More businesses are embracing outsourcing solutions to stay competitive and efficient. Whether you’re looking to outsource virtual assistant services or hire a specialised digital marketing virtual assistant, virtual help has evolved far beyond administrative support.
But despite its popularity, there are many misconceptions about virtual assistant outsourcing!
In this article, we debunk the 10 most common myths about virtual assistant outsourcing to help you make an informed decision for your business.
Key takeaways:
Misconception #1: VAs Only Perform Administrative Tasks
👉 Related: [FREE EBOOK] 100 Tasks a VA Can Do for You
Some VAs even specialise as digital marketing virtual assistants, handling SEO, content creation, and lead generation. Others operate as social media virtual assistants, managing social channels, analytics, and engagement!
Misconception #2: VAs Are Only for Small Businesses or Solopreneurs
Our client Watch Smoke Alarms generated 6 figures in monthly sales after outsourcing to our remote sales assistants, Dannisse and Hazel. From left to right: Joanne (WSA Sales Manager), Hazel, Dannisse, Peter (WSA co-founder), Linh (our CEO & Founder), and Heidi (our Client Experience Manager).
Large companies like Canva, Optus, and more often outsource virtual assistant tasks to manage seasonal projects, provide specialised skills, or scale up efforts without permanently expanding their in-house teams.
Misconception #3: VAs Only Come From the Philippines
From the United States to Europe and beyond, you can outsource virtual assistant services to any region that aligns with your business needs, time zone, and budget considerations.
However, business owners overwhelmingly prefer Filipinos as remote staff, thanks to their skills, work ethic, and excellent English proficiency 👌
👉 Related: Top 7 Reasons Why Australian Companies Outsource to the Philippines
Misconception #4: Communication Issues Are Part of Outsourcing
By setting clear expectations and using the right tools, you can ensure smooth communication throughout your virtual assistant outsourcing partnership.
💡 Pro-tip: To avoid any communication issues at work with a VA, consider hiring through an agency to outsource performance management, KPI setting, and more.
Misconception #5: VAs Are Available 24/7
Unless you hire multiple virtual assistants for round-the-clock coverage, you should expect realistic availability and response times.
Outsourcing Angel CEO & Founder Linh Podetti outsources the day-to-day running of her business, and focuses on high-level strategy and networking instead.
Open dialogue about workloads, schedules and clear KPIs during onboarding is key to preventing misunderstandings.
Misconception #6: One VA Fits All Your Needs
Instead of expecting one VA to cover all bases, consider working with a virtual assistant agency or hiring multiple specialists.
👉 Related: Why plan your business exit strategy?
Misconception #7: VAs Are Cheap Labour
👉 Related: What’s the ROI of Outsourcing in 2025?
A marketing virtual assistant or digital marketing virtual assistant with a strong portfolio, for example, may command a higher hourly rate because of the specialised nature of their work.
In short, you get what you pay for!
Misconception #8: You Can’t Build Trust with a VA
With consistent communication, clear guidelines, and fair compensation, a virtual assistant can become an essential, loyal team member.
At Outsourcing Angel, we specialise in creating long-term working arrangements for business owners with their virtual assistants and remote staff.
Misconception #9: Hiring a VA Requires Zero Training
Misconception #10: VAs Are Low-Skilled or Temporary Workers
For instance, a marketing virtual assistant may have a degree in marketing and a proven track record of executing advanced campaigns.
Some businesses even prefer to outsource virtual assistants long-term for strategic projects and ongoing support!
👉 Related: 6 retention strategies for remote workers
Virtual assistant outsourcing is the real deal—with the right approach
By separating myth from fact in virtual assistant outsourcing, you’ll leverage a powerful resource that can amp up your operations—no matter your industry or company size.
Whether you need a social media virtual assistant to handle your online presence or a marketing virtual assistant to amplify your brand, understanding the realities behind these common misconceptions will empower you to make the most of your outsourcing experience.
Want to hire a Virtual Assistant?
Now that these misconceptions are debunked, it’s time to explore how the right virtual assistant can elevate your business to the next level.
Book a Discovery Call with us and explore the possibilities of smart outsourcing!
