Offshore Might Be Cheaper. Onshore Is Smarter!

At VA Institute, we have the privilege of changing people's lives every single day. We help everyday individuals just like you step away from jobs that no longer serve them, and step into a future where they can build sustainable, independent Virtual businesses on their own terms… a career that works for them, not against them.

But we need to have a real conversation about a topic that is weighing heavily on the hearts of many new and aspiring Virtual Assistants – something they’re often too afraid to ask:

"Is there even a future for me when offshore VAs are so cheap?"

I understand this fear – it’s real, and it’s something that deserves to be addressed head-on by someone who has walked the walk for many years, and seen both sides of this amazing and diverse industry.

Here’s my take on it:  Yes, we are a global industry, and cheaper offshore VA services definitely exist - but no, they are not your competition… and this is why:

Offshore support and onshore excellence are two very different things!

While offshore providers offer cheap rates, the simple fact is that they cannot replicate the value that a local, onshore VA brings to a local, onshore business.

We know this not just from observation - but from story after story of businesses who came to us at VA Institute, desperate to fix the fallout from poor offshore experiences.

One example that I often recount (and it made me laugh when the client told me this…):

A client sent audio files to an offshore VA to be transcribed. What came back was technically 'accurate' - but laughably wrong in context. The VA had faithfully typed everything verbatim - including him yelling at his dog: "Get down, Pepper."

And another example:

A busy tradie thought he’d try using offshore admin support to handle quoting and client communications. The result was not great for both him and his clientele and included issues like incorrect prices and quotes being sent out, misunderstood instructions, and the worst thing was that he had longstanding customers walking away in frustration.

That’s money lost, and his income impacted!

The truth is, when businesses go offshore to "save money," they often pay far more in the long run - in time, rework, lost clients, and brand damage.

And that's where YOU - as an Australian, New Zealand, UK, US, or locally based VA wherever you are in the world - become not just relevant, but essential.

Businesses need more than just tasks completed…  

While they might give you a list of tasks, the reality is that what they REALLY need is:

• Someone who understands their local market, laws, and clients.

• Someone who can read between the lines, catch nuances, and ultimately protect their reputation.

• Someone they can pick up the phone and call to explain an issue in their native language, and have it immediately understood without awkward missteps.

• Someone who understands the importance of being professionally established, including carrying adequate insurance (which any professional business SHOULD!), operate under the same laws, and be equally invested in the success of their business… and let’s face it, when it’s YOUR client, you want them to be successful because the outcome is generally positive for you!

Smart and successful VAs know that their clients are looking for more…

• Not just a task-ticker, but a trusted partner.

• Not just cheap labour, but capable expertise.

• Not just an order-taker, but someone who cares enough to get it right the first time.

Regardless of what you’ve heard out there (and let’s face it, there is a LOT of noise in cyberspace), the future belongs to skilled, onshore VAs!

At VA Institute, we have always been about setting new benchmarks for professionalism in the Virtual Industry, not following in the footsteps of people who simply hypothesise with little industry experience to back themselves up.

We don’t churn out hobbyists… we launch business owners - people who have years of experience in the services they are delivering, understand best practice, have invested in themselves to become quality certified, are insured, and are confident.

And I believe this is what makes all the difference… it’s why our graduates succeed, and it’s why Find a VA, our free connection service for businesses, is filled with demand for onshore talent.

It’s why award panels recognise our contribution to lifting the entire industry’s standards - and why every single day, we are proud to lead the way for those who are ready to step up.

It’s important to remember that the businesses who understand real value will always seek out quality, which is why VAs who position themselves as skilled professionals - not low-cost labour - will always be in demand.

So, here’s what I want you to take away from this:

• You are not in a race to the bottom.

• You are not here to "compete on price."

• You are not comparable to someone who doesn’t know your clients, your culture, or your country's standards.

You are a business owner, a service provider, and a trusted, skilled professional – and you are needed now more than ever.

Without a doubt, the offshore trend has its place - but it will never replace the business owners who are invested in doing things properly, building real trust, and delivering real outcomes.

No matter where you are in the world - Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US - there is, and always will be, a market for true professionals.

And that’s why VA Institute is so focused on building an industry that understands its value! We’re not content to just help you set up a VA business, we help you set a new standard and build a future where you're not scrambling for work - you're selecting clients who value what you bring.

So, take it from me as an industry veteran - the VA Industry is NOT shrinking… it’s actually evolving!  And the individuals we work with - the ones with courage, skill, and professionalism - will always rise.

You are not just relevant.

You are the future.

And we are here, every step of the way, to help you claim it.

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If you want to get started in your own VA business, get in touch with us at VA Institute. We'll help you get clear on your next logical step!