Step1
Do get overwhelmed with paperwork - pass it off to your virtual assistant
Start by delegating all the busywork. When you are free of the paperwork pileup, you get to focus on the things that are making you money in the first place. You know, your business! You have more time to build clients, sell products or services and supercharge your business, which means more money and more success!
Step2
Everyone needs help at some point - be smart and know that you can do better by delegating
Use your virtual assistant whenever possible. Your VA is a business professional who has years of administrative experience. They are far more skilled than the average temp or hourly hire, and can do the tasks you delegate quicker, and more efficiently. Faster and more powerful than your average Joe or Jane, they'll end up saving you money just in hours alone.
Step3
Contract a virtual assistant rather than an employee whenever possible. With a virtual assistant, you will not be required to pay employee taxes, provide a healthcare plan, cover for sick or vacation time, pay for onsite insurance, or conform to any human resource codes or standards. The virtual assistant is an independent contractor that already takes care of taxes, insurance and such. When all you have to do is submit one form to the IRS at tax time, you are saving all kinds of time and money compared to the time and energy it takes for employee upkeep.
Step4
A virtual assistant works virtually! Therefore, he or she can keep you from having an employee come to your home office or renting space to provide an office. Renting can be expensive - so can the utilities, equipment and supplies, and also for that cleaning service you may need for your home office!
Step5
Understand that with an employee, (and sometimes when you are forced to do administrative tasks on your own), time is wasted if there are interruptions, office gossip or politics, breaks, downtime, internet use, etc.. A virtual assistant will only charge you for the actual time spent working on your projects.
Step6
Partner with your VA for the best results
Recognize that your virtual assistant is a skilled professional. A VA is another professional set of eyes that can catch possible errors or make improvements in your marketing, correspondence and presentations. You could otherwise lose business over your hard work that had an error or lacked the impact you deserved.
Step7
Virtual assistants provide priceless peace of mind and this applies to steps 7 through 10 and back again! Professional VAs have years of experience and are trustworthy. If they were not, you simply would not see them succeed in business. Know that your VA is doing the best possible job with the highest standards of excellence in mind, and wants to see your business succeed through his or her assistance.
Step8
As a professional business owner, virtual assistants come across ideas and inspiration that can be beneficial to their clients. Because you develop an ongoing professional relationship with a VA, your VA will know you, what you are striving for and can provide other ideas, direction and feedback to bring your business goals to fruition.
Step9
Take that vacation knowing that you have a VA to back you up!
Your business can run without your supervision for awhile. Therefore, you get coverage for your very own vacation time! Your virtual assistant can even book your trip to Cancun! And while you are out listening to Jimmy Buffet music and drinking frothy drinks with tiny umbrellas, your VA has your back, covering your email inbox and holding up the virtual fort! Vacation time can help you cope with stress and work related anxiety or illness.
Step10
You will appreciate your business more and make more money, when you are less stressed.
You can avoid burnout. When you have a seasoned professional on your side, you can relax enough to savor life the way it should be savored. No one wants to lose the passion for the business they created. Getting the qualified help you need, will give you the extra drive to really take your business to the next level!
Comments
Psalmist4M said
on 5/30/2008 Your Avatar got my attention (I absolutely love it!).
So I took a look at your list of articles and saw this one. I have wanted to provide my skills in a similar position and didn't know how to really go about it. This article really helped. I will do some further research to see how I might get started. Blessings, cherylgoff.com
dseverio said
on 1/11/2008 This is awsome! I am a VA and this is the first time I've seen anyone explain the usefullness of a virtual assistant so well. Thank you!