How To Scale Your Amazon FBA Business in 2024 With a Virtual Assistant

A growing FBA business inevitably reaches a point where the workload is too much for one person alone. The problem is that this usually happens long before you are ready to hire employees and take on additional tasks like payroll. 

An Amazon virtual assistant (VA) can bridge the gap. The best will quickly become like an extension of yourself, taking over time-consuming tasks and ensuring your business keeps growing. If you have never thought about a VA before, don't worry. We've compiled all the key information you need to know before diving in.

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant is a freelancer hired on a contractual basis to help with specific tasks. Most will charge an hourly rate. Some may also offer packages, such as a set fee for refreshing the copy and visuals on a specific number of product pages. Such packages may even be offered at a discount compared to the regular rate to entice new clients.

The term "virtual assistant" may bring up mental images of a generalist who answers emails and updates your calendar. In reality, many VAs are highly specialized professionals, and not just any VA will be what you need as an FBA seller.

How is an Amazon FBA Virtual Assistant Different?

The last thing you need when hiring a contractor is to spend hours or weeks catching them up on Seller Central and other Amazon tools and interfaces. The good news is that you don't have to.

The internet is filled with experienced Amazon FBA Virtual Assistants who have spent years working with businesses just like yours. Some may have started as Amazon employees who decided to strike out on their own. Others may have begun as more generalized virtual assistants and found that the FBA niche fit them.

An Amazon FBA VA applies their specialized skills and background to:

• Create and optimize product listings
• Manage inventory and track shipments
• Respond to customer inquiries and reviews
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis
• Ensure SEO for product listings and ads are on point
• Create photo and video content that makes your products stand out
• And just about anything else involved in running an FBA business.

4 Reasons You Should Hire an Amazon VA in 2024

Every business hits a point when the work is too much for one person but not enough to justify the costs of an employee. Many small business owners will struggle through by themselves until they can justify the cost. 

Not only does this hurt the business owner mentally and physically, but it can even prevent the business from growing as quickly as it should. Hiring an Amazon VA can ease those growing pains.

1. Focus on Your Strengths

Every FBA Seller has some part of the business where their skills and personality really shine. Whether your specialization is a knack for finding great products or a talent for effective communication, it's the reason your business is thriving. 

It's easy to understand that the more time you spend on those things, the faster your business will grow. A VA frees you up from tasks that are needed but that aren't what you do best. 

You may even find a VA whose genius lies with the tasks that are a bit harder for you. Instead of having one person spending too little time doing the things they are good at, you will have two people focused on the areas where they can really shine.

2. Scale Without the Overwhelm

As your business grows, the VA solution can be scaled almost indefinitely to keep up. You can add hours to an existing VA contract or bring on additional VAs. Your new VA may even be able to help you identify areas that make sense to begin contracting out or help you find the right specialists for your specific needs.

By their very nature, Amazon FBA VAs work almost exclusively with businesses exactly like yours. They have navigated these waters before, and they know where the shoals and safe harbors are. 

3. Make Your Business More Valuable

Even if your long-term plan is to sell your FBA business, established contracts with VAs look good to potential buyers. Not only does it show that your business is a good investment with future potential, but it also reassures potential buyers that they will have someone they can turn to who understands the ins and outs of the operation.

4. Reduce Stress and Reclaim Your Time

No one ever set out to become their own boss because they wanted to be chained to a computer 18 hours a day. You put in the hard work and endless hours that got your business off the ground. As your business grows, a VA lets you enjoy the benefits of that growth rather than being buried by it.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Amazon VA in 2024?

VA rates vary by location, experience, and tasks. As with everything else, the old adage about getting what you pay for does apply, but with some caveats. 

The current rates for the top-rated Amazon FBA assistants on Upwork range from $15 to $250 per hour. That's a big range, but don't get too focused on the hourly rate.

The most experienced VAs will be able to command a higher rate. However, someone charging less because they have less experience may still fit your needs perfectly. Simply put, you don't need to hire Banksy to create your ad visuals.

Independent contractors also tend to structure their rates around their own cost of living and average hourly wages where they live. You can find professional and dedicated VAs working from the Philippines, Pakistan, or Indonesia who speak English as well as anyone else. You may even find U.S.-based VAs who charge a lower rate because they live in rural Alabama and aren't trying to afford a New York apartment.

Finally, not all hours are equal. An experienced VA may turn out twice as much work in that hour as someone who is still learning the ins and outs of Seller Central. 

So, with all of that, how do you decide? It's actually fairly intuitive and not unlike shopping for any other product or service:

• Look at how well they sell themselves. An independent contractor's work is their product and their presentation is a good first indicator of their sales skills.
• Find out what is included. VAs often list what they do and may even provide examples of what an hour of work involves.
• Read their reviews. Many places such as Upwork and Fiverr let past clients review contractors, and as an FBA seller, you are likely already a bit of a pro at spotting what a genuinely pleased customer sounds like.
• Look for specializations. Start with a list of the areas where you need the most help, and use that to guide your VA selection. Amazon FBA VAs will list specializations such as "Competitive Analysis" or "Logistics Management." The reason a VA is outside of your price range may simply be because they are a specialist in something you don't need yet.
• Interview and take your time. Don't rush yourself when picking a VA. Message them, schedule a video call, and do whatever else you need to do to be comfortable with the person before you hire them.
• Set clear expectations and double-check the contract or work agreement. While an outside contractor isn't an employee, you are going to have some kind of service agreement. That can even mean an upfront payment or security deposit. Make sure you are comfortable with everything in that agreement, and don't be afraid to ask questions or double-check details with the contractor before you agree.

Where to Find a Great FBA VA in 2024

The Internet is awash in agencies offering to solve every problem you have, often as little more than a pass-through for the same AI you can access for free through Google or Bing. Finding a good virtual assistant can be more complicated rather than less in the age of AI. However, there are several solid choices for getting started:

• Upwork, Fiverr, and similar sites. These and similar services let you browse freelancer profiles or post job listings that VAs can apply to.
• OnlineJobs.ph is a direct connetion to the Philipines. If you are looking specifically for Filipino VAs, this is the number one place to look online. The site even offers assistance with contractor payments so you don't have to become an expert in international transactions.
• Social media is a great place to ask around. You may already be a member of FBA seller groups on Facebook or other social media sites. Not only can you post questions in such groups about where others have had success finding VAs, but you can usually search past posts to find out what has already been said.
• Professional hiring agencies take out the guesswork. A professional agency is a great option if you feel uneasy hiring a stranger through a website. The VAs you will find through companies such as 20four7VA have been vetted and many agencies will handle the details involved in paying and scheduling your VA.
• Personal referrals can still be the best option. Don't forget that you can always ask fellow Amazon sellers or other entrepreneurs you know for recommendations. In an ever-more digital world, making a connection through your existing network can be a reassuring change.
• Automation tools with personalized assistance may be the best fit. Depending on what you need help with, optimization tools that still provide a human to help you can often be your best option. For instance, a dedicated Mayan Account Manager can help you optimize your advertising and get the most out of your ad spend.

Keeping Your FBA Business Growing With the Right Assistance

Hiring a VA can be a game-changer for your Amazon FBA business. Outsourcing non-core tasks can allow you to:

• Focus on your strengths
• Increase efficiency and productivity
• Achieve a better work-life balance
• Keep your business growing

Supercharge Your Amazon Business With Mayan

‍