Are you currently working with the support of a Virtual Assistant? Perhaps you have been utilising the services and knowledge of your ‘virtual hand’ for some time now and are really noticing the benefits? Can you remember what it was like before you decided to delegate? Was it a time of feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, not seeing the woods for the trees?
I would like to ask you another question… How do you feel now?
Many clients who turn to a VA for support will say that they feel as though a weight has been lifted. How they have time-saved and that their business is moving in the right direction towards success. However, they all needed to take that first step of loosening the reins and letting someone else in to help them with achieving their objectives.
If you are not yet connected with a Virtual Assistant and are contemplating if this is the right strategy for you to propel your business, then I wanted to share with you a few tips on how you can make sure getting started is a breeze. You want to feel the overwhelm lift and the pathway ahead of you start to clear and you would like to make sure that turning to support is time and money well spent.
The following are not really mistakes to avoid when working with a VA, but more a reminder of what to look out for and recognise at the beginning of your business relationship.
Systems. It’s important that any systems you have in place are clearly conveyed. Your Virtual Assistant wants to make your life easier, not harder and so part of their service is to get involved in what you already have in place. However, if you don’t have any systems in place these need to be collaborated on together to make things work. Your VA will no doubt have many suggestions to offer should you need some guidance.
Throwing in the towel too soon. Sadly, there can be clients that give up too soon when it comes to working with a VA. Their perspective may be that they are not seeing immediate results and that the partnership isn’t beneficial. It’s important to remember that taking time to invest in your VA means time saved in the future. It’s also important that you are the right ‘fit’ to work together. If you are struggling to see progress then the key is communication, there are many ways that your Virtual Assistant will show you exactly how you are benefiting. It’s all about laying the foundations and building a strong structure together.
Recognising value. This is so important! If you don’t take the time to identify everything you have achieved (which you would not be able to do without the support) you won’t recognise the value of your VA. Make time to review your successes. Identify areas in your timeline where you’ve had an increase in productivity and ask yourself… would I have made it this far if I were still carrying out everything myself?
It’s important to always be realistic when you are the owner of a business, especially when it comes to time and how you use it, so make sure that your expectations are too.
Speak to others who have turned to their virtual hand for support and ask them how they have benefited, overcome any difficulties and taken their business to the next level.
There’s no mistake in making the first port of call by getting in touch with a recommended Virtual Assistant and discussing the value a VA can bring to you.
Employing staff is a whole new ball game with its own set of rules. Working with a VA is an option that a great many business people are turning to. Check out my book on How to Hire a Virtual Assistant. Available on Amazon by clicking here.
Connect with Michelle on other platforms too: Learn how you can work with Virtual Hand; how your business can grow and how you can communicate better with your audience.
