Hiring a virtual assistant: questions answered
Quick answer: a MyRemoteVA assistant is a trained person who uses AI to work faster, starts the same day, and costs from $5.62 an hour. Below are answers on hiring, managing and getting the most from a virtual assistant.
Every price on this page matches our pricing page, and prices are in US dollars.
A team lead reviews every task before it reaches you, and our assistants use AI tools to work faster.
We do not invent statistics, survey results, customer quotes or reviews in any answer.
How long does it take to hire a virtual assistant?
Hiring on your own through a freelance site usually takes 1 to 3 weeks. With a managed service like MyRemoteVA, a vetted VA from the standby pool can start the same day. Read the full guide
What should I ask a virtual assistant before hiring?
Ask how they handle unclear instructions, which tools they know, which hours overlap with yours, and how they report progress. Clear answers matter more than a long resume. Read the full guide
Is it better to hire a VA through an agency or a freelance site?
An agency vets, matches and replaces VAs for you, and often adds quality review. A freelance site gives more choice but puts all the screening on you. Read the full guide
How many hours should I start with?
Start small. A 3-hour block is $33 and pay-as-you-go is $12 an hour, so you can test one task before you commit to a monthly plan. Read the full guide
What is the difference between an executive assistant and a virtual assistant?
An executive assistant owns your calendar and priorities and makes judgment calls. A virtual assistant completes defined tasks you assign. Read the full guide
How much does a remote executive assistant cost?
At MyRemoteVA the same plans apply to both roles: from $5.62 an hour on a full-time dedicated plan, or $33 for a 3-hour block. Read the full guide
Can a remote executive assistant work US hours?
Yes. We plan overlap with your business hours in the US, UK or Australia at sign-up. Read the full guide
What is a fractional executive assistant?
One who works a set number of hours a week instead of full-time. It is often the right starting point. Read the full guide
What is BPO?
BPO stands for business process outsourcing: paying an outside team to run a business process, like support or data entry, for you. Read the full guide
Is business process outsourcing only for big companies?
No. Traditional BPO firms often want large volumes and long contracts, but managed VA services like MyRemoteVA offer BPO for small businesses by the hour. Read the full guide
Which business processes are easiest to outsource?
Customer support, data entry, bookkeeping, order processing and appointment scheduling. They repeat often and follow clear steps. Read the full guide
How much does it cost?
At MyRemoteVA you can start at $33 for 3 hours or $12 an hour pay-as-you-go. A full-time dedicated team member is $899 a month, or $5.62 an hour. Read the full guide
Does a virtual assistant need to be local to me?
No. A remote VA with planned overlap with your hours covers the same working time as a local hire, without you needing to find someone nearby. Read the full guide
Why do people search for a virtual assistant near me?
Usually to get overlap with their working hours and someone who knows their market, not because the VA must be in the same building. Read the full guide
Is a remote VA cheaper than a local one?
Often yes, because a remote assistant has no office costs built into the rate. MyRemoteVA plans start at $5.62 an hour on a full-time dedicated plan. Read the full guide
Can I have a VA in my time zone?
We plan overlap with US, UK, Canadian, UAE, Australian and New Zealand hours. Tell us your hours at sign-up. Read the full guide
Why hire a virtual assistant in India?
India has a large pool of skilled, English-speaking professionals, and rates are lower than most local hires for the same work. Read the full guide
Can an Indian virtual assistant work my hours?
Yes. We plan shifts around US, UK and Australian business hours. For US hours this means an evening or night shift in Kerala. Read the full guide
How do I avoid the risks of outsourcing to India?
Use a managed team with a lead who reviews every task, start with a small test, and agree clear hours and processes up front. Read the full guide
Is a virtual assistant better than a freelancer?
It depends on the work. A freelancer fits a single project. A managed virtual assistant fits ongoing tasks that need cover and review. Read the full guide
What is the main risk of hiring a freelancer?
One person means no backup. If they are ill, busy or leave, your work stops and you start the search again. Read the full guide
What does a managed virtual assistant add?
A team behind one person: cover when someone is away, a lead who reviews the work and a clear process for feedback. Read the full guide
Can I use both?
Yes. Many owners use a managed VA for weekly routine work and a freelancer for one-off projects such as a logo or a site build. Read the full guide
Should I hire a Filipino virtual assistant or an Indian one?
Neither country is better in every case. Both have skilled, English-speaking people. Match the skills, the hours and the oversight to your work, and test with one small task first. Read the full guide
Does MyRemoteVA have Filipino virtual assistants?
No. Our team works from Kerala, India. We plan shifts around your working day in the US, UK, Canada, the UAE, Australia or New Zealand, and a team lead reviews every task. Read the full guide
Which is closer to Australian and New Zealand hours?
The Philippines is a few hours closer to Australia and New Zealand on the clock. Both countries can cover your day with planned shifts, so the practical difference is small if the team plans shifts well. Read the full guide
How do I compare two providers fairly?
Give each the same small paid task, compare accuracy and tone, and ask what happens when the assistant is away. The provider that explains oversight clearly is usually the safer choice. Read the full guide
What can a virtual assistant do for a small business?
Manage email and calendars, answer customer messages, enter data, research, schedule posts, support bookkeeping and prepare reports. Read the full guide
What should I not delegate to a virtual assistant?
Keep strategy, pricing, hiring decisions and key relationships. Hand off the repeat tasks that follow clear steps. Read the full guide
Can a virtual assistant work without making phone calls?
Yes. Email, chat, data, bookkeeping, research, web updates and social media are all non-calling work, and they make up most of what a VA does. Read the full guide