FAQs About Hiring a Virtual Assistant: Everything You Need to Know

FAQs About Hiring a Virtual Assistant: Everything You Need to Know

FAQs About Hiring a Virtual Assistant: Everything You Need to Know

Are you thinking about hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) but are not sure where to start? You’re in the right place. Below you’ll find clear, straightforward answers to the most common questions business owners ask—so you can hire with confidence and start reclaiming your time.

Questions we missed? Email sidekicksarah55@gmail.com and I’ll help you sort it out.

1) What does a Virtual Assistant actually do?

VAs provide remote support across admin, marketing, and operations. Typical tasks include inbox + calendar management, social media scheduling, content formatting, light website updates (Shopify/Wix/WordPress), invoicing support, customer responses, research, and more. You can start small and expand as needs grow.

2) How is a VA different from an employee?

A VA is an independent contractor (no payroll, benefits, or office space). You pay only for the services or hours you need. This flexibility makes it easier (and more affordable) to scale support up or down.

3) How much does a VA cost?

Rates vary by skill and scope. As a reference:

  • General admin: ~$25–$40/hr.
  • Specialized services (design, advanced marketing, automation): higher
    Sidekick Sarah offers: VA services $25/hr. (monthly $150 minimum), Social Media Management $75/mo., Reels Add-On $75/mo., Stories Add-On $75/mo.

4) What’s the best way to start working with a VA?

Begin with a discovery call and a short list of recurring tasks (5–10 items). A mini paid trial (5–10 hours or a small project) is a great way to align expectations, tools, and timelines before expanding.

5) How do we communicate and share tasks?

Most clients use a simple stack:

  • Tasks/Projects: Trello, Asana, or ClickUp
  • Files: Google Drive or Dropbox
  • Chat/Calls: Email, Slack, or Zoom
    We’ll match your style and set response-time norms (e.g., same-day for urgent, 24–48 hours for standard items).

6) How quickly will tasks be completed?

For Sidekick Sarah: standard turnaround is within 48 hours. Larger projects get a shared timeline and milestones, so you always know what’s next.

7) What about time zones?

I operate on Central Time and align availability with client needs. If you’re residing in another time zone, we will set up overlapping hours and setup clear expectations for urgent versus routine requests.

8) How do I protect my business information?

We use secure password sharing (like LastPass/1Password), least-access principles (only what’s needed), and can sign NDAs. Access logs, shared inbox roles, and clearly defined permissions to keep things safe and auditable.

9) What should I delegate first?

Start with:

  • Recurring admin (inbox, scheduling, follow-ups)
  • Social media scheduling and graphics
  • Blog/email formatting and publishing
  • Invoicing reminders and simple reporting
    These free up the most time, fastest.

10) How do we measure success (ROI)?

Agree on a few KPIs:

  • Hours saved per week
  • Response time improvements
  • Consistency (posts/newsletters published)
  • Revenue-adjacent outcomes (more consults booked, faster proposals sent)
    Review monthly and refine the plan.

11) Do I need SOPs before I hire?

Helpful, but not required. We can create lightweight SOPs as we go (screen recordings + checklists). This speeds up onboarding and keeps the results consistent.

12) What if I need to pause or change the plan?

We can adjust hours or the scope of work on a month-to-month basis. For fixed packages (e.g., social media), we’ll make changes at the end of a billing cycle or prorate when appropriate.

13) How do billing and payments work?

For Sidekick Sarah:

  • VA Services: $25/hr., $150 monthly minimum
  • Social Media Management: $75/mo. (30 posts)
  • Reels Add-On: $75/mo. (10)
  • Stories Add-On: $75/mo. (20)
    Invoices are sent out on the 1st or 15th (whichever option works best for you); payment is due upon receipt. Services pause if unpaid after 10 days.

14) Which industries do you support?

Service-based businesses, creatives, e-commerce, local businesses (cleaning, salons, trades), and coaches/consultants. Do you fit? Ask—if it’s not in my lane, I’ll tell you honestly and may recommend a specialist.

15) What does onboarding look like?

  1. Quick intake questionnaire
  2. Tool access + brand assets
  3. Prioritized 2-week task plan
  4. Check-in cadence set (weekly/biweekly)
    You get momentum fast—without the chaos.

A great VA partnership gives you back time, consistency, and calm—so you can focus on big-picture growth. If you’re ready to delegate smarter, let’s talk.

📩 sidekicksarah55@gmail.com | 🖥️ sidekicksarah.com

 

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