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A Virtual Assistant for Photographers is Your Next Investment

Studies have shown that more than 4.2 million people around the globe are working remotely, from digital marketers and interior designers to virtual assistants for photographers!

As a result of this shift, you will have to hire these talents before one of your competitors steals them away.

What Does a Virtual Assistant for Photographers Do?


A virtual assistant is an assistant who works remotely and mostly handles tasks online. A virtual assistant can work from anywhere in the world. They typically work with multiple clients and can be hired to handle a multitude of routine tasks.

In many cases, entrepreneurs and experienced photographers hire a virtual assistant as their first resource. Hiring a virtual assistant is much cheaper than hiring a full-time employee, and you’ll be able to free up more time by delegating repetitive tasks.

Freelance virtual assistants have specialized skills and usually manage medium to large-scale projects, in several fields, sometimes including marketing, communication, or design.

Although a virtual assistant is not a full-time employee, he or she can effectively assist you in running your business while avoiding the financial constraints of hiring a permanent employee. 

A virtual assistant will obviously not be able to build your website or manage your content strategy by themself, but they will help you manage your client base, fix your schedules, or even help you with editing pictures. 

7 Reasons Why You Should Hire a  Virtual Assistant


1. Boosts your productivity

 It could appear to be a point, yet it’s worth re-emphasizing: by getting a VA to deal with your everyday errands, you’ll have all the more extra energy and thus, you’ll have the option to deal with the things that have a greater effect on your main concerns. 

Such a large number of gifted photographers themselves get hindered in things that may be fundamental, yet don’t really assist their business with development. There are just such countless hours in the day, yet viable rethinking can assist you with letting loose some.

2. Gives You Adaptability 

Developing businesses will continuously have the test of adjusting benefit versus headcount. 

Freelancers give organizations an adaptable option in contrast to satisfying their managerial requests, without the drawn-out responsibility of recruiting. Furthermore, they frequently work on a legally binding premise, eliminating the extra expense weight of recruiting. 

3. Eases Your Travelling

Time-consuming travel planning can be a thing of the past when you hire a virtual assistant. By booking and managing your travel for you, your VA can help you make the most of your time and explore new places worry-free.

4. Helps You Win The Competition

The photography industry is always changing and it’s important to stay on top of the latest trends and innovations in order to remain relevant. Asking your virtual assistant to follow industry news, events, and competitors is a great way to stay ahead of the competition.

5. Minimizes Your Costs

As a professional photographer, you are always looking for ways to be more profitable while still maintaining the great work quality you provide. 

Virtual assistants are a great option to get the administrative support you need without having to commit to hiring someone long-term. Additionally, virtual assistants often work on a contractual basis, which can save you money on things like:

  • Recruitment
  • Taxes
  • Holidays
  • Breaks

6. Grows Your Business

Before you start reaching out to potential clients -who may be big brands, it’s important to do your research and prepare what you’re going to say. This way, you don’t waste your time or theirs. 

A virtual assistant can help you with this process by doing things like

  • creating audience packs
  • lead research
  • Following up with past clients

And most importantly, preparing reports!

7. Improves Your Work-Life Balance

Your virtual assistant can do more than just handle work tasks – they can also support you in your personal life! If you’re using your virtual assistant to their full potential, you’ll notice benefits in both your work and personal life.

If you realize the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant, then you’re already ahead of the game. You can rely on them to give your business a boost.

An advantage of having a virtual assistant is that you have a lot of freedom. It’s possible to increase the number of hours they work, or you can choose to work with another virtual assistant if you aren’t satisfied. 

With so many benefits, hiring a virtual assistant is a great way to stay ahead of other photographers. 

Qualities to Look For In a Virtual Assistant for Photographers


The ideal VA is well-organized, highly efficient, anticipates needs, remains calm under pressure, has good communication skills, and is a competent multitasker. He or she must also have strong computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheet management, and sometimes even database maintenance.

Here are the main 4 qualities to look for in your assistant:

Flexibility

Your assistant should be able to adjust his or her schedule to fit yours. And this is absolutely non-negotiable. 

Also, it is best if they can stay on top of emails and any updates.

Organization

The personal assistant must be organized and know how to structure their work and their environment. Nothing must escape them! They must follow up closely on current affairs and know how to effectively manage their list of priorities.

Communication skills

Communication between the photographer and the personal assistant must be attentive and constant. They need to be able to relay information clearly and accurately, to avoid any misinterpretation that could have serious repercussions. 

A Futuristic Approach

 Anticipating and being proactive is also essential. Such an assistant will try to plan and organize meetings ahead of time. During your annual vacation, they will be the only point of contact with your clients and colleagues. So they shall be prepared to answer any questions that may come their way.

How Much Does Hiring a Virtual Assistant for Photographers Cost?


According to the VA handbook, the hourly rate of a virtual assistant can reach $60 per hour. This rate is set according to different criteria:

1. Experience Level

A VA’s work experience is a key factor in determining their rates. Professional virtual assistants with many years of experience will have much higher levels of compensation than those who are new to their careers.

2. The Type of Work The Assistant Does

Basic administrative tasks such as handling emails or phone calls are generally charged between 15 and $25 per hour.

If their mission is to manage incoming calls in the after-sales service of a company, you can expect a salary between 25 and $30 per hour.

Finally, if your virtual assistant is performing complex skills, their hourly rate can increase to $60 per hour, or even more! 

3. Languages

This rate increase can also be explained by a good level of mastery of secondary languages. Indeed, a bilingual or trilingual virtual assistant can claim a higher remuneration if these skills are applied in the framework of his missions.

For example, most of the freelancers on our platform, speak a minimum of two languages: English and Arabic.

4. Location

There are times when virtual assistants’ rates are influenced by location. Virtual assistants who live in low-cost areas might charge less than VAs who live in expensive areas. 

While the hourly rate for a remote service remains a standard practice internationally, virtual assistants can sometimes choose a different billing method:

  • Project-based payment:

The client pays a fixed predefined amount for a project or a specific mission (website creation, organization of a trip abroad, etc.).

  • Fixed-price payment:

The client pays for a number of hours that can be used over a given period (6 months or a year, for example).

  • Monthly payment:

The client pays monthly for a predetermined number of hours

Where to Find the Right Assistant?


It is estimated that there are more than 10,000 virtual assistants around the globe. But, when looking for a VA who specializes in working with photographers, trustworthy platforms are best.

You can find and hire your assistant using:

  • Freelancing platforms that link you with VAs with good rates like IBDA3X.
  • Virtual assistant agencies 
  • Social Media (LinkedIn, Facebook, ….)
  • Referrals from your network 

Were these tips beneficial? You can read more by visiting our Blog.


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