The Real Benefits of Working with a Virtual Assistant
May 31st, 2010
By Guest Blogger, Lynda Menegotti
www.InternetMarketingManaged.com
What is a Virtual Assistant?
A virtual assistant is an independent contractor that provides professional quality administrative and other specialized services, usually from a remote home office location.
Who Uses Virtual Assistants?
- Authors
- Small Businesses Owners
- Entrepreneurs & Other Professionals
What Types of Services Do Virtual Assistants Provide?
While the services offered vary from virtual assistant to virtual assistant with each having their own unique set of skills and abilities, the following is a brief list of the kinds of services that you can expect to find available:
- PR /Marketing Support (Press Releases, Book Tours, Blog Tours & Speaking Engagements)
- Social Media Management (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.)
- Graphic & Website/Blogsite Design
- eNewsletter/Autoresponder Design & Delivery
- Word Processing, Transcription & Data Entry
- Shopping Cart Set-Up & Support
- Affiliate Program Set-Up & Management
- Client Follow-Up & Support (eMail & Phone)
- Audio & Video Editing
What Are the Benefits of Working with a Virtual Assistant?
- You pay only for the time spent “on task” or by project – often saving you money in the long run because you don’t have to pay for things like vacation time or benefits.
- You don’t have to invest in furniture, office equipment, or office space.
- Virtual Assistants often have fairly flexible schedules. This coupled with the fact that you can choose a VA that lives in a different time zone may enable you to work (with your VA) during your “peak performance hours”.
- Virtual Assistants excel at keeping their clients on-track, on-task and working towards their goals.
How Do You Find and Hire the Right Virtual Assistant?
Keep in mind that finding the right virtual assistant is going to mean something different to each person.
Get clear about what you want to delegate. Take the time to think about what tasks and projects you feel you would benefit from delegating to a VA. What jobs are you performing on a regular basis that you seriously dislike? What basic tasks are eating up most of your valuable time but not making you any money? What tasks are you struggling with in terms of motivation, learning curve or perhaps technology issues?
Have fun with this. How often do you get to sit down and make a gigantic list of things you don’t want to do!
Do your homework. Once you have a really clear picture of the kinds of tasks you’d like to start delegating, begin asking trusted friends and colleagues for recommendations. Do they work with a virtual assistant? What sort of tasks does she/he perform for them? Have they had any problems or issues arise?
When speaking with potential virtual assistants always ask for at least three references and samples of their work. Be sure to ask what their hours of operation are, whether they work part-time or full-time, how many clients they’re working with, and whether they work solo or have a team of virtual assistants working with them.
A professional virtual assistant should have a standard contract that outlines hourly rates and payment options, confidentiality, work and product ownership terms, as well as termination procedures.
Top Tips for Ensuring a Happy Working Relationship with Your Virtual Assistant
Tip #1: Be “up front” about your budget.
If your finances allow for only a certain amount of hours be sure to let your VA know so that she/he can keep you updated. Professional virtual assistants are highly efficient and able to get a lot of work done in a very short amount of time, but you don’t want any nasty surprises come invoice time.
Tip #2: Find out what your virtual assistant’s standard operating procedures are.
Many VAs also use project management tools such as Basecamp™ to track projects, deadlines, to do lists, and messages… and clients benefit. How should you assign tasks? How are projects tracked? How will you know when work is complete?
Tip #3: Discuss turn-around time.
Most virtual assistants work from home. They are parents and they likely have more than one client, so don’t expect your work to be completed three hours after you assign it (unless you agree to pay more for rushed work). A 48-hour turn-around time is fairly standard but make sure you ask your virtual assistant in advance.
Tip #4: Find out what emergency procedures your VA has in place.
Unforeseen emergencies are bound to pop up eventually so take the time to confirm how your project will be handled should your virtual assistant be unavailable. What’s the back-up plan?
Tip #5: Consider hiring a virtual assistant that specializes in your industry.
Some VAs are specifically trained to, or have a preference to, work with professionals in one industry or another. Try to find one that specializes in working with authors and speakers so that you can take advantage of her/his experience and the resources she/he may have that are specific to your field.
Tip #6: Think of it as a partnership.
Most virtual assistants get excited about helping their clients succeed. They’re often only too happy to recommend your books, products and services to other clients, thus helping you earn more money.
Lynda Menegotti is the owner of Internet Marketing Managed, a professional virtual assistance and outsourcing firm. She has worked for the past twelve years helping authors, speakers and other entrepreneurs grow their business and their brand through eye-catching design and creative marketing. Lynda specializes in custom blogsite design, social media management, internet radio and doing all of the little things that free YOU up to do what YOU do best.
