Like most business owners, you probably want more profit. More profit means you can start living the life you love. You’ll have more time for family, vacations, self-care and investing in other things! One way to make more profit is by hiring and expanding your team. (This is true even if you think you can’t afford it.)
Expanding your team beyond yourself is essential to building a successful, more profitable business. It’s the moment in your business when you finally take it seriously and realize you will not get where you want to go on your own. Your team can consist of employees and staff, but it can also include virtual independent contractors. Your team is everyone who plays a part in moving your business forward.
As the owner of a successful virtual assistant company, I’m here to tell you that hiring “the right” virtual assistant (or two or three) can be invaluable. Your VA can take on a variety of tasks, freeing up your time so you can focus on the marketing and sales activities it takes to grow your business.
But with so many choices out there, how do you know which virtual assistant is right for you?
When looking to hire your first virtual assistant, there are six key things to keep in mind.
It’s essential to find someone who is a good fit for your business and your personality.
You’ll need to decide what tasks you want your VA to handle. Define the tasks you need help with. Before you start your search for a virtual assistant, take some time to sit down and think about all the tasks you need help with daily or weekly. This could include things like social media management. But remember to specify: Is it the content creation you need help with, the writing and image creation, or just the posting? Or do you need help in all those categories, plus the engaging with others online? There is more than one task when it comes to social media. What about handling customer service, scheduling appointments, data entry, updating your website, posting on your blog, or even just general administrative work? I’ve gone into depth on a few of the most common tasks I see business owners delegating below. Having a clear idea of the tasks you need help with makes it easier to find a VA who is a good fit for your business. And remember: First, you want to delegate the things that take up the most time in your day and/or the things you’re not so good at. And you will certainly want to delegate those things which you dread doing.
Consider your prospective VA’s skills and experience; not all virtual assistants are created equal! When you’re searching for your perfect VA, be sure to look at their skills and experience to ensure they’re a good fit for the tasks you need help with. For example, if you need help with social media management, look for a VA with experience in that area.
Set up a trial period. Once you’ve found a few potential virtual assistants, set up a trial period to see how they work and if they’re a good fit for your business. Make sure you set clear expectations, deadlines and communication channels. This trial period could be anything from a few days to a couple of weeks — it just depends on what works best for you. During this time, please provide feedback to the VA so they can adjust their work to better suit your needs.
Ask for recommendations. If you’re unsure where to start your search for a virtual assistant, ask your friends or business associates for recommendations. Chances are, someone you know has already hired a VA, and they can point you in the right direction.
Utilize online resources. There are several great online resources that can help you find a qualified virtual assistant, such as job boards; directories like Fiverr, Upwork, 99Designs; and social media VA groups. Be sure to use these resources when searching for your perfect VA! (Oh, and come see me, too, at Cloversy.com, I’ll bet we can help!)
The hiring process for a virtual assistant is like hiring any other employee. You want to make sure that the person you hire is qualified and capable of performing the tasks you need them to do. When interviewing potential candidates, be sure to ask about their experience, skills and availability.
You should also create a list of tasks or jobs that you need to delegate to free up your time to grow your business. Be sure to give your virtual assistant clear instructions and deadlines for each task. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to finding and hiring your first, second or even third virtual assistant!
And if you would like to speak with me about what my team and I can help you with, I’ve put together a special page on my website with a big list of 40-plus tasks you could delegate, as well as a free video training on how to build and grow your team. You can also have a virtual or in-person conversation with me! Visit www.cloversy.com/40tasks and get going today!
Mel Carr is the founder of Cloversy, a U.S.-based executive virtual assistant company that supports entrepreneurs who are looking to scale their businesses. She has a wealth of experience in helping business owners manage their time and priorities. Cloversy was created to provide high-quality support to entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses without sacrificing their time or energy. Carr is passionate about helping business owners achieve their goals.
