Blog Post

Hey sister, I know this is SCARY! Your business is your baby. You've put SO much time and energy into this endeavor that you're not sure you can hand any of it off, right? But guess what? I also know you are now depleted of that same time and energy. You are exhausted and so tired of spending your energy on tasks that leave you no time to play in your zone of genius. You probably need a VA...like, yesterday.

I've put together my top 5 tips for working with a VA! If you need to backtrack a bit and find out WHAT a virtual assistant can actually do for your business, check out [this] post!

Let's dive in!

#1 Know Your Budget 💲

Money is always the big one, am I right? Knowing what you can afford to pay a virtual assistant is crucial before proceeding. There are general administrative VAs starting at $20 per hour and specialized VAs charging $50 per hour (and up). Think about what type of VA you might need, then do your research and learn what average fees are for those services so there's no sticker shock. You'll also want to check your mindset...feel grateful for the money going out, and know that the returns for your business and peace of mind will be worth every cent!

#2 Know What You Want to Offload ✅

Take a good long look at your recurring tasks or that one project you've procrastinated on for months. You want to be able to give the VA work that frees up your time and allows you to focus on what only YOU can do in your business. Perhaps your email inbox is a hot mess, or you're so over trying to keep up on social media. An experienced VA can also help you figure out what tasks to hand over, but it's best to think it through and have a clear idea before speaking with your potential contractor.

#3 Communication is KEY! 🗝

Here's some friendly advice...even the BEST VA will not be able to read your mind and automagically know your business! You must be open and allow access. Encourage questions, questions, and more questions! Your VA will likely ask you how you prefer to communicate, and you should expect lots of back and forth, especially at the beginning of your partnership. A steady bidirectional flow of information will help you lay the groundwork for something splendid!

#4 Your VA is Not Your Employee 🚫

Did you hear me use the word "partnership" right up there? Treating your VA like an employee is the quickest way to ruin what might have been a beautiful, productive relationship in your business. A quality VA will not agree to be at your beck & call at all hours of the day and night. A VA without boundaries in place is going to burn out quickly and stop being effective, therefore wasting your time and money. This is a business-to-business service, and your VA deserves the respect you would give any other business owner. That leads us to tip #5.

#5 Pay Your Invoices on Time 💸

A quality virtual assistant will lay out a clear payment policy and schedule. In most cases, expect to prepay for your project services or monthly retainer (you may be able to negotiate for half the payment upfront). Your VA is running a business and needs to be able to plan for expected hours and income just like any other business owner! Asking for services without payment is unprofessional. Pay on time and communicate immediately if there are issues. Discuss any upcoming changes in hours or payment well in advance.

Hey, It's ok to be scared about hiring a VA! Believe me; everyone is a bit freaked out about this at first. You are not alone, and everything's gonna be just fine. Start with determining that budget and go from there!

If you'd like more information on VA matchmaking services, book a free consult call with me [here]!