| An affordable virtual assistant can make every part of | | | | her duties are clearly communicated. If you have a |
| running your business easier. He or she can write | | | | schedule you would like her to follow, send it to her. |
| articles for you, answer support emails, promote your | | | | Make sure she understands how to do the different |
| site, or even help you get a new stream of income | | | | tasks you would like completed. One of the trade offs |
| started. But finding a good virtual assistant can be | | | | of paying less is you generally get someone who is |
| difficult and time consuming. Sometimes, you get one | | | | less experienced. So expect to do some training at |
| only to have her leave after a month of work. How | | | | first. Also, consider raising her rate after you start to |
| can you get a good assistant and keep her? | | | | see returns on your investment. This will help you retain |
| First, you need to set up a very extensive screening | | | | her services. |
| process before you hire. If you just hire the person | | | | As I say, this is just a starting point for you in your |
| with the lowest bid, you could be setting yourself up to | | | | outsourcing tasks. |
| waste your own time and money. A good site to use | | | | You need a way to make your outsourcing as stress |
| is Odesk. This way, you can enter some simple tasks | | | | free as possible. |
| you want your candidates to do. See how they handle | | | | So how can you do that? You can keep reading |
| them, and decide which you want to hire. | | | | these short articles online, but you'll not learn enough to |
| Some qualities you will want to look for are initiative, | | | | REALLY help you with your outsourcing. In fact, you |
| quick response to emails, good writing skills, and | | | | might end up wasting your money on virtual assistants |
| willingness to learn and ask questions. A good | | | | that just don't deliver the results you're after. The best |
| assistant will have you clarify anything she's not sure | | | | thing you can do is look into getting solid advice from |
| of. This will save both you and her a lot of time. | | | | someone who's been there and been successful. |
| Once you find an assistant to your liking, make sure | | | | |