly from one professional to the next. In this article, we will explore the common types of virtual assistant packages and provide examples of each to help you understand how they work.
One way to become familiar with virtual assistant packages is to work with a specialized virtual assistant, such as those at Founders Arm. Our virtual marketing assistants help business owners learn about outsourcing to an affordable virtual assistant by providing valuable insights to help them get started.
Table of Content
How to Choose the Right Virtual Assistant Package for Your Startup
5 Tips for Maximizing Value from a Virtual Assistant Package
Try Out an Engineer or Assistant for Two Weeks for Free - Book a Call to Learn More
Common Types of Virtual Assistant Packages (with Examples)
Hourly Packages: The Flexible Solution For Unpredictable Workloads
Hourly packages give you total flexibility when it comes to managing a virtual assistant. You only pay for the hours your assistant works, and you can scale usage up or down depending on your week or project load. This makes it ideal for those with fluctuating or unpredictable workloads.
How Task-Based VAs Help You Launch Smarter
For example, let’s say you’re a solo founder preparing for a product launch. You only need occasional help with research, competitor monitoring, or email sorting. Instead of hiring a VA outright or purchasing a monthly package, you could simply buy a 10-hour block and use it over a few weeks as needed.
Founders love hourly packages because they require no long-term commitment. They’re great for trial runs or task-specific needs like research, data entry, or inbox clean-up.
Part-Time Packages: Reliable Support Without Breaking the Bank
Part-time packages are ideal for individuals who require consistent, yet limited, support every week. You pre-book a set number of hours each month (often 20–40 hours), usually at a lower hourly rate than pay-as-you-go. It’s ideal when you know you’ll need help regularly but not every day.
Perfect for eCommerce: Handling Repetitive Tasks Efficiently
For example, let’s say you run a growing eCommerce startup. You require daily assistance with customer service emails, basic bookkeeping, and social media scheduling. A 20-hour monthly package ensures your assistant checks in every weekday for a minimum of 2 hours.
Founders like part-time packages because they offer reliable support without breaking the bank. They’re great for offloading recurring admin tasks or maintaining consistency in operations.
Full-Time or Retainer Packages: The Ultimate Support Solution For High-Growth Founders
Full-time or retainer packages are ideal for high-growth founders who require daily, strategic assistance. This is a fully dedicated virtual assistant setup, where you pay a flat monthly fee for full-time or near full-time access to your assistant.
They often become deeply embedded in your team, managing multiple workflows or acting as a second brain.
Delegation at Scale: When You Need a True Second-in-Command
For instance, let’s say you’re a tech founder juggling investor comms, product management, and hiring. Your executive assistant handles your calendar, preps investor decks, screens emails, coordinates with vendors, and manages your CRM daily.
Founders like full-time packages because of their maximum impact. This package is primarily focused on:
Delegation at scale
Encompassing project management
Operations
Scheduling
Strategic input
Task-Specific or Skill-Based Packages: Plug-and-Play Solutions For Your Business Needs
Some platforms and agencies offer packages based on specific deliverables rather than hours. These are perfect if you’re looking for a plug-and-play solution to handle a particular business function.
For example:
A social media management package might include:
Content creation
Scheduling
Engagement
Analytics for one or more platforms
A bookkeeping package could cover:
Monthly reconciliations
Invoicing
Reporting
An inbox management package might include:
Daily triaging of emails
Priority flagging
Drafting replies
Task-specific or skill-based packages are great for business owners with a clear goal in mind. Instead of trying to figure out how a VA can help you, you can simply purchase a package to tackle a specific business task.
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What’s Typically Included in VA Packages?
Virtual Assistant packages aren’t one-size-fits-all; they’re built around your workload, business stage, and how hands-on (or hands-off) you want to be.
While the scope varies depending on the provider and tier, here’s what you can usually expect:
1. Basic Administrative Support
At the core of nearly every VA package is help with the day-to-day admin that clutters a founder’s to-do list.
Typical tasks include
Managing emails: sorting, flagging priorities, drafting replies
Calendar coordination and scheduling meetings
Data entry and spreadsheet maintenance
File organization and cloud storage management
These are the foundation-level services that help clear your plate and give you back hours every week.
2. Advanced or Specialised Support (in Higher-Tier Packages)
As you move up to premium packages, the VA's responsibilities often shift from task execution to proactive management and strategic assistance.
These might include:
CRM management and lead follow-up
Social media marketing or content support
Project tracking and coordination across tools like Asana or Trello
Industry research, competitor tracking, or sourcing suppliers
Marketing support, such as:
Lead generation
Newsletters
Landing page edits
This tier is especially valuable for growth-stage startups where delegation isn’t just about saving time, it’s about driving momentum.
3. Defined Communication Channels and Response Times
Most VA packages outline
How you’ll communicate (e.g., Slack, email, Loom, Zoom)
When the VA is available (timezone, business hours)
Expected response or turnaround time
This ensures expectations are aligned and tasks don’t fall through the cracks.
4. Onboarding and Training Support
High-quality VA services will help you get up and running quickly.
That might include
A kickoff call to align on goals and tools
Templates or SOPs to guide delegation
Help setting up shared systems (e.g., calendar, task tools)
Some platforms even offer onboarding support for your VA, so you’re not stuck training someone from scratch.
5. Multi-User or Team Access (for Founders with Teams)
If you have a co-founder or a small team, specific VA packages offer shared access:
Multiple team members can assign tasks
Shared dashboards or reporting
Centralized communication across your team and the VA
Offshore Talent, Zero Hiring Hassle: How Founders Arm Accelerates Startup Teams
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 build backend operations to support rapid growth, Turbolearn AI amplify their reach in the education market, and many more. Want a 2-week free trial with our offshore talent? Try out an engineer or virtual marketing assistant completely free of charge.
Factors that Influence Virtual Assistant Package Pricing
Virtual assistant services have become increasingly popular among businesses and entrepreneurs looking to outsource time-consuming tasks. With the different types of virtual assistant price packages available, choosing the right one for your needs can become overwhelming.
These Virtual Assistant Package Pricing usually vary based on the type and duration of services the virtual assistant offers. The most common virtual assistant packages include:
Hourly rates
Project-based pricing
Retainer packages
1. Type Of Services Offered By The Virtual Assistant
When selecting a virtual assistant (VA) package, it’s essential to align your choice with both your business needs and your budget. Some providers offer bundled services that cover a broad range of tasks, while others specialise in specific areas such as administrative support, digital marketing, or research.
A VA can be a cost-effective way to delegate operational tasks, allowing you to stay focused on strategic growth without getting bogged down in daily to-dos.
Administrative Support
One of the most common types of virtual assistant services is administrative support.
VAs in this category handle essential day-to-day tasks such as:
Scheduling meetings and appointments
Managing inboxes and phone calls
Data entry and basic bookkeeping
These tasks vary based on your business model but are critical for keeping operations on track. A Virtual Administrative Assistant can help you maintain efficiency without the overhead costs of a full-time hire. This is particularly valuable for SMEs and startups looking to streamline internal workflows while ensuring quality execution.
Executive Assistance
For founders and executives who need more strategic and high-level support, an Executive Virtual Assistant may be a better fit.
These VAs go beyond general admin work and typically assist with:
Project management and system implementation
Email and calendar management at scale
Marketing planning and social media strategy
Vendor coordination and CRM oversight
Executive VAs are ideal for busy entrepreneurs juggling multiple priorities. While they come at a higher price point than standard administrative support, they offer deeper involvement and can operate as a valid extension of your leadership team.
Digital Marketing Support
Digital Marketing VAs specialise in helping businesses grow their online presence. With a firm grasp of the customer journey and various digital channels, they can support tasks like:
Social media management
SEO and blog content creation
Email marketing campaigns
Paid advertising and analytics
Because this role requires up-to-date knowledge of constantly shifting platforms and trends, Digital Marketing VAs may command higher rates. They deliver strong ROI by generating visibility, leads, and conversions without the need for a whole in-house team.
Research and Data Tasks
If your needs are research-heavy, a Virtual Research Assistant could be the right solution.
These VAs excel at:
Market and competitor research
Lead generation and prospect list building
Data analysis and reporting
Research VAs are detail-oriented and skilled at organising information clearly and efficiently. Pricing varies depending on the project's complexity and the level of expertise required.
Before choosing a VA package, assess the complexity and frequency of the tasks you need support with. If your goal is to delegate a few recurring duties, a basic administrative package may suffice. However, if you're managing multiple projects or growth campaigns, consider investing in a more specialized package, such as executive or digital marketing support.
With the right VA, you can scale operations, improve efficiency, and maintain focus on what drives your business forward, without the cost or commitment of traditional hiring.
2. Virtual Assistant Location
The location of your virtual assistant dramatically affects the cost of their services. This is why the cost of living varies from country to country, reflected in the wages paid to remote employees. Hiring a virtual assistant from India or the Philippines may be more affordable than hiring one from North America or Europe.
3. Virtual Assistant Experience
When hiring a virtual assistant, one of the most critical factors determining their charges is the level of experience and expertise they bring to the table. A virtual assistant with years of experience in a particular field or industry will likely charge more per hour than someone just starting.
Experienced virtual assistants (VAs) have acquired valuable knowledge and skills, enabling them to handle complex tasks with greater ease.
How to Choose the Right Virtual Assistant Package for Your Startup
Before choosing a package, take a hard look at how you're spending your time. What tasks are eating up your hours but not directly pushing the business forward? Maybe it’s email, scheduling, research, managing your CRM, or updating spreadsheets. Write down the tasks you know you can delegate, even if it feels small.
A good rule of thumb: if someone else can do it 80% as well as you, it’s time to let it go.
Get Real About Your Budget and Payment Preferences
Now, let’s talk about money. Most VA packages fall into two buckets:
Hourly pay-as-you-go
Monthly retainer
Hourly is excellent if you only need help here and there, while monthly retainers work better for consistent, ongoing support and usually provide more predictable costs.
For startups on tight budgets, you might start with a part-time VA (say, 10–20 hours/month) for $300–$600/month. But if you know you’ll need help every day, it’s worth looking at more comprehensive packages with better value per hour.
What Kind of Help Do You Need?
Not all VAs are the same. Some are brilliant with admin:
Managing your inbox
Booking meetings
Formatting reports
Others can take on more strategic work, such as managing launches, coordinating with freelancers, or streamlining internal systems.
Ask yourself:
Do I just need someone to follow my instructions?
Or someone who can think ahead, take initiative, and run with it?
The more strategic the support, the higher the skill (and the price tag), but the payoff can be huge.
Can This Scale With Me?
Think about what your startup will need two or three months from now.
Will your assistant need to take on more hours?
More complex tasks?
Help manage a growing team?
Choose a provider or platform that can grow with you. That means flexible packages, tiered support levels, and the ability to add hours or upgrade as your needs evolve. You don’t want to have to start from scratch just as things are picking up speed.
Test the Waters First
Don’t lock yourself into a long-term contract without trying it out. Look for VA services or agencies that offer trial periods, monthly rolling contracts, or flexible cancellation policies. You may also want to conduct a 2-week pilot project to determine if the fit is right, both in terms of skills and working style.
Founders often make the mistake of expecting instant magic from their VA, but like any hire, it takes a bit of onboarding. Give it a few weeks of clear guidance and open communication, and then assess.
From Zero to Execution: The First 14 Days with a VA or Engineer
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 build backend operations to support rapid growth, Turbolearn AI amplify their reach in the education market, and many more. 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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5 Tips for Maximizing Value from a Virtual Assistant Package
1. Define Tasks and Priorities Upfront: Set Your Assistant Up for Success
Your assistant can’t read your mind, and they shouldn't have to. The more clarity you provide at the start, the faster you’ll see results. Create a list of recurring tasks and one-off priorities, and communicate expectations regarding:
Deadlines
Quality
Communication
A focused brief leads to focused execution.
2. Use a Project Management Tool: Get Organized
Don’t rely on scattered emails or Slack threads. Platforms like Trello, Asana, ClickUp, or Notion help you assign, track, and review tasks in one place. It saves time, builds accountability, and provides your VA with the structure they need to succeed without constant hand-holding.
3. Keep the Feedback Loop Open: Communicate to Accelerate
Even the best virtual assistants (VAs) improve with regular feedback. Set up a quick weekly check-in, via voice, video, or even a shared doc, where you review progress, flag issues, and fine-tune priorities. Good communication doesn’t just prevent mistakes; it creates momentum.
4. Reassess the Package Quarterly: Stay Agile
Your needs will change as your business grows. What worked in Q1 may be limiting in Q3.
Take time every quarter to ask:
Are we using all the hours?
Do we need different services?
Should we scale up (or down)?
5. Combine Human and AI Support: Work Smarter
Your VA doesn’t have to do everything manually. Tools like ChatGPT, Notion AI, and automated schedulers can streamline repetitive tasks, allowing your assistant to focus on higher-value work.
A brilliant blend of VA support and AI tools can significantly enhance efficiency without increasing costs.
Try Out an Engineer or Assistant for Two Weeks for Free - Book a Call to Learn More
Founders Arm helps startups scale by connecting them with pre-vetted offshore talent. The company’s goal is to eliminate hiring headaches, which can be especially detrimental for startups that need to grow quickly and cannot afford to waste time on lengthy recruitment processes.
With Founders Arm, you can find exceptional marketers, engineers, or executive assistants and onboard them in under two weeks. They’ll even handle payroll to minimize your stress.
How Can Founders Arm Help My Startup?
Founders Arm can help your startup by matching you with talented professionals who have the skills and experience needed to help your business grow. For instance, the company helped Cal AI scale influencer marketing to reach millions of people.
They paired Pam with an offshore assistant who was able to build backend operations to support her startup’s rapid growth. Turbolearn AI also amplified its reach in the education market with Founders Arm’s help. These case studies illustrate how the company can connect you with virtual assistants and other offshore professionals who can help you take your startup to the next level.
What is the Process to Get Started?
The first step to getting started with Founders Arm is to schedule a consultation through their website. During this meeting, you’ll discuss your business and goals. Then, the company will use this information to match you with a qualified offshore professional.
After this, you can get started with a two-week free trial to see how the arrangement works before committing.
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