| When you decide to hire a virtual assistant to grow | | | | You'll often hear the term 'You can't afford NOT to |
| your business you need to be strategic to successful | | | | outsource' and in many ways that's true but you do |
| find the right person. How do you do that? | | | | need to be prepared for the fact that outsourcing |
| You must consider your needs and then look to find a | | | | does cost money. The return on that investment can |
| VA who fits those needs perfectly. Don't just hire the | | | | be very great if you outsource the right tasks to the |
| first person you come across without carefully | | | | right people, but keep in mind that you need some |
| determining if they are a good match. | | | | cash flow to outsource to a VA. |
| Here are five essential elements to finding your | | | | Element 5 - Communicate Clearly |
| perfect fit when outsourcing: | | | | Effective communication both on the part of the virtual |
| Element 1 - Is it a good match? | | | | assistant and the client is very key in an outsourcing |
| There are a lot of things that need to go right in order | | | | relationship. Before you hire a VA find out what their |
| for a virtual assistant/client relationship to work out and | | | | method of communication is. If you prefer to call |
| not every virtual assistant is meant to work with every | | | | someone up on the phone every time you have a |
| client. One of the first elements of working with a | | | | question or concern, make sure the VA you want to |
| Virtual Assistant is finding a good match with your | | | | work with is available for these types of calls. |
| personality. The term virtual assistant indicates that | | | | Also make sure you communicate your needs before |
| most likely you won't be meeting this person face to | | | | you start working together. Be concerned if the virtual |
| face before you work with her. It's very important that | | | | assistant doesn't ask any questions about what you |
| you get on the phone and have a short discussion just | | | | do need if you don't get the opportunity to mention it. |
| to make sure you can understand each other and just | | | | Your VA needs to determine if she can realistically |
| find out if it's a good match to work together. | | | | handle the work you have available. If she doesn't |
| Element 2 - Understand what and why you are | | | | know what it is she is effectively telling you she can |
| outsourcing. | | | | do absolutely anything, which is unlikely. |
| This one is very important. I know we're all busy and | | | | Element 6 - Commit to a project |
| outsourcing is a good way to have LESS work but it is | | | | I know how hard it is to want to do so many different |
| important for yourself and your business that you | | | | projects at a time and often just starting one project |
| know what you are handing over to a VA so that you | | | | leads to so many other projects at the same time. |
| can then decide if it's worth the money for you. | | | | Working on too many projects at once is just not |
| Let's say you are outsourcing your article marketing. If | | | | smart business. If you can commit to a project and |
| you don't understand what happens to your articles | | | | see it through you will definitely see more success with |
| after they leave your computer how will you be able | | | | this then moving from project to project without |
| to tell if paying a VA $100 per month to send them out | | | | actually finishing the last one or having the ability to |
| is worth it for you? On the other hand, if you do | | | | track your efforts. |
| understand what is happening when those articles go | | | | Element 7 - Test Results |
| out you can set up systems to monitor the results of | | | | I did mention this a little bit earlier but it's very important |
| this effort and see if it's paying off or if you need to | | | | that you keep an eye on what is working and what |
| tweak the system a little or a lot. | | | | isn't. Now you don't need to get all crazy with testing |
| Element 3 - Expect it will take time. | | | | and tracking but you do need to know what works for |
| If you are bringing on a virtual assistant, especially for | | | | you and your business and use that to make your |
| your internet marketing, you can't expect that | | | | outsourcing decisions. There are so many tools and |
| everything will happen instantly. You will need to train | | | | programs available on the internet there really is no |
| that assistant and she will need to learn your business. | | | | excuse for not tracking. |
| It's just not realistic to expect the virtual assistant to be | | | | So there you have seven key elements to check |
| intuitive about your needs until some time has passed | | | | before choosing a virtual assistant to work with. Use |
| and the working and business relationship has been | | | | these as a guideline and you'll be well on your way to |
| well established. Some things take time and effort | | | | establishing a profitable working relationship with a new |
| before they pay off. | | | | team member who can be a very valuable asset to |
| Element 4 - Expect it will cost you money. | | | | your business for years to come. |