AI Summary:
Choosing between a freelancer and a virtual assistant (VA) can shape the future of your business marketing. While freelancers offer flexibility and specific project skills, a dedicated VA grows with your business, understands your brand voice, creates systems, and provides consistent implementation. In this blog, we explore the pros and cons of both options, highlight risks to be aware of including new legislation in Australia affecting offshore VAs, and share practical tips on where and how to find the right fit.
Why the Choice Matters
Small-to-medium businesses are outsourcing more than ever. According to Deloitte’s Global Outsourcing Survey, over 70% of businesses outsource to reduce costs while also gaining access to expertise and freeing up time for strategy. In Australia, the virtual assistant market is booming, especially in marketing, where implementation work can consume 20+ hours a week for most businesses.
But here’s the catch. Not all outsourcing is equal. The choice between a freelancer and a marketing VA is less about cost and more about long-term impact, data security, and alignment with your growth goals.
What is a Freelancer?
A freelancer is an independent contractor who works with multiple clients, usually on a project-by-project basis. Popular freelancer platforms include:
- Fiverr
- Freelancer.com
- Upwork
- PeoplePerHour
You might hire a freelancer for a one-off logo design, website build, or Facebook Ads campaign. Their value lies in specialist, task-based skills.
Pros of Hiring a Freelancer
- Specialist skills: Great for niche projects like web development, SEO audits, or ad creative.
- Flexibility: Easy to engage short-term without ongoing commitment.
- Scalable cost: You pay only for specific deliverables.
Be Mindful of When Hiring a Freelancer
- Divided attention: They often juggle multiple businesses, which can dilute focus.
- Cookie-cutter approach: Many apply the same strategy across industries without tailoring.
- Ghosting risk: Freelancers sometimes disappear mid-project, which is a common client complaint in online reviews.
- Higher costs over time: Per-project pricing can add up, and revisions may not be included.
- Data exposure: Freelancers gain access to your private logins and systems without being deeply accountable.
- Not across the entire business: They deliver in isolation, which can result in disjointed marketing.
What is a Virtual Assistant (VA)?
A VA is a dedicated implementer who works with your business long-term. Unlike freelancers, a VA often works exclusively or primarily with you, which means they are invested in your success.
A marketing VA is particularly powerful because they can manage the day-to-day implementation of:
- Social media posting and engagement
- Email marketing
- Funnel builds and maintenance
- Content repurposing
- Blog uploads and SEO basics
- Reporting and analytics
- Updating SOPs for repeatable systems
Pros of Hiring a Marketing VA
- Grows with your business: Learns your brand voice, values, and goals.
- Consistency: Provides regular support across all marketing channels.
- Systems builder: Can document SOPs and create repeatable processes.
- Data security: With proper onboarding and contracts, they act as part of your team.
- Accountability: A VA provides ongoing reports and metrics, keeping you informed.
- Upskilling mindset: At least they are happy to train to support the role, ensuring they grow alongside your business.
Be Mindful of When Hiring a VA
- Not a strategist: A VA implements, they still need a marketing strategy and direction.
- Training required: Some VAs need time to understand your tools and systems, but they are willing to do it to complete the role. This can be addressed if you get the job role right at recruitment.
- Ongoing cost: Retainers can feel like a commitment, though usually far more affordable than hiring in-house staff. Hiring through an Australian company means you can write it off and it doesn’t fluctuate.
The Freelancer Pitfalls No One Talks About
While many freelancers are skilled professionals, it is important to address common challenges respectfully.
- Half the Job Done
Freelancers often complete the project scope but may not stick around to integrate it fully. For example, a landing page might be delivered but not connected to your CRM or email nurture sequence. - Ghosting
Because freelancers manage multiple clients, deadlines can slip. A recent Payoneer survey found that 36% of businesses hiring freelancers experienced project abandonment at least once. - Higher Cost Over Time
A $500 one-off job may seem cheaper than hiring a VA, but without ongoing management, you may pay more fixing mistakes or hiring again. - Data and Security Risks
Freelancers often need login access to your systems. Without a trusted, ongoing relationship, this opens risk to sensitive business data. - Lack of Business Context
A freelancer usually isn’t across your entire business. They deliver in isolation, which can result in disjointed haphazard marketing.
Why a VA is Better for Long-Term Marketing
Marketing isn’t a one-time project. It is a machine that requires consistent implementation, optimisation, and reporting.
Your own marketing VA can:
- Document every task in SOPs so future staff can follow the system.
- Report on analytics weekly or monthly to guide better decisions.
- Take direction from you or a strategist and adjust activities quickly.
- Be loyal and invested, building their career with you, not just filling hours.
Think of it this way: a freelancer builds the bricks, but a VA helps build and maintain the entire house.
New Legislation in Australia: Why It Matters
In 2023, a landmark Brisbane case saw a Philippine VA successfully claim employment entitlements, setting a new precedent. This means Australian businesses must now be careful when hiring offshore staff directly.
Working through an Australian agency protects you by:
- Ensuring compliance with Fair Work legislation.
- Providing contracts, payroll, and HR support.
- Reducing the risk of legal disputes or claims.
- Offering a safeguard for both the business and the VA.
This doesn’t mean you can’t hire a VA in the Philippines. In fact, many Australian businesses do. But going through a trusted agency ensures you’re covered legally while still accessing cost-effective talent.
Freelancer vs VA: A Quick Comparison
| Factor | Freelancer | Marketing VA |
| Commitment | Project-based | Long-term |
| Business Context | Narrow | Deep |
| SOPs and Systems | Rare | Yes |
| Accountability | Limited | Reports regularly |
| Data Security | Higher risk | Safer with contracts |
| Cost Over Time | Can add up | Stable and scalable |
| Strategic Input | None | None, both are implementers |
| Growth with Business | No | Yes |
How to Find the Right Fit
If you need a freelancer:
- Use platforms like Fiverr, Freelancer.com, or Upwork.
- Check 5-star ratings and reviews.
- Always request examples of previous work.
- Start with a small test project before committing.
If you need a VA:
- Hire through a trusted Australian agency for compliance and security. ( I can connect you to agencies with skilled South African and Filipinos)
- Look for marketing VAs who show willingness to upskill.
- Provide them with training in your tools and brand voice.
- Build a relationship, they are part of your team.
Educational Tips Before You Hire
- Clarify the role: Decide if you need a project specialist (freelancer) or a consistent implementer (VA).
- Protect your data: Use password management tools like LastPass to control access.
- Invest in strategy first: Neither freelancers nor VAs should be responsible for setting your marketing strategy.
- Think long-term: If you want sustainable growth, consider a VA who can evolve with your brand.
- Document processes: Whether with a freelancer or VA, always ensure SOPs are created so tasks can be repeated accurately.
How We Support You
We work with four Australian agencies and can help you determine the marketing role, the attributes and skill sets of the VA, and even interview them for you. We then onboard and train them in your personal strategy. I have trained almost 1,000 VAs in marketing and helped them integrate into businesses. If your next step is a marketing VA and you are worried about the time and stress to make it happen, choose a time to chat and I can support you end to end with a strategy and implementation plan your VA can run with.
Final Thoughts
Both freelancers and VAs have their place. A freelancer is perfect for a short-term, specialist task. But if your goal is consistent marketing that grows with your business, protects your data, and creates long-term systems, then hiring your own marketing VA is the smarter choice.
They may not be strategists, but with the right direction, a marketing VA becomes the engine room of your business growth.
Want to see how to empower your VA with proven frameworks?
👉 Watch our video on Empower Your VA where I show you the exact systems and processes that work.
