Your Virtual Assistant Partner
This is an interesting concept… one that has different connotations for different people.
Last night I was researching and surfing the net for ideas and ran across this article from Karyn Greenstreet with tips and ideas on finding and working with a virtual assistant. In this article she talks about the idea of the Virtual Assistant as a partner, it made me stop and think.
“Some VAs are taught that they should be a “partner” with you in your business. On the surface, this sounds great. However, I have heard too many horror stories about VAs who did things without asking permission, from modifying website text to changing established class titles”
When I am talking with clients, both perspective and current, are we clearly defining that role together?
Personally I consider myself to be a partner in the success of my clients business. But! I think that the term partner needs to be defined.
I like this definition of partner from Wikipedia:
“A friend who shares a common interest or participates in achieving a common goal.”
And this one from Dictionary.com:
“A person who shares or is associated with another in some action or endeavor; sharer; associate.”
Each of these definitions include the word share and that is a key part of my own personal definition. As a virtual assistant my role is to support you, my client, using my skills and expertise. For some clients that means an occasional project here and there and for others it means stepping up to a bigger role of working in their business on a daily basis.
Being a partner also means getting to know your business and being able to say, “Here is what I can do for you” and not just asking, “How can I help?”. There is a difference.
As a virtual assistant who works closely with a client you see and understand the dreams, the goals and the overall big picture. When you commit time and resources to that big picture you have a vested interest in helping them succeed.
You understand their vision, you see what needs to happen and can create a suggested plan of action to get them there. As a VA, this is an exciting place to be.
It does not mean the VA takes over and makes the decisions, it does mean we tap into our education and knowledge to share with you tips and strategies that we see would make a positive impact on bringing that vision to life. Together we decide if this is a course of action that will work.
The word partner is a collaborative word, not an independent word.
How do you define the word partner?
How to find & hire a VA – Tip #2
What type of virtual assistant do I need?
This is a question that surprises many people, what do you mean by type? Yes there are types! Not only are there different specialties but there are types and each have their place. It is a question you need to ask in order to find the best fit for you.
1) Task-Oriented: This type of virtual assistant you can send a whole big huge list (okay maybe not a WHOLE big list but you get the idea) of tasks that you need done. The VA will then tackle that list, mark them as done, send you feedback on what they found and you are off to the next round.
What could be on this list?
- Keyword research
- Internet search for resources of just the right gift for your client
- Assemble a list of article marketing sites
- Update a database…. I could go on but I won’t
2) Big Picture Thinker: This type of VA, is in it with you for the long haul. They get to know you and your business, they share your vision and are dedicated to its mission. You have shared values, work ethics and views on customer service.
They can become a strategic partner:
- Helping you develop strategy
- Keeping track of the pieces of the puzzle to launch your next project, website or eBook
- They know your likes, dislikes and can tailor their work to meet your preferences
- They can become an integral part of your team.
So which is right for you? In the end only you can answer that question. Remember to think long term, what are your goals in the next 6, 12, 18 months or 5 years? Are there projects you will need help with that you really don’t want to have to learn from the ground up? Is there a specific skill set you are looking for or level of experience and expertise?
If you don’t know… please ask! As a virtual assistant it is just as important to me that we are a good fit as it is too you.
It is possible to find out in the end, that you need 1 of each! It is not always necessary to pay your $40/hour VA to look up gift websites when a $15 or $20/hour VA could do it just as well – not that they couldn’t mind you! There are times when the convenience of working with one VA or VA firm is worth the extra expense, you will have to weigh the cost of convenience against your budget.
What type of VA do you think you need?
How to find & hire a VA – Tip #1
Brain dump! Make a List.
You know you need help, you know it is time to start looking for a VA or specialist to outsource. But where to start, what to outsource?
Here is your first tip – make a list of everything!
Administrative:
- What tasks do you do during your day
- What takes you longer then it should
- What do you really not like doing
- What do you not know how to do
Projects:
- What has been on your to-do list forever
- What is on your project wish list
Marketing:
- Are you being able keep up
- Is there more you could be doing on Twitter but need help
- Have you started your Facebook Fan page yet
- Do you have articles that need to be submitted
Website/Blog:
- Are your blog posts getting published
- Do you need to upgrade your WordPress
- Need to add a new special report optin to you site
Shopping Cart:
- Do you need to clean up your database
- Do you need new autoresponders set up
Keep track during your day of what you do, how long it takes and if you like to do it or not.
This is the foundation of your search for a virtual assistant. You need to know first what you need help with before you can decide what type of va you need.
