Your Guide to Hiring a Virtual Assistant
Why should you hire a virtual assistant?
Feeling swamped with tasks and never-ending to-do lists? A virtual assistant can be your secret weapon—saving you time, stress, and maybe even your sanity. From inbox taming to calendar magic, they help you focus on what really matters.
What you will learn in this guide:
Interested in hiring a Virtual Assistant but not sure where to start? Consider this your roadmap for where to start and how to successfully hire a virtual assistant to support your business.
Identify Tasks to Outsource to a Virtual Assistant
List out the tasks you may want to delegate to a virtual assistant. For 10 examples of tasks that Virtual Assistants can take off your plate, click here. As you review the list, consider
What specific or types of skills with the VA need to complete these tasks?
Will the VA need experience using specific software or programs? For example:
CRM’s like Salesforce or Zoho
Website backends like Wordpress and Squarespace
Email marketing platforms like Mailchimp
Design programs like Adobe or Canva
How Do You Like to Communicate—and Can Your VA Match That?
When getting started, discuss which methods of communication work best for each of you for assigning projects, getting approvals, asking questions, etc. A good virtual assistant will take tasks off of your plate with minimal direction and hand holding but we cannot be successful in a vacuum.
Here are some things to consider:
How do you want to handle approvals and/or questions that might come up?
What kinds of check-in’s do you want to have? And, how frequently?
A weekly call?
Bi-weekly Google Meets?
Considering these factors as you interview Virtual Assistant candidates will help you gauge if your communication styles are compatible and establishes expectations for both you and your Virtual Assistant.
Create SOPs and Have A Plan to Delegate the Work
This ties in with communication. Decide what information/training specific to your business needs to be provided to your VA.
If you are thinking, “it is easier if I just do it myself”, here’s a tip: The next time you begin working on one of these tasks, create an SOP as you do it. If it is an online process, record it using a screen recording app. By documenting your processes, you’re setting your new VA and your business up for success!
Here are some things to consider:
What processes are unique to your business that may require training?
What systems or applications will you need to provide them access to?
Will you provide them a dedicated login or do you need to share your password (and what is that password, anyways?)
Before you hire a Virtual Assistant, Have an Intro Call
Most virtual assistants offer a complimentary discovery calls. Think of this as an informal, get to you, vibe check. This is an opportunity to ask the VA questions and find out if their skillset matches your needs. The VA will also be assessing whether they are a good fit for you. Ultimately, the decision to work together will be mutual.
Ready to hire a virtual assistant?
Ready to delegate and grow your business? Schedule a free 30-minute call to see how a virtual assistant can help you save time and stay focused on what matters.
