Pros and Cons of Hiring a VA from the US

You can find virtual assistants or VAs working from different corners of the world. And of course,  there are VAs from one of the pre-eminent developed nations – the USA. Virtual assistants specialize in a wide range of abilities. They can take care of personal tasks, small business-related work, medium business management work, or full-time dedicated services. 

There are individuals or teams of VAs who usually remotely handle different types of tasks for the brands and clients that hire them. However, it is crucial to forecast the benefits of employing a US-based VA compared to VAs with English as their non-native language. 

US-based virtual assistants offer professional assistance and the benefits of outsourcing compared to lower-cost VA options. 

Tasks Performed by VAs 

The most common types of work outsourced to VAs include: 

• Administrative 
• Clerical 
• Data Management 
• Social Media Marketing 
• Web Design & Web Development 
• Content Writing 
• FAQs 
• Call Answering & Customer Service 
• Legal Support 
• eCommerce Support
• Real Estate Support 
• Bookkeeping 

In-Demand Locations for VAs Around the World 

Let us check the most demanding locations around the world in ascending order that requires assistance from VAs: 

USA 

The US is one of the topmost countries that facilitated virtual assistance services in the mid-1990s. Forbes magazine statistics revealed that a large number of US civilians are self-employed. These people need to handle a hefty amount of workload regularly. Outsourcing their work to VAs is their easiest option to get high-quality and accurate output. For example, VAs can track the highest volumes of work in major US cities like New York. 

Canada 

People who live in Canada speak innumerable languages. This has boosted the need for translation services. It also heightened the requirement for corporate and commercial interaction assistance. Most US companies outsource their work to VAs from Canada to avoid delays and get the best services at lower rates. 

Australia 

Australia is a large continent with a limited population. Transport is an irksome factor here. Nevertheless, this boosts the demand for outsourcing tasks for quick and professional output. Since English is the native language of the people in Australia, they prefer to use native English VAs as well. Research and marketing-related tasks preoccupy VAs in Australia. 

Top US VA Companies 

ClearDesk

Clear Desk is a US-based virtual assistant company that provides virtual assistants to entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized businesses all over the world. their pricing packages start at 80 hours per month for $1,250 (approx. $15.60/hr). The reason that hey have a lower hourly rate than most US based VA companies, is that they outsource their services to the Philippines. They also offer VA services in English, French and Spanish!

They offer a 7-day free trial and a free consultation call is offered.

Boldly 

Boldly was founded in 2012 and has team members in North America and Europe. They have a 4.5 customer rating with a minimum hourly rate of $51. Boldly has full-time employees who work as professional VAs and offer dedicated assistance. You can get full team access with Boldly and their minimum subscription package is $1530 for 30 hours. Due to its immense success, Boldly does not offer a free trial. 

Time Etc

This is the second-best US-based virtual assistance company. Time Etc subscription difference compared to Boldly is massive. They offer 10 hours’ worth of work for $290. The company was established in 2007. What makes them special is how they keep track on their website of the number of actual hours they have saved for clients. Time Etc is a great VA services option with full team access, rollover hours, and a free trial. They also have a 4.5 rating for their services and customer support.  

Pros of Hiring a US-Based VA

Communication Flexibility 

Language barriers are eliminated if the VA speaks native US English. It is easier to understand compared to a VA from developing nations. Repetitive explanations can be driven out of the equation with US-based VAs. This helps to save time and money, collaterally. Also, you do not have to sacrifice the quality of work. 

Culturally Accurate 

US-based VAs have a better understanding of the cultural norms that can otherwise be taken for granted. Often, cultural problems can take place when you hire a VA from the global South. However,  US culture plays an integral role in the US-based business climate and market. VAs from the US are culturally better equipped to interact with customers on specific US-related occasions and events. For example, a US-based VA has better insight into the US Real Estate business than a VA from elsewhere. 

Cons of Hiring a US-Based VA

High Subscription Costs 

US-based VA companies have high subscription rates compared to VA services from Canada, Australia, the Philippines, and India. For example, the subscription rate for Boldly, a US-based VA company is more than $1500. This can be the monthly wage of many in developing countries. 

Time Zones May Not Match

Depending on your location and your VA’s location, your time zones may not match. This can be inconvenient for you. Not all US-based VAs will be flexible working odd timings to sync with your time. However, this is where VAs in Asia can go the extra mile and adjust their work schedule to suit your waking hours.  

Find Out the Right US-Based VA for You

The average cost to hire a US-based VA can vary between $25 and $75/hour. This depends on the specialty or complexity of the task at hand. Also, it is important to note that hiring an individual VA will cost less than the services of a virtual assistant company in the US. Nevertheless, a VA company can offer team access that is not possible for an individual alone. ClearDesk, Fiverr, Fancy Hands, and FreeeUp are some of the US-based virtual assistance services to help your small business grow or complete your personal work. Budget, schedule, and communication are the top factors that help to determine the right US-based VA company to meet your unique requirements.  

*Prices accurate at date of publication