So, you hired a VA. Now what?
Of course, you want to get the most out of your virtual assistant, right?
Hiring a VA is a business investment in the first place. So it’s only natural and practical to want to get your money’s worth.
In this article, I’ll share with you valuable tips on how to get the most out of your virtual assistant without being unfair to them. (Because “getting the most of them” doesn’t mean abusing their services.)
Tips for getting the most from your virtual assistant
1. Take the time to write out proper SOPs
Every company should have a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to keep things running smoothly.
This will ensure that you and your virtual assistant are on the same page. They can be as detailed or simple as you need them.
SOPs can be both written or in video format. You can also use graphs or flow charts. This way, your VA will know the step-by-step process of doing things without your supervision.
Also, SOPs make transitions easier. So if you have a new team member, this is an onboarding must-have. They can learn to do things without you handholding them.
2. Communicate and be specific
First and foremost, always be specific about what you want your virtual assistant to do for you. If not, both of you won’t be productive which means a waste of time and money.
The more specific and detailed your instructions are, the less likely errors will happen.
This is also a reason why SOPs are important because they communicate the tasks well.
Also, always remind your VA that if there’s anything – anything at all, that is not clear, they can ask questions. Always encourage them to ask questions.
You should also ask your VA questions like: Are they having blockers? Is there anything they need from you to start or finish a task? What worked well and what are their suggestions for improving things?
3. Leverage the right tools for long-distance collaboration
Here are some tools you can take advantage of for long-distance communication and collaboration with your team.
You can also read more on using the right tools for your remote team here.
Video Calls:
- Zoom
- Google Meet
- Messenger
- Slack Huddle
Screen Sharing:
- Zoom
- Loom
- Lightshot
Project Management:
- Asana
- Monday
- Trello
- Slack
4. Be their mentor
Be a professional. Be clear about what is expected of them. Tell them what kinds of projects they’re free to take on outside of their regular workload so they know their boundaries.
Don’t treat your VA as an employee but as a mentee. Yep, you’re their mentor. Teach them skills that will help them improve professionally and personally. You might think this is going overboard especially if you’re not sure if your VA will stay with you for a long time. But I’m telling you based on my experience, if you take the time to mentor your VA, they will cherish that they will want to stay and grow with you. When that happens, you’re not just the only person in your business who is invested in it. Your VA is, too. They know your business’ success and growth are theirs, too. So they will care for your business and your customers.
At the end of the day, it’s your business that will benefit from it.
5. Compensate your virtual assistant fairly
If you don’t compensate them enough, they may be tempted to take on more clients so they can make ends meet. In this case, it could cost your business more in the long run because you’ll end up paying for a virtual assistant whose attention is divided between you and their other clients. It’s better that you pay them fairly so that they don’t have to worry about their groceries and bills.
Over To You
In the end, making the most of your Virtual Assistant simply means doing your part as a responsible business owner.
Be the leader that you are and watch your business grow.
If you’re ready to find the VA who is a perfect match for you and your business, contact us today and we’ll make that happen.
