There are a lot of interesting facts about virtual assistants that you may not know. For instance, did you know that many VAs have college degrees and years of experience in various industries? Or that they can provide a wide range of services to help your business succeed?
In this blog post, we will discuss some interesting facts about virtual assistants that may surprise you!
But first, let’s go over the basics in case you are new to the world of virtual assistants (VA’s).
What is outsourcing?
Outsourcing is the process of hiring someone outside of your company to complete a task or project. This can be done for various reasons, such as reducing costs, accessing skills and expertise that you don’t have in-house, or freeing up time so that you can focus on other tasks.
Not sure about the difference between outsourcing and delegating? Read our post on Outsourcing vs. Delegation to understand better how we refer to these two very different activities.
Generally, we look at outsourcing as hiring external contractors or service providers, and delegation we refer to when tasking your virtual assistant with things that really help to free up time to help move your business forward.
What is a virtual assistant?
To confuse matters, a virtual assistant (VA) is sometimes known as a type of outsourcing – outsourcing work, etc. Depending on how you deal with this individual, you may view it as outsourcing through another company such as a VA Agency; however, we may refer to this as delegation when this VA is hired directly. A VA is an individual who provides administrative, social media, customer service, or other types of support to businesses and entrepreneurs on a contract basis.
VAs are often employed by small businesses or entrepreneurs who don’t have the time or resources to complete all of the tasks themselves.
Hiring a VA can be an excellent way to free up your time so that you can focus on other tasks, such as growing your business or spending more time with your family.
Now that we’ve gone over the basics, let’s get into some interesting facts about virtual assistants!
Interesting facts about virtual assistants
1. Over 80% of businesses intend to implement a more flexible workforce.
One of the interesting facts about virtual assistants is that businesses are increasingly looking to hire them as they become more aware of the benefits of a flexible workforce. A study by Gartner found that over 80% of businesses intended to implement a more flexible workforce by 2022. This is up from just 30% in 2017.
There are many reasons for this trend. Businesses are increasingly seeing the benefits of hiring virtual assistants, such as reduced costs, increased efficiency, and improved work-life balance for employees.
As the world becomes more globalized and connected, it’s easier than ever to hire virtual assistants from anywhere in the world. This gives businesses access to a larger pool of talent and allows them to find the best person for the job, regardless of location.
2. VA’s can work as little as 20 hours or less per week.
Virtual assistants can work as little as 20 hours per week. This flexibility is one of the main reasons why businesses hire virtual assistants. They can scale up or down their hours as needed, without having to commit to a full-time employee.
This flexibility is also beneficial for virtual assistants, as it allows them to choose when and how much they work. This can be helpful if you have other commitments such as childcare or studying.
3. The average productive employee is in the office for 3 hours each day in an eight-hour shift.
According to a study by the University of London, the average employee is productive for around three hours in an eight-hour day. This means that businesses are paying for eight hours of work but only receiving the equivalent of three hours.
Virtual assistants can help to increase productivity by taking on tasks that would otherwise take up time that could be spent on productive work. For example, a virtual assistant can handle tasks such as scheduling appointments, bookkeeping, or customer service. This frees up the business owner or employees to focus on other tasks that will help move the business forward.
In addition, virtual assistants are often more efficient than in-house employees because they’re able to work remotely and are not subject to distractions such as office politics.
4. San Francisco is on the top of the list of the highest paying cities for VA’s in the United States.
San Francisco is the highest paying city for virtual assistants in the United States, according to virtual assistant industry statistics. The average hourly rate for a virtual assistant in San Francisco is $50. This is significantly higher than the national average of $35 per hour.
There are many reasons for this, such as the high cost of living in San Francisco and the high demand for virtual assistants in the area. If you’re looking to earn a good wage as a virtual assistant, then San Francisco is an excellent place to start your search.
Keep in mind that rates can vary depending on the type of work you do and your experience level. For example, entry-level virtual assistants can expect to earn around $25 per hour, while more experienced virtual assistants can charge up to $100 per hour or more.
5. Services like cold calling and email communication are always in high demand for VAs.
Cold calling and email communication are two of the most in-demand services for virtual assistants. This is likely because they’re both essential tasks for businesses but can be time-consuming and difficult to do.
Virtual assistants can help by taking on tasks such as making cold calls, sending follow-up emails, or scheduling appointments. This can free up time for the business owner or employees to focus on other tasks.
In addition, virtual assistants can often provide valuable insights and feedback after making calls or sending emails. This can help businesses to improve their communication strategies and make sure that they’re reaching their target audience.
6. The two most popular VA specialties are general admin work and project management.
The most common VA specialties include general admin work and project management. This is because these are two of the most essential tasks for businesses, but while important, can be super important to the day-to-day running of the business.
Virtual assistants can help with a wide range of tasks, such as data entry, customer service, appointment scheduling, or bookkeeping.
7. Small businesses are more inclined to hire virtual assistants.
Virtual assistant statistics show that small businesses have a tendency to hire virtual assistants. This is likely because small businesses don’t have the resources to hire full-time employees and need to outsource some tasks.
Virtual assistants can help small businesses by taking on tasks such as social media marketing, customer service, or appointment scheduling.
8. The Philippines and India are the two most popular countries for hiring virtual assistants.
The top two locations for hiring virtual assistants are the Philippines and India. This is likely because these countries have a large pool of talented workers and the cost of living is relatively low.
If you’re looking to hire a virtual assistant, then the Philippines and India are two excellent places to start your search. You can expect to find qualified workers who are able to work for competitive wages while providing a win-win relationship between the business owners and VA.
Of course, it’s important to remember that rates can vary depending on the type of work you need and particularly the experience level of the virtual assistant.
9. Only 17% of remote workers report feeling stressed at work.
A recent study found that only 17% of remote workers feel stressed because of work. This is because they have more control over their work-life balance and can take breaks when they need to. Looking back to point #3 above, a VA is generally more productive than a typical office worker because they can focus on the task at hand rather than getting bogged down with office shenanigans and much of the time avoiding those “meetings about meetings”.
10. Up to 85% of VA’s have their own business website
About 85% of freelancers, including virtual assistants, have a business website. This is because having a website is essential for marketing your services and attracting clients.
If you’re considering hiring a virtual assistant, then be sure to check out their website. This will give you an idea of their experience, skills, and rates, as well as some insight into both their previous work, and their personal interests.
11. Independent workers are far happier than those working under a regular employment contract.
Independent workers, including virtual assistants, are more satisfied with their work compared to traditional employees. This is because they have more control over their work-life balance and can choose when and where they work.
Additionally, freelancers often have a greater sense of freedom and flexibility when it comes to their work. They’re not tied down to one location or one company and can take on as much, or as little work, as they please.
12. 6/10 virtual assistants have completed college degrees
Six out of ten virtual assistants boast college degrees. This is because they understand the importance of continuing their education and keeping up with the latest trends.
Additionally, many virtual assistants are also certified in specific software programs or have taken courses to improve their skills.
13. By 2027, there will be over 86 million freelancers in the United States
The number of freelancers in the United States is expected to reach 86.45 million by 2027. This growth is being driven by the rise of the gig economy and the increasing popularity of flexible work arrangements.
As more and more people are looking for ways to escape the traditional workforce, it’s likely that the number of virtual assistants will continue to grow.
14. Businesses can save money on taxes by hiring freelance virtual assistants.
Hiring a freelance virtual assistant can actually help businesses save money on taxes. This is because businesses can deduct the cost of their VA’s services as a business expense.
Contracting a VA also means that businesses don’t legally have to pay for benefits such as paid time off, public holidays and medical. For this reason it is critical that you agree on a fair wage with your new hire.
Additionally, businesses can also take advantage of the home office deduction if their VA works from home. This allows them to deduct a portion of their rent or mortgage, as well as utility bills and other expenses.
15. Hiring a virtual assistant can help save businesses money by up to 78%.
A recent study found that businesses can save up to 78% by hiring a virtual assistant. This is because VA’s are generally more productive than traditional employees, and businesses don’t have to pay for benefits listed in the previous point such as vacation days, sick days, or health insurance.
16. A key element when hiring a virtual assistant is to consider the business’s needs.
When hiring a virtual assistant, it’s important to consider the specific needs of your business. This will help you find a VA that is best suited for your company and can save you time and money in the long run.
Some things to consider include:
– The type of work that needs to be done
– The number of hours required
– The level of experience needed
– The budget for the position
Prior to hiring your first VA, I’d recommend a service like our Business Process Mapping Service to find the holes in your business so you know what is most effective to fill first.
Prefer to start thinking about this on your own? Read more in our article What is Business Process Mapping? first.
17. 27% of remote workers find it difficult to detach themselves from their jobs.
While working from home has many benefits, it can also be difficult to detach oneself from work. This is because there is no clear boundary between work and home life.
As a result, it’s important to set some ground rules with your virtual assistant. For example, you may want to agree on set working hours or establish a policy for responding (or not responding!) to after-hours emails.
18. 3.6 million people in America had the title of secretary or administrative assistant in 2019.
The title of secretary or administrative assistant is one of the most common in America. In 2019, there were over three million people with this job title.
However, the number of secretaries and administrative assistants has been declining in recent years due to the rise of technology. This is because many of the tasks that these employees used to do, such as scheduling appointments and typing memos, can now be done by computers or virtual assistants.
19. The pandemic has caused nearly 90% of organizations to allow their employees to work from home.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant increase in the number of people working from home. In fact, nearly 90% of organizations have allowed their employees to work remotely at some point during the pandemic, and many businesses have seen benefits from this and still have a hybrid approach to work, with some days from home and some days in the office.
20. In the US, the average yearly salary for virtual assistants is $67,115.
The average yearly salary for virtual assistants in the United States is $67,115. This figure will vary depending on the level of experience and the specific tasks that the VA is responsible for.
It’s important to note that while this is on average, it’s far from the standard, with many high-earners skewing this figure.
21. 5.7 million Americans were already working from home half-time or more before the pandemic hit.
The pandemic has caused a significant increase in the number of people working from home, but it’s important to note that many Americans were already working remotely before the pandemic hit. In fact, over five million Americans were working from home half-time or more before COVID-19.
This trend is only expected to continue and is already showing signs of continuing after the pandemic ends, as more and more businesses are realizing the benefits of remote work.
22. In the US, by 2030 it is projected that 13% of all office space will be flexible or coworking spaces.
Flexible or coworking office spaces are becoming increasingly popular, especially in the United States. It’s projected that by 2030, 13% of all office space in the US will be flexible or coworking spaces.
There are many benefits to these types of office spaces, such as increased productivity and creativity, reduced costs, and enhanced work-life balance.
23. The average interaction employee spends close to a third of their workweek on emails.
Email is a necessary part of work for most employees, but it can also be a huge time sink. The average interaction employee spends close to a third of their workweek on email. This means that if you’re not careful, it’s easy to spend hours upon hours reading and responding to emails.
One way to combat this is to hire a virtual assistant to help with your email management. A VA can handle things like sorting and responding to emails, freeing up your time to focus on other tasks.
There you have it – 23 interesting facts about virtual assistants!
As you can see, virtual assistants are an important part of the workforce and play a significant role in many businesses. They can help with a variety of tasks, from answering emails to managing schedules to doing research.
If you’re thinking of hiring your first virtual assistant, be sure to download our free Are You VA-Ready? Checklist below. This checklist will help you determine if you’re ready to hire a VA and what tasks you can delegate to them, while setting you up for a silky smooth onboarding and training period to come.
