The idea of a virtual assistant is an enticing one for many businesses. These individuals do the same job as traditional assistants, except they’re open to different hours and might have different rates of pay.
Further, virtual assistants don’t require the same onboarding and expense as traditional ones do. If you’ve never worked with a remote employee, though, you might be wondering how the payment process goes.
How do you pay a virtual assistant? We’re going to explore this question and more today. Let’s get started.
How Do You Pay a Virtual Assistant?
The answer to this question really depends on the platform through which you find the assistant.
In cases where you find the assistant on a job board and conduct your business independently, you’ll have a number of options. Someone who has worked as a virtual assistant before should have a preference on the way they are paid.
Many individuals utilize PayPal for their payments. You might also use a platform like Venmo or some other form of transferring funds. When using these platforms in a business capacity, note that there might be different account specifications that you have to make.
In any case, make sure that you’re keeping clear records of the amounts that you pay this individual, noting the services that you are paying for. A virtual assistant might do social media, research, data entry, and receptionist work in different measures, so note those changes when they occur.
Freelancer Platforms
You might also find receptionists on freelancer platforms. These are sites that pair businesses with professionals. Many businesses prefer taking this option.
On sites like FreeUp, you can see various virtual receptionists. You can look at their qualifications, work history, and more.
You can pay them through the platform when you hire them. The freelancer platform adds a percentage to the amount that the business pays. That said, they handle the process of payment for you.
They even include a timeclock that helps receptionists keep track of hours worked.
Expectations and Rate of Pay
It’s important that you and your receptionist create a clear contract. If a contract isn’t used, make sure the expectations are written somewhere.
That keeps both parties tied to the agreement. Virtual business can get tricky when responsibilities aren’t upheld. If there’s a clear agreement, things are much simpler.
Make sure that you establish a rate of pay and stick to it, accounting for any taxes and expressing them to the applicant.
Freelancer platforms help to facilitate any disputes. They also ensure that both parties uphold their end. If you’re working with someone from a job board, you’ll lean more on recommendations and past work history.
If someone has enough recommendations, chances are that they’re more professional than non-qualified candidates.
Need More Virtual Assistant Tips?
So, how do you pay a virtual assistant? Typically, you pay through a software (PayPal, Venmo) or a middleman platform that serves as a timeclock. There’s more to learn about virtual assistants, though.
We’re here to help. Explore our site for more ideas on doing business remotely, finding great employees, and more.
