Ready to have your world changed? Work with a virtual assistant.

Thinking of working with a virtual assistant? Here are a few things to remember.

Let’s face it: most of us can use an extra set of hands, even on our best days. This is even more true when you’re running a small business. Collaborating with a skilled and savvy virtual assistant could be just what you need to work more efficiently and go from dreams to done.

What is a virtual assistant, anyway?

A virtual assistant is a freelance contractor that can be engaged to help you and your team with a variety of tasks. There are virtual assistants (“VAs”, for short) that focus solely on administrative tasks, like receiving calls, managing email, and scheduling meetings. There are other VAs that focus solely on marketing, and may drive your company’s marketing efforts via social media, email campaigns or newsletters. Still other VAs may focus on bookkeeping only, and can help your team with billing and invoicing, and even preparing for tax season. Virtual assistants have a variety of skills and backgrounds. In truth, finding a skilled VA is not difficult, if you know where to look.

Even for small projects, remember that you want to work with someone who “gets” you, your team, and your company

Where can I find a skilled, reputable VA?

If you do a Google search, you’ll find many companies, large and small, that can provide you with a quality virtual assistant. While that is a good start, don’t stop there. Upwork, for example, allows you to create a profile, post your project, and receive proposals from VAs that see your project, and you can invite specific freelancers that meet criteria that you set. You can read reviews and testimonials on the freelancers as well.

Even for small projects, remember that you want to work with someone who “gets” you, your team, and your company. Take the time to do quality interviews, ask questions and get a feel for this person. Find the lid for your pot.

Which types of projects work best for a VA?

Most virtual assistants are freelance contractors, meaning they work on their own time and are not employees. This also means that their clients cannot dictate their workday or time the way an employer can. To keep projects on track, and to make the most of your investment in a VA (not to mention the VAs time), it’s best to have specific projects with measurable milestones and deliverables. Not only does this keep everyone accountable, but it helps you measure productivity and progress week over week, month over month. For example, these are project descriptions that are specific with measurable deliverables:

• Research the best publishing company in San Francisco for my new graphic novel;
• Create 10 social media graphics using my logo and brand colors. Format them for Instagram and Facebook;
• Add my receipts for the past 3 months to Expensify. Create expense reports and send them to my accounting team as a PDF; and
• Edit three blog posts, add your brand CTAs, and publish them to a Wordpress site.

I don’t believe in “bad” projects, just projects where communication is lacking and goals are not set. Use a Scope of Work to really define your project, and add due dates to your deliverables and milestones. It is important to not only know WHAT you need done, but also HOW you want it done and in what timeline. Take the time to really think about your work style so that you and your future VA can make the most of your time together.