Virtual assistants are fast becoming key players in organizations of all sizes – helping them meet their administrative needs with low overhead.
But, for many, looking for a virtual assistant (VA) is still a chore. There are so many different types of services, security concerns, and ways to hire them. You end up with more questions than answers.
We’ve put together a quick, bite-sized resource with top virtual assistant frequently asked questions, short answers, and resources to help you find the details you need!
A virtual assistant is a remote assistant (onshore or offshore) who provides administrative, executive, or operational support. They help business leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams manage routine and administrative tasks at a lower cost than an in-house hire.
Learn more with the Ultimate Guide to Virtual Assistants >
There are three main types of VA services, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. They are:
Learn more about the different types of VA services >
Virtual assistants can handle most documented, routine, or template-able tasks. Tasks they commonly support include calendar and inbox management, travel planning, expense management, CRM updates, reporting, prospecting, document management, and task management. They can manage traditional executive assistant work as well as specialized work for sales, marketing, HR, operations, and recruiting teams.
Explore the 26 most common VA tasks >
The onboarding period will depend on the type of service and how you hire. With a managed service, it typically takes a few weeks to secure an assistant, go through initial onboarding, and start delegating your first tasks. Freelance VAs may start faster, but they usually require more hands-on setup and training.
Learn more about Prialto’s onboarding process >
The best way to ensure security and confidentiality is to work with a reputable virtual assistant service that does background checks, provides assistants with security training, and manages their team’s physical, electronic, and human security. If you hire an assistant directly, you may have to provide them with training, hardware, and security tools yourself.
Learn more about virtual assistant security >
Hiring full-time versus part-time comes down to the level of support, hours of availability, and depth of integration you need. Fractional assistants are best when you need around 55 hours of coverage a month, have varied needs across departments, and need backup support. A full-time assistant is best if you need an assistant to develop deep familiarity with your processes, full-time availability, and a higher level of proactive support.
Read the breakdown: full-time versus fractional support >
Many services offer dedicated assistants. At Prialto, both our full-time and fractional assistants are dedicated to your account; you won’t get a rotating roster of assistants who aren’t familiar with your service. Task-based assistant services, on the other hand, often rotate your tasks through whoever on their team is available.
Learn more about Prialto’s fractional service >
Hiring virtual assistants has a number of financial, time, and morale benefits for business leaders and teams. They include:
See our breakdown of 11 benefits of hiring a virtual assistant >
The price of a virtual assistant service depends on the service model, skillset, and location of the service. Freelance virtual assistants are the least expensive, but they come with the highest risk and time investment. Agencies are typically pricier than freelance assistants. They save you hiring investment, but you’re still responsible for management. Managed virtual assistant services are the more expensive option, but you get access to an assistant, team, best practices, and subject matter experts.
At Prialto, we sell our service in Prialto Units. 55 hours a month for $1,500. That’s about $27 an hour.
See our full pricing breakdown for each option >
Communication style will depend on the VA service you hire. Prialto virtual assistants integrate into the tools you use – whether you prefer email, chat software, video calls, or texting. You can schedule daily, weekly, or monthly check-ins. It’s up to you and your preferred working style.
Yes, virtual assistants regularly work within your existing tech stack. We’ll white label accounts in your key tools (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Etc.), document, and execute your processes. You don’t need to add any additional tools to work with Prialto VAs, unless you want to!
Learn more about the top VA software tools >
Prialto’s virtual assistants already knows or can learn any AI tools you use. Many of Prialto’s assistants use AI tools in their daily workflows, and internal Subject Matter Experts are constantly learning and documenting new tools. We believe in utilizing AI to amplify productivity for both you and your assistant.
Explore our 8 most used AI tools >
If you hire a fractional virtual assistant through a managed service, you get built-in backup support. They’re cross-trained with all your processes and are able to step in temporarily to ensure continuity. That’s one of the primary advantages of a managed service.
If your virtual assistant is to leave for any reason, we’ll source your new assistant. Your dedicated engagement manager will provide them with the documentation and training they need to get up and running as quickly as possible—providing a seamless move between assistants without requiring you to step in and re-train.
Learn how outsourcing to a team is different than a traditional VA relationship >
Time tracking will depend on the service you use. At Prialto we use Time Doctor to track productive time, so you know exactly how much time we’re dedicating to your tasks.
Wondering if Prialto is right for you? Schedule a consultation to learn more!