Unsure if hiring a Virtual Assistant is really for me?
Unsure if hiring a VA is right for you?
We all have concerns, particularly when we are considering something new. These are there to protect us from getting hurt or making a mistake and are usually driven by fear or uncertainty about what it is and how it works.
These are some of the things business owners say when they are thinking about working with a Virtual Assistant for the first time along with some clarifications to help with those uncertainties.
I’m just not sure a VA will work for me, they are too remote.
I like to make sure that the communication channels are always open for my clients. I use a variety of tools to maintain clear communication helping me to deliver great results efficiently for them.
I use Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet for meetings, and those discussions where face-to-face are really helpful or we need to share screens to explain.
I have a WhatsApp group for quick communication with either text, voice notes, or screenshots.
I use Google Chat spaces for task assigning. I can also use Trello for this if you prefer.
We email and share files on Google Drive.
And let’s not forget the good old-fashioned phone call, I do these too.
I don’t really know what I’d use them for
Think about the things you do daily, weekly, or monthly that are repetitive, boring, and that you might be putting off - THIS is it!
I type up and summarise meeting notes and transcripts, reply to straightforward emails, unsubscribe from junk mail, and flag the urgent emails you need to review.
I schedule and reschedule meetings making sure you have space in your day to spend on the projects you want to work on or spend time with clients that you need to to grow.
I update your CRM system, keep your client and business files tidy and ordered, and I also proofread your brochures if you need it!
A VA will be too disconnected from the daily office comings and goings
As your virtual assistant, I make sure I understand your business and your needs so that I’m connected and very much in your corner. I will become that person in your business that you only ever need to ask once (sometimes not at all!). By having regular conversations or video meetings we can make sure I stay connected with your business. In reality, the remoteness of your virtual assistant is no less than it is if you have a field sales team.
My company data might not be safe and secure
As a UK Virtual assistant I am registered with the ICO, I have cyber liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance. Your client files are accessed through your cloud storage and are never stored locally. I use Bitwarden to securely store any passwords so they are never written down anywhere.
If you are a UK business owner using a virtual assistant based in the UK then these things should be in place and will protect you. The rules are different if you are using a Virtual Assistant operating from overseas. If you are looking to hire a VA, looking for one based in the country you are based in will help to overcome issues of compliance and understanding of local requirements.
I don’t know how many hours I will need or how long the job will take
When you have written down the list of repetitive, boring tasks that you don’t enjoy doing or don’t really do at all unless you are forced to, make a note next to them how much time you spend on those jobs. This is a good place to start to get an idea.
As a VA I offer a variety of hours-based retained packages as well as an hourly rate. The retained packages allow you to pre-book between 10 and 30 hours a month to use how you need. This means it becomes less about how long each individual task takes as this can vary based on the task and more about a spread of work over the month. I will let you know in advance if you are getting close to using up the pre-booked hours..
At the start of my relationship with my clients, we meet so I can get an understanding of their needs and suggest the most appropriate package for them. As our relationship develops and they want to add in additional tasks or one-off projects are completed, we adjust the hours they need so they always have the package that’s right for them and the flexibility to change as their business evolves.
I’m not sure how hiring a VA is going to improve my business revenue
If you think about how much time you are devoting to those administrative tasks that YOU don’t need to do (although someone does!) and what you might do with those hours if someone else was doing those things…
How much additional revenue could you generate?
How many additional clients or proposals could you focus on?
What could you do to really drive your business to where you would like it to be?
It’s not just business either…
How many more evenings could you spend with your family and friends?
How many school runs could you actually do?
What difference would it make to you to have someone looking after your business and supporting you?
Think of me as a valuable resource that will support you to achieve your goals!
Got another question? Get in touch, and let me know what you need.
If you are ready to hire me as your VA, I’d love to chat to see how I could help you.