Before deciding if you want to hire a virtual assistant or in-house staff, you’ll need to first evaluate your needs. Cost, flexibility, control, and efficiency all come into play when deciding between the two. How do you work best? What is your company culture? What tasks are you looking to offload? Start with an internal check list to accurately assess your needs. What works for one company might not work best for your company so while referrals can be helpful, you’ll still need to weigh out your pros and cons.

Here are a few to consider:

1. The cost of virtual assistants is typically less because they work on a part-time basis. Also, with a virtual assistant, you don’t need to pay for office space which will reduce the cost for them. With in-house staff, they’ll require an office space and typically some form of benefits, as well as software and utilities making their cost higher.
2. Typically, when you hire a virtual assistant there is more flexibility. They are hired to do a specific job or complete specific tasks and are not expecting regimented hours. If your company needs help for a short time, virtual assistants are a great option to explore! Keep in mind there are also virtual assistants (like us) who assist clients in a fuller capacity over long periods of time. It all depends on the support you’re looking for and what you’d like to offload. In-house staff are a great hire when it comes to in-person meetings, hands-on help, and local support. While VA’s cannot offer the in-person aspects, we are willing to hop on calls, be available when needed, & communicate everything!
3. Control and supervision are a couple concerns when hiring staff. If there are frequent last minute changes or you prefer to be/feel in control of the environment that your staff works in, then in-house staff may help you feel more in control. However, if you can clearly communicate your expectations and tasks and trust those working for you, then a virtual assistant would be a good choice. For communication-purposes, keep in mind time zones as some VA’s are not available during YOUR working hours. Who you hire drastically makes a difference— both virtual and in-house.
4. Efficiency is another item to consider when choosing your staff. Some people are better at being efficient at their home office while others enjoy a work environment in which to collaborate. If your company wants to create a sense of in-person teamwork, then in-house staff would be an ideal fit. If you aren’t concerned with this and have found a reputable company of virtual assistants then they will most likely know what helps them remain efficient and knows how to get things done. For our team personally, we are all remote and spread across the country and use different platforms and scheduling tactics to stay connected and operate as a team.

Overall, when considering between in-house staff and virtual assistants, know that there is not a one size fits all approach! Some businesses opt for both with year long in-house staff and short-term virtual assistants, OR year round support from both an in-house staff AND virtual staff. Just keep in mind, the more quality support your business has, the more it will thrive.

Let’s Chat!

Have questions about what VA’s in the wedding industry are capable of? Let’s chat! From handling admin work to client touch points, social media to submissions, and everything in between, we’ve been able to virtually support incredibly talented industry creatives for 7+ years. If you’re looking to stay connected, follow us on Instagram!