| An internet virtual assistant can put your online | | | | though you can get new virtual assistants for a |
| wealth generation machine into overdrive, but you | | | | cheaper hourly rate, I would avoid them. You just |
| have to know where to find a great assistant and | | | | don't want to take the chance of an unknown. |
| how to evaluate potential assistants. | | | | 4. Number of repeat customers. Many services |
| Where you look for an internet virtual assistant | | | | such as Elance give you stats on how many of |
| depends somewhat on the tasks you need to | | | | their projects are with repeat clients. The higher |
| outsource. If you need a logo or graphics work, | | | | the percentage of repeat business the better. |
| has a good reputation. With 99designs, you | | | | 5. How do they communicate and report status? |
| describe your project and specify your budget. | | | | Are they available during my business hours or do |
| Designers submit their designs and you choose a | | | | you need to communicate with them in the |
| winner from all of the submissions. | | | | middle of the night? |
| For website work or computer programming is | | | | 6. Do they take initiative? Do they seek you out |
| popular. I use because you can find just about | | | | in a professional manner to get selected for my |
| any kind of VA you need - website design, | | | | project? |
| administrative tasks, finance, legal, research, | | | | 7. How long does it take them to do tasks. |
| engineering, etc. There are over 80,000 experts | | | | Depending on the task this may be difficult to |
| on Elance! | | | | determine up front. But for well defined tasks like |
| After you write up a description of your project | | | | submitting articles to article directories they should |
| and submit it, potential assistants see your new | | | | be able to tell you how long it takes to submit to |
| project and submit bids for your job. I also | | | | one directory. They may have a cheaper hourly |
| proactively search for potential candidates and | | | | rate than another internet virtual assistant but if it |
| ask the ones I think are best for my tasks to | | | | takes them twice as long to do tasks they will be |
| submit a bid on my project. | | | | more expensive in the end. |
| After you have bids on your project, the next | | | | Selecting an online virtual assistant is a very |
| phase of the process starts, internet virtual | | | | important decision that can cost you time and |
| assistant evaluation. Here are the 7 things to look | | | | money if you do not get one that is a good fit |
| at to rate assistants: | | | | for you and your project. Take the necessary |
| 1. Reviews from previous clients. The ratings | | | | time to investigate candidates and it will save you |
| must be stellar. If there is a history of | | | | lots of time down the road. |
| miscommunication, unprofessionalism, or schedule | | | | By following these 7 criteria I have always found |
| issues I pass. | | | | exceptional virtual assistants. You'll be amazed at |
| 2. Their profile. Is it complete? Do they show | | | | how much easier your life becomes and how |
| samples of their work if applicable? | | | | much more work gets done in your business with |
| 3. The number of projects they have done. Even | | | | a great virtual assistant on your team. |