| 11 Tips for Creating and Maintaining a Long and | | | | 5. Do treat your VA as a professional and fellow |
| Happy Working Relationship with Your VA | | | | business owner. Being repeatedly late for |
| Would you like to know some of the best ways | | | | scheduled meetings makes it appear as if your |
| to develop a long-term, mutually enjoyable and | | | | VA's time is not as valuable as yours. If you're |
| profitable relationship with your Virtual Assistant? | | | | unable to make a scheduled phone meeting, |
| I'm going to share with you insider | | | | provide advance notice. To paraphrase the Golden |
| information--pet peeves of virtual | | | | Rule, do unto your VA as you would have your |
| assistants--gleaned from the virtual assistant | | | | VA do unto you! |
| forums, to help you get the most from this | | | | 6. Don't pay late. This is related to the previous |
| partnership. | | | | tip. As a business owner, you don't like being paid |
| 1. Do share information about your business goals | | | | late, so why do it to someone else? If |
| with your VA. Most virtual assistants--most | | | | circumstances arise that make you unsure you'll |
| administrative professionals, for that matter--do | | | | be able to pay on time in an upcoming month, let |
| what they do because they are helpful by nature. | | | | your VA know. He or she might just be willing to |
| By sharing your goals and dreams, your VA will | | | | work something out with you. |
| have a better idea of how to help you achieve | | | | 7. Do show your appreciation periodically. An |
| them. And be sure to let your VA know when | | | | expression of gratitude goes a long way in |
| your objectives change. He or she will be happy | | | | making a VA's day. A thoughtful testimonial is one |
| to meet with you periodically to discuss your | | | | of the best gifts you can give your virtual |
| goals and the best way to achieve them. | | | | assistant. And if you're planning to give a holiday |
| 2. Don't just disappear. This is something that | | | | gift or bonus, well, you'll be the client virtual |
| happens with surprising frequency and is | | | | assistants dream about! |
| particularly distressing to virtual assistants. | | | | 8. Don't rely solely on your VA. She won't always |
| Whether you've decided to pursue another means | | | | be available to you. If she's not going to be |
| of having your administrative needs met, hit a | | | | available, a good VA will ensure that alternative |
| temporary downturn and can't afford to pay your | | | | plans to support you have been put in place. It's |
| VA, or you've just decided to close up shop, do | | | | still a good idea, however, for you to be able to |
| let your VA know, preferably with as much | | | | handle at least the most important administrative |
| advance notice as possible. As a fellow business | | | | tasks yourself to keep your business running |
| owner, a VA will most likely understand the | | | | smoothly in an emergency. |
| reason you will no longer be utilizing her services. | | | | 9. Do understand that your VA has a personal life. |
| Besides, it's just plain considerate. On top of that, | | | | I know of one VA who was "fired" for coming |
| despite the vastness of the World Wide Web, the | | | | down with the flu. A professional virtual assistant |
| virtual world can sometimes seem very small, so | | | | will do whatever she can to take care of you no |
| why burn bridges? | | | | matter what's going on in her life, but stuff |
| 3. Do be honest. Trust is so important in the | | | | happens. |
| Client/VA partnership. For example, if your VA | | | | 10. Don't wait until the last minute to ask your |
| has suggested a tool she feels will enable her to | | | | virtual assistant to handle something. If you are |
| support you more efficiently and you would | | | | the type who works best in crisis management |
| prefer not to use it, let her know--don't just keep | | | | mode, you're only going to cause yourself to be |
| putting her off. The more your VA knows about | | | | frustrated and your VA to feel resentful. Your |
| you and your business, the more value she'll be | | | | VA will be happy to help you plan in advance so |
| able to provide to you. | | | | emergencies are rare. |
| 4. Don't assume anything. Open communication is | | | | 11. Do give referrals. As a business owner |
| absolutely vital to a successful Client/VA | | | | yourself, you know these are as good as gold. |
| relationship. Be sure your VA understands tasks | | | | If you follow these tips, you'll not only engender |
| you assign. Ask questions and be available to | | | | loyalty from your VA, but you're sure to be a |
| answer them too, especially when you first begin | | | | client who's bragged about (anonymously, of |
| working together. | | | | course) in the virtual assistant forums. |