A virtual assistant (VA) can be an asset to your business, helping to reduce your workload, increase your productivity and keep your overhead low. However, what you get out of your VA depends a good deal on you. Read on for four tips for getting the most out of your VA.
Consider Personality:
Often, people considering a virtual assistant focus only on a candidate’s experience and skills. Without question, both of these things are important. However, how you will mesh with the person you hire will also dramatically influence your satisfaction. Think long and hard about the type of person you want. Do you think you will clash too much with someone just like you? Are you more passive and in need of a person to help get you going and push things forward? Do you want a compassionate, get-along-with-everyone person to interact with your clients? Are you hoping for a cut-and-dry, no-nonsense person to move smoothly past red tape? Choosing a VA with the right personality can help not only keep you happy but also ensure that your business runs smoothly.
Be Reasonable:
Ever heard of the folly of trying to make a dollar out of 15 cents? Realize that it applies to people as well. There are only so many hours in the day, and your VA only has two hands. If you give her too much work to complete on time, she will have a much harder time performing to your expectations. Likewise, she may become burnt out by your demands and decide to move on to a job with a more realistic workload. Do make the most of the time your VA commits to you, but don’t set her up to fail or expect her to be superwoman.
Don’t Go Cheap:
You really do get what you pay for, especially when it comes to the people you hire to help your business shine. Of course, it always makes sense to be budget conscious, but resist the urge to choose the cheapest VA simply because she is, well, cheap. Instead, make your selection based on the talent the VA will bring to the table, how well her skills match your needs, and how well you think you will work together. Remember, that your VA has to make a reasonable living wage and feel that the effort she puts into your projects is worth her time. If she does not, you are much more likely to get shoddy work in return or see cracks in her performance. At the very least, she will be unwilling to go the extra mile for you, and who needs that?
Seek Advice and Recommendations:
An experienced, talented VA, who is really into her job, has a wealth of experience and knowledge to share with you. If she’s just performing the tasks you’ve requested, are you fully tapping into her potential? Go ahead and ask her advice and input, actively seek suggestions, and cultivate a relationship in which she feels comfortable speaking up if she has ideas for your business. Your VA may be able to offer ideas and suggestions for making processes more efficient, saving time, getting more business, and improving both your reputation and your relationship with your clients.
REVStaffing virtual assistants dramatically boost client productivity. Take your next step towards better organization of your residential or commercial real estate business by sending us an email, or give us a call for a free needs analysis. We’ll be happy to discuss ALL of your unique business needs. Ask how we can give your business a LIFT!