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.
What roles can I hire as virtual staff?
Administrative and executive assistants, bookkeepers, customer support, ecommerce operations, social media help and website developers. Read the full guide
How do I hire virtual staff without a long contract?
Choose hourly or monthly plans. New registrations can start for $1 a month, and pay-as-you-go hours never expire. Read the full guide
How much does it cost to hire virtual staff?
Pay-as-you-go is $12 an hour and a dedicated assistant starts from $5.62 an hour. Monthly plans cost less per hour. Read the full guide
How do I brief my virtual staff?
Write the steps in plain words with one example, list the tools and access needed, say how often you want updates and name the decisions that stay with you. Read the full guide
How much does a virtual assistant cost in Montreal?
A remote virtual assistant through MyRemoteVA starts from $5.62 an hour on a dedicated plan, or $12 an hour pay-as-you-go. Read the full guide
What tasks can a virtual assistant handle for a Montreal business?
Admin and calendar management, bookkeeping and QST/GST returns, customer support by email and chat, social media scheduling, website updates and web project coordination. Read the full guide
What time zone does a virtual assistant for Montreal work in?
Shifts align with EST (UTC-5) or EDT (UTC-4) in summer. Your assistant covers your Montreal working hours so support is always there. Read the full guide
What is a US based virtual assistant?
A US based virtual assistant is a remote worker who lives and works in the United States. They share your time zone and local knowledge. They usually charge more per hour than an offshore assistant. Read the full guide
Can an offshore virtual assistant work US hours?
Yes. Many offshore assistants work shifts that match US business hours. At MyRemoteVA, the team is in Kerala, India, and shifts are planned around your Eastern, Central, Mountain or Pacific working day. Read the full guide
How much does a virtual assistant cost compared with a US based one?
A dedicated MyRemoteVA assistant starts from $5.62 an hour on a full-time plan (160 hours for $899 a month). Pay-as-you-go is $12 an hour. US based assistants are often priced higher, so compare the all-in monthly cost. Read the full guide
When should I choose a US based virtual assistant?
Choose one if a rule says your data must stay in the US, if you need someone who can sign for deliveries or attend in-person events, or if you want a US phone presence. For most admin, bookkeeping and web tasks, hours and quality matter more than location. Read the full guide
What does a calendar management virtual assistant do?
They schedule and move meetings, block focus time, handle time zones, send invites and reminders, and keep your diary free of clashes. They follow rules you set. Read the full guide
Which calendar tools can a virtual assistant use?
Most work in Google Calendar, Outlook and Apple Calendar, and use booking tools such as Calendly. You share access with limited permissions and can remove it at any time. Read the full guide
How much does calendar management cost?
On pay-as-you-go it is $12 an hour. A dedicated assistant starts from $5.62 an hour on a full-time plan. Most owners need only a few hours a week for diary work, so a small block often covers it. Read the full guide
Does a calendar management assistant make phone calls?
No. The work is done by email, chat and your calendar tools, with no outbound calls. That keeps it simple and easy to check. Read the full guide
Can one virtual assistant work 24 hours a day?
No. One person cannot work around the clock. To cover 24 hours you need several assistants on shifts, which also costs several times more. Read the full guide
How many hours does a full-time virtual assistant work?
A full-time dedicated MyRemoteVA assistant works 160 hours a month, for $899. We plan the shifts around your working day, so they are online when you need them. Read the full guide
Do I need round the clock cover?
Most small businesses do not. If your customers write at night, a morning review of the inbox is often enough. Cover only the hours where a delay costs you money. Read the full guide
What is a cheaper way to get fast replies?
Set clear rules and templates, ask your assistant to review the inbox at set times, and use an out-of-hours auto reply that says when people will hear back. Read the full guide
What does a virtual office assistant do?
They handle the office tasks that need a person but not an office: email, calendars, filing, data entry, invoices, research, reports and travel or event admin. Read the full guide
Is a virtual office assistant the same as a virtual receptionist?
No. An office assistant does admin and back-office work. A receptionist answers and routes calls and messages. Many firms use both, for different tasks. Read the full guide
How much does a virtual office assistant cost?
Pay-as-you-go is $12 an hour. A dedicated assistant starts from $5.62 an hour on a full-time plan, which is 160 hours for $899 a month. New registrations can try it for $1 a month. Read the full guide
Can a virtual office assistant work UK hours?
Yes. Shifts are planned around your working day, including UK hours, so your assistant is online when your team is. Read the full guide
What is a virtual staffing agency?
It is a company that finds and supplies remote workers, such as virtual assistants, bookkeepers or support agents. Some only place workers. Others manage them day to day. Read the full guide
How is a managed service different from a placement agency?
A placement agency introduces a worker, then you manage them. A managed service also supervises the work with a team lead, and covers training and backup. Read the full guide
How much does a virtual staffing agency cost?
It varies. With MyRemoteVA, a dedicated full-time assistant starts from $5.62 an hour (160 hours for $899 a month) and pay-as-you-go is $12 an hour. Read the full guide
What should I ask before I sign?
Ask who manages the work, who covers absences, how hours roll over, what the notice period is, and how you can stop or change plans. Read the full guide
What do construction bookkeeping services include?
Recording income and costs, matching them to your bank each month and sending a simple report. For a construction business that also means job costing, progress billing and retainage. Read the full guide
How much do construction bookkeeping services cost?
Pay-as-you-go is $12 an hour and a dedicated assistant starts from $5.62 an hour. Cost depends on how many items you have each month. Read the full guide
What is job costing?
Recording materials, labour and equipment against each job, so you can see which jobs make money. Read the full guide