Are you overwhelmed by admin tasks, juggling customer messages, and constantly behind on content or follow-ups? I was too. Maybe it’s time to hire a virtual assistant! I waited far too long—and once I finally did it, my life changed. From saving time and money to regaining focus on high-level work, hiring a virtual assistant was hands down the smartest move I ever made. Here’s how I did it, where to look, and what to know before you start. So, why hire a virtual assistant?
Where to find qualified virtual assistants without breaking the bank
Hiring a virtual assistant doesn’t have to cost a fortune. But go cheap without doing your research, and you’ll pay in time, stress, or both. The trick is knowing where to look and how to screen effectively. I’ve tested several platforms and approaches—and I’ve learned what works (and what doesn’t).
My favourite platforms for hiring virtual assistants
Where can you find a virtual assistant for hire? There’s no perfect answer to where to hire a virtual assistant, but some platforms consistently deliver. For budget-conscious entrepreneurs, OnlineJobs.ph is the best place to hire virtual assistants in the Philippines. The talent pool is huge, the platform is VA-focused, and English fluency is generally strong.
Upwork is another solid choice if you want flexibility and short-term contracts. For UK or USA-based hires, I’ve had decent success with Fiverr Pro and Belay—though costs are higher, the screening is tighter.
No matter where you hire a virtual assistant—Philippines, UK, or USA—remember to always test the collaboration with a paid trial project. You’ll learn more from a week of real work than any interview.
How I hired a Filipino virtual assistant who transformed my operations
I decided to hire a virtual assistant in the Philippines and found an amazing VA through OnlineJobs.ph. How? After browsing hundreds of profiles, I created a clear, concise job post that detailed responsibilities, required tools (Google Workspace, Notion, Canva), and working hours. I included a “hidden task” in the post—asking applicants to include a specific word in their email subject line—to filter out lazy applications.
From there, I shortlisted five, assigned a paid test task, and chose the most proactive one. She’s from Davao City, works 30 hours a week, and has single-handedly taken over my inbox, CRM updates, podcast coordination, and even some graphic work. The best part? She’s reliable, communicates clearly, and works fast. Hiring a Filipino virtual assistant was a game changer.
When to hire a VA locally vs. overseas (and what to expect)
If you’re hiring for tasks that need cultural nuance (like customer service in a niche UK market), it might be smarter to hire a virtual assistant in the UK or USA. But for structured, non-cultural tasks like data entry, inbox management, social media scheduling, or research, overseas VAs are often of better value – then you can hire Filipino virtual assistants.
Expect a bit of a learning curve. Time zone differences mean you need to plan handovers wisely. And communication must be crystal clear. But the trade-off is significant savings and high-quality work if you find the right person.
What hiring a virtual assistant taught me about delegation and focus
Hiring help doesn’t just free up hours, it has a hidden benefit, too. It forces you to clarify your processes. Before bringing someone onboard, I had to rethink what I was doing and why. This made me a better operator. Delegating is a skill, and hiring a VA is the perfect way to sharpen it.
I recorded a video to show you exactly how I made working with a virual assistant a consistent part of my day:
Why should I have hired help way earlier in my business journey
Like most solo founders, I wore every hat for way too long. I thought I couldn’t afford help, but the real cost was my time—and burnout. Once I hired a VA, I saw how many things I was doing that someone else could do better and faster. If you’re even thinking about hiring a VA, it’s probably time.
How a real estate VA saved me 10+ hours a week
At one point, I was managing several real estate listings. My VA now handles incoming inquiries, schedules viewings, updates listings, and even follows up with prospects. I save at least 10 hours per week—and my response time has improved dramatically. If you’re in property, hire real estate virtual assistant. It’s a no-brainer.
Why clear SOPs make onboarding 10x smoother
When I first hired a VA, I dumped tasks on her with vague Loom videos and hoped for the best. Big mistake. Now, I have clear SOPs—step-by-step guides, templates, and examples—for everything. Not only does this speed up onboarding, but it ensures quality stays consistent.
How this hire directly impacted my personal brand presence
With a VA taking care of admin, I finally had time to focus on higher-leverage work: writing content, recording videos, pitching podcasts. My consistency shot up, and so did engagement. If you’re trying to grow a brand, you should be the face—not the one lost in email threads or scheduling chaos.
