Are you feeling overwhelmed by trying to juggle all the tasks associated with running your business? Have you been struggling to find time for yourself, let alone tackle the important projects that can take your business to the next level? If so, it's time to consider working with a virtual assistant.

1. Understand the Benefits of Working With a Virtual Assistant

Working with a virtual assistant can be a great way to free up your time and help you stay focused on the important tasks essential for your business's success. Here are some of the key benefits you can look forward to:

Increased Efficiency

Having an extra set of hands to handle mundane or tedious tasks like scheduling, data entry and more can help ease your workload and allow you to focus on the bigger picture, working on not in your business.

Accessible Expertise

When working with a virtual assistant, you are able to access expertise that would otherwise be too costly for your business. This could include marketing strategies, content creation, graphic design, travel arrangement and more.

More Time For Yourself

Working with a virtual assistant can give you the time to step back and work on yourself. This could include taking up a hobby, pursuing further education or learning new skills. Or perhaps it will give you the time to spend with your family that you've been looking for, or just time for a breather.

Cost-Effective Solutions

Virtual assistants provide cost-effective solutions for businesses of any size. You don't have to worry about overhead costs such as office space and equipment since they are working remotely.

Here at Collab Teams we are a little different. We are a group of what we call “Collaborators”, what we like to think of as Virtual Assistants on steroids. If you place a VA (Virtual Assistant) on one end of the spectrum and an OBM (Online Business Manager) on the other end, we would fall in between the two. Essentially we take a proactive and collaborative approach to the running of your business with the goal of driving your business forward in the direction you choose. 

2. Identify Your Goals and Needs

Before you start looking for a virtual assistant or Collaborator, it's important to first identify your goals and needs. Think about what tasks you need help with and how you want the relationship to work. This could include things like:

What type of services do I need?

A virtual assistant or Collaborator can assist with everything from social media management, to inbox management, to administrative tasks, to marketing services, to making travel arrangements and everything in between. They provide support to small businesses in various industries, using their skills and knowledge to help a business thrive.

How many hours per week will be needed? 

The number of hours a business owner will require virtual assistance varies, very much depending on the tasks the virtual assistant or Collaborator is expected to complete. A good idea is to spend a little time working out how much time you, as the entrepreneur spend on the tasks you are looking at outsourcing and use this as a guide.

What is my budget for this service?

Taking on a VA can be the "secret sauce" to taking your business to the next level. However not all VA companies or indeed VAs are created equal. Here at Collab Teams we are all based in Australia and work together to provide cohesive support to our clients, ensuring that each collaborators skills are utilised to the greatest advantage.

What specific skills are required?

A VA is essentially there to make life easier for their clients, but it's important to first think about whether there are any specific skills that you'll need your VA to have to best support your business. For example if you require graphic design it's worth enquiring as to whether or not the virtual assistant company that you are looking at has the skill set to assist.

Having a clear idea of what you need will help you make an informed decision when it comes to choosing the right virtual assistant.

3. Find the Right Virtual Assistant to Fit Your Business

Now that you have a clear understanding of your goals and needs, it's time to start looking for the right virtual assistant. There are many resources available to help you find the perfect match for your business. You can search online job boards like Upwork or Fiverr, post on social media platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn, or even ask friends and family for recommendations. We would, of course, recommend having a chat with Collab Teams to see how we can help you reach your business goals.

When interviewing potential candidates, be sure to ask questions that will help you get a better understanding of their skills and experience. This could include things like:

What other clients have you worked with?

It's worth querying whether or not your prospective virtual assistant or Collaborator has ever worked with a business in your sector, or perhaps in an area that compliments your business.

What would you consider to be your greatest strengths, and weaknesses? 

Virtual assistants often possess great organizational skills and the natural ability to toggle between different tasks, however dig a little deeper and you may find that your prospective VA has skills in marketing, bookkeeping, customer service or any number of areas which could prove helpful to your business.

What do you love to do?

Asking a prospective VA what they enjoy doing is a great way of finding alignment with them in your workplace before they even begin. With a remote team it can be hard to connect in the same way as you do with a team in an office, so learning about what your VA loves to do and seeing if your work flow aligns with them is a great place to start.

What is your background and work experience and how do you feel it could apply or assist within my business?

People come to becoming VAs from a variety of backgrounds, with a variety of knowledge and skills. Enquiring as to your potential Virtual assistant or Collaborator's background and work experience may open the door to them assisting in an area of your business that you hadn't expected.

Are there any additional tools or software you use?

In the remote workspace there are any number of platforms that VAs use. Some you may already be using, some your VA may bring to you to assist in the smooth running of your business. It's always worth asking what they can bring to the table.

What are your rates and payment terms?

Rates can vary for VAs, so it's worth knowing up front what your prospective VA charges and just what you get for that rate.

By doing your due diligence, you can be sure that you're choosing the right virtual assistant.

4. Set Up an Effective Co-Working Relationship

Once you've found a suitable candidate, it's time to set up an effective co-working relationship. The key to success is communication and setting expectations right from the start. This could include:

• Setting deadlines for projects

• Discussing working hours and availability

• Establishing clear communication channels

• Creating a contract or service agreement

• Agreeing on payment terms  

By taking the time to establish a good working relationship, you can ensure that your virtual assistant is well-equipped to help you reach your desired outcomes.

5. Get Ready to Unlock Your Potential

Having a virtual assistant can be an invaluable asset to your business. Not only will you get the help you need to reach your goals, but it can also save you time and money in the long run. With the right candidate and the right setup, working with a virtual assistant can be a great way to unlock new potential for your business. If you’ve read through this and realised that a virtual assistant or, if you choose to work with us at Collab Teams, a Collaborator is just what you need in your business life, click here to book a discovery call and see just how we can help.