Top 10 effective tips to Working with Virtual Assistants

Author Name: Shreya mehta 

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If you're doing a lot of work yourself and simply can't keep up with it all, maybe it's time to bring in some help. There are a number of reasons you may want to consider hiring virtual assistant services to take on some of the workload for your business.

Hiring a Virtual Assistant isn't as complicated as it might seem. Here are 10 tips that can help you get started:

1. Make Sure the Virtual Assistant is Right For You

Before hiring a VA, make sure to take a close look at what your company needs and doesn't need. Hiring a person based on their resume alone isn't usually a good idea. A better way would be to have them go through some sort of test or trial period to see how they work first. The best virtual assistant services should have experience in your industry as well as knowledge of office duties such as filing, email correspondence and research.

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2. Look for an Appropriate Person

Depending on the job requirements, you'll want someone with certain skills and qualifications rather than just anyone who wants to do the work. You should look for someone who is intelligent, has good communication skills and is friendly to work with. 

3. Have a Trial Period

If you're hiring an employee rather than an independent contractor, you'll want to meet them face-to-face before agreeing to hire them. If they are working remotely, make sure they can communicate properly through email or chat (if you need instant messaging). Plus it's always good to be able to contact your virtual assistant services provider anytime you need them.

4. Establish Your Hours of Availability

You may also want to consider establishing the hours during which both parties will be available for communication. Specify when would be the best times for VA to reach out if there may be an emergency.

5. Hire for the Long Term

It's important to remember that your virtual assistant services are part of your team and will also need guidance and training to learn how they should work best. It takes time and continually effort to find someone who can meet your needs, but it is well worth it in the long run. Once you've found a VA you can trust, stick with them as long as they are dependable and reliable because turnover rates tend to be high for this type of position.

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6. Explain Your Business Well

Being able to communicate clearly with your virtual assistant is by far one of the most important factors you need to consider when hiring this type of employee. Before you hire a virtual assistant, make sure that they understand exactly what you want and need them to do. There is nothing more frustrating for employees than not knowing whether or not they're doing their job correctly.

7. Delegate Tasks Effectively

Another important aspect of working with virtual assistants is delegating tasks effectively. When outsourcing your work to people on the other side of the globe, it's easy to forget that patience and precision are key when teaching someone new about your company's procedures and processes. A good way to avoid many potential headaches is by making a detailed instruction guide for each task before you delegate it.

8: Follow Up Regularly

This point can't be stressed enough: follow up with your virtual assistant regularly. It is a good idea to set a minimum number of times that you will follow up on tasks in order for it to be completed. If your VA isn't getting back to you after three attempts, consider using another one. 

9: Pay Your Virtual Assistant Services Fairly

If you're hiring someone from overseas such as India, Pakistan or the Philippines, chances are they aren't making much more than $500-$600 USD per month. Keep this in mind when considering your budget and paying your VA so that there won't be any problems or issues later on.

10: Don't Let Technology Slow You Down

Lastly, don't become too reliant on technology because sometimes even Skype and Google Docs can fail. Make sure to have a solid backup plan for any situation and always research the best technological tools to use before you start your virtual assistant search.

Conclusion:

Virtual Assistants or VAs, as they are often called, don't have the same demands as employees, yet they still offer great benefits at reasonable prices. In most cases, a VA will handle small projects and tasks around the office. This is why many people hire them as administrative assistants who can do research or manage schedules are just two examples of what they could perform for you company.

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