5 common virtual assistant myths that aren’t true

Concerns about hiring a VA? It’s always shocking how many misconceptions we hear about working with virtual assistants that simply aren’t true. And it’s a shame that so many business owners pay attention to these virtual assistant myths… instead of getting the support they need. 

That’s why we’re shining a light on what it’s really like to work with a VA, coming from a team of experienced and professional VAs, so you can make an informed decision about whether a VA is right for your business. 

Today, we’re clearing up 5 virtual assistant myths we hear regularly. We’ve previously busted common misconceptions about VAs that include:

• Time zones and language barriers get in the way 
• It takes too much time to manage a VA
• A VA won’t understand your business
• VAs aren’t trustworthy
• Your data is unsafe 

(Spoiler alert: None of those are true!) 

Now let’s get into the other common misconceptions…

Myth 1: “Virtual assistants only have basic skills and are suitable for low-level tasks”

We’re always flabbergasted when we hear anyone allude to this because it couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, of course, you CAN have a VA carry out low-level admin tasks but you can also have them do so much more…

But hiring a specialist VA can elevate your business operations, bringing a high level of expertise without the need for expensive in-house hires.

The reality is that all VAs come with different backgrounds and skills. Many VAs are experienced in specialist areas such as:

• Project management
• Marketing and social media
• HR
• Bookkeeping
• Graphic design
• Website development
• Event planning

At Virtually Priceless, most of our team members have spent many years in the corporate world supporting top-level senior executives in industries such as banking, finance, insurance, consultancy, media, and so on.

This virtual assistant myth couldn’t be further from the truth – you can hire a VA with the exact skill set you require, whether for complex tasks or more straightforward administrative support. 

Myth 2: “VAs aren’t as reliable as in-house staff”

This virtual assistant myth is frustrating because so many incredible, professional VAs have built successful businesses on the foundations of reliability, reputation, and performance.

It’s so disappointing to hear that, on occasion, people have had their fingers burned when not working with a professional VA. Our advice is to do your due diligence – check their set-up and ask for references before you start working with someone.

Professional VAs should have structures and systems in place to ensure reliability – whether it’s project management software, time-tracking tools, or communication protocols. VA agencies like us offer additional support, where individual VAs are backed by a team, providing cover if a colleague is unavailable.

Trust is built over time, just as it is with in-house employees. Start small with manageable tasks and grow the scope of responsibility as you build that trust. And if you can have someone in your network connect you with a proven, reputable VA, start there. 

At Virtually Priceless, our priority is maintaining our reputation. We do this by delivering consistent, high-quality work and becoming a trusted partner to all of our clients. We work with contracts and are accountable for deliverables just like an in-house employee would be.

Myth 3: “Communication with VAs is difficult”

This virtual assistant myth couldn’t be more wrong as most VAs offer flexible communication options to suit your needs, whether you prefer daily updates, weekly reports, or as-needed interactions. 

Communication breakdowns can happen with in-house staff too. Nearly half of workers report their productivity being affected by ineffective communication, so no matter who’s on your team, the key is establishing clear communication channels and expectations.

With today’s technology, communication with VAs is easier than ever. There’s an endless list of tools designed specifically for remote teams – Slack, Zoom, Teams, Asana, Trello, and so on – that make it easy to stay in touch and collaborate seamlessly.

The best way to communicate effectively with your VA from the beginning of your working relationship is to:

1. Decide your preferred platforms (such as email, instant messaging, or video calls)
2. Agree to expectations around response times
3. Set up regular, vital, check-ins upfront

Myth 4: “VAs won’t integrate with my in-house team”

VAs are experts in adapting to various business environments and team dynamics. Virtually Priceless VAs support multiple clients by working alongside their in-house teams, which is mutually beneficial for both parties. 

Any VA worth their salt will understand the importance of collaboration and know that we all bring a different set of skills and knowledge to the table. This virtual assistant myth comes from the small percentage of VAs who don’t have this attitude… or from people who don’t give their VAs what they need to be successful. 

But more often than not, VAs bring a fresh perspective that can complement and enhance the way your internal team operates. So encourage inclusion by treating your VA as part of the team – introduce them to key staff, include them in relevant meetings, and provide access to the tools they need to stay aligned with your team’s goals.

With proper onboarding and regular communication, VAs can blend seamlessly into your company culture, just like any other team member.

Myth 5: “Hiring a VA is too expensive”

Actually, hiring a VA is often more cost-effective. When you hire an in-house employee, you need to consider long-term commitments and costs for: 

• Salaries 
• Benefits 
• Office space 
• Equipment 
• Training 

But with a VA, you only pay for the hours or tasks you need, which makes VAs a flexible, affordable, and scalable solution. The fixed hourly rate also makes budgeting and managing your cash flow easier as you grow your business.

And make sure you don’t confuse cost with value. While VAs may seem expensive at first glance, they often deliver exceptional value in terms of productivity and efficiency, as they free up your time to focus on business growth.

VAs typically require minimal onboarding and offer an immediate impact. Over the longer term, VAs can save businesses thousands of pounds by reducing overheads and ensuring that business owners or in-house staff are not bogged down with tasks that can be easily outsourced.

So make sure you don’t get hung up on the base cost of VA but take time to consider the true ROI: time saved, increased focus on high-value activities, and streamlined operations that help your business grow.

Ignore the virtual assistant myths and find a trusted provider for your needs

So that’s another five of the common myths about working with VAs that we’ve debunked:

1. VAs can be highly skilled and carry out specialist work
2. Many VAs are highly professional, have great reputations, and are incredibly reliable
3. Communicating with a VA is easy providing you set clear guidelines and agree on how you’ll work together from the outset
4. VAs can work seamlessly with in-house teams and play an integral role in your business 
5. Although hiring a VA can appear expensive when simply looking at hourly rates, once you identify the value they add to your business and the savings they make you on overheads, they aren’t expensive after all. 

This should have helped you to reevaluate your concerns about VAs and consider the real benefits a VA could bring to your business.

Not all VAs are the same, and finding the right one for your business is key. Check out our guide to finding and hiring a good VA for your business for more guidance on this. 

When in doubt, start small. Assign simple, straightforward tasks to a VA first, then expand their responsibilities as trust and rapport build. Remember, the success of working with a VA (just like any employee) comes down to clear communication and setting expectations from the start.

At Virtually Priceless, we specialise in providing flexible and reliable support to growing, ambitious business owners. To discuss your virtual assistant needs with us, book a free call.