Business

Is Hiring a Digital Marketing Firm Worth the Investment?

Published

2 years ago

July 28, 2023

If you’re interested in pursuing digital marketing, you might consider hiring a digital marketing firm. But you may not like the prospect of spending thousands of dollars every month for those services. It’s a big investment, and you’re not sure whether it will pay off.

Is hiring a digital marketing firm usually worth the investment? And how can you tell?

What Is a Digital Marketing Firm?

Digital marketing agencies in Long Island and cities near you are organizations that specialize in providing digital marketing services to business clients. Some agencies specialize in specific strategies or channels, like search engine optimization (SEO) or pay per click (PPC) advertising, but many attempt to offer “full services,” including coverage for almost any strategy you want.

In exchange for an agreed price (usually in the form of a monthly fee), the digital marketing firm will help you plan, organize, and eventually execute and analyze all your digital marketing campaigns. While you’ll need to be a part of the process of establishing your brand identity, your goals, and your strategic vision, hiring a digital marketing firm usually means remaining hands-off during execution.

What Are the Alternatives?

If you don’t hire a digital marketing firm, what are the alternatives?

No marketing. You could decide not to market your business at all. But this is usually a mistake. Marketing is the best way to raise awareness of your brand and attract more customers, and when done properly, it results in a positive return.
Internal marketing. You could also build an internal team of marketing experts to organize and execute your own marketing campaigns. But this is usually more expensive than hiring a digital marketing firm, as well as more time consuming.
Self-marketing. If you want to stay lean, you could try marketing your own business. If you have lots of experience and knowledge in marketing, this may be viable, but in most cases, a digital marketing firm can do it better.
Freelancers and contractors. A final option is to work with freelancers and contractors for your marketing needs. This can be both inexpensive and effective, but it takes a long time to find reliable freelancers that you can consistently trust.

The Costs of Hiring a Digital Marketing Firm

Digital marketing services through a firm can range from $300 to $12,000 a month. That’s a huge range because the types of services you can get are so variable. Accordingly, it’s hard to ballpark exactly what a digital marketing firm is going to cost you. Just keep in mind that spending more money usually means getting more value.

The Benefits of Hiring a Digital Marketing Firm

These are the benefits of hiring a digital marketing firm for your organization:

A full team of experts (in one place). When you hire a digital marketing firm, you’ll instantly gain access to a full team of experts, usually with many different areas of specialty. You won’t have to hunt them down, like you would if you hired freelancers, and you won’t be stuck with a specialist that can only do one thing.
Expertise and guidance. People hire digital marketing firms to get expertise and guidance. These are seasoned veterans who understand the mechanics of effective marketing strategies, and they can make recommendations for how to maximize the value of your tactics.
Robust resources and tools. Most digital marketing firms have access to a robust pool of resources and tools that can make your marketing more effective, including automation software, dashboards, and connections to other firms and individuals.
Ongoing communication and education. Working with a digital marketing firm also grants you access to ongoing communication and education. Your representatives will help you stay updated on what’s going on with your campaigns, and they can teach you how to make your strategies more effective.
Accountability and trust. A good digital marketing firm is going to prioritize your return on investment (ROI). This is arguably the most important marketing metric to analyze since it directly indicates how much value you’re getting compared to what you’re spending. If your ROI is too low, the marketing firm can acknowledge and address this, making tweaks to push your effectiveness higher.

The Importance of Hiring the Right Firm

In general, yes, it’s definitely “worth it” to hire a digital marketing firm. A competent marketing firm will be able to help you see results that far exceed whatever you spent on them in the first place. The only real caveat is that you have to find the right firm for your business. Choose a firm that has expertise in your industry and your favorite strategies, and do your due diligence to ensure the firm has a long track record of success.

Business

Top 5 Virtual Assistant Companies to Watch in 2025

Published

2 weeks ago

January 23, 2025

Matthew Wiles

Running a successful business in today’s fast-paced world requires a sharp focus on growth, strategy, and efficiency. However, managing the day-to-day operations can often become overwhelming. That’s where virtual assistant (VA) companies come into play. These companies specialize in providing skilled professionals who can handle everything from administrative tasks to customer service, marketing, and beyond, allowing entrepreneurs and small business owners to focus on what they do best.

With so many VA companies on the market, choosing the right one can be a challenge. To help you navigate the options, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 virtual assistant companies to watch in 2025. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a startup founder, or a busy professional, these companies offer top-tier solutions to meet your needs.

1. Assist World – The Gold Standard in Virtual Assistance

At the top of our list is Assist World, a U.S.-based company renowned for its personalized approach to matching clients with virtual assistants. Assist World goes beyond the typical “one-size-fits-all” model by taking the time to understand your unique needs and connecting you with highly skilled VAs who align perfectly with your business goals.

What Makes Assist World Stand Out?

Personalized Matching: Assist World matches clients with virtual assistants based on their specific requirements, ensuring the right fit every time.
Comprehensive Onboarding Process: The company’s seamless onboarding process streamlines communication and ensures VAs hit the ground running.
Client Success Management: Dedicated client success managers oversee the relationship, providing ongoing support and ensuring smooth operations.
Flexibility and Scalability: Assist World caters to businesses of all sizes, offering flexible plans that can scale as your business grows.

Who Is It Best For?

Assist World is ideal for entrepreneurs and small-to-medium businesses seeking a reliable, high-quality VA service that delivers consistent results.

Pricing:

Pricing is customized based on your needs, making it accessible for a wide range of budgets. Schedule a free consultation to learn more.

2. Time Etc – Affordable and Efficient

If affordability is your priority, Time Etc is a strong contender. This VA company specializes in administrative tasks and offers services at competitive rates. With a team of experienced professionals, Time Etc focuses on helping clients boost productivity without breaking the bank.

Key Features:

Dedicated VAs with extensive experience.
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Focused primarily on administrative and organizational tasks.

Who Is It Best For?

Time Etc is a great choice for solopreneurs and small businesses looking for cost-effective virtual assistance for basic tasks.

Pricing:

Plans start at $29 per hour, with discounts available for bulk hours.

3. Belay – A Leader in Remote Executive Assistance

For those in need of executive-level support, Belay is a premier option. This company specializes in matching clients with highly skilled remote assistants who can handle complex tasks such as calendar management, bookkeeping, and project coordination.

Key Features:

Focus on executive and specialized assistance.
Rigorous vetting process for VAs.
Excellent client support.

Who Is It Best For?

Belay is ideal for CEOs, executives, and high-level professionals who require top-tier assistance.

Pricing:

Premium services come at a higher price point, starting around $2,000 per month for part-time support (45 hours a month). For 85 hours a month, pricing sits around $3,800.

4. MyOutDesk – Virtual Assistants for Real Estate

Real estate professionals, take note: MyOutDesk is the go-to VA service for your industry. Specializing in real estate operations, MyOutDesk provides skilled VAs who can handle lead generation, transaction coordination, and CRM management.

Key Features:

Expertise in real estate processes.
Comprehensive training programs for VAs.
Proven track record with top real estate agents.

Who Is It Best For?

Realtors, brokers, and real estate teams looking to streamline their operations and focus on closing deals.

Pricing:

Pricing starts at $1,750 per month for full-time assistants.

5. Boldly – Premium Virtual Assistant Services

If you’re looking for high-quality, premium VA services, Boldly is worth considering. This company offers subscription-based plans that provide access to experienced VAs skilled in a variety of disciplines, including marketing, customer service, and project management.

Key Features:

Highly experienced professionals.
Flexible subscription plans.
Focus on long-term client relationships.

Who Is It Best For?

Businesses and individuals willing to invest in premium services for comprehensive support.

Pricing:

Plans start at $39 per hour, with monthly subscriptions available.

How to Choose the Right Virtual Assistant Company

When selecting a VA company, consider the following factors:

Your Business Needs: Identify the tasks you want to delegate and choose a company that specializes in those areas.
Budget: Assess how much you’re willing to invest in virtual assistance and find a provider that aligns with your budget.
Flexibility: Look for companies that offer scalable plans to grow with your business.
Support: Choose a company with excellent client support to ensure smooth communication and problem resolution.

Why Assist World Is the #1 Choice

While all the companies on this list offer excellent services, Assist World stands out for its personalized approach, exceptional client success management, and flexible solutions, and most importantly, their fair pricing. At Assist World, prices generally fall between $1,500 – $2,000 a month for a full-time dedicated executive assistant. With a proven track record of helping businesses thrive, Assist World is the ultimate partner for entrepreneurs and small businesses ready to scale efficiently and effectively.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Schedule a free consultation with Assist World today and discover the difference a high-quality virtual assistant can make.