Why Freelance and Small Business Assistants are Superior
The Benefits of Working with a Small Business Virtual assistant
When it comes to hiring a virtual assistant, there are many options out there. One of the biggest decisions you'll need to make is how to connect with a virtual assistant and whether to go with a large virtual assistant company or to spend the time finding a small business. While large companies may seem like the safer bet, there are many reasons why a small business or solo virtual assistant is often the better choice.
A small business virtual assistant provides a personalized touch that is often missing with larger companies. When you work with a small business, you'll have a direct line of communication with the person handling your tasks and that person will have an overview of all the tasks on your plate, allowing them to aid in the delegation and prioritization of these responsibilities. You'll get to know each other well, and they'll get to know you and your business, almost as well as you do! This personalized approach allows for a better understanding of your needs and a more tailored service. It also allows your assistant to better anticipate your needs with time.
Another important factor to consider is long-term relationships. When you work with a small business virtual assistant, the focus is on building an ongoing relationship with you. When you work with a large company that hires many virtual assistants, the possibility of the relationship being long term is slim. Unlike large companies that may rotate assistants and have higher turnover rates, with a small business, you can have the same virtual assistant for years to come. This continuity provides consistency and stability in your business support and allows you to come to rely on your assistant.
Cost is another factor to consider. Large virtual assistant companies often have higher costs due to their overhead expenses, and if they don’t they have a higher cost then they have an even higher than average turn over rate. When you work with a small business, you're often able to get more affordable rates while receiving high-quality service that often time exceeds the service you would receive with a large company. Possibly even more importantly, you know who your money is actually going to.
One of the biggest drawbacks of working with a large virtual assistant company is the contract restrictions they often impose on their virtual assistants which contributes to the less than ideal stability of the ongoing and long-term relationship with your assistant. These contracts often prohibit the virtual assistant from working with any client, past or present, of the company indefinitely. This means that if you develop a good working relationship with your virtual assistant, and they decide to leave the company, it is highly likely that you won't be able to continue working with them and will be forced into finding, and training, a new assistant which increases cost and time spent. With a small business, there are no such restrictions, allowing for greater flexibility and continued support.
Finally, with a small business virtual assistant, you can rest assured that your information will be kept confidential. Large companies often have many virtual assistants working on different tasks, increasing the risk of breaches in privacy. With a small business, you'll know exactly who is handling your information and can trust that it's being kept safe and secure. Many small businesses have a privacy policy in place that outlines exactly who will be able to access your private information.
In summary, while large virtual assistant companies may seem like the easier choice and are most definitely easier to come across in a simple google search, small business virtual assistants offer a more personalized approach, greater continuity, reliability, affordability, and flexibility, and more security. These benefits ultimately lead to a more effective and efficient business support system, making the choice of a small business virtual assistant a wise investment for any business owner.
