| When you started your business it was probably | | | | make working with a Virtual Assistant go |
| only a dream that you would ever need to hire | | | | smoothly for both parties. |
| help, especially if you began as sole proprietor. | | | | Now would be time to make a list of things you |
| Nevertheless, on occasion the work load often | | | | need your hired help or Virtual Assistant to do for |
| exceeds what an industrious, highly efficient | | | | you and prioritize them by the most important to |
| do-it-myself kind of owner can manage. | | | | the least important and be well prepared by laying |
| If things get to the point that your efficiency level | | | | out what all needs to be accomplished with each |
| is not what it use to be and you still have | | | | of these priorities. Plan, be organized and think |
| business pouring in, then you may be at a place | | | | about how much you are willing to pay for each |
| where you might want to consider hiring out. | | | | of these projects because you could also hire on |
| This brings about the question, when should I hire | | | | a project to project basis. Research what Virtual |
| help? The following questions will help you evaluate | | | | Assistants tend to charge. Rearrange your budget |
| your unique situation and should also help you | | | | so it can withstand what may be an initial |
| determine if you really are at the place of needing | | | | expenditure, but in the long run has great potential |
| outside help. | | | | to increase your cash flow. Put this list - named |
| Are you finishing the jobs that you need done on | | | | "Needs" in a file folder labeled VA. Simple enough. |
| a daily, weekly or monthly basis? | | | | Next, write out your expectations for what you |
| If the answer is no, and you are falling behind | | | | expect your VA to do for you. File this - named |
| then that is a good indicator of needing help and | | | | "Expectations" in the same VA folder. |
| needing it fast! | | | | It is always a good idea to have an independent |
| Are you content with your level of efficiency? | | | | contract. This contract is an agreement between |
| Again, if the answer is no and you feel that you | | | | the VA and yourself. In this contract, all your |
| are constantly behind, this is another indicator of | | | | needs, expectations can be clearly laid out, as well |
| needing help. | | | | as the VA's rates and policies. Both of you will be |
| Are your customers happy with the work that | | | | able to go over it and add or remove things that |
| you are doing? If your customers are complaining | | | | are not applicable to your work agreement. This |
| about your product or service, then please do not | | | | contract protects the interest of both the |
| delay in getting assistance. Especially if you have | | | | company doing the hiring and the independent |
| answered no to all three of these questions! | | | | contractor, who is the VA in this case. |
| Are you enjoying your work as much as when | | | | Independent contractors are not employees. |
| you started? Then there is something wrong. | | | | They are their own entities and you will have no |
| Remember you went into business for yourself | | | | rule over when and how they work, with the |
| because you loved what you were doing and | | | | exception of what is laid out for each of your |
| could do for others. | | | | projects. Independent contractors do not receive |
| What about the growth of your business? Is it | | | | employment benefits such as health, dental, |
| stagnating because you are always behind doing | | | | accidental death insurance. Nor do they receive |
| the things you like the least? Then consider hiring | | | | paid holidays. Thus, they are responsible for all |
| someone to do those things so you can do the | | | | those things themselves. Ultimately saving you |
| things you do best - grow your business, interact | | | | money. Usually they are only hired on an as |
| with your customers, instead of being at the | | | | needed basis or possibly for a certain amount of |
| books all the time or making phone calls to | | | | hours per month, in which case many Virtual |
| manufacturing companies or responding to | | | | Assistants may offer a discounted rate if you |
| correspondence. | | | | retain their services for a set amount of time |
| If you answered all of the above with a | | | | each month. Again saving you money in the long |
| resounding no, then it is time to start looking for | | | | run. |
| that extra set of hands so you can go back to | | | | Hiring a Virtual Assistant also means that you do |
| the place of being happy efficiently running your | | | | not have to provide office equipment, separate |
| business in the front end. Hire someone who is | | | | office space or office supplies, unless it is project |
| gifted in doing the back end work in the office. | | | | specific. Each Virtual Assistant will have his or her |
| This does not mean that the person has to be | | | | own office where they provide all of their office |
| hired full-time or that you have to provide | | | | supplies, equipment and space, which may or may |
| benefits. It is possible to hire an independent | | | | not be in their home. |
| contractor in the field of Virtual Assistants. | | | | Many local Virtual Assistants even offer on site |
| The World of Virtual Assistants | | | | help, if that is a need you have for filing purposes, |
| A Virtual Assistant is a person who provides | | | | or picking up and dropping off project work. If |
| services in many different areas of administrative | | | | they do not have that listed in their services, do |
| tasks. One Virtual Assistant may provide graphic | | | | not be afraid to ask them to. They just may not |
| design, while another office support or secretarial | | | | have thought of it! Remember they want to |
| skills, yet another may only provide marketing | | | | serve and help you and usually have your best |
| assistance with the design and printing of | | | | interest at heart since you are the heart of their |
| marketing tools. Many Virtual assistants offer a | | | | business. |
| plethora of services which may or may not | | | | The world of hiring a Virtual Assistant is definitely |
| include all of the aforementioned services. | | | | expanding and offers plenty of options to the |
| The idea of Virtual Assistants is that they are | | | | small business owner. More small business owners |
| assistants who perform the work you give them | | | | need to be aware of the possibilities of hiring help |
| virtually. This may be via the Internet or simply | | | | without the headaches of having a full-time or |
| from their home office while you are just down | | | | part-time employee, especially since a Virtual |
| the street from them. | | | | Assistant is cheaper come tax time with no W-2s |
| Hiring a Virtual Assistant | | | | to file or unemployment taxes to pay. Now that |
| Hiring a Virtual Assistant will be very much like | | | | alone should get your attention and get serious |
| hiring any other person. You will want to ask for | | | | about the world of Virtual Assistants. |
| references or examples of work if you are not | | | | Where to Find a Virtual Assistant |
| acquainted with the person. If you are hiring | | | | There are many different places that offer a |
| someone who has been recommended to you or | | | | directory of Virtual Assistants. A couple of these |
| is an acquaintance, then you may feel | | | | places are and, is an individual VA offering |
| comfortable with just the word of mouth referral. | | | | services in office, promotionals and stationary. |
| Look at the qualifications of the individual in | | | | Whereas, offers assistance in administrative tasks |
| relation to your needs. If you need a person well | | | | such as: courtesy calls, telemarketing, ghostwriting |
| versed in accounting software, then you do not | | | | and correspondence. Then there is which provides |
| want to hire a person who has experience in | | | | services in Sales, Marketing, Administration and |
| design software. The same goes for not hiring a | | | | Internet related support. A VA may also just |
| secretary when you really want someone with | | | | provide bookkeeping services. There is as many |
| marketing experience. Nevertheless, there are | | | | possibilities in the world of VA s and as you can |
| many Virtual Assistants who are experienced in | | | | see, it will not be difficult to find someone more |
| many different areas, so just be aware of that | | | | than capable and qualified to complete the tasks |
| fact. | | | | that are holding you back in the front end of your |
| However, before the actual hiring takes place | | | | business. |
| there are a few preliminary steps to take to | | | | |