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Are You Feeling Overwhelmed?
Learn how working with a virtual assistant can help you gain control over your business.
Sue Amdur, Mountain View Office Services
Does this sound like you? You start off on Monday morning with every intention of accomplishing the ten tasks on your to do list and you have a plan for getting it all done. You end your day on Friday having accomplished only one, maybe two, of those ten tasks, plus you've added three more. You never feel like you're getting ahead.
Why not consider using a virtual assistant? A virtual assistant, or "VA" for short, can help do some of those tasks for you - maybe you'd like to update your website to attract more clients and you've spent hours trying to figure out how to do it with no success. Maybe you are late in billing your current clients and you can't keep track of who has paid and who hasn't. Maybe you just need someone to keep your client schedule maintained and your emails answered.
VAs have spent a lot of time developing expertise in their area of specialization, whether it's administrative (e.g., maintaining your contact database or CRM), technical (e.g., website development), or creative (e.g., designing marketing materials). VAs are small business owners, just like you, and offer a high level of professionalism and collaboration. They work WITH you so you can meet your goals.
How do you choose a VA?
First, take a look at all of your tasks and decide which ones you should keep doing and which ones you'd like to have assistance with. Make sure you keep your business objectives in mind. Consider what the best use of your own time is in order to move your business forward.
Second, determine what type of services you are looking for - maybe you'd like someone to take care of your social media postings and email blasts, or someone to help you with getting your book self-published - and decide on a budget for those services.
Third, research! A great place to start is with an Internet search to find VAs who provide those services. Try searching for virtual assistant directories, virtual assistant organizations, or how to find a virtual assistant. Some VA organizations have directories of member VAs, as well as job posting services for submitting your job requirements. Also, don't forget your network - ask your colleagues, friends, and family if they know of anyone they could recommend.
Finally, choose two or three VAs who specialize in the type of work you need to have done and schedule phone interviews with them. Once you've decided on someone, you don't need to start big. Give the VA a small project and see if the work is done to your satisfaction. You'll also be able to see if your styles work well together.
Once you've started collaborating with your VA, you'll begin to wonder why you didn't make this decision sooner.
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