Your business is growing, and you’re ready to bring someone onto your team because you can no longer manage everything on your own. However, you don’t have the budget or need for a full-time employee, so the next best option is to hire a Virtual Assistant (VA).
What is a Virtual Assistant (VA)?
A VA is a business owner who provides support services to other businesses across various areas, such as administration, social media, graphic design, newsletters, online content management, project management, ghostwriting, and more.
VAs offer different services depending on their business. You can click here to see the services I provide.
Benefits of working with a VA
You can hire VAs on a project basis, for a set number of hours per week or month, or on a retainer package. This is something you can arrange with the VA service you wish to engage.
Where to start when hiring a VA
Before contacting VA businesses, I recommend writing a list of all the tasks you feel you need help with. Some tasks may fall under one area, while others could be more ad-hoc or one-off requirements.
Once you have an idea of the tasks you need assistance with, you can contact a few VA businesses, explain what you need help with, and ask what other services they offer.
If you’re unsure what you need help with but know you need support, don’t hesitate to ask VA businesses about their services. Also, ask your friends for recommendations—they may already work with a VA service or know of several businesses to recommend.
Alternatively, you can register your details here and grab a copy of my free guide to help you get started.
How do I know which VA business to choose?
As a business owner, it’s important to trust that your work will be done to the standard you expect. It’s crucial that the VA gives you confidence in their abilities. Working with a VA is like any other working relationship—sometimes personalities align perfectly, and other times they don’t. If a relationship doesn’t work out, don’t see it as a failure. Instead, view it as a learning experience. Identify what worked, what didn’t, and implement strategies to ensure smoother collaboration in the future. Be open and honest about why it didn’t work.
Sometimes, the simplest issues can cause a relationship to break down, such as unclear instructions or communication, unspecified deadlines, unreasonable expectations, failure to respond to emails (on either side), or simply not being on the same wavelength.
How to ensure success with your VA
Find the best system for you and your VA to communicate tasks, deadlines, information, and any other necessary instructions. There are many free tools available that can improve virtual communication. Check here for my suggested tools.
In my business, I adapt to various formats and styles because my goal is to simplify my clients’ lives. I work in their preferred style to reduce stress in their already busy business lives. However, if I see a way to save time and money, I’ll always offer suggestions.
Can I afford a VA?
Yes, you can. VAs work globally and charge a variety of rates. It all depends on your business needs and preferences, not just the cost.
If you’d like to know more or have a chat about VA services, feel free to contact me.
