| According to the U.S. Small Business | | | | You have seasonal projects |
| Administration, the average small business owner | | | | You do not have the proper resources |
| spends up to 40% of his or her time on routine | | | | You have limited computer/internet expertise |
| administrative tasks. One great alternative to | | | | You have limited office space for additional staff |
| "doing it all" is to hire a Virtual Assistant (VA). As | | | | You travel and need a contact person |
| the name implies, Virtual Assistants offer help | | | | Consider hiring a Virtual Assistant as an |
| "virtually," working from an office that is likely | | | | investment in your business. It frees up your time |
| outside your city, state, or country. They connect | | | | so you can make more money, work on a special |
| with you via phone and email, rather than in | | | | project, or move your business forward in |
| person. | | | | another way while leaving your administrative |
| If this idea intrigues you, a good starting point is | | | | tasks in capable hands. Many VAs work on a |
| to figure out where you truly need help. Jennifer | | | | monthly retainer basis. Clients can pay in advance |
| Rai of Today's Administrative Solutions, LLC | | | | for a specific number of hours (such as such as 5, |
| (todaysadmin.com) recommends that you make a | | | | 10, 15, 20) each month. (You can expect to pay |
| list of what you do on a daily basis and highlight | | | | $35 to $60 per hour or more.) In some cases, a |
| anything that falls within a VA's services. Then | | | | VA may charge by the project. |
| you need to determine how much of this work to | | | | If hiring a Virtual Assistant intrigues you, the next |
| outsource. Angela Lyons of The Lyons Den | | | | step is to start the interviewing process. To find a |
| (supremeofficesolutions.com) points out that VAs | | | | reliable VA, ask your colleagues for |
| help small business owners realize what they need | | | | recommendations. If you know someone who is |
| to delegate. | | | | currently working with a great VA, start there. In |
| Virtual Assistants offer a very wide range of | | | | addition, visit VA directories such as IVAA.org. A |
| services, including, but not limited to:administrative | | | | VA's website can tell you a great deal about her |
| assistance such as word processing, transcription, | | | | work. It should have impeccable spelling and |
| and invoicingemail, phone call, and voice mail | | | | grammar, be well written and easy to navigate, |
| monitoringcalendar managementvirtual office | | | | and have adequate contact information. |
| managementmeeting/presentation | | | | Choose a few sites that you like and contact |
| preparationinternet researchbookkeeping | | | | each VA for a phone interview. You want to find |
| servicesdatabase design and mailing list/contact | | | | out the following: |
| management | | | | Does she answer the phone in a professional |
| Virtual Assistants can assist with marketing tasks | | | | manner? |
| as well. This may include putting together press | | | | Does she seem genuine and enthusiastic? |
| kits, optimizing or updating websites, creating | | | | Has the VA "arrived" to the appointment on time |
| marketing materials, and sending out e-zines or | | | | and is she prepared for your questions? |
| newsletters. | | | | Can you hear any background noise such as |
| If there is a specific job you need done, be sure | | | | children screaming or loud television? |
| to bring this up as you interview prospective | | | | Do you get a clear overview of what the VA |
| Virtual Assistants. Not all VAs offer marketing | | | | provides to her clients and what her processes |
| services, for instance. Lyons points out that, | | | | are? |
| "Having someone who is knowledgeable about | | | | What is her professional background? |
| marketing is a definite asset to any business." | | | | How long has she been a VA? |
| VAs can also assist with personal errands and | | | | What is her rate? |
| non-business related tasks, such as calling a | | | | As part of the interviewing process, always make |
| plumber, arranging for pet-sitting, scheduling a | | | | sure to speak with the VA's current clients to get |
| doctor's appointment, or coordinating a move. | | | | a feel for their skills and work ethic. You are |
| According to Rai, "Our primary goal is to free up | | | | looking for someone who is highly competent and |
| our clients' time. Whether that is by formatting a | | | | service-oriented. Rai states, "The most successful |
| document or scheduling a dentist appointment, it | | | | VA-Client relationships come from open |
| doesn't matter, as long as one more task can be | | | | communication and clear expectations." Lyons |
| crossed off their lists and put on ours." | | | | concludes, " For me, being a VA is all about helping |
| Small business owners will benefit from not trying | | | | people achieve their personal and business goals. |
| to "do it all." All businesses need support in order | | | | When clients delegate some of their work load to |
| to grow. Here are a few instances when you | | | | me, I know that they will have the time to focus |
| may need a VA: | | | | on growing their business. It's a win-win situation! |
| You cannot meet your deadlines | | | | |