Finding the Perfect Virtual Assistant for Your Business Growth

Modern day businesses, especially small and micro businesses struggle to grow mainly due to the fact that as an entrepreneur you try to do every job in your business. This “Superhero Syndrome” will eventually lead your business in a downward spiral.

A change of mindset and opting for some expert help in the form of a virtual assistant can help you grow your business. Instead of trying to don so many hats, you can utilize your time more effectively and outsource tasks to work with talented people in a team.

Finding the Perfect Virtual Assistant (VA)

It is not easy handling different roles simultaneously in a business. Though you might enjoy multitasking, it’s been proven to be a poor way of working, and over a period of time, it affects your morale and eventually your business.

Virtual assistants are true time savers as they perform several administrative tasks while you can work on other aspects to encourage the growth of your business. As an entrepreneur, it is essential to have a virtual assistant in your business. So how do you start?

How to Start?

Many entrepreneurs are perplexed as to what tasks to outsource and how to begin the process. A General Virtual Assistant or a GVA helps you to work on your business rather than work in the business. There are many tasks that you can outsource to a virtual assistant.

You may find that once you have identified your specific business needs you need to build a team and not hire for any specific role.

Ok, now is the moment to get back some of your day – just start!!

1. Let go, be ready and then hire a VA

First, you need to overcome the fear of letting go of some your tasks. It is nearly impossible to perform all the day to day tasks of running a business yourself as an entrepreneur. You need to free more of your time so that it can be utilized for the growth of your business.

Once you are ready for an assistant, make a list of jobs that can be outsourced to your virtual assistant.
You could consider making 3 lists.

1. Tasks you dislike
2. Tasks you don’t have the skills for
3. Tasks you don’t need to do
– This one can be the hardest by far as it may include tasks that you enjoy but could still better outsource. Get your thinking cap on!

When you have a clear and precise picture of tasks that need to be outsourced, it becomes easier to hire a virtual assistant who fits your requirements.

2. Create a System

Before hiring a virtual assistant, make sure to create a solid system of how your tasks or processes work together and study the system first.

You can also create a training program that can be handed over to the virtual assistant. Create a training video of your work or any other process and use this material to train your virtual assistant. The training material can be used by any other virtual assistant that you hire.

This may initially be time-consuming but the ultimate benefit outweighs this initial injection of your time. You may also uncover weaknesses or problems in your processes and systems that can be improved along the way. Win-win!

3. Some Ideas to get you Started

Here are just some tasks you can outsource to a Virtual Assistant – what have you outsourced?

General and Admin Tasks

• Email management
• Database Building – Updating Contacts or CRM
• Customer Service – replying to Emails, Chat Support, Lodged Tickets
• Calendar Management &  Appointment Scheduling
• Travel Arrangement and Planning
• Data Entry in Word, Excel, Google Docs etc
• Preparing Powerpoint Presentations
• Transcription of Video and Audio Files
• Simple eBook Layout and Formatting
• Preparing Online Meeting Minutes
• Report Creation
• Form Creation
• Document Template Creation
• Online Research
• Blog Publishing Management
• Sending Client Invoices
• Basic Bookkeeping (MYOB, XERO & Quickbooks)
• Preparation of Training Materials

Content Marketing Tasks

• Content and Blog Post Creation
• Guest Blogging
• SEO Writing

e-Newsletters

• Creating a New List in Email Marketing Software
• List management – Adding and Removing Subscribers
• Creating and Scheduling Emails to Promote Content
• Creating Auto-responders
• Creating Email Newsletters

Social Media Management Tasks

• Creating Facebook Fan Pages and/or Groups
• Posting and Scheduling for Facebook, Twitter etc
• Create and Manage LinkedIn Account and Profile
• Create and Manage YouTube Account – Upload Videos on YouTube, Moderate Comments

Websites

• Website Analysis
• Keyword Research for Blog and SEO Content
• Competitor Analysis
• Lead or Landing Page Set-up and Creation
• On-page optimization for posts and pages (example – Yoast SEO plugin)
• Updates and general security of the site
• Support and Develop WordPress (PHP) Websites
• Install WordPress PlugIns and Themes