| When you are a business that has a lot of service | | | | it out. Before you talk with your VMA make a list |
| to do and you need to get your business moving | | | | of all the things that you want done and that you |
| it can be difficult, especially when you have to | | | | are already doing. Be clear with yourself about |
| wear every hat that the business needs. For | | | | which ones you want to delegate to someone |
| most small business owners this means that | | | | else. |
| marketing goes down to the bottom of the pile | | | | Define your way of working |
| as something that will eventually get done. | | | | As a small business owner you have a certain |
| Today, Internet presence is what is needed for | | | | way of working that is only known to you. This |
| most businesses and you must do this with some | | | | information must be communicated to your VMA |
| sort of effort. Whether you are a social | | | | so that they can work with you instead of |
| networking or you are using professional social | | | | against you. The more they know the more the |
| media to market your business, you will find that | | | | two of you will be able to work around your |
| the Internet will play a major part in your | | | | quirks. |
| marketing. | | | | Write what you want done in an email |
| Because of this and because you are probably | | | | Don't expect that your VMA will know how to do |
| too busy to do it yourself, you will need the | | | | something in the way you want it done. Write |
| professional services of a Virtual Marketing | | | | down in detail what it is that you expect to be |
| Assistant (VMA). This is an individual who is skilled | | | | done and when. Always give them a deadline so |
| in doing what you need done on the Internet. | | | | the two of you are on the same page. |
| There are probably thousands of VMAs who | | | | Design a process for communication and working |
| have the skills you need and they advertise them | | | | together |
| regularly. Some are in the beginning stages of | | | | From the very beginning make sure that the two |
| their business but they may have expertise from | | | | of you talk about working together and how that |
| other work. | | | | will look. Talk about the work flow and the way(s) |
| A VMA can be particularly important when you | | | | in which you will communicate. |
| have several projects to do at once. Here are | | | | Let go of the work Once you give your VMA an |
| some ways to work effectively with your VMA: | | | | assignment you should be confident that they |
| Define the Task When you first start working | | | | have the skills and expertise to do it. Ask your |
| with your VMA be very clear about what it is you | | | | VMA for a regular update from them to resolve |
| want them to do. They are not mind readers and | | | | any control issues you have and then let them do |
| in order to get what you want you have to spell | | | | their job. |