Most business owners say amazing things when partnering with Virtual Assistants (VA), and they’re right! VA’s can help you to achieve more because they focus on your to-do-list, which can include basic repetitive tasks to very skill specific tasks. VA’s give you back time so you can deal with projects that only you can execute. If you’ve done your due diligence you’re likely to see results almost instantly when partnering with the right VA and having an open line of communication.
Virtual administration is a trained skill that’s perfected just like any other. Discovering your rock star VA is not rocket science, but it takes some thought and planning to get it right. Here are my 3 helpful tips to keep in mind when hiring your VA.
1. Know what tasks or level of support you need
Everyone wants an assistant but being able to identify WHAT you want your VA to support you with, I’ve learned, that can sometimes seem like a trick question for some. As the CEO it’s your job to know in advance what tasks you want the VA to perform or at least know what final outcomes you’re looking for so they can help you navigate to get there.
Having this information will help you to screen candidates who possess the skills needed to support you. If you know you want graphics created, you’re screening for VAs skilled in Canva, Adobe or other graphic design platforms. You’re doing yourself a disservice (and wasting time and money) by partnering with a VA who doesn’t have this skill.
Knowing the tasks and level of support you need also helps you to set a budget. Most VAs have retainer packages that are either a bank of hours or a set of monthly deliverables. The longer your list of tasks the more you want to budget to get it all completed. It’s not realistic (not to mention fair) to have a 3 page list of tasks every month and only $50 to invest in support. Regardless of where your VA resides, you’re paying them for their time and skill, not based on where they live.
2. Generalist vs Specialist
Are you looking for a jack of all trades (generalist) or a master of 1 (specialist)? There is no right or wrong answer, but to help you answer this take a look at the tasks you need to identify that I mention in the previous tip.
A generalist, like the name implies, can help you with an array of things. That could be managing your calendar, data entry, booking your travel, screening your inbox, scheduling social media posts and the list can go on and on. They usually charge by the hour and are quick learners who have a working knowledge in lots of different platforms. They are resourceful too and will turn to Google to find the answers related to the platforms they aren’t so familiar with.
A specialist, although they likely know how to operate within multiple platforms, they are best known for their work in 1 specific thing. That could be copywriting, social media marketing, Dubsado, Ontraport, and this list goes on and on too. Specialist have advanced training or hold certifications for their skill. Because they eat and breath this platform or skillset, completing tasks for your desired outcome will be performed a lot faster and with higher accuracy than a generalist. This also means that you can expect to pay for their expertise at a premium flat rate or a much higher hourly rate compared to the generalist.
3. Don’t rush through interviews
The last thing you want to do is waste your time. The reason you’re looking for a VA in the first place is because you’re trying to get more of your time back. A good use of your time is properly screening candidates.
Rushing and hiring out of desperation makes for a revolving door of support for your business. You don’t want that! It’s worth it to do some internet stalking 🤪, have a multi-step hiring process or even a test project. You’ll weed out those who don’t follow instructions, have availability conflicts, not to mention “the crazies” and so much more.
The interview however, isn’t just for you to do the interviewing. Your VA is interviewing you as well. They have a business they are running just like you are and want to ensure the support you need aligns with the budget you've set, there are no personality conflicts, you have respect of their boundaries, realistic expectations and whatever else they find important to them.
Partnering with a VA can be one of your greatest business investments when done correctly. It’s a mutual respect from one business owner providing services to another business owner. It’s continuous communication between you and your VA, not a complete domination of time because of a paid invoice. It’s a great alternative to hiring a full-time employee because you save money and get the outcomes you need on a consistent basis. It’s the partnership you’ve probably been looking for.
If you’re looking for admin support in your business, consider working with us at Focus Virtual Business Solutions. We’d love to learn more about your needs and see if we’re a good fit for you. Book your consultation HERE.