31 replies
I am getting to be pretty overworked these days, and I am looking into getting a virtual assistant. Wondering what other Warriors thoughts are on the subject?

Are you using a virtual assistant?
Have you had good/bad experiences?
What would be an average pay rate?
Where is a good place to find one?
Rather have a virtual assistant or outsource individual tasks?

Having a lot of time to do research today with the newest blizzard in the midwest! Hope you all are staying warm!

Thanks!
#assistants #virtual
  • Profile picture of the author Marketing Cheetah
    I haven't hired one but I have never seen such a successful Classified Ad: http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...g-75-week.html
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    • Profile picture of the author Enfusia
      A good VA will run you about $400 a month in my book.
      I have experienced Croatian's and Philippines and in my book the latter is the only way to go.

      Be prepared they have a lot of power outages there. Your VA is not pulling your leg when they say they couldn't get back to you because of no power.

      I went through a private source so I tested 3 and kept 1. I do hear that you may have to go through a few before you get a good one but in the end it's well worth it.

      When I say tested 3 I mean gave them all the same assignments as they are repetitive anyway and one out shone the rest by a mile.

      Having the right expectations is your best bet. If your looking for them to take repetitive tasks away from you that are a time suckage then you have the right mindset going in.

      Those are my findings. I hear people hire even cheaper than what I said but I think it's a great deal.

      Patrick
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  • Profile picture of the author webapex
    It might be worth signing up for the replacemyself.com course, besides 'how to' training, he also provides canned training material intended for your VA's education, the replacemyself guy is one of those with a preference for the Philippines where you can find full time employees for around $400-$700/mo. I understand one popular online resume services bestjobs.ph? has blocked employers from the U.S.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
    I would recommend that you start with a part-time outsourcer. If you have a thought like "how would I keep a full time person busy?", then part-time is the way to go.

    I started with oDesk.com and still recommend them. I am sure that there are many good services out there.

    Tyrone Shum is a pretty good source for outsourcing ideas. I would recommend that you get his free reports and videos. You can find him here.

    OUTSOURCING AND AUTOMATION | Tyrone Shum

    Hope this helps.

    Joe Mobley


    Originally Posted by iMeB View Post

    I am getting to be pretty overworked these days, and I am looking into getting a virtual assistant. Wondering what other Warriors thoughts are on the subject?

    Are you using a virtual assistant?
    Have you had good/bad experiences?
    What would be an average pay rate?
    Where is a good place to find one?
    Rather have a virtual assistant or outsource individual tasks?

    Having a lot of time to do research today with the newest blizzard in the midwest! Hope you all are staying warm!

    Thanks!
    Signature

    .

    Follow Me on Twitter: @daVinciJoe
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  • Profile picture of the author Patrick
    You can try Odesk.com ..They offer hourly work..So you will be charged only for the hours worked by your team members.

    But be careful, people take up hourly jobs and then take much time to do it so that they get paid more.
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  • Profile picture of the author The Big Deal
    I would have to also recommend Odesk.com
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  • Profile picture of the author Adam James
    If your looking for a full time or part time VA go to the philippines, I have written an eBook that will show you everything you need to know on outsourcing you can find it in my sig I hope it helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author myeanne
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author aidanjb1
      Hey,

      I had 3 full time assistants in 2010 and had good experiences with them. 3 were from the Philippines and one from Thailand.

      I was paying each person an average of $650-$850 per month on a per task basis (not a flat rate).

      Check out VWorker and Elance...thats where I found mine, they started of doing "test" jobs and once they proved themselves, they took on bigger projects.

      In general I kept each person doing a specific task, one person link building, one person building websites, one person writing etc.

      Hope this helps,

      Aidan
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  • Profile picture of the author wcmylife
    I usually use this VA and her dedicated team when I need content/article marketing and PR - top notch - knows exactly what I need although that's probably because we've been doing business for over 4 years now. Give her a shout and see if she's taking on more clients - Carolyn at theargot@gmail.com

    Hope it helps mate
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  • Profile picture of the author mrckc
    I need a professional Telecommunication VA, Any sites that you guys can recommend? American accent and preferably philipino.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      I like and would recommend oDesk. I have seen in some portfolios where they mention they have worked for American companies. Some American companies provide voice training.

      Hope this helps.

      Joe Mobley

      Originally Posted by mrckc View Post

      I need a professional Telecommunication VA, Any sites that you guys can recommend? American accent and preferably philipino.
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      • Profile picture of the author Devid Farah
        Hey iMeb

        My Virtual assistant is crucial to me.

        Though I did go through a rigorous interview process, they check my many emails daily, do odd tasks,browse the web for information,ensure that I keep my appointments etc.

        She is from the Philippines and she speaks English very well and can use Word and Excel and the Internet (specifically email platforms). That's it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
    I have not needed a VA yet but am just starting now to outsource some stuff on Odesk. I will see how it goes.
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  • Profile picture of the author Willie Crawford
    I have worked with several VA's and still use 2 full-time,
    both from the Philippines. I hired them after going through
    John Jonas' course... I interviewed them and hired them
    directly.

    Some people had less luck hiring from the PI. For example,
    Rachel Rofe shared some of her horror stories in a WSO that
    she recently offered.

    I've had great luck but also speak the language, and have
    even LIVED in the country.

    I've also worked with an excellent American VA.

    They make life a lot easier!

    Willie
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    • Profile picture of the author Marketing Cheetah
      Originally Posted by Willie Crawford View Post

      I have worked with several VA's and still use 2 full-time,
      both from the Philippines. I hired them after going through
      John Jonas' course... I interviewed them and hired them
      directly.

      Some people had less luck hiring from the PI. For example,
      Rachel Rofe shared some of her horror stories in a WSO that
      she recently offered.

      I've had great luck but also speak the language, and have
      even LIVED in the country.

      I've also worked with an excellent American VA.

      They make life a lot easier!

      Willie
      I have found some really good writers from Philipines but still no luck in finding a full time VA. I am even happy with a part time VA but I guess my method of searching is wrong.
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  • Profile picture of the author misterlmno
    i currently have 6 staff working for me, all hired on odesk.

    i have been fairly lucky with all my workers as they have been great.

    the interview process it the most important, make sure you test their skills and check feedback.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurarussell49
    Originally Posted by iMeB View Post

    I am getting to be pretty overworked these days, and I am looking into getting a virtual assistant. Wondering what other Warriors thoughts are on the subject?

    Are you using a virtual assistant?
    Have you had good/bad experiences?
    What would be an average pay rate?
    Where is a good place to find one?
    Rather have a virtual assistant or outsource individual tasks?

    Having a lot of time to do research today with the newest blizzard in the midwest! Hope you all are staying warm!

    Thanks!

    VA's can be a great help for you. As for me I would suggest that you must have a help for your work. Their salaries usually ranges from $300-$400..
    These guys can be searched through online. Try some sites to look for them. ThankS!
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  • Profile picture of the author Geoff101
    I can be you VA.

    Why Me!

    > Over 5 Years experience with Websites.
    > Over 3 Years of experience in Internet Marketing/SEO
    > Computer Data and OS Backed Up every day.
    > Reserve Computer ready for work
    > Office backed up by UPS with 4 Hour Backup.
    > 5kw backup Diesel generator.
    > Two Internet backup connections
    > PC secured by Hardware and Software Firewall.
    > PC secured by Two Antivirus updated daily multiple times


    You won't have the Usual/Common VA problems with me because I have a proper office.
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    • Profile picture of the author terrelsmith13
      AGENTS OF VALUE

      Virtual Personal Assistants (VPA) are an extension of you. An extension of you who will do other works that you cannot comply anymore due to restrictions of your time. The company has gathered knowledgeable and highly skilled virtual assistants.

      The above site offers virtual assistance by hiring your own virtual assistant.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      Geoff,

      Smart. Very smart.

      And, if it were me, I'd setup a Google alert and setup a post every chance I got.


      Joe Mobley


      Originally Posted by Geoff101 View Post

      I can be you VA.

      Why Me!

      > Over 5 Years experience with Websites.
      > Over 3 Years of experience in Internet Marketing/SEO
      > Computer Data and OS Backed Up every day.
      > Reserve Computer ready for work
      > Office backed up by UPS with 4 Hour Backup.
      > 5kw backup Diesel generator.
      > Two Internet backup connections
      > PC secured by Hardware and Software Firewall.
      > PC secured by Two Antivirus updated daily multiple times


      You won't have the Usual/Common VA problems with me because I have a proper office.
      Signature

      .

      Follow Me on Twitter: @daVinciJoe
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      • Profile picture of the author Geoff101
        Thanks for the compliment. I got hired after few days. Pay is good and I was offered a partnership deal with pay, which I accepted.

        Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post

        Geoff,

        Smart. Very smart.

        And, if it were me, I'd setup a Google alert and setup a post every chance I got.


        Joe Mobley
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  • Profile picture of the author Andrea Wilson
    A good rate per month for a virtual assitant can be $400-500 per month. There are a lot of qualified applicants in Odesk and most of them are from the Philippines. Outsourcing individual task can be really time consuming so hiring an assistant is like a breath of fresh air.

    Andrea
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Thompson
    Agents of Value is expensive.

    I learned outsourcing from John Jonas also and I purchased a membership to his Replace Myself system. The way I did it is to buy the "pro" package (offered as an upsell after you join) and this turns it into a one-time payment rather than a monthly fee. Permanent access to OnlineJobs.ph and a big pool of VAs to hire from.

    My experience has been generally good. I use my workers for a lot of stuff. I bought copies of Market Samurai for them so they can do keyword research. I've given them all of John's training modules so they understand IM. I get them to write articles or submit articles. I recently started having them make videos from my articles (I record the voice and send MP3 to them, they convert to a powerpoint presentation and submit to YouTube).

    It's VERY convenient.

    Right now I'm spending a lot of time collecting potential sources of advertising and I have one guy just scouring the web for authority sites that I can advertise on. It's handy to have him collect the work and present initial conclusions to me. Saves me lots of time.

    They clean up spam on blogs, they do tons of useful stuff. I highly recommend starting with only ONE employee who works for you full time. Just hire for the skill that you really need and train for other skills over time.

    DO NOT go out and build a team day one. Hire ONE person. That's it.
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  • Profile picture of the author jasono
    There are lots of VAs you can hire in onlinejobs.ph, odesk, elance and freelancer. Average pay rate would be around $2 - $4 and there are others who can even work for as low as $200 per month.

    I've had experience with bad and good. If you want to be effective in outsourcing, hire VAs that are reliable and trustworthy. You can identify good ones by interviewing them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Invert Planet
    yes, no, maybe?

    I hire out only what I can't do myself. If time is an issue, I would outsource on a project base. Even better, automate the tasks and outsource someone to write the scripts for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author matthewfermin
    Yes, if you are looking for a VA both part time and full time try onlinejobs.ph. You will see a lot of Filipino people looking for job as a va. hth!
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  • Profile picture of the author Mary Wilhite
    Bestjobs.ph would be good.

    John Jonas' course would be good to have an initial idea
    on VA's

    have several from Philippines and Kenya.

    So far they're excellent.

    There are warriors who offer VA services. Check them out as well
    in the warriors for hire section.

    Interview them first and let them do a test task.
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  • Profile picture of the author HatKing
    I have heard a lot of good things about virtual assistant in Philippines. In one instance, my friend hired an entire family there as his virtual assistant. He would send a blog post to them in an email, they will correct the grammar of the content, load up some SEO on the post and pictures before uploading it up to his site. They are very efficient.
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    • Profile picture of the author YukonJack
      VA's are essential in my book. And just like hiring local, you can find really bad ones and you can find really good ones.

      Here is what you do:
      1. Go to Odesk.com and get an account
      2. Hire 3-4 people at $2.00/hr after you interview them through Skype and find the top 3-4) for whatever you need. Only have them work like 1-2 hours a day, or whatever you can afford and makes sense. Let them know it is a trial basis and depending in how they perform, they could be taken full time at $2.50/ hr. $2-$2.50 is a good starting rate for Phillipino VA . But nice you identified a honest hard worker and they stick around after a few months, make sure you indent them to stay with you.
      3. See which ones respond well and communicate with you often and ask for clarity. Additionally, make sure they have good English during the interview process and ensure that itmisnconsistent after you hire them.

      This will consume a little extra time in the beginning, but will save you tons of money and time later. So take the extra time to train each in whatever you need done and see which ones perform the best. Your keeper will shine and come through the pack.

      If you just hire 1, you may get lucky, but I haven't yet. Byte real test is real time workgn with them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Flowithit
    I would say outsource to specific specialties...

    You want quality at the end of the day. Everyone has strengths and weakness's
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  • Profile picture of the author magiclouie
    Originally Posted by Nick Jolin View Post

    I am getting to be pretty overworked these days, and I am looking into getting a virtual assistant. Wondering what other Warriors thoughts are on the subject?

    Are you using a virtual assistant?
    Have you had good/bad experiences?
    What would be an average pay rate?
    Where is a good place to find one?
    Rather have a virtual assistant or outsource individual tasks?

    Having a lot of time to do research today with the newest blizzard in the midwest! Hope you all are staying warm!

    Thanks!
    Hi Nick,

    As a fellow warrior, I am more than happy to help you in having a very good VA.

    I can recommend someone and I can tell you for sure that he's reliable, honest, and hardworking.

    He specializes on web development and graphics but he can manage in handling SEO tasks too and other driving traffic methods.

    Please PM me as soon as you get a chance and let's take it from there.

    Thanks,
    Louie Tugas
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