Entrepreneurs and VA’s are a fairly new, yet increasingly popular way of running an online business. Who would have ever thought that the age-old personal assistant would be usurped by a new and far more dynamic, cost-effective and incredibly versatile Virtual Assistant?
The Internet serves many purposes, but the most beneficial purpose to small and medium business owners is that the World Wide Web can - with some carefully planned website development, literally be their premises of business, where information and files can be stored, staff can be hired and an office can be built and maintained entirely online, so no matter where you are and what you’re doing, you can check into the office whenever you feel like it.
Some people may be put off by the idea of never meeting the person they’re working with, some may be concerned that they’re not there to oversee the work activity, while others may feel that their information is too vulnerable online. All of these are certainly reasonable things to be concerned about, but with an expert virtual assistant at you side, these issues will soon feel insignificant, and you’ll rapidly develop a more profitable, more streamlined and far less stressful business.
Doesn’t that sound better than paying huge overheads to rent an office, having to shell out for sick pay for staff and sifting through stacks of paper and files to find out what happened to a missing invoice or to a potential client’s phone number?
However, if this virtual paradise is to be realised, you’re going to need to find a truly exceptional VA to point your business in the right direction.
Here are a few tips:
First, decide what you would like to achieve with your business, tell your potential VA what your goals are, and develop an idea of how you see things working for you. This information will allow a VA to understand how best they can assist you. Leave the employee mindset. Your VA will most likely be a business owner as well, with as much drive and ambition as you have! Treating your VA as an employee will only lead to problems in the long term. Virtual assistance is a partnership on equal terms, and mutual respect is paramount to success.
Every VA will need to establish whether your business would be a good fit for theirs. Make a list of all the tasks and jobs (no matter how large or small) you would like to see the back of, then speak to a few VA’s who have the skills and capabilities to take them off your hands - you will soon find out which VA’s are on your wavelength. Shortlist the ones you see with the most potential to fulfil your plans.
Finding your VA is slightly harder; there are thousands out there, from all walks of life, and all corners of the world. You may need to do some research to find the right one that meets your criteria. Other times, you may just get lucky first time round. The internet should be your first port of call, and Google is a great place to start, just type in “Virtual Assistant” and see what you find. You can also search “Virtual Assistant Directory” or “Virtual Assistant Networks” which will bring up a host of sites where VA’s congregate and list themselves and their services.
A virtual relationship is built on trust, and this will come in time. In a virtual world, if you move, then so does your VA - it’s perfect for the makings of a reliable, long lasting relationship.
Michelle Dale is The Managing Director of Virtual Miss Friday, a state-of-the-art Executive Virtual Assistant Service which assists businesses and individuals with every aspect of their enterprising requirements. Do you want to explore these inspiring online business building success strategies? Contact VMF Now!
