5 things to consider when hiring a Virtual Assistant
You’ve been steadily building your business, growing your customer base and developing your products and services.
It’s been going well and as the founder/owner, you’ve learned lots about every aspect of running a business. Importantly, because it’s just you, you’ve been able to steer things in the exact direction you want.
However, as you’ve become busier with customers, your own life has become correspondingly busier. You’re getting pulled in several different directions and little things are starting to slip as your focus has to go on more important priorities. Either that, or your free time (what free time!) has disappeared and you no longer have quality time available for the important people in your life.
There are several ways this could go. You could keep going as you are and either burn out or become a full-time workaholic. You could delve into the world of becoming an employer and recruit someone to join your team. Or, you could look at hiring another freelancer to take some of the pressure off your shoulders.
But where on earth do you start with finding such a freelancer? Someone you may never actually meet in person, but that you feel comfortable to trust with your business?
First things first
Before you even start looking for a person, you need to identify exactly what you need.
Outline the tasks
Define the timeframe (is there a deadline for the work to be completed)
Work out how many hours will be needed
Look at the skills required
It’s not unlike the information you need to pull together when recruiting an employee (ie. job description, person specification).
When you’ve defined your project, you can start searching for someone to work with you. You could try freelance job sites (eg. Upwork, People Per Hour, etc), search on Google or use your network and ask for recommendations from friends and colleagues.
To help you get the best out of your search, here are 5 tips for you to consider:
1. Start small
If you begin by delegating minor tasks, you’ll a) get into the swing of passing work onto somebody else, b) learn the best way to communicate with each other and c) find out if things are working without it having a massive impact on your business.
2. Check the fit
Does the person have a good enough internet connection? Is having somebody working on the same time zone important? Do they have the required skills? Do they have good recommendations and testimonials?
3. Be specific
Give details of what is required, guidelines for completion, access to any background files and full information on deadlines for the work to be completed.
4. Communicate
Agree between you in advance how often you’ll be touching base with each other. Is it weekly? The start and end of a project? Daily? By having this discussion, it will take away any ambiguity.
5. Use their skills
You’re hiring a freelancer to complete a particular task, but they may have experience of doing this for another client, giving them valuable insights into the best way for it to be completed. A good freelancer can become your right hand person and someone for you to bounce ideas around with.
Bonus tip
If you’re hiring somebody to work with you on an ongoing basis, agree a probationary period. You’d do that with an employee, so it makes sense to do the same with someone else who you’re bringing into your business. Deciding on a month, for example, gives time for both of you to see how things are working out - and if they’re not, you have a mechanism for parting company with no hard feelings.
Hiring a freelancer to support you in certain areas of your business will mean that you can stay focused on the things that you do best - and also will give you more time to spend with family and friends.
Jacquie Budd is a content writer and strategist, helping businesses, charities and not for profits to connect with their customers.
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