what i really think about using international va’s
I've come across a few small businesses telling me about their brilliant international VA who works for a few dollars an hour, does a 'mostly good' job and only needs a little correction but the rate reflects the quality and that's fine.
I'm not here to tell you what to do but I can explain why I don't recommend working with one if your business is UK based.
1. Time Zone Tango
Ever tried scheduling a meeting with someone halfway across the world? It's like playing Time Zone Tango. If you need to whiz something over to your VA, are they going to respond in a timely manor? Most UK VA's will be contactable during the day and will have a contact number in case you need something a little more urgently.
2. Cultural Quirks and Quandaries
Every culture has its quirks, and that's what makes the world go 'round. But when those quirks clash with business norms, things can get a bit awkward. I was once taken on to correct some social media posts that weren't quite relatable to the British public. If your tone of voice in your marketing and copy is quintessentially British, how well can your international VA convey it?
3. Privacy & Data
Yikes! The thought of GDPR and data protection may be enough to bore you into a deep sleep but if you're a UK business, there are rules to follow. What access will your international VA have to any personal data of your clients? Will you be sharing any passwords/folders/logins? These are all mega important things to ask because in the event you have a data breach via your super duper $3 an hour VA, will you be liable? Another important consideration is your professional indemnity & cyber insurance. Have you told your insurance company that you're using an international VA? This could increase your premium or worse, you may not be covered at all.
4. Support Local, Literally
Last but not least, call me sentimental, but I believe in supporting local. There's a unique satisfaction in knowing that your virtual assistant lives in the same city, breathes the same air, and probably gets stuck in the same traffic. It's like building a business family right in your garden.
So here's to keeping it local, keeping it real, and keeping our virtual assistants just a stone's throw away!
