We get it. If you’re considering hiring a Virtual Assistant, that probably means you already have too much on your plate. How are you supposed to also find the perfect Virtual Assistant, train them, and develop a working relationship? No matter how you look at it, it’s a lot to tackle and it’s an investment in multiple forms- money, time, effort, etc. Like any investment, there’s also a risk. What if the perfect Virtual Assistant you found turns out to be not a perfect fit for you? What if you take the time to train someone and it doesn’t work out, putting you back in square one?
Before you think about every “what if” scenario, let’s try to put your mind at ease.
More and more businesses are hiring Virtual Assistants every single day and finding great success by doing so. Even the U.S. Small Business Administration suggests reconsidering if you have yet to hire a Virtual Assistant. They said it best: “[Hiring a Virtual Assistant] also gives you a better opportunity to work on growing your business, rather than getting stuck in the day-to-day operations.”
You have your own reasons for starting your business- maybe you want to be a visionary, change the world, or just have more time at home with your family. Regardless of what exactly your “why” is, there’s one thing for certain…
You can’t do it if you’re bogged down in the day-to-day necessities of running your business.
No matter how behind on work you are, or how lost you feel when it comes to hiring a Virtual Assistant, it is possible, and it may just be what paves your way to whatever “success” looks like to you.
Think about how you feel when the dishes get out of control in your kitchen sink. Do you avoid them and let them continue to pile up? Maybe, I know I do sometimes! But eventually, you will come to realize that it’s inevitable! You KNOW that you are going to clean those dishes! And if you don’t, there are a lot of things that get out of control; not having clean dishes to eat (which is so frustrating in the moment), no space on the counter, gross smells developing, and worst of all, you’re now attracting bugs to make their home insides those pots and pans! Yuck!
Now that you have this nice visual, it feels practical and simple again, doesn’t it?
Just because you’re behind on work, or behind on the plan you want or need to execute, that doesn’t mean you should delay it any longer.
The best time to make a change is now.
Outsourcing allows you to shift your focus, time, and energy to the tasks that you enjoy and actually make you money.
You’re the mastermind behind your business. No matter what you do or why you do it, it’s your business and you have an extremely important role in it. Your thoughts, visions, and goals are your business. Hiring a Virtual Assistant will give you the time and freedom to run and grow your business the way you want to, instead of being stuck just keeping it afloat. Check out this freebie to learn more about what a VA can do for you!
So, you know you want and need a Virtual Assistant… but it’s a daunting task. How do you get from where you are to where you want to be?
First, let’s realize that hiring a Virtual Assistant is an investment. You’re investing your time and money, and like any investment, there’s a risk. What if you don’t hire the right Virtual Assistant? What if it isn’t a good fit, or you aren’t satisfied with their work? Don’t worry, if you grab that guide to learn What A VA Can Do For You, we’ll talk more about it in our workshop. We want you to feel equipped and confident to make these steps that are crucial to your next phase of growth!! So, here’s a bit more to set you up for success.
How you can prepare NOW to hire a Virtual Assistant:
Make Your Lists
Nothing works quite so well like making a list. It helps get the info off your chest and start to imagine a pathway forward.
Get Organized
Your VA will need passwords, account access and some basic info to get started (like a brand kit for example!). Take some time to grab a password keeper, such as LastPass and outline helpful info your VA will need to jump in with ease.
Determine the Need
Now that you have your lists, think about what qualities and skills your right-now VA will need. Then work through a brief description to let VA’s know if they fit the role, your budget, availability preferences, etc. Filling the need starts with understanding the need.
Think Through Onboarding
Most VA’s have processes to work with them, such as a project management system, but don’t neglect thinking about implementing this for your business (more on this in the guide and workshop you’ll get!).
Tips for hiring the right Virtual Assistant:
- Hire for character over skill and take your time to hire.
- Review AND meet with plenty of applicants (it’s tempting to hire the first one that feels right, but even if that is the right choice, meet with several people before you make your decision).
- Ask specific questions about their skillset and the tools they use. The easiest way to understand someone’s knowledge of something (before seeing it in action) is to hear how well they can talk it through.
Need a bit more guidance, or are you ready to hire a Virtual Assistant?
Let us know what’s going on! We’ve helped dozens of business owners hire Virtual Assistants (or choose us as their VA team!) to expand their businesses. If you still aren’t sure of exactly what to do next, we offer 1:1 Business Strategy Sessions to really dive into your current situation and evaluate what your next steps should be.