While working with a VA (Virtual Assistant) may seem like an easy thing to do, there always seems to be a few things that trip people up.  Below, I have listed out tips that can make working with a VA a little easier.

1. Have a game plan. This is an important one. To utilize your VA’s time efficiently, it’s imperative to have a clear starting point and a well-defined scope.  It’s much easier for your VA to start a project and provide feedback if they are clear on what the assignment is and what’s the desired outcome.

2. Clear Communication.  Good communication is a vital piece in every relationship, and that includes business relationships.  You may feel you have provided your VA with all the necessary information to complete an assignment; nine out of ten times, your VA will come back with questions.   That’s a good thing!  Remember your VA is the ‘expert’ in their field.  As they move through their process, they may uncover pieces that you may not have thought about.Keep your communication lines open and be available for them when they have questions.I communicate via Skype with most of my clients.  As a VA, when I get on my computer in the morning, one of the first things I do is to turn on my Skype.  To me, this is like turning on the “Open” sign in my window, showing my clients that I’m open for business.
   Skype is a great tool to stay connected, get instant feedback or share screens for visual collaboration.

   Keep your communication lines open and be available for them when they have questions.

   I communicate via Skype with most of my clients.  As a VA, when I get on my computer in the morning, one of the first things I do is to turn on my Skype.  To me, this is like turning on the “Open” sign in my window, showing my clients that I’m open for business.

   Skype is a great tool to stay connected, get instant feedback or share screens for visual collaboration.

3. Have Realistic Expectations. This can trip up both the client and the VA at times. You may think that the VA can complete a particular task in ten minutes and in reality it could take 30 minutes to complete it simply because you aren’t aware of all the behind-the-scenes work that takes place.  Also, know that you may not be your VA’s only client.  Ask your VA when you can expect the completed project to be done.  This allows the VA to give you a realistic expectations of their timeline.Remember, you have another business owner working ‘with’ you in your business. Virtual Assistants are also business owners.  They are not your employee.  If you want an employee, then definitely hire one.

4. Tell them about your business. I believe that the more that I understand and catch the vision of what my clients are doing and the direction they are going, it gives me a better grasp on how I can help them.  If I believe in what they are doing, I become their biggest fan and thus, I tell other people about them.  You want your VA to love what they are doing.  You want them to believe in you.

These are just four things that will allow you to build a solid team.  Don’t make working with you a guessing game.  As your team members grow as individuals, your team will grow.  Because as they grow, they will bring that knowledge and experience back to you and your business will benefit.

If you want to learn more about working with a VA, contact me at Cheryl @virtuallyall.net or connect with Pat and she can coach you on how to be a client with direction.

Cheryl Davey, Owner/Founder

Virtually All
Virtuallyall.net

cdavey@virtuallyall.net | 209.232.1234