When you hire a virtual assistant, one thing to take into consideration is how you’ll actually use that assistant and what you’ll delegate.

Most small business owners are overloaded and really busy. They’re unable to sustain a 24/7 pace. They know they need help. Things are falling through the cracks.

The first step is to get crystal clear.  What are your business goals, the tasks to delegate and the type of assistance needed?

If you’re swirling and not sure where to start, carve out some time to note of all of the tasks you like to do (within your zone of genius) and all the business responsibilities you don’t like or really don’t do well, and then plan to delegate them.

How much will it cost?  Map out your hourly rate so you know how much it costs your business to do these tasks yourself. If scheduling your social media for the week takes you four hours and a virtual assistant can do it in half the time for half the cost, it’s a no-brainer. Outsourcing won’t cost you. It will save you.

Do a personality check. I’m a great matchmaker when prospects are up front and frank with their answers. The great news is there are no wrong answers.  I’ve heard it all before and don’t judge. Really. If you’re technologically handicapped, I’ve got an assistant for you. Do you get mad and swear like a sailor? I’ve got one that can handle that too. Are you a micro manager? Do you need a hand holder? Are you very particular about the planes you choose to fly on and where you sit?  What do you expect from your VA?  I need to know all of these things.  Of course your personality is important when it comes to pairing you with an assistant. If it’s not a good fit, either one of you might ask to be reassigned. Obviously, that’s not an ideal situation and we like to avoid that.

Is this a short-term or a long-term need? This is important because virtual assistants are planners and schedule their day (and week) in advance as much as possible.  Most of them have several regular clients, so if you have a one-time project you need help with, they might have time for that but not a long-term gig. Again, this is something we need to discuss to find a good match.

Something else to consider when hiring a virtual assistant is your time to do product and software training. How long the training takes really depends on both the product and the assistant. If your product is something most people use every day, there won’t be much training.

When it comes to software, my virtual assistants are all well-versed in the “usual” programs, however, if you use something specific for mechanics or doctors, extra training time will probably be needed.  Select a start date that allows you to take that time because without that training, nothing gets off your plate or moves forward.

There is a bit of a learning curve on both ends if this is the first virtual assistant you’ve hired, but much like anything else you rely on to keep your business running smoothly and efficiently, you’ll wonder how you ever not had one

Ready to hire a virtual assistant? Let’s talk!

Yours in the adventure,

Angie