| As an entrepreneur you desire to be successful - | | | | 4. Experience |
| you want to increase sales and productivity. | | | | A Virtual Assistant should have extensive |
| Where can you find the resources and time to do | | | | background administrative or executive assistant |
| this? Hiring a Virtual Assistant can be your solution. | | | | experience. Now a VA can have obtained this |
| But how do I choose the right Virtual Assistant | | | | experience from working outside of the home or |
| for me? | | | | while being a VA. So, some questions to ask are: |
| Following is a checklist of finding the best Virtual | | | | - What was your experience prior to being a VA? |
| Assistant for you! | | | | - How many years of experience do you have? |
| 1. What are your specific business needs? | | | | - What is your skill level (for the particular need |
| Are you a real estate agent that needs part time | | | | that you have?) |
| help with a new listing coordination? Do you need | | | | 5. Training |
| full time help with all of your office administrative | | | | As a business owner, you may not have time to |
| needs? Does your business need a quick word | | | | learn new software. You need someone who is |
| processing or PowerPoint project completed while | | | | trained and very competent to take your project |
| your regular staff is out temporarily? | | | | and run with it! Ask specific questions related to |
| 2. Match up your specific business needs with | | | | your project to ensure that the VA is competent |
| those of the VA services you are searching for. | | | | in that specific aspect of the software. |
| Do a search for Virtual Assistant or a specific | | | | 6. Pricing |
| keyword search for the particular service you | | | | The rates of a Virtual Assistant range between |
| need. | | | | $25 - $80 per hour. This may seem high but |
| 3. Consultation. | | | | when you take into account that your business is |
| Obviously, your search will yield many results! | | | | not paying for sick leave, vacation leave, |
| Email or call the ones of interest to you. Most | | | | Medicare, etc., you save in the long run. |
| Virtual Assistants will give you a free consultation. | | | | Also as a business owner you will not lower your |
| Once you receive a response, here are few | | | | prices for clients, would you? You want to deliver |
| points to consider: | | | | a superb product and you know those clients who |
| - Did the VA respond in a Timely manner? | | | | expect that of you are willing to pay the price. No |
| - Did the VA respond in a Professional manner? | | | | less should it be for VA services. In order to |
| - Is the VA Prepared for the call? | | | | deliver that superb service, it does take money. |
| - Is there Follow-through as promised? | | | | To deliver an inferior product, does not require |
| - Do the Services match the ones you need? | | | | much money. |
| - Do you have a clear Understanding of processes | | | | I hope that these points have been helpful to |
| and how they will blend with your business? | | | | those who are searching for the right Virtual |
| - Do you feel the VA is Confident? | | | | Assistant to help make their business become |
| - Does the VA really Listen to what you need | | | | more successful. If you take the time to look for |
| and not interrupt? | | | | quality and merit, it will become a positive |
| - Does the VA inquire about your business also? | | | | investment in your business. |
| - Do you have a good connection with the VA? | | | | |