Virtual assistants have become a popular solution for businesses looking to streamline their operations and reduce costs. However, the cost of hiring a virtual assistant can vary greatly, with prices ranging from a few dollars per hour to several hundred dollars per month. For businesses on a tight budget, finding virtual assistants who charge $3 or less per hour can be a challenge. In this article, we will discuss some tips on how to find and hire virtual assistants at this price point.
- Look for Virtual Assistants in Lower Cost Countries
One of the best ways to find virtual assistants who charge $3 or less per hour is to look for assistants in lower cost countries. Countries such as the Philippines, India, and Eastern Europe have a large pool of highly skilled virtual assistants who are willing to work for lower rates than their counterparts in Western countries. By hiring virtual assistants from these countries, businesses can reduce the cost of their operations while still finding individuals with the necessary skills and expertise.
- Avoid freelancing platforms
The reason we suggest to avoid the freelancing platforms is that they charge a lot of money from both client and virtual assistant. For example, upwork charge structure goes somewhat like this:
For Freelancers:
20% earning
$0.9 for every bid freelancers place to win a project
A monthly membership fee.
A costly currency conversion option that takes away 2-3% of freelancers earnings
For Clients:
2.5% payment processing fees
A premium membership fee
In total they can charge from 30% – 40% of the total money that are spent on the platform.
All of these adds up to the freelancers’ hourly rate. Therefore, these platforms are not cheap options for sure.
The best option is to hire managed virtual assistants directly from a virtual assistant agency like SageDoer.
- Evaluate the Tasks and Skills Required
When hiring a virtual assistant, it’s important to evaluate the tasks and skills required for the job. Not all virtual assistants have the same level of expertise, and hiring a virtual assistant with more advanced skills may cost more. By carefully considering the tasks and skills required, businesses can ensure that they are hiring the right person for the job, at a price that fits within their budget.
- Provide Clear Expectations
When hiring a virtual assistant, it’s important to provide clear expectations. This may include outlining the tasks to be performed, the hours of work required, and any other requirements such as language proficiency or technology skills. By providing clear expectations, businesses can ensure that they are hiring a virtual assistant who is able to meet their needs and work effectively within their budget.
- Offer a Long-Term Contract
Finally, businesses can negotiate a lower rate with virtual assistants by offering a long-term contract. Virtual assistants who are offered a long-term contract may be willing to reduce their hourly rate in exchange for the security of a longer term engagement.
In conclusion, finding virtual assistants who charge $3 or less per hour is possible with the right approach. By considering virtual assistants from lower cost countries, using freelance platforms, evaluating the tasks and skills required, providing clear expectations, and offering a long-term contract, businesses can find virtual assistants who are able to meet their needs while working within their budget. By hiring virtual assistants at this price point, businesses can reduce the cost of their operations and maximize their efficiency.