The demand for virtual assistants is increasing steadily as more online companies and entrepreneurs emerge. Virtual assistants (VAs) provide administrative services, such as managing email communication and making travel arrangements.
What qualities should a virtual assistant possess?
Asking the right questions is crucial because you can only get to know your VA as an individual after hiring them. Here are the important key factors to consider:
- Experience
- Professionalism
- Availability
Since not everyone is aware of the range of services VAs offer, let’s begin by exploring them before delving into our hiring recommendations.
Services provided by VAs
Many small business owners only require a general VA who can also serve as a secretary. You can delegate various tasks to them, including scheduling your travel, creating daily schedules, and reminding you of important meetings.
However, there are also businesses that require VAs who can handle more complex tasks. Here are some examples:
Writing Assistance
One of the biggest misconceptions in online marketing is that “anyone can write.” If you run an online business, you need to produce a large amount of content every day.
Examples include:
- Emails
- Social media posts
- Blog posts
- Website content
This requires significant effort. If you lack writing skills or simply prefer not to write, you can hire a skilled writer who excels in both creative work and written content.
Facebook virtual assistants
Social media marketing is essential for any business today. However, maintaining consistency in posting content and engaging with the audience is crucial for success in this field. Therefore, it is important to dedicate time to social media activities on a daily basis.
While social media advertising may seem straightforward, some individuals possess the knowledge and skills to quickly attract more attention, which is beneficial if you are investing money in social ads. Hiring a skilled social media VA is a smart use of your advertising budget.
Website Creation
Managing a website does not happen automatically, even if you use a content management system (CMS) like WordPress. You must:
- Regularly create backups
- Update plugins and website versions
- -Remove redundant code to improve the page loading speed
A specialized VA can save you time and provide peace of mind, especially if you need technical expertise or are busy with other important tasks. For online businesses, having a YouTube page or video files on your website is crucial, making the use of an audio and video VA a way to avoid the complexities of learning complicated software.
Advantages of Hiring a Virtual Assistant
If you feel that you need more hours to complete your workload, whether it be paperwork, appointment scheduling, or other time-consuming tasks, a VA can help you save time and increase productivity.
Hiring a VA can also save you money compared to hiring a full-time employee, as you do not have to provide benefits or compensation. Additionally, you do not need to supply office space since VAs already work remotely.
By delegating tasks to a skilled VA, you can focus on growing your business and doing what you do best. This synergy allows you to develop your business while your assistant takes care of their assigned tasks.
The Drawbacks of Using a Virtual Assistant
Although a VA can ultimately save you time, the initial stages of hiring, training, and onboarding them require an investment of time. Another challenge is ensuring that you select the most suitable individual for the job. Building trust with your assistant in a virtual setting may require additional effort.
The remote nature of working with VAs can also lead to inconsistent communication due to different time zones and cultural differences.
How to Choose a Trusted Virtual Assistant
Once you have determined that you require a VA and have identified your specific needs, the next step is to select a reliable VA who can handle essential business operations.
Since you will be relying on a virtual assistant for important tasks, trustworthiness is crucial. Seek recommendations from business associates who are acquainted with the individual you are considering.
Another option is to search for a virtual assistant service provider on dedicated websites. Freelance platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr also offer opportunities to find qualified VAs.
When searching for a virtual assistant, it is important to thoroughly examine their credentials.
- Knowledge: If you are in need of a general virtual assistant, it is crucial to verify if the applicant has relevant administrative experience. Request their work samples and inquire about the outcomes they have achieved as well as client recommendations. Some candidates may even allow you to contact their previous employers.
- Professional Conduct: Take a close look at the candidate’s website to assess their professionalism and communication skills. If their attention to detail is lacking on their website, it may indicate a lack of attention to detail in their work as well. Utilize ratings provided by job sites to narrow down your list of candidates.
- Accessibility: When working with a remote team, time zone differences can be a significant challenge. Ensure that the virtual assistant is available during your working hours. However, if you are hiring a writer or a social media virtual assistant, their availability during your working hours may not be as crucial.
Benefits of Hiring a Virtual Assistant:
There are two types of tasks in every business:
- Managerial or specialized tasks
- Routine tasks that require minimal specialized skills
By delegating tedious tasks to a virtual assistant, you can focus on activities that directly contribute to the growth and profitability of your business.
Cost Savings: Establishing a physical office incurs expenses such as rent, electricity bills, and other ancillary costs. Hiring a virtual assistant eliminates these overhead costs. Virtual assistants also offer competitive pricing.
Additionally, you save on employee salaries, as virtual assistants are not entitled to medical benefits, increments, taxes, insurance, or sick days. Unlike full-time employees, you can pay virtual assistants based on hours worked or the number of tasks completed.
In conclusion, if you are struggling with tasks that hinder your productivity, it is highly recommended to hire a virtual assistant. Outsourcing unpleasant tasks to someone who can handle them effectively will benefit your business. While it may take time to find the right virtual assistant, the tips provided in this article will assist you in your search.
