It seems the virtual assistant industry is a hot commodity these days!
We've had several clients lately ask whether we can recommend a good virtual assistant...and how to know if hiring a VA is the most cost effective way to find help.
So we went to our good friend Jessica Maes to shed some light on this popular topic. Having been a VA herself before starting her own consulting business, she's an authority on the topic and cuts right to the chase.
As a small business owner for nearly a decade and a Virtual Assistant (VA) for over half of that decade I have “seen it all” when it comes to partnering with a Virtual Assistant. I have been the VA and I have been the client.
To this day, business owners contact me for tips about how to work with their Virtual Assistant and referrals to find the best of the best.
Based on my knowledge and experience as both a client and a VA, here is my advice for creating a successful relationship with a Virtual Assistant:
Not the price they will be charging to do it. Yes, I am cutting right to the chase and talking about price. Why? Because I received enough emails in my 6 year tenure as a VA to know that rarely does an inquiry start with “Hello”, rarely does an inquiry start with “Tell me about the value you provide to your clients.”
Hands down the most common way that business owners begin their dialogue with a VA goes something like this: “How much do you charge?”
First of all, let me say, I get it. Growing up in an environment where money was tight, I constantly think about cost first and value second.
However, if you dwell on price from the start in your search for a VA you will never, ever be happy with the results you receive from whomever you hire.
You may be thinking: That’s really beautiful Jessica, but seriously, some VAs charge a lot. I need to know if it’s even worth it to talk to someone because if they charge $50+ or more for their services, it’s not going to work for me.
I get it. But then you have to ask yourself: How much is YOUR time worth? More than $50/hour (or whatever you feel is a steep price for a VA)?
If yes, then consider this: You’re paying YOURSELF 2-4x the amount you would be paying your VA.
Why? Because if you don’t have a VA, then YOU are doing the work.
THAT’s Plan B, and it’s NOT the way you are ever going to grow your business or take back your free time or your sanity.
From a Virtual Assistant and share that information with the VAs you’re considering working with BEFORE you hire them. Time and again, business owners say to me: I want someone who does more than work through a to-do list. Ok, this is good.
This is so good that it has to be one of the first things you talk about with your potential Virtual Assistant.
Why?
Because many VAs only “do” to-do lists.
Many VAs LOVE to be of service and will do this by efficiently plow through your list of to-dos for you. But think about it: that to-do list did not make itself.
YOU have to be more hands on with a task driven VA. If that’s cool with you – cool! If that’s not, then you need to make it clear that you want to work with a VA who is more strategic. That upon learning what the goal is can get to work on doing what it takes to get you moving to that goal.
That’s a totally different work style, a totally different person, and a totally different price point (remember, it’s about VALUE!).
Many business owners LOVE to throw around the term “my assistant”. Sometimes it’s because they want the business to seem bigger and more important. Sometimes it’s because they want to feel bigger and more important. Regardless, think twice about how you treat your VA.
Your VA is NOT your employee. Your VA is your partner. Your VA is your team member.
If your VA is successful doing what they need to do on your team, you will be more successful. If you are more successful, your VA is more successful because you will keep them on your team and hopefully refer them to your friends and colleagues so that they can do good for more and more people in the world.
Business owners that are successful with working with Virtual Assistants follow the advice in this article to the letter. If you want to join the ranks, do not pass go, do not collect $200. Instead, follow these tips and get ready to change the trajectory of your business – in a good way!
Jessica Maes is the owner of Maes Consulting. As an Infusionsoft Certified Consultant she is committed to working with customers in the areas of coaching, consulting, and training. She is also committed to helping all small businesses learn and implement the Lifecycle Marketing model to achieve a fully developed marketing strategy for their business.
Connect with Jessica on Facebook and Twitter.
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