Virtual assistants have existed for a long time. But the pandemic has made their popularity soar.
Some companies that provide virtual assistants have reported over 200% growth in the past year, according to Forbes.
Hiring a virtual assistant can benefit businesses in virtually any industry and any size. And when done with intention, it can help grow your business exponentially.
Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a large business, we’ve got three things to consider if you’re thinking about hiring a virtual assistant. These tips were shared during an expert panel discussion about virtual assistants, courtesy of Dupaco’s Virtual Business Lab.
Watch the full panel discussion >
|1| Benefits of hiring a virtual assistant
If you’re an entrepreneur or a small business, having a virtual assistant can help take things off your plate so you can focus on growing your business.
Think about your time and what creates the most value for you. Tasks that don’t generate value can be delegated to give you more time.
Virtual assistants tend to have entrepreneurial mindsets. This means your business success impacts their success. So, they can become a true partner.
If you’re a rural business, your talent pool gets exponentially larger when you open yourself up to a virtual assistant instead of someone physically located at your location.
|2| Challenges of hiring a virtual assistant
You get what you pay for. And like many industries, cheaper is not always better.
There are many options to choose from when looking for a virtual assistant. Have clear goals and expectations going into the search process to ensure you hire someone who meets your needs.
Virtual assistants can specialize in different areas. One person might not be able to check all the boxes. You might need to recruit multiple people or take more time to find someone who meets your needs.
There are options when it comes to finding an assistant. You can contract with a company, or you can search on your own. Here are a few great places to start your search:
|3| Creating a successful work arrangement
Having a remote assistant can present challenges.
Use technology to create resources and hold people accountable:
Be clear in your communication and expectations.
Most virtual assistants work on an hourly basis, so you want to make sure their time is used valuably. Help ensure you get the results you’re looking for by providing clear instructions and expectations.
And just like any employee, you want to make sure you’re intentional in building a positive relationship with your assistant. The better you know each other, the better results you’ll get.
